CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – TOPIC: HEAVEN- THE ULTIMATE HOME OF THE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST [Church of God Mission International] DATE: SUNDAY 3rd APRIL, 2022
Click HERE for Previous Above Only
CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE: SUNDAY 3rd APRIL, ,2022
(HYMN: S S & S 983 “WHEN THE TRUMPET OF THE LORD SHALL SOUND”)
TOPIC: HEAVEN- THE ULTIMATE HOME OF THE BELIEVERS IN CHRIST
TEXTS: JN 14 1-3; 2CORIN 5:1; REV 21:1-7
CENTRAL THOUGHT
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people and nothing that defileth can enter therein
INTRODUCTION
Heaven is the abode of the Godhead, angels and the dead in Christ. It is a place or state of supreme bliss. Heaven is the dwelling place of God (Acts 7:49) and the future home of the saints (Jn 14:3); a place free from every stain of sin and iniquity. Heaven is a prepared place and a place of perfect satisfaction and glory.
Heaven is the Throne-room of God (Ps 103:19), a place of God’s full glory (Dan 7:9-10), the home of the righteous dead (2Corin 5:1), the future home of all believers in Christ )Rev 7:9-10). Heaven is a place far beyond anything that we can possibly conceive (1 Corin 2:9), a place of holiness, full of great glory and without end, a place of continual worship (Rev 19:1-6), a place that will never end (2Pt 1:11), a place uncontaminated by evil (Rev 21:27) and a place without night, curse, pain, crying, sorrow, and death.
As believers, we now live our lives in a special relationship with heaven because
(I). We belong there (Heb 12:27)
(II). We are enthroned there (Eph 2:6)
(III). We have our source of life in Christ there (Eph 1:3)
(IV). We have our names recorded there (Lk 10:20)
(V). We have been sent by the one who lives there (Jn 17:18)
(VI). We have our eyes fixed there (2 Corin 4:17-18)
(VII). We have our treasure there (1Pt 1:3-4)
(VIII). Our focus is heaven (Phil 3:13-14)
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, we should be able to:
- Appreciate the reality and existence of heaven
- Identify those who are qualified to be in heaven
- Understand the features of heaven
- Know what happens to a Christian after death and
- Examine what characterize the life of a believer in heaven his ultimate home
ALSO READ: Open Heaven 2 April 2022 –Topic: BY GOD’S GRACE
BIBLE TRUTH
QUESTION 1.
IS HEAVEN REAL AND IN EXISTENCE ?
(Gen 1:1; Jn 14 1-3; Acts 7:49, 55-56)
In Genesis, it is recorded that God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). God’s throne-room and dwelling place is heaven (Acts 7:49)
Furthermore, some Bible characters saw a glimpse of the existence and reality of heaven. Some of them includes
(a) Jacob, who saw a ladder that connected the heaven and the earth (Gen 28:12).
(b) John the Baptist, at the baptism of Jesus Christ saw the heaven opened and a voice spoke to Him,”This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:16-17)
(c) Stephen, the first martyr, at the point of being stoned to death, saw the heaven opened and saw Jesus standing on the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55-56)
(d) Apostle Paul also testified that he saw a glimpse of the third heaven (2Corin 12:1-4)
In Jn 14:1-3, the Lord Jesus Christ made a very special promise to every believer: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” Heaven is the place where He is and preparing for us where we shall live with Him forever. From the above Scriptures it is obvious that heaven exists and is real.
QUESTION 2.
WHO ARE THOSE QUALIFIED TO BE IN HEAVEN ? (Jn 3:3-5; Heb 12:14; Matt 5:3,810; 19:14;; 22:1-14; 1Thes 4:14)
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Only those prepared by salvation that can enter into heaven. Those qualified to enter into heaven include: all who are born again (saved). These are people who believe in Him and live for Jesus Christ; they walk in holiness , maintain purity of heart and are willing to suffer for the Lord and endure persecution to the end.
QUESTION 3.
(A). WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF HEAVEN ? (Ps 20:6; Rev 4:8,11; 7:15-17; 21:3-4,21; 22:1-5)
The descriptive features of heaven as recorded in the scriptures give a high sense of satisfaction to believers in Christ. In heaven, the streets of the city are of pure gold and transparent as glass. Heaven has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it because the Lamb is its Lamp; the gates are made of pearls and are perpetually open because there will be no night there. The city of heaven has the river of the water of life sparkling like crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. On each side of the river is the tree of life which bears fruits twelve times a year. Heaven shall be a place of continual worship. The host of heaven including the twenty-five elders , angels, and the Redeemed of the Lord worship Him that sits on the throne, who live forever and ever. There shall be no more death, no more grief, pain or crying. Nothing under God’s curse will be found in heaven.
Divine health has been fully provided for in heaven for all who enter therein. (1Pt 1:4; Rev 22:2). In Rev 22:2, we find the leaves of the tree of Life available for the healing of the nation’s.
(B). IS THERE ANY SACRIFICE THAT IS TOO GREAT TO MAKE FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ? (Matt 23:44-46; 19:21)
The sacrifice made by the individuals in each of the above parables given by the Lord Jesus Christ on the kingdom of heaven serves as challenge to the believer today.
- The man who discovered the treasure in the field stumbled upon it by accident (because it was hidden) but knew it’s value when he found it; was joyful, sold all that he had and bought the Land
- The merchant-man was earnestly searching for the pearl of great value/price, and when he found it , sold everything he had to purchase it.
Thus, the kingdom of heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have, and the believer must be willing to give up everything to obtain it. There is no sacrifice too great to make for it.
QUESTION 4.
WHAT HAPPEN TO THE CHRISTIAN AFTER DEATH ? (2Corin 5:2,8-9; Phil 1:21-23)
A Christian does not really die, but falls asleep to begin his/her eternal life in the heavens with the Lord and His Son, Jesus Christ. The moment we fall asleep here on earth, a new body (tabernacle) will be given to us with which to dwell in heaven. We belong to the Lord even after death, that is why we must labour to be accepted in Christ. The earnest expectation of the believer is to be absent from the body and be present with the Lord (2Corin 5:8). It is far better to be with Christ in heaven than remain here on Earth
QUESTION 5:
WHAT WILL CHARACTERISE THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER THAT HEAVEN IS HIS ULTIMATE HOME (1 Corin 13:12; 1Jn 3:2; Rev 7:9-15; 14:13; 21:4, 27; 22:3-4)
The believer’s life in heaven, his ultimate home, will be characterize by a blissful joyful experience. In heaven, all doubts, fears, disappointments, weakness etc shall be dissolved. Our eyes of understanding shall be fully enlightened, for we shall see Him, the Son of God face to face (1Corin 13:12). Furthermore, we shall be like Him and see Him as He is (1Jn 3:2). Heaven shall be a place of the in gathering of a great multitude of saints from all nations, kindreds, people and race,, tribes, tongues/languages and they will be clothed with white robes (Rev 7:9). Songs of the redeemed shall be sung by all who overcame the tribulations of the world (Rev 7:10). Our ultimate responsibility in heaven is to serve, worship and praise Him. We shall be refreshed in His presence. We shall be fed, led to the living fountains of waters and all our tears shall be wiped away by our Father who sits upon the throne of majesty. The Godhead shall dwell among the saints in heaven. We will parade or show forth the results of our labours and then go into eternal rest from all our labours (Rev 14:13).
There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things shall have passed away (Rev 21:4). In heaven, only those whose names are written in the book of life that will have entrance into it, while all defilements, abominations and wickedness of all sorts and magnitude shall be vanquished and banished from God’s presence (heaven). In Revelation 22:3-4, the Bible declares “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: And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads”.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATIONHeaven is a glorious and delightful place. The goal of every Christian should be to make heaven. Such a Christian who has heaven in mind must be ready to shun all forms of ungodliness and wickedness and take a stand for Christ in all situations, even in the face of death which cannot separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Heaven is a priceless home which we all must strive to enter by keeping the hopes alive in us.
Our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await the Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. Are you ready and prepared for this great event ? MARANATHA!
MEMORY VERSE
1 John 3:3 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
ALSO READ: CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ⊗ OPEN HEAVEN ⊗ JOEL OSTEEN DEVOTIONAL⊗ ABOVE ONLY ⊗ OUR DAILY BREAD ⊗ SEEDS OF DESTINY ⊗ JOYCE MEYER DEVOTIONAL ⊗ RHAPSODY OF REALITIES ⊗ JOHN HAGEE ⊗ MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL ⊗ DCLM DAILY MANNA ⊗ JOHN PIPER DEVOTIONAL ⊗ UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST