You Wouldn't Like Heaven Anyway

(Author Unknown)

​INTRODUCTION

Students of Scripture already know that few will receive the reward of heaven, but, observing the attitudes and actions of the people around us, it seems few really want it anyway.
 
I. IF YOU DON'T LOVE WORSHIPING GOD

Is assembling with the saints to worship the Lord a chore, a burden, an unpleasant necessity to check off a list, or a means of satisfying some family member? Is worship limited to the assemblies, and not an activity you choose to engage in alone or with family (James 5:13)?

A. Revelation 4:9-11; 5:8-14; 7:9-12; 11:16-17; 15:3-4 - A small selection of the many passages depicting worship in heaven reveal that praising God is a constant activity there.

B. John 4:23-24 - God is searching for worshipers!

C. 1st Peter 2:9-10 - We are a people created to praise our Savior.

D. Hebrews 13:15 - Praising God must be a constant for the people of God.

BECAUSE HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF PRAISE
 
II. IF YOU AREN'T BUSY IN THE WORK OF GOD

The rest promised in heaven could have very little appeal to those who aren't working now, putting themselves in need of such.

A. Hebrews 3:18-4:11 - Rest does await the blessed in the hereafter, but it comes when labor is finished.

B. Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus promises a light and easy yoke to people already under heavy burden.

C. Exodus 35:2 - The earliest instructions concerning rest indicate it follows plenty of hard work.

D. Matthew 5:16; 1st Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:11-14; 3:1, 8 - Spiritual labor leads others to Jesus. It is a worthwhile endeavor. God?s people are made for work. His grace teaches us to be busy.

BECAUSE HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF REST
 
III. IF YOU ARE AT HOME ON EARTH

God put eternity in the heart of man (Ecclesiastes 3:11), so man knows innately to seek beyond earthly horizons, yet many settle in so comfortably they never want to leave.

A. 2nd Corinthians 5:1-11 - Sensing our absence from the Lord, we should be groaning here.

B. Hebrews 11:13; 13:14 - We should recognize ourselves as pilgrims in search of a city.

C. Philippians 3:20-21 - Our citizenship is elsewhere.

D. 1st John 3:2 - We haven?t achieved our final form yet.

E. 1st John 2:17 - This world is coming to an end.

BECAUSE HEAVEN IS HOME TO THE PILGRIMS OF THE WORLD
 
IV. IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE IN SIN

Nobody is sinless, but there is a difference between those striving to repent, whose iniquity shames them, and those who really just don't care. People who are ambivalent about sin or even boldly enjoy it won't like heaven much.

A. Revelation 21:27 - Defilement and abomination can?t get through the gate of heaven.

B. 2nd Peter 3:13 - Heaven is a place of righteousness. If righteousness bores you or offends you or just doesn't appeal to you, heaven won't either.

C. Ephesians 5:3-5; Galatians 5:19-21; 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 - Christians know that immoral behavior will get them disinherited.
 
BECAUSE HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF PURITY