The Happiest-Ever-After Ending (sermon)

This is a sermon that focuses in on the promise of heaven. It places the promise of a new heaven and a new earth in the context of THE STORY of Scripture.

Texts referenced: Genesis 1-3; II Corinthians 5.1-4, 8; Philippians 1.21; Revelation 21-22

Context: Sunday AM, January 6, 2008 @ CCC (2 days after Chris DeWitt's death)

Sermon flow:

MOVEMENT #1: Reflections on 2 Corinthians 5.1-4, 8 and Philippians 1.21.

MOVEMENT #2: Obviously, death is difficult especially for those left behind.

BIG IDEA: a proper view of heaven changes our outlook on death.

MOVEMENT #3: Tracing THE STORY of Scripture

(4 major events -- everything else fits as part of this story):

1. Paradise Created (Genesis 1-2)
2. Paradise Lost (Genesis 3)
3. Jesus
4. Paradise Restored (Revelation 21-22)

MOVEMENT #4: Within this final section, we looked at the following features of heaven:

1. It's free of the wrong stuff.
2. It's full of the right stuff.
3. It's a permanent home in God's presence.

Painting/art work of Jesus welcoming a person home into heaven.