Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Communique
May 6, 2026
When we talk about Jesus being the only way to the Father, we are referencing heaven. There are many questions surrounding heaven: Where is it; who is there; will we recognize one another? These are but a few questions we ask and most importantly; how do we get there?
Heaven is a real objective place and not a state of mind or condition. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Heaven is also where God dwells; 2 Chronicles 6:21Hear the supplications of your servant (Solomon) and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.
Psalm 123:1I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. When Stephen the martyr was being stoned to death he said: Acts 7:55 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The fact that Jesus is there means heaven will be beyond anything comparable or imaginary on earth. That’s how we refer to paradise; something beyond our wildest dream and beyond anything we could create on earth. Luke 23:43 Jesus answered (the thief on the cross), “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Will we recognize one another in heaven? When we get to heaven the image of God, we are created with but lost through the Fall into sin will be fully restored in heaven.
Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. The image of God includes not only perfect righteousness and holiness but like Adam before he sinned, he had perfect insight and knowledge of things. Due to the image of God, Adam was able to recognize Eve immediately, though he never seen her before. Genesis 2:23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” With God’s likeness restored to us in heaven our perception will be like that of Adam, pre-fall. So, we will be able to recognize not only family members but others we’ve never seen. Consider the transfiguration of Jesus: Moses and Elijah showed up with Him and the disciples recognize them though they never saw them. There were not pictures to scan either. We will never be embarrassed again by not knowing someone’s name.
The critical question is: How do we get there? Everything I just wrote is meaningless if you don’t know and act upon the answer. On what basis can anyone enter the presence of God the Father? Is it just because we want too? Or think we deserve it, or God is so loving and gracious that he will not exclude anyone? After all Jesus died for the entire world.
God’s Word is very clear: Sin keeps us out, unless the proper price is paid, there is no exception. Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Note two things: we cannot be saved (enter heaven) by our works or behavior. Secondly, salvation is a gift not a reward. It is solely based on what Jesus has done for us. John 1:12 To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. A prayer confessing your sin, and turning to God believing He died for you, asking Jesus to come into your life will remove the barrier to heaven and open the door.
~Will you believe and receive today?
Suggested Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross paying the price for my sins with your precious blood. Forgive me and help me turn away from them and look to you for strength. Come into my life as my Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
May10, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: Not as Orphans.
If you haven’t signed up for food after church, please consider a Sunday.
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
