How Heaven is Like the Grand Canyon

1. Read: John 14:1-3

2. About the Text:

1) In the context, Jesus is encouraging the disciples because he is about to go away.

2) He wants to let them know that they will be with Him again.

3) The place where the disciples will be with Jesus is a place that Jesus is preparing.

4) And that He is going to return one day to bring them to this place.

5) We know this place as heaven.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. The Grand Canyon is big, beautiful, and spectacular. So is heaven.

2. Heaven is the place where God lives. – Psalm 11:4 “The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.”

3. Heaven is full of beauty – Consider the description in Revelation 20:18-27 – Jasper, Gold, Clear Glass, Precious Stones, pearls – all of these items are used to describe the beauty of heaven.

4. Heaven is full of spectacular blessings – Revelation 21:1-4 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

1. Whether one walks, drives, or rents a helicopter, it costs something valuable to get across.

2. There is no cheap way to get to heaven, either.

3. The price of access cost the blood of God’s Son, Jesus.

1) Consider Hebrews 10:19-20 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;”

2) Ephesians 2:18 “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

1. Many go to the Grand Canyon each year just to admire the view.

2. According to census poles over 90% of Americans believe in heaven.

1) They like the idea of heaven.

2) They admire the view, so to speak.

3) But they don’t live their lives in a way that will get them there.

3. What needs to be done not simply to admire the view of heaven, but to enter?

1) Do the will of the Father. Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

2) Be converted. Matthew 18:3 “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

3) Be born again. John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

1. How do you get to the other side?

1) One may walk to the other side of the Grand Canyon.

a. It is around 8-10 miles.

b. The hike usually takes three days.

c. The path is narrow, curvy, and difficult.

2) One may also drive in a car.

a. The drive is about 200 miles.

b. It takes 4-5 hours.

c. The road is also narrow, curvy, and difficult.

2. The way to heaven is also a narrow way and few will go there.

1) Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

2) Consider Luke 13:23-24 “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

1. To get to the other side of the Grand Canyon you’ve got down to the river.

2. To get to heaven, we’ve got to go to the water as well.

1) Of course, I am speaking of the waters of baptism.

2) John 3:5 that we noted earlier is discussing baptism.

3) Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:11-13, 1 Peter 3:21.

3. And just because you get to the water doesn’t necessarily mean you are at the other side!

1) We’ve got to finish the journey.

2) Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”.

1. In order to accomplish the journey you need nourishment.

2. So also to finish our spiritual journey we need spiritual nourishment as well.

1) Matthew 5:6-7 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

2) We need the bread of life. Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51).

3) We need the water of life. Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

3. In order to make the journey there must be nourishment!

1. The Grand Canyon is not just one valley. It is a series of ever deepening valleys!

2. Life is also a series of ever deepening valleys.

1) The valley of trials. Consider 1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”.

2) The valley of temptation. Consider James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

3) The valley of death. Consider Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

3. Heaven waits on the other side of the valley.

1. How is heaven like the Grand Canyon?

1) It’s grand!

2) There is no cheap way to get across.

3) There are many who just want to admire the view.

4) The way to the other side is narrow and few go there.

5) You’ve got to go to the water to get to the other side.

6) If you hike the trail you will need food and drink.

7) You’ve got to pass through the valley to get to the other side.

2. Invitation