Back to 2026 Sermon Series - Genesis 9-22

Sermon Notes

Thinking About Heaven

Sunday 2 August 2026 Pastor Craig Ledbetter Colossians 3:1-3
Download Audio

I. Introduction (Colossians 3:1-3)

  • Let’s sing, This World is Not My Home…
  • Do you believe any of that? Does it show?

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” - Colossians 3:1-3

  • It’s evident that FEW Christians have joy… especially in the midst of so much trouble
  • They are miserable
  • They make no investments in the future, and they have no blessed hope
  • And they have nothing they are looking forward to that is better than this life!

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” - Matthew 6:20

  • Today, I want to get us all looking forward to a place Jesus called HEAVEN!
  • My heart aches for people who know nothing of heaven as described in the Bible! People have heard of nirvana, the seventh heaven, Cadbury’s “Show Me Heaven” chocolate (remember that ad?), but very few know of God’s heaven!
  • We need to be a heavenly-minded people, who have a sure hope, something that we look forward to, a place we know is much better than this world!

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

  • Are you ready to go at any minute?

  • We prepare in great detail when making plans for holidays, or especially when planning on moving

  • We research the climate, job opportunities, housing prospects, schools, etc.

  • However, when it comes to the place of our home for eternity, many people make no preparation but live as though this earth were our permanent home

  • They spend every spare moment shopping or pursuing vain entertainment

  • Then, after spending so much time, money, and effort decorating their homes, they leave to their loved ones the task of ridding their lives of the burden of all that “stuff” accumulated

  • Jesus told about a man who spent his entire life accumulating many possessions - who, when he had no more room to store his goods, made plans to build yet another structure in which to store it all. Then one day he was called away, to meet his maker. Jesus’ response was, “Then whose shall these things be?”

  • Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.” Our treasure should be in heaven. That’s where our investments should be held

  • C.S. Lewis wrote in his book Mere Christianity: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”

  • What is that “world”? What is it like there? And how does looking forward to heaven help us now?

II. Background

  • There’s a lot of confusion about Heaven
  • There are cults that teach soul-sleep, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses. You never go to heaven when you die; you just hover around your decaying worm-eaten body until a resurrection way out in the future!
  • There are so many people who believe that we are nothing more than just a clump of dirt, buried and gone when we die
  • The Catholics believe in purgatory and limbo
  • There are people who are confused about:
    • The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven on earth
    • Resurrections, and raptures, and the Second Coming of Christ
    • Heaven and hell
  • There certainly is a lot of things to be confused about
  • But do NOT be ignorant about those things!
  • Not knowing about heaven, not believing in all its wonder and beauty leaves you with nothing to look forward to. No reason to keep going

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” - Philippians 1:21

  • Not sad, not terrifying, not the end!
  • To Paul, and every born again Christian, living this life, and going through no matter what, is Christ’s will, but to die is MUCH BETTER

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” - Philippians 1:23

  • To the world, we seem so foolish. We seem so out of touch with reality
  • But we’re looking for a city not made with hands, and a promise not made by man - so who’s the fool and who’s crazy?
  • The world has to have their hallucinogenic drugs, their cigarettes, their alcohol
  • We have Jesus, and trust the power of His resurrection!
  • Death has no victory anymore for me
  • Having heaven as my home makes THIS world fade, and whatever I may have to go through down here, worth it all

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:18

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

III. Message - What Does the Bible Say About Heaven?

A. The Bible Tells Us It’s a Real Place (John 14:1-3)

  • Not another planet, or even galaxy - but far better!

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” - John 14:1-3

  • There are three heavens. Each of them are very real!

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.” - 2 Corinthians 12:2

  1. First Heaven - Genesis 1:8,9 “And God called the firmament Heaven…” This firmament (the earth’s atmosphere) consists of air, and the clouds
  2. Second Heaven - Genesis 1:14-17. The second heaven is filled with the planets, stars, comets, supernovas and nebulas that are outside our atmosphere, and yet do not reach God. The universe
  3. Third Heaven - This is where God dwells (Matthew 6:9; Psalm 113:5). It is not anywhere near this planet (Acts 7:48,49)
  • Birds and airplanes go into the first heaven
  • Space ships go into the second heaven
  • Believers end up in the third heaven at death, or taken there at the time of the rapture
  • This is usually the place being talked about when we refer to “going to heaven!”

B. It is for the Soul

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

  • The most important part of you is meant to live forever

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” - Mark 8:36

  • God made hell for the devil and his angels - not for anyone else
  • So if you end up in hell, it will be on you! You were meant to be with God

C. It is Eternal

  • When you die, you step out of time into eternity
  • It never wears out - never will get old!

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16

D. It is Massive

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…” - Isaiah 66:1

  • It is bigger than this universe
  • This entire universe fits inside of God’s heaven. Heaven is outside of this universe! Our “little” universe is inside God’s presence

E. It is Paradise

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:39-43

  • Better than the Bahamas, and Lanzarote, and Tahiti, and any other of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations

F. Some Wonderful Things Are There

  1. A Book that has my name in it

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” - Luke 10:20

  1. A Bottle that’s got my tears in it

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” - Psalm 56:8

  1. All the born again believers that have died before me - I will see Adam, and Eve, and Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and even Lot, and Paul, and John, and Peter, and Martha, and Cornelius, and Titus, and a zillion others

  2. The Brook that flows from the throne of God - the River of Life, lined by trees that produce twelve different kinds of fruit

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” - Revelation 22:1

  1. A Massive City floating in the heavens - The New Jerusalem
    • It is 1,500 miles wide, tall, and deep
    • The streets are made of gold
    • It is filled with mansions
    • It has a flowing river of life
    • There are trees with fruit that bring healing
    • You will find it described in Revelation 19, 21 and 22

G. The Throne of God is in the Centre of It All

“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.” - Revelation 4:1-3

  • Surrounded by a stunning eternal rainbow, all the way around
  • Surrounded next by 4 Cherubim - mightiest angels of them all, crying out “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
  • Isaiah saw it in Isaiah chapter 6
  • Ezekiel and Daniel also saw God’s throne
  • Even David saw the throne of God
  • One day, so will we!

H. Most of All, Jesus Will Be There - The Lamb of God

  • He is there right now - sitting at God’s right hand!
  • He will be the centre of OUR attention forever and ever

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” - Revelation 5:9-13

I. There Are Some Things Missing There

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelation 21:3,4

  • No more separation between us and God, or between each other
  • No more death - death is the result of sin - so, no more sin - no more endings
  • No more sorrow - no loss - no one is hurtful - no more burdens
  • No more crying - God takes the time to personally wipe away all tears!
  • No more pain - perfect bodies
  • No more baggage (21:4,5) - all the old things are gone! No more potential to sin, no more haunting memories of past sins, no more fears of messing up!
  • No more curse (22:3) - it all started back in Genesis 3, and finally is gone!

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” - Revelation 22:3

  • That means no thorns, or flies, or roaches, or mosquitos, no drought, or floods
  • There is no night there - it is all light

“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” - Revelation 22:5

IV. What Is It Going to Be Like?

A. Never Ending!

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” - Ephesians 2:1-7

  • Did you notice that? “Throughout the ages to come…” Throughout all eternity!
  • God will constantly show us exceedingly amazing things

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9

B. It is Humbling

  • None of us SHOULD be there - we will be so out of place!
  • None of us are worthy of being in such a place like HEAVEN!
  • Only by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ for sinners are we going
  • AND only because we are invited!
  • And then to be rewarded for serving Him and doing His will
  • To be honoured for faithfulness instead of successes
  • Amazing!

C. Absolute Worship

  • REAL worshipping God - falling at the feet of Jesus - not Mary or other saints - JUST God
  • Thanking God - I will come back again and again, every time that I remember something else to thank Him for!
  • There will be no complaining, no murmuring there
  • Some of you won’t like it at all - no sports, no money, no YouTubes, no rock music

D. A Lot of Singing and Shouting

  • I worry about so many of you who refuse to sing in worship of Jesus Christ here
  • People in heaven are singing right now some New Songs

“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” - Revelation 5:8,9

  • Every Gospel song since I got saved was a new song to me

  • I thank God for godly Christian music - not contemporary rubbish!

  • I am going to sing it for ever and ever! It is part of TRUE WORSHIP!

  • Some old songs as well:

    • I will take to heaven with me all the songs of that hymnal that I have memorized, and sung day after day
    • I will sing the precious songs like: My Saviour’s Love; And Can It Be; The Old Rugged Cross; It is Well With My Soul
    • THOSE are not church songs - they are HEAVEN’S songs!
    • Heaven is waiting for God’s choir to assemble and sing!
    • What will it sound like when 200,000,000 believers join together in unity and harmony praising God Almighty?

  • A lot of shouting - excitement!

“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” - Psalm 47:1

  • Heaven is no place for the timid, reserved, the quiet

  • You won’t be so “reserved” in heaven!

  • You can’t praise God without getting excited! Fervent in spirit! Thrilled!

  • It is not quiet up there

  • Heaven is like a massive football stadium just waiting for a reason to roar:

    • When someone repents, and gets saved!
    • When someone gets the victory over their sin!
    • When someone surrenders to the will of God!
    • When someone bows their knee and starts praising Jesus’ wonderful name

  • You will hear “AMEN” a lot in heaven! It is like WOW!

  • Holy, Holy, Holy (Revelation 4:8) - exploding out of our innermost being!

  • Worthy is the Lamb (Revelation 5:11,12)

  • Blessing, Honour, Glory, Power - NOT to any of us, but to HIM that sits on the throne!

  • Hallelujah - praise ye the Lord!

  • Might as well get used to saying those things down here!

E. Resting, No More Stress

  • Not sleeping
  • No hurry, no rush
  • But enjoying absolutely everything around us
  • Never being bored again!

F. Serving - We Are Going to Serve the Lord There Forever

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.” - Revelation 22:3

  • We won’t just float around endlessly
  • We will still have purpose - we will still do great things for God!

G. Sorry - We Are Going to Be Sorry for Some Things

  • Sorry for very little praying and walking with God and enjoying God
  • Sorry for very little relying on the power of the Holy Spirit in my life
  • Sorry for very little effort spent for eternity
  • Sorry for very little struggle against sin and temptation, when I was given the victory with the blood of Jesus Christ!
  • I am going to be so sorry for not living like I was a child of the King of kings - but instead, living like I was my own man!
  • And sorry that so many people won’t be there! Plenty of room!
  • I hate regrets - so, God help us to be sorry now, so that we can be shouting later!
  • And I am glad that God will take the time to wipe away all tears!

V. Conclusion

  • You were made for another world - an eternal world, with God
  • Your body is for this world
  • Your soul is eternal, and meant for God’s world - for heaven!
  • Not everybody is going to heaven

How Does Anyone Get in There? (John 14:1-6)

  • You have to go in by the Door
  • Jesus said “I am the door” - only HE is the way to the presence of Almighty God!

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” - John 14:1-6

  • Talk to Jesus Christ by prayer - as a sinner, thirsty, wanting His forgiveness
  • HE can get anyone in!
  • Take of the water of life FREELY (Revelation 22:17)! It is a gift!
  • Then, start looking forward to your new home! You won’t ever look back!
Back to 2026 Sermon Series - Genesis 9-22