God, Lost Dogs and Animals in Heaven | Rev. Adam Hamilton | Church of the Resurrection

About this sermon

In this heartfelt and insightful sermon, Pastor Adam explores the deep connections between God, animals, and the human experience of fear, loss, and love. He reflects on the many species of animals mentioned in the Bible and how they represent God’s creativity and care. By sharing personal stories with his own dogs, Pastor Adam draws parallels between the instincts of animals—especially their longing for safety with their master—and our own longing for security and peace when life feels uncertain. Pastor Adam also brings us into the story of the Good Shepherd, reminding us that God seeks out those who feel lost, just like we would search for a beloved pet who’s gone missing. He reflects on the powerful image from Ezekiel and Jesus' own mission “to seek and to save the lost.” Whether we’ve wandered away by accident, distraction, or pain, the message is clear: God is not angry—He just wants us to come home. From this sermon, we’re invited to learn that fear is natural, but closeness to God brings peace. We also see the compassionate heart of God through the simple but profound love we share with animals. And while we can’t be certain if our pets will be in heaven, Pastor Adam offers a beautiful hope that the God who delights in creation may welcome the ones we’ve loved into eternity. If you’ve ever felt afraid, lost, or even wondered about the fate of the pets you cherish, this message will speak to your soul. Watch the full sermon now and be reminded that no matter how far you’ve gone, your Master is still waiting—arms wide open—to bring you home. Highlights: [0:00] - Welcome [0:36] - Reading of Scripture [2:07] - Intro Video [2:41] - Sermon Intro: God Loves Animals [4:46] - Sermon Outline [5:29] - Let’s Talk About Fear in Animals [8:37] - What Do We Learn From Dogs On How To Overcome Fear? [11:08] - How Do We Get Closer To God? [12:34] - Lost Dogs [16:17] - Scriptural Metaphor on Lost Animals [19:11] - Have You Felt Lost? Come Home. [21:19] - Will There Be Pets In Heaven? [30:13] - Do Animals Have Souls? [33:18] - How We Face Uncertainty [35:03] - Conclusion [38:33] - Closing Prayer [39:44] - Thank You For Watching Visit our website: https://resurrection.church/ Connect with us on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareresurrection Twitter: https://x.com/umcresurrection Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resurrectionumc/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChurchoftheResurrection Learn more from us at https://resurrection.church/next #ResurrectionAUnitedMethodistChurch #WildKingdomSermon #PetsInHeaven

Topics

• Suffering & Trials
• Church & Fellowship
• Heaven & Eternity
• Resurrection
• The Church