The Culture of Heaven - Introduction

Heaven not only has an atmosphere, it also has a culture. The atmosphere (climate) created by a massive forest tree governs the ecosystem around it – what flourishes there.There’s a culture that’s ordained to flourish where the presence of God is welcomed and enjoyed.

Culture (def) = the shared beliefs, values, attitudes and practices of a group. In our case we pray, ‘Let your kingdom come – your will on earth as it is in heaven'

The following few verses describe a culture . . .

Colossians 3:12 – 17 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We could well ask, is this a culture where everyone has attained such a transformation that hurt and offense, and human failing and dishonour are so rare as to be almost extinct? Actually, no!

Take a closer look:

Why tender mercies if cause for judgement is not present?

Why longsuffering if people who irritate you, long-term, are not there?

Why bearing with one another?

Why forgiving one another if offense has been eliminated?

Why peace if conflict never threatens?

No, this is not describing some treacly-sweet club. Rather it’s a strong and robust community of real people whom the atmosphere of heaven is invading and changing.

It’s no longer enough just to have the atmosphere – God’s presence as something we can retreat or escape to because we don’t like it here. God’s will is heaven on earth – a culture that is a joy to be part of. Being part of a people that are determined not to do church any old way – but to genuinely embrace these highest qualities of life and relationship together.

It’s a culture in which anointings, mantles, gifts and ministries get released all over the place – every member highly valued and significantly anointed.

What is the culture of heaven like?

It’s like God – no God no culture (just like ‘no God no atmosphere’)

“God is love” . . . “Love one another … by this shall all men know that you’re my disciples”

When you look at the qualities that Paul lists in Colossians 3, you soon realise that these describe the Lord – it’s a culture that flows out of him:

He is merciful – James 5:11

He is kind – Romans 2:4

He is humble – Philippians 2:8

He is meek – 2 Corinthians 10:1

He is longsuffering – 2 Peter 3:9

He is forbearing – Psalm 103:8 – 12 (patient, tolerant, easygoing, lenient, clement, forgiving, understanding, accommodating, indulgent; long-suffering, resigned, stoic; restrained, self-controlled)

He is forgiving – Ephesians 1:7

He is love – 1 John 4:16

These are who God is, when we gaze upon him, this is what we’ll see. And . . . beholding we are changed (2 Corinthians 3:18)

One more quality that’s not mentioned in these verses, but is important: God is faithful (3 x to the Corinthians). It means that all these qualities of God are consistent, reliable, and unable to be diluted.

1. •Not – sometimes he’s not like that with me
   

2. •Not – I think he waters that down with me
   

3. •He is fully himself, all the time, for you!
   

4. •He cannot be unfaithful, not even in the smallest of matters
   

Moses ask the Lord, Please, show me your glory

The Lord answered,  I will make all my goodness pass before you

As Moses came down from the mountain his face shone brightly with the glory of God (so much that he had to put a veil over his face in order for the Israelites to be able to look at him). He became like the One he had gazed upon.