Closer to Heaven

I. Text: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

II. Older people, who have been Christians for a long time, are often longing for heaven

A. We sing songs like “This World Is Not My Home” that reflect the desire to go home to be with God.

B. Older Christians are at a point in life where they see the hope of heaven clearer.

C. Some, like Paul, realize that their work is soon complete and they look forward to a heavenly retirement, 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

D. Paul knew that the Romans would soon execute him for preaching Jesus. However, he also knew that he would wake up in eternal bliss.

III. As people pass certain milestones, they appreciate heaven

A. Loss of innocence

B. When we are children, we know few cares or worries and can enjoy days in which good friends and imagination can fill the hours. Many can remember playing with friends late until everyone’s mother cried from the front porch that dinner was ready; never make her call a second time or you would be in trouble. As children, we were exploring our world, learning new things every day.

C. At some point, we do not play childish games or have childish toys; we mature.

D. 1 Corinthians 13:11 – Put away childish things

E. Around this time, we also lose our innocence about the world.

F. We realize that some people we know and love do not act right. We experience things that shatter our childish notions. Our lives become more complex; we lose the simplicity of youth.

G. We look forward to heaven because we know that we will experience simple joy with no disappointments again, Revelation 21:4-5.

H. Death of loved ones

I. As we grow older, we attend more funerals of people who have been important in our lives.

J. We gradually lose the older people in the family and begin to take their place. Disease, accidents, and age take our friends of youth from us. We look forward to heaven and reuniting with our loved ones.1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

K. Disgust with sin

L. When we are younger, we are probably more tolerant of sin than when we are older.

M. As we become older, we see the product of sin more clearly.

N. Unhappy families due to dissensions, adultery, apathy, and selfishness Suffering children due to inconsiderate and unconcerned parents Murder and violence in the streets because of unrestrained behavior Corruption in business and government because of a lack of integrity Probably have been disappointed in close friends or family members who have left the faith or been involved in destructive sins We become disgusted with what we see and do not feel at home in this world.

O. We look forward to heaven for we will not face sin and its fruit

P. Revelation 21:8 Revelation 22:15

Q. Develop a closer relationship with God

R. Over the years, the Christian can see answered prayers, God’s providential care in his life, and understands the will of God better. We learn to appreciate God as savior, king, eternal friend, and truly our Father. We look forward to heaven so we can be with God in person and live with Him for an eternity. Philippians 1:21-23 – Paul felt this desire to be with Christ

S. As our life changes our desire for heaven grows stronger and our love for this world diminishes, Hebrews 11:13-16.

IV. As grow older, we look forward to eternal life

A. Future

B. When we are young, we are full of optimism about the future and its possibilities.

C. When we become older, we realize that only a short time remains.

D. Though one may be active and positive in old age, he realizes that his time is ending. One realizes that there are more years behind than ahead.

E. Energy

F. The young are full of energy though lacking in worldly wisdom. The old are wise from years but their energy is fading.

G. Idealism

H. The young are idealistic with much hope for the world and their role in making it a better place for all men. Those who are older are more realistic about the future and realize that the greatest influence will be among their circle of family and friends. Some older people become cynical, sure that all is doomed and we can do nothing about it; that, I believe, is an unhealthy attitude.

I. Mortality

J. The youth have a feeling of immortality.

K. Some driving accidents occur because, in the back of their minds, young people do not think that they will be involved in the fatal accidents. Some young people destroy themselves with alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality, and other sins because they feel indestructible. When we become older, we are aware of our own mortality and that death is near.

L. Other changes

M. When you are young, you talk about injuries and pains from sports; when you are older, you talk about injuries and pains from getting up in the morning. When you are young, you meet potential dates at wedding; when you are older, you meet potential dates at funerals. When you are young, your ideal vacation is exotic locales like Tahiti, Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean; when you are older, an ideal vacation is a trip to visit the grandkids (even better if they come to visit you). The best vacation is a good nap without phone calls. When you are young, you like the music loud; when you are older, the kid’s music is too loud. The young have a large collection of perfumes, colognes, and beauty aids in their bathroom; the aged have a large collection of pharmaceuticals and muscle creams.

N. Of course, we are speaking in generalities but it does emphasize the transition from youth to old age in one’s life.

O. There is much joy in old age for one who has lived an honest life dedicated to God and can proudly reflect on his life. Yet even for the happiest aged person, there is a desire to go to the Father.

P. The Preacher, in Ecclesiastes, wrote of this change in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Q. He encourages the young to serve God in the vigor of youth before their strength is gone; they should enjoy life but in a proper way. While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are not darkened – They should enjoy life while they can still see well and the world is bright before them, day and night. And the clouds do not return after the rain – With old age, sometimes one ailment follows after another one; enjoy youth when this does not happen. In the day when the keepers of the house tremble – Strong arms and hands grow weak and sometimes tremble uncontrollably And the strong men bow down – The legs and back get weaker and we walk bowed over and shorter distances than the strong used to carry us When the grinders cease because they are few – Start losing teeth And those that look through the windows grow dim – eyesight deteriorates When the doors are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low – Probably a reference to one who prefers to stay home and eats just a little food—soft food. When one rises up at the sound of a bird – Sometimes the strangest thing will wake up an older person. And all the daughters of music are brought low – loss of hearing Also they are afraid of height, and of terrors in the way – greater fear of falling (broken hips getting out of bed) and dangers that they feel they may encounter When the almond tree blossoms – white hair The grasshopper is a burden – even the lightest thing seems heavy because strength is diminished And desire fails – the appeal of fine foods, good music, and sensual desires lose their hold; 2 Samuel 19:31-36. For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets – Finally, death takes the man and the rest of the world goes about its business.

R. If there were no God, no eternity, this would be depressing; yet as a man deteriorates physically, he should be growing spiritually.

S. 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:6 – Outward man perishing, inward man renewed How sad is the person who squanders his life, deteriorates physically, then suffers eternal separation from God, being punished forever.

V. Conclusion: Are you moving closer to heaven? Are you becoming more like Jesus or more like the rest of the world? Your daily decisions and thoughts indicate your direction of travel. If you are not in Christ, you are not traveling towards heaven. Start the journey today.