These questions are fairly common questions for all believers but questions that unfortunately go unanswered most of the time.  I hope this fills in some blanks for you.  Here you go:

 1. Will people who commit suicide go to heaven?

Answer: They may or may not go to heaven; it all depends upon their relationship with Christ. It is possible for a genuinely saved person to commit suicide and while suicide is a very serious sin, it is not the unforgivable sin (Mark 3:22-30). Nevertheless, there are numerous reasons why a Christian should never take his/her life. To take your own life rejects the biblical concept that God is in control of all things even your suffering. Suicide is one of the most decidedly selfish things a person can do. Suicide has a dreadful impact on family and friends, sometimes wounding them for life. Additionally, we should recognize that suicide is a sin against the sixth commandment (Deut 5:17). Committing suicide shows that the person is not trusting God to see them through their circumstances. Finally, suicide destroys a person’s testimony of faith in Christ before others. None of these facts, however, precludes a person from going to heaven. If anyone considers hurting himself/herself, it is essential to contact a trained healthcare provider, counselor, or a suicide hotline.

2. Will there be animals in heaven?

Answer: There is no place in Scripture that directly answers this question so we are left to deductive reasoning. My opinion is that there are animals in heaven because God created animals during creation and set man to rule over them. People love animals. I see no reason to believe that the nature of the new earth will be different from the current earth except for the presence and impact of sin. This, however, does not mean that your favorite dogs, cats, birds, or other pets go to heaven when they die. Only human beings possess eternal spirits. (Sorry.)

3. How can there be no sorrow in heaven when we realize that people whom we thought/hoped would be in heaven are not there?

Answer: The Bible does not directly address this question. We know that when we get to heaven our thoughts will conform to the Lord’s thoughts. No one has ever loved humanity like Jesus, so we might ask how He deals with the thought that someone goes to hell and not heaven. We do not know the answer to that question but understand that in His perfect understanding, He is at peace and we will be also.

4. Will we have perfect knowledge when we get to heaven or will we still learn?

Answer: The passage that most people use in this discussion is 1 Corinthians 13:8-12.

⁸Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.¹¹When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. ¹²For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Co 13:8-12 (ESV)

Does this passage teach that we will be omniscient in heaven? I leaned toward that meaning in the past, however, upon further study, I have become convinced that the passage does not teach complete knowledge. The facts that persuade me against the “perfect knowledge theory” relate to the attributes of God and the meaning of the words “I shall know fully” used in this passage. The primary issue is that we will never become divine. The attributes of deity as related to creation are omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. These are God’s attributes; we will never have them. While we will have greater power in heaven (1 Cor 15:42), we will never posses omnipotence. The same is true for omniscience. Only God knows everything.

If this is indeed true, what does Paul mean when he says, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” The Greek word for know that is used here is genosko. As Dr. Kittle points out, often that verb means “to grow in knowledge”, “to come to know,” and thus “to learn.”[i] Therefore, the passage may be translated, “…I shall continue to learn fully, even as I have been fully learned.”

Other theologians offer the same interpretation but take a different route.

What they (the Corinthian Christians) failed to realize was that the whole present age (Church age) is, in comparison to the age to come, a mere passing, incomplete, partial revelation of the knowledge stage, like the time of childhood. Not now but in the coming age there will be fullness of knowledge (adult) now (child) our best understanding is like kindergarten understanding.[ii]

R.C.H. Lenski agrees with steering our thinking away from human, even resurrected, and glorified human, omniscience. He goes into meticulous detail parsing the verbs and defining the translation of this passage.

This passage does not teach that we will have perfect knowledge. It is evident that we will be taught, we will learn, and discover new and deeper truths in heaven. He writes,

An entirely new way of apprehending, of seeing, and of knowing shall take its place. Even then we shall not know all things – omniscience belongs to God alone, and even the angels do not know the deep things of God, which only the Spirit of God searches. In heaven, we shall know in a heavenly manner. …As God’s direct and all-penetrating knowledge takes into account every one of his children already in eternity and, of course, through all of life, so we too, shall at least know God directly and completely to the highest degree in which this is possible for his children.[iii]

We will have much more complete knowledge in heaven because we will not see through the mirror of God’s Word. Instead, we will see Him face to face.

One final reference may be helpful here. Richard L Pratt, Jr. interprets the passage in this way,

….a reflection is no substitute for a real person. A modern parallel would be the photograph. Modern believers enjoy clear photographs of loved ones, but those pictures barely begin to portray the wonderful people they depict. …For Paul the gifts of the Spirit are the photographs the church has access to now. When Christ returns, however, then everyone will see face-to-face. Everything of which the gifts now speak in part will then be revealed in full. Just as a reflected image outlives its usefulness when the thing it portrays can be seen face to face, the gifts will have outlived their usefulness when the perfect comes at Christ’s return.

Pratt continues these helpful observations as he speaks to the issue of the promise that we will know fully (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Paul said that he knew in part, but in the end, he would know fully…even as he was fully known. By this he meant that he and other believers would know God intimately and personally in heaven, just as God already knows all believers. Human knowledge is imperfect in at least two ways: it is finite and corrupted by sin. In the world to come, believers will be fully redeemed from sin and its effects (Rom 8:28-30), but they still be finite. Paul did not mean that believers will fully comprehend God in eternity. That would be impossible. Instead, he focused on the personal and direct nature of believers’ future knowledge of God.

It seems evident then that our knowledge will be much more complete in heaven. However, we will not have omniscience and we will still enjoy learning and discovery.[iv]

 Do you have other questions about the after life?  If so post your comments and I will try and get them answered.

We tend to have more options for communication, connection and distraction than ever before and so I believe that we have become so accustomed to constant noise that silence freaks us out and we think something is wrong.  Silence is good.  Turn off your TV, cell phone, ipod, computer and any other distractions and get comfortable with silence again.  It will be weird for a while but stick to it.  Then start to listen for your own thoughts and maybe even the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  Pray, read, read scripture, meditate on it and you may just be able to hear from God like you haven't in quite some time.  This is a discipline and it is one that I struggle with constantly but when I do make the effort it is worth it every time.

1. Are people in heaven watching us on earth? The verse that is normally used to support this idea is Hebrews 12:1. Contextually, we can see that the verse is saying that the lives of great Old Testament believers (Hebrews 11) stand as testimonies and encouragement to us. On the other hand, the angels can apparently see what happens on the earth, 1 Cor 4:9; 1 Tim 5:21, so some reason that people in heaven are also able. There is no direct biblical reference to the people in heaven watching people on earth.

2. Should we attempt to talk or pray to people who are in heaven? No. We are never told to pray to anyone other than God the Father. Another problem with talking or praying to people in heaven is that we can be easily deceived by such practices. Satan would have no problem presenting himself as a heavenly personality. In no place does the Bible ever suggest that we pray to Mary, a “Saint,” or an angel.

Some use the story of the medium from En Dor, who “called Samuel up” from Sheol (the realm of the dead) (1 Sam 28) as support for the idea that we can speak to people in heaven. However, Saul was in blatant disobedience by going to this woman. The medium was also disobeying the Law by her practice. Whether or not this manifestation was Samuel, this experience does not suggest that a pattern has been established for us to follow.

3. Are the people in heaven praying for us?

Jesus is interceding for us (Romans 8:34). Revelation 5:8 suggests that the believers in heaven are praying, however, we are not told about the topics of their prayers.

4. Can people on earth see into heaven?

When the first Christian martyr, Stephen, was dying, he was allowed to look into heaven where he saw the glory of God and Jesus (Acts 7:55-56). However, that does not mean that we should consider this a normal experience or one that we should pursue. If God initiates this experience then He has an unusual reason. We should NEVER seek to communicate with the dead, see loved ones in heaven, or seek the help of a medium or someone who offers to contact those in heaven through a séance or other means.

Have you ever thought about these questions?  Does this change anything?  Should you do something different now?  This just keeps getting better so here is a preview of what is to come.  Man we have some awsome teachers of the bible here at HHBC.  If you want to view or listen to our sermons just click HERE.

Some of the questions we will consider in upcoming weeks:

· What will we be like in heaven?

· Will we recognize loved ones and friends in heaven?

· How can parents “take their children to heaven"?

· What and where is the permanent eternal heaven?

· Will we be judged in heaven?

· What is it like in hell?

· Who goes to hell?

· What will happen when Jesus returns?

1. Many people are frightened by the thought of death. Read Hebrews 2:13-14 to learn one of the purposes of Christ’s coming. Why do Christians fear death? What are your honest emotions about this issue?

2. There are many questions that Christians have about death and heaven. It is amazing how many of the answers God gives us in His Word. I have been asked, “Should we pray for the dead?” Make a list of reasons why some Christians believe that we should pray for the dead. How do these verses give us a clue about praying people into heaven 1 Cor 3:12-15; 2 Cor 5:10? By the way, praying for lost people to go to heaven after death will make no difference because they will be judged by their deeds (Rev 20:12-13).

3. Live this week as though you were going to die next Sunday at noon. Keep a list of how that thought impacts your life.

4. Review that list on Sunday afternoon, assuming you are still with us, and ask the Lord to empower you to live with heaven on your mind.

Ever asked yourself these questions.  Ever tried to live today like it was your last.  Let me know how these questions and answers affect you?

Click here to check out our podcast and sermon videos.

Next week the topic will be Heaven.

• What happens when people die?

• Is heaven real and what is it like?

• Is hell real and what is it like?

• How can you help lead your children towards heaven? 

• How should we live today in response to the reality of life after death?

I feel like God is going to do something huge!  Here is how you can get involved.  Forward this post to everyone you know.  Here is the link to check out service times www.hendersonhills.com or if you live out of town go here for our podcasts.

Here is what could happen if you send this out.  People get saved lives are transformed and God is glorified!

All you okies invite everyone you can think of especially those who may not know Christ to hear these messages and connect with the Body of Christ in Person.

More posts on this to come!! 

• Wash basins- people were encouraged to participate in a symbolic washing of their hands prior to entering the worship service. 
• 30 pieces of silver-  a bag of coins laid out on a table
• The Garden- Representation of Gethsemane where Jesus went to pray before his arrest.
• The wood of the cross- ragged pieces of timber similar to what Jesus would have felt on His freshly whipped and beaten back.
• Instruments of suffering- Crown of Thorns, spikes and mallet.
• The Last Supper- a place to remember what Christ did by taking the Lord's supper
• The Curtain- A representation of the Temple Vail that was torn at His death.
• Oil and Spices-  They extravagant burial elements of our King
• Our Cross - a place to take and nail the things that Christ bore on His cross in our place.  A place of confession and repentance.

Here are some pics if you are interested.

A personal reflection-  This is my favorite thing that we do each year.  It was emotionally draining, spiritually filling and humbling.  It like nothing else we do helps me to more fully grasp the gift I have been given and my inability to earn one shred of what Christ offers to all who call Him Lord.  I was both broken and refreshed.

Too often we forget the enormity of the price that was paid for our sins so I plan to revisit the guide from the event and the scripture that has marked my heart forever.  I want this to be at the center of my existence.  I will try and post a PDF of the Good Friday Guide as soon as I can.

In the mean time here are some of the scriptures that were prevalent at the event.

Luke 9:23, 1 Peter 2:24, John 10:11, Hebrews 10:19, John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 22:19 and Isaiah 53:5

What helps you to keep the cross at the center of your life?

Check out Mark's blog and his book (link is provided above) for more on this topic.

1. Salvation

2. Position in Christ

3. Grace Mercy

4. Spiritual Disciplines as methods of Spending time with God and cultivating a relationship

5. Relational Evangelism

6. Life Skills- Godly management of time , money and talents, relationships (romantic & plutonic), sex, dealing with crisis & trials, community (investing in and being invested in by a small group of people in a similar place in life)

7. Serving others- within singles and in other areas of the church

I am extremely interested in hearing what you think.  Please post comments to this and tell me what you would want to teach someone or be taught.  This could and should include every christian topics and single adult specific topics.