Introduction: People have a variety of ideas about the after-life. Some people believe they continue to exist as ghosts in this world, and can be contacted by spirit "mediums." This is quite popular and being spread on TV now, particularly in the hit show "Crossing Over," with medium John Edward. Over 600,000 people have been tuning in to the show which is on four nights per week at 8 PM. In August the show is moving to national syndication. Edward has been appearing on Larry King, the Today Show and Dateline. His seminars, which cost $45 per ticket, are sold out.

The Bible says to watch out for these "spiritists." Isaiah 8:19-20

Isa 8:19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

When people die, the Bible says they either go to Heaven or they go to Hell. Jesus spoke often of Hell and eternal punishment for sin, but He also spoke of Heaven. We can learn a lot about Heaven from what Jesus said in these few verses.

I. We learn that we should take comfort in the doctrine of Heaven. Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." It troubles us when our loved ones die. It also troubles us as we get older and contemplate our own coming deaths. Jesus says "Trust Me! Don't worry about dying. Everything will be OK!"

II. When we get to Heaven, we won't have a mansion over the hill-top, but a room in the Father's house. The separate mansion idea is the result of a mis-translation plus a change in the use of English words, and has led to a wrong idea. The Greek word is "mone," and simply means "a dwelling place," or "a place to live." What and where is the Father's House? God speaks in Isaiah 66:1, "This is what the LORD says: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?" The universe is God's house. He lives everywhere. Jesus has made a place in the presence of God where we can live and be at home.

III. Wherever we are in Heaven, we will be with Jesus. In verse three we read: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." The disciples had been with Jesus for three years, and they wanted to continue to be with Jesus. Jesus is what Heaven is all about. The Rev. Austin L. Sorenson, Pastor of 1st Baptist Church in Hastings, Minnesota wrote this:

The light of Heaven is the face of Jesus.
The joy of Heaven is the presence of Jesus.
The melody of Heaven is the name of Jesus.
The harmony of Heaven is the praise of Jesus.
The theme of Heaven is the work of Jesus.
The employment of Heaven is the service of Jesus.
The fullness of Heaven is Jesus Himself.

The more you know Jesus, the more you will realize the truth of what Rev. Sorenson wrote. The point of Heaven is not just to live forever, or to play a harp, or to walk on streets of gold. All that will get rapidly very boring. The point of Heaven is to see, glorify, praise and worship Jesus our King and our Savior.

IV. We know the Way to Heaven. Jesus is the Way (John 14:4-6). Some people think there are many paths that lead to God, and many ways to Heaven. This is a flat denial of Jesus and the Bible.

Consider these verses:

Acts 4:10-12
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Psalm 96:5
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

John 3:35-36
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

I John 5:9-12
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Conclusion: We can learn about the afterlife, and Heaven, not from mediums and spiritists, but from God's Word. Jesus teaches us that we should trust Him about Heaven, and not worry. He has prepared a special place in the Father's house, just for us. He promises us that we will be with Him for eternity. Finally, He emphasizes that He alone is the Way to Heaven. Have you repented of your sins, and believe in Jesus? If not, won't you receive Him as your Savior today? Amen.