How To Go To Heaven
John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. (one meaning is the firmament) — but I’ve been there in a airplane?
HEAVEN: (one meaning is the firmament)– but I’ve been there in a plane!
(DCT) “The abode of God, the angels & the souls granted salvation” >>> occurs 582 times in 550 verses = Surely enough for doctrine!
THE FIRST TIME USED IN N.T… Heaven is now a kingdom, not just the sky!
Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your rewarding heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Our Reward Is In Heaven, Our Hope Is In Heaven… Somebody Is Going To
Go!
The Following Verses Show That The Kingdom Of Heaven Is The Church!
Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
If you make it into the born again church, your in the kingdom!
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
——> BUT THERE IS A PLACE CALLED HEAVEN ! And we are told to desire this place…
I Corinthians 2:7-9 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
This Is Proof That Devils Can’t Read Anybody’s Mind! — Don’t Know It
All!
But God has prepared a place…
Hebrews 12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
BUT THE QUESTION IS — HOW DO I GET TO HEAVEN?
Just believe – right?
Matthew 7:19-23 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
*** Last Wednesday we realized that the fruit is of the Spirit! And w/o the Spirit, we cannot have fruit!
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Do you mean to say… W/O the H.G. I can’t be saved?
NO, I DIDN’T MEAN TO SAY THAT, THE SCRIPTURE DID!
Acts 2:2-4 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
THE HOLY GHOST IS GOD’S SPIRIT FROM HEAVEN — IT CALLS UNTO IT’S OWN!
I Corinthians 2:10-12 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN GOD’S SPIRIT THAT WE MAY KNOW! — WHAT? = TRUTH!
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
TRUTH IS PROGRESSIVE REVELATION!
—- You cannot assume that what your learned from your parents or Sunday School is ALL truth! —- TEST IT OUT! CAN IT WITHSTAND EXAMINATION?
Matthew 5:6 Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
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WELL, IF NOT BELIEVE… THEN LIVE A LIFE OF GRUELING SACRIFICE! –RIGHT?
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. —> THEY WERE
GRUELING!
Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS & SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Romans 3:20-28 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
THIS RIGHTEOUS JUSTIFICATION IS ATTAINED THROUGH THE REDEMPTION PROCESS…
— which is – the death, burial & resurrection of Jesus Christ! Acts 2:38
LISTEN TO THIS POWERFUL DISCOURSE
Romans 10:1-13 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above]) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
NOTICE THAT BELIEVING REQUIRED OBEDIENCE! — Not just mental ascent.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT PAUL WROTE THE ROMANS ABOVE!
—- no difference between Jews & Greeks! Rep. Bapt. & H.G.!
(JEWS)
Acts 2:38-40 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
SALVATION WAS AN ISSUE OF NEW BIRTH! (obey the redemption message)
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
(GENTILES)
Acts 10:42-48 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God [to be] the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayedthey him to tarry certain days.
(SAMARITANS)
Acts 8:14-19 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
HOW DO I GO TO HEAVEN? —- The salvation message!
II Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
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Oh I long for that day! —- OH I WANT TO SEE HIM, LOOK UPON HIS FACE!
John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were]
not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.
Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek
one to come.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
(4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away.
old song…
“HEAVEN, I WOULDN’T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD. I WOULDN’T MISS IT FOR ALL
THIS WORLD CAN HOLD… I WOULDN’T TRADE ONE MOMENT THERE, FOR ALL THE
WEALTH THIS WORLD CAN SHARE… HEAVEN I WOULDN’T MISS IT… HEAVEN I
WOULDN’T MISS IT… HEAVEN, I WOULDN’T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD”
9/25/94 AUPC (SUN/AM)
