Imagine There’s No Heaven

Sermon titles often come out of the blue. Sometimes the preacher doesn’t even mention or explain where they came from.  It’s a mystery of the faith.  You may recognize this title.  It’s a line from John Lennon’s song, “Imagine.”

When I was a kid and had thick, brown hair I loved the Beatles and their music.  They were like gods to me.  Lennon was my favorite.  I wanted to be just like him…hair, guitar, song writing…the whole package.  Obviously, since he was a god and I a mere mortal, that pinnacle was slightly out of my reach.  But I could dream couldn’t I?

“When I was twenty years old, I heard the call of God (the real one).”

When I was twenty years old, I heard the call of God (the real one).  I dedicated my life, as best I knew how, to serving Him and Him alone.  As the years went by and I gave serious consideration to the various facets of my life, I began to realize    some of my heroes and “gods” were less than worthy.  John Lennon was one of them.

To tell you the truth, I was crushed.  Lennon was still a great song writer.  He was still a talented rock and roller.  The impact he had had on my life was unmistakable and undeniable.  Yet, his philosophy of life…well, as many people would say today…sucked.

A lot of people, including many Christians, love the song “Imagine.”  They think it’s a beautiful song.  Well, musically, I can’t and don’t deny that.  Philosophically, it’s awful.  Why would one want to imagine there’s no Heaven…no God…no faith?  Lennon’s second line is, “It’s easy if you try.”

I can’t.  I’ve tried.  I can’t imagine there’s no Heaven.  It simply makes no sense to me.  I might be naive, but it just simply does not compute for me.  Lennon says he wants us to live for today.  I guess that’s the only way his belief system would work.  When today is gone, where are we?

We certainly wouldn’t be the kind of people he wanted us to be.  If we’re just biological machines, why concern ourselves with all the things Lennon wanted us to do and be…world peace, unity, sharing everything.  Lennon was a millionaire.  As far as I know, he never shared anything.  When he was asked about it, he answered that he would if he could find a worthwhile cause.  Apparently there isn’t one.

“History shows we are simply altruistic without a reason.”

The history of the world shows us we aren’t simply altruistic without a reason.  If there’s no Heaven, I’m in it for ME.  But there IS a Heaven, I want to go there, and Jesus is the only way I know to realize that goal.  Because He wants me to work for peace, unity, and to share what I have, I will.

My old hero, John Lennon, said, “You may say I’m a dreamer.”  Yes, John, you were.  Dreams are great, as long as they’re based in reality.  Heaven is real, and I can’t imagine life without that reality.

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