Far Beyond the Sun October 31, 1517 was a day to change the course of events forever. On that day a monk named Martin Luther strode up to the doors of the Wittenberg cathedral and purposfully nailed a document to the door of the church. That in itself was not that unusual of a practice. The church door was where sort of a community bulletin board. At first no one really took much notice. But as the day wore on and some of the students began to read the document, excitement began to grow, for it was a direct confrontation with the practice of selling indulgences to buy one's way to heaven. In record time, copies of Luther's 95 thesis spread across Europe, and became the spark that ignited the flames of the Protestant Reformation. Just what was the issue with indulgences? To make a long story short, it had to do with how one got to heaven. Did a person get to heaven by buying God off for the sins that you committed against Him, or was forgiveness something that was free to the faithful believer? Was eternal life a gift, or did it have to be purchased from an intermediary on earth? Was salvation partly from man and partly from God? Or was it wholly of God? Unfortunately these questions are still discussed with many people who want in some way to buy their way to heaven. But I digress. What of that land beyond the sun? What of that kingdom of grace and peace? Today, let us look at some questions regarding the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps it might be most appropriate to ask: When does the Kingdom of heaven come? Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Mattt 10:7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Would it surprise you to know that you can be in that kingdom right now. The simple truth of the matter is this: When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and make Him our Lord, we have entered the kingdom of heaven. Granted right now that is a kingdom in exile, but just as surely as Jesus went to heaven, and just as surely as His Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, we can be part of that kingdom now through faith in Christ. It is through the kingdom of Heaven that we will realize the reality of a wonderful place called Heaven. How do we get into the kingdom of heaven? Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matt 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." Now pastor, you may say, you just said that you could not buy the kingdom of Heaven. What are these passages saying to us? Just this: There can be nothing that is more important to you than God's Kingdom if you want to be part of that kingdom. Anything held between you and God will keep you out of that kingdom. Who will be in the Kingdom of heaven? Matthew 25 1. Those who prepare 2. Those who invest in the Lord's kingdom 3. Those who serve others from an unselfish heart. Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 "which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 "and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Matt 18:3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 19:14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." When do we become citizens of the kingdom? Luke 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Phil 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. What will it be like in heaven? 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Rev 21:21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. 9 And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited Will we live in heaven forever? If so what will we do? Is 65:17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. 20 "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, And their offspring with them. 24 "It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," Says the LORD. What about worship in heaven? Is 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the LORD, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says the LORD. Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." Conclusion: Col 3:3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. I cannot begin to describe the glories of that kingdom far beyond the sun, and the new earth that God will prepare for us. But God's Spirit has put a longing in each of our hearts for something better, for something more perfect than what we expereince here. Do you agree? And that yearning is God calling us to be part of His kingdom. Do you feel that today? God has put a movement on this earth today to help people find out were to look to satisify that longing. I believe that this church is part of that movement. If you have believed that for some time, but have let your attention wander from that calling, would you like to renew that quest in your life, would you just raise your hand right now? If you feel that calling of the Spirit in your heart to become part of this church family as we journey, would you just raise your hands right now? Yes, I want to be part of this church family as we seek God's kingdom together. Pray