The Greatest Joy of Heaven
The believer's chief thought of heaven is being with God and experiencing God as joy and bliss.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that the greatest joy of heaven is the eternal fellowship with God, surpassing all other desires such as knowledge, rest, or communion with believers. He assures that in heaven, believers will experience the fullness of God's glory without the hindrance of sin or doubt, leading to ultimate joy and peace. Spurgeon encourages the faithful to distinguish between temporary earthly pleasures and the everlasting joy found in God, urging them to seek Him above all else.
Text
Some think of heaven as this and some as that. Fellowship with believers of all ages is the great desire of some; others long for paradise as a place of increased knowledge, to know even as they are known; and a third rejoice in it chiefly as a haven of rest. There are are grounds for each of these forms of desire, but concerning heaven this is the believer's chief thought, that he will be with God, and that God will be for ever his joy and bliss.
No sins will hide the brightness of Jehovah's glory from our eyes, no doubts disturb the deep calm of our enjoyment of Jehovah's love when once we fully enter upon our portion. We shall be for ever with the Lord, and nothing more or better can be imagined. God is our heaven. Whom have I in heaven but thee? Draw, then, ever a clear distinction between the things that are seen, which are not your portion, and the things which are not seen, which are your true heritage; between the temporal and fleeting joys which amuse us by the way, and the abiding and eternal felicity which will satisfy us at the end. Allow nothing to rival the chief good in your judgment or your affections, but cry evermore, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee."
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "God Our Portion And His Word Our Treasure," delivered September 2, 1877.
Sermon Outline
- The Believer's Chief Thought of Heaven
- No Sins or Doubts in Heaven
- Distinction Between Temporal and Eternal Joys
- Prioritizing God as Chief Good
- Rival nothing with God's love
- Seek God above all else
Key Quotes
“Whom have I in heaven but thee? Draw, then, ever a clear distinction between the things that are seen, which are not your portion, and the things which are not seen, which are your true heritage;” — C.H. Spurgeon
“God is our heaven.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Prioritize God's love above all else in your life.
- Recognize the difference between temporal and eternal joys.
- Seek God early and often in your life.