LUKE 12:24-28

Jesus said: "Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds! Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life span? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?"   

Gospelthink: I will continue to take care of you just as I care for nature. Do I  acknowledge the Lord's presence as often as I should?

Todd Burpo and his family began to experience from others the doubt and at times ridicule of what their four-year old son Colton said he saw in heaven. His friends questioned him, a professional psychologist felt that the whole experience was nothing more than hallucinations. Further, his own Church leadership seriously doubted what all of it meant for their small church. In the sermon that Todd gave to answer the criticisms, he pointed out some basic Christian beliefs. "Was Colton in heaven?" he asked his congregation, "Yes," he answered, "he was in heaven that God showed him. Haven't we already seen heaven in the first cry of a baby, the hands of a friend, the hands of a nurse or doctor, the love of a mother or father. Haven't we already had a glimpse of heaven?"

Todd Burpo gave the sermon after the turmoil that his congregation had caused because of their unbelief of Colton and worry about their church survival. His sermon addressed the heart of the matter concerning the reality of heaven. It was somewhat of a defense of his son, but primarily it was a challenge, a challenge to the people of his congregation to study the love of God and the miracles that happen every day in their lives.

Not unlike Jesus who spoke to the crowds about their dependence on God. Jesus no doubt performed miracles in his work with the people of his time, but he calls the attention of his audience to the constant miracles that happen every day that may not have seemed like miracles at all. Jesus points to the ways the birds live, the way the smallest things continue to happen without anyone's help, the beauty of the flowers, and the growing of the grass. He reminds his disciples that even with those miracles of nature, God is much more interested in the miracles of human beings. In effect, he was saying that God was for real, and should it not have an effect in people's lives?    

In light of Jesus' experience, then, Todd asks his congregation: "Is heaven real? 'Cause if heaven is for real, we'd all lead different lives, wouldn't we? Really? Haven't we already seen heaven? And so often chosen the hell of hate or fear? Is heaven for real? For me, the answer is 'yes'. I see it, so I believe it and what we believe changes what we perceive and I believe that God is love."

Ultimately, faith in the love of God is the answer. We have miracles right in front of us, all the time. Should not they lead us to love all the more? 

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, every day, every moment of our lives is a miracle, a statement that you are with us and always will be. May we have the grace to believe in the miracles of life, and always believe in the heaven that you promise us. Be with us, we pray. 

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GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT

Theme: Everyone who senses the love of God in the miracles of our earth will easily accept that heaven is for real.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(session: approximately 46 minutes)
1. What scene during this session of the movie was most striking to you? Why?
2. In the Gospel passage, Jesus does not deny the reality of human needs. He is warning that they should not be the product of too much anxious care or becoming their slave. In general, do you think that we worry too much about our lives? Yes or no and why?
3. "Worry" is truly a human problem, and may be one of the strongest emotions that we have. What can be done to lessen our worries?
4. In your opinion, what is the greatest worry of human beings?
5. What was the principal "problem" with Todd's congregation?
6. In general, do most Christians consider the "miracles of nature" to be true miracles? Yes or no and why?
7. Do you agree with Todd in his sermon that if heaven is real, it would change people's lives? Yes or no and why?
8. Give an example of the "hell and hate" that people have chosen.
9. Dialogue analysis: Todd's meeting with the Church Board. Why would Colton's story "split the Church"?
10. Dialogue analysis: Todd--"God is trying to reach out to us through Colton." In your opinion, what was God saying to the people?
11. Dialogue analysis: The conversation in the cemetery between Nancy of the Church Board and Todd. What is most striking about the conversation?
12. Dialogue analysis: Todd answers Nancy concerning her son being in heaven by looking at the love that she had for her son. Why is this a good way to reassure Nancy?
13. Dialogue analysis: Part of Todd's sermon includes his statement: "10,000 times I've been here and talked about 'on earth as it is in heaven.' I don't know whether I ever listened to that." In your opinion, what is Todd's meaning?
14. Dialogue analysis: Part of Todd's sermon includes his statement: "Did [God] insist on my vision being the same as yours; of course not." What is the meaning of Todd's statement?
15. Scene analysis: The picture by Akiane Kramarik. What is most striking about Jesus' picture?
16. What does the movie "Heaven is For Real" teach young people?