The Institutions of God(6) A Prepared Place I. Introduction. A. The word institution implies a beginning and an existence. 1. Dealt with marriage/family, government, Law of Moses, the Gospel, and the church.(all of these have or will end) 2. The institution in this lesson does not have a beginning or an end. 3. However, there is a place prepared in this "institution" for those who are willing to accept it--this is the provision of God. 4. It is so noted: I Peter 1:4. B. The word heaven is used in two senses: space and the residence of Jehovah. 1. God created the heavens: Genesis 1:8. 2. The spiritual state, as the residence of God--has always existed: II Corinthians 5:1. 3. The church is referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven: Matthew 3:2. a. Many passages so refer. b. See the connection between the church and salvation? 4. The word "heaven" is found 582 times in 550 verse in KJ. II. Body. A. The eternal Heaven is the residence of God. 1. There are many references to "Father in Heaven"--note: Matthew 6:9. 2. Since God is without beginning and without end--Heaven would be without beginning or end. 3. Jehovah spake from Heaven: Matthew 3:17. 4. The throne of God is in Heaven: Matthew 5:34. 5. Old Testament worthies will be there: Matthew 8:11. 6. This is a spiritual state: difficult to understand. 7. Not visible to human eye: man deals in the material. B. Jesus came down from heaven. 1. He so stated: John 6:38. a. Can you imagine leaving Heaven? b. Becoming as a man--suffering as a man--knowing what would happen. c. Took: John 3:16. 2. Jesus did it for all of mankind--regardless of man himself. 3. Willingly suffered; I Peter 2:21. 4. He ascended back to heaven(Acts 1:9)--someday he will return: I Thessalonians 1:10; 4:16-17. 5. Hence: I Peter 3:22. C. Nature of Heaven. 1. The residence of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 2. A spiritual state: Hebrews 10:34. 3. No night, no decay, no materialism, no disappointments, no pain, no anxiety, no falsehoods, no hypocrisy, no partings, no death--only happiness and bliss for eternity. 4. It is eternal! II Corinthians 5:1. 5. Difficult to comprehend with human mind. 6. Can you envision tomorrow? next week? next month? next year? the future--eternity? D. The reward in heaven: Luke 6:23. 1. Not in earthly terms or means. 2. Do you not like "rewards?" a. What are of the greatest values? b. Do not earthly(material) objects quickly lose their attraction? c. What about this reward? Mark 10:21. 3. Do you like your name in print? What about Luke 10:20? 4. Do you enjoy citizenship in our country? What about Philippians 3:20? 5. Do you like treasures? Then: Matthew 6:20. 6. Do you want to be happy? Rejoice? You can--Matthew 5:12. E. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. 1. Consider the price Jesus paid for you to prepare a way. 2. Consider the price you must pay-- a. To become a disciple(saved). b. To remain a disciple(Christian). 3. Jesus said: Matthew 10:32-33. III. Conclusion. A. Do you believe there is a heaven after this life? God has prepared such a place for you. B. Do you believe strongly enough to obey the gospel and to live faithful to the Lord? Are you prepared?-jy