November 3rd, 2025
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
“Do You Really Want to Go to Heaven?”
A pastor was getting more and more excited by the minute as he delivered a powerful message on the prospects of one day going to be with the Lord in heaven. He became so wound up that, in a moment of spontaneity, he shouted, “Everyone here who wants to go to heaven, STAND UP!” Moved by his passion, the entire congregation jumped to its feet; that is, everyone, but old Jake who stayed firmly in his seat.
The pastor was excited to see the great response until he spotted old Jake still planted in his pew. “Brother, don’t you want to go to heaven someday?” asked the pastor.
“Of course I want to, Pastor,” Jake replied, “but you were so excited, I was afraid you were putting together a bus load to leave right now!”
I love odd song titles. Someone came up with one many years ago that went, “Everybody Wants to God to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die.”
While we can all relate to the man in the previous story and to the sentiment in the old song title, we must wonder why, if Heaven is so much better than life on earth, we cling to the earthly life with such a grip. We often treat eternal life as if it were some kind of a “Plan B” just in case this “Plan A” life doesn’t work out.
In his book, “The Purpose Driven Life” Rick Warren states that this temporary life on earth is nothing more than rehearsal for the eternal one to come (paraphrased). Jesus told us in John 14 that he has been preparing a place (Mansion) for us where we will live in his presence. That was 2,000 years ago. Imagine if God created this amazing universe in 6 days, how incredible the home must be that he has been preparing for 2 millennia in heaven. Perhaps we need to get more enthusiastic about our own preparation for the day when he takes us to live there.
This Sunday we will share a message about that place titled, “Comfort for a Troubled Heart.” The truth is that Jesus leads us to this goal and this place of joy and perfect peace. We are often far too troubled by the prospect of death or by the passing of a loved one to this place. It is natural for us to mourn the passing of a loved one and to be concerned about how we will leave those we love when we go. However, as Christians, we can embrace tremendous comfort to know how great our future is and how great the future is for our loved ones who die as Christ followers. Invite your friends and neighbors to hear this exciting and comforting message this Sunday morning.
Comforted,
Jon
“Do You Really Want to Go to Heaven?”
A pastor was getting more and more excited by the minute as he delivered a powerful message on the prospects of one day going to be with the Lord in heaven. He became so wound up that, in a moment of spontaneity, he shouted, “Everyone here who wants to go to heaven, STAND UP!” Moved by his passion, the entire congregation jumped to its feet; that is, everyone, but old Jake who stayed firmly in his seat.
The pastor was excited to see the great response until he spotted old Jake still planted in his pew. “Brother, don’t you want to go to heaven someday?” asked the pastor.
“Of course I want to, Pastor,” Jake replied, “but you were so excited, I was afraid you were putting together a bus load to leave right now!”
I love odd song titles. Someone came up with one many years ago that went, “Everybody Wants to God to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die.”
While we can all relate to the man in the previous story and to the sentiment in the old song title, we must wonder why, if Heaven is so much better than life on earth, we cling to the earthly life with such a grip. We often treat eternal life as if it were some kind of a “Plan B” just in case this “Plan A” life doesn’t work out.
In his book, “The Purpose Driven Life” Rick Warren states that this temporary life on earth is nothing more than rehearsal for the eternal one to come (paraphrased). Jesus told us in John 14 that he has been preparing a place (Mansion) for us where we will live in his presence. That was 2,000 years ago. Imagine if God created this amazing universe in 6 days, how incredible the home must be that he has been preparing for 2 millennia in heaven. Perhaps we need to get more enthusiastic about our own preparation for the day when he takes us to live there.
This Sunday we will share a message about that place titled, “Comfort for a Troubled Heart.” The truth is that Jesus leads us to this goal and this place of joy and perfect peace. We are often far too troubled by the prospect of death or by the passing of a loved one to this place. It is natural for us to mourn the passing of a loved one and to be concerned about how we will leave those we love when we go. However, as Christians, we can embrace tremendous comfort to know how great our future is and how great the future is for our loved ones who die as Christ followers. Invite your friends and neighbors to hear this exciting and comforting message this Sunday morning.
Comforted,
Jon
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