International Gospel Hour

Jeff Archey: Friends, we appreciate maps, directions, GPSs that guide us and help us, but in the long ago, God provided for us the traveler's guide to heaven. So let's see the guidance today that's available from His Word. That's from the International Gospel Hour. Please stay with us.

Jay Webb: Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God's Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archey of International Gospel Hour. Let's begin.

Jeff Archey: Thank you always to our Jay Webb and greetings to all of you. Thank you for being with us always. In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." Friends, may we seek God through our study of His Word on this day. Thank you again for being with us.

A number of years ago, a kind soul who has since passed on granted me an article that appealed to her called "A Traveler’s Guide to Heaven." It's penned by Ed Sterchi, a wonderful writer in Churches of Christ. Looking through some files recently, I came across that article and remembered Cheryl, and I knew that it would be worthy for our studies here on the International Gospel Hour.

With that said, here's a little bit of a disclaimer if you will. It is a joy to use material from a number of places and different resources. I've shared with you outlines of past preachers from Churches of Christ, various articles that are written, our friend Mark Posey and his pulpit preview periodical, and these are just a few to mention for example.

Please know, friends, I will do my very best to give credit to the author, give you material for your studies, and over and above to give glory to God. I'm very careful in acknowledging credit to the author, and I want you to have some good study material, but we'll give God the glory in all that we do. I appreciate so many who will allow us permission to use their material and, of course, many that do not because I don't know where they are or many of them have passed on, but I will acknowledge them the very best that I know how.

Speaking of what we do here at International Gospel Hour, let me defer to our Jay Webb, who will share with you some things about our work that will be of help to you, and then we'll come back to consider a traveler’s guide to heaven.

Jay Webb: Our website is internationalgospelhour.com. That's internationalgospelhour.com. Check out our website and see all that's available. We have a number of biblical resources. You can also listen to our other broadcasts, view our TV program, request our newsletter, and ask for our Bible study by mail, and so much more. And get this: it's all free at internationalgospelhour.com.

Jeff Archey: And now, friends, a traveler’s guide to heaven. Let's notice the accommodations that are there. There must be arrangements for accommodations, and they must be made in advance. Jesus said in John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

We must consider the passport. Persons seeking entry will not be permitted past the gates without having proper credentials and having their names registered with the ruling authority. Revelation 21:27 says, "But there shall by no means enter in it anything that defiles or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." Friends, that's the passport in the traveler's guide to heaven.

Well, how about a ticket? Everybody needs a ticket in order to travel. Our ticket was purchased by a friend named Jesus, but it should be claimed, and its promises to be kept firmly in hand. In John 5:24, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

Hebrews 5:8 says, "Though he was a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered," and verse nine affirms, "and having been perfected, he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him." So we must make certain we have claimed our ticket that Jesus has purchased and we have it in hand. Accommodations are ahead. Passports are of necessity; the Lamb's Book of Life, we must be there. Our ticket in hand.

What about vaccinations? A lot of times we travel, we need to make certain we have the right shot or inoculation. Injections are not needed as there are no illnesses or diseases in heaven. Revelation 21:4 says, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Let's talk about immigration. All passengers are classified as immigrants, since we are taking up permanent residence in a new country and the quota is unlimited. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, or rather verse six, says, "Without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Those with an obedient faith are like those in Hebrews 11:16, those of faith who desire a better country, that is, an heavenly, wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city. Let's talk about luggage. Here's the beauty: no luggage whatsoever can be taken. 1 Timothy 6:7 reminds us that we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we will carry nothing out.

You don't have to prepare with a bunch of luggage to take with you. We're already making arrangements for heaven, as we've seen. What about the currency? In a lot of countries, we have to exchange our currency, but supplies of treasures may be forwarded to await the passenger's arrival, and we make those deposits as large as possible. Matthew 6:20 reminds us to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt, neither where thieves break through and steal.

What about clothing? We don't need luggage, so we don't need to take clothing because a complete and appropriate new wardrobe is provided for each traveler. Isaiah 61:10 reminds us of how God clothed us with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. When we travel, we always have our departure time, but the exact date of departure has not been announced, and travelers are advised to be prepared to leave at short notice.

Only God knows the return of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, it's going to be in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. As far as reservations, booking is now open. Since departure time is unknown, you should apply at once, and if you wait, it may be too late.

2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us that now is the appointed time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Friends, to learn more about the traveler’s guide to heaven, again, consult the real traveler’s guide: the Bible. That will instruct us to be prepared through our faith in God, our repentance, our confession of faith, and to be buried with Him in baptism and added to His church.

The accommodations await. The passport we must have. The ticket must be firmly in hand. Don't worry about shots. Don't worry about immigration. Don't worry about the luggage; you can't take any. Don't worry about the money because those treasures are ahead. You don't need to take clothing; God will provide those. The departure time, we must be ready. We must book our reservation.

I love that article. It was one of my favorites, and when that dear kind Cheryl handed that to me, I thought, "This is great." I even did it in sermon form once, and I'm delighted to come across that. I thought I've got to share that here on International Gospel Hour. Friend, we do want you to consult the traveler’s guide. We want everyone to be prepared to meet the Lord.

Maybe there are things you need to study, to consider, things you must know for your soul. We have our free Bible study course available that's by mail. We have one available online, but our Jay Webb will tell you about the study course that's available by mail that we hope will help you in your studies of the Word of God.

Jay Webb: Our longtime free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say "home study." That's it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, and leave us the same information: name, address, and type "home study" in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it's free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.

Jeff Archey: Friends, again, we hope that this study of the traveler's guide to heaven has been profitable for you. We are thankful to offer our Bible study course by mail. Our God and Man study is also available. Two online studies are available through our friends at World Bible School and our friends at the World Video Bible School with Rob Whitaker and his study "Back to the Bible."

We have a variety of materials we are willing to share with you, and if we can ever be of help to you, please reach out to us at 855-444-6988. Leave us your name and address and your request, and we'll do our very best to address those things and to help you in your studies of the Word of God. The International Gospel Hour is under the oversight of the elders of the West Fayetteville, Tennessee, Church of Christ.

Our address is PO Box 118, Fayetteville, Tennessee, 37334. If you'd like to write us, we'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to send us an email, you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, and we'd love to hear from you. Friends, we're going to continue our studies together at another time. Thank you always for joining me on our broadcast of the Bible from here at the International Gospel Hour. I'm Jeff Archey, and friends, keep listening.

Jay Webb: Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God's Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.