Stay Connected To The Only Way To Heaven

74% Christian, 2% Jewish, 1% Islam, 1% Buddhist, and for the record 4% Atheists.  If you search how many Americans believe in an afterlife, you will find approximately 70% do.  And across religions you will find most every religion believes that something will happen to you when you die.  This is no doubt one of the biggest questions on the minds of all people.  What’s next?  Some people say we’re pretty much on the same paths to the same place.  Then my reaction is, “Not true!” If you have the chance to speak to someone who believes that everyone ends up in the same place, what would you say? First, you need to find out why they believe what they believe. Perhaps they are sick and tired of all the arguing that comes from religious differences. Next, if the person you are chatting with goes down the path of “all religions are the same,” you have just landed in Athens and joined the apostle Paul in his meeting with the philosophers two thousand years ago. Secondly, as the apostle did, you would begin by agreeing with them that everyone knows there is some kind of higher power out there. Thirdly, like the apostle you would be kind, compassionate, and tactful and listen to their story, which opens the door to sharing our story about who this higher power is and what he has done so that human beings can hang out with him and be happy, fulfilled, and loved forever. Without that story, humans are faced with finding the path to happiness on their own and will always come up short and frustrated or guilty and scared. Therefore may the Holy Spirit inspire us to

Stay Connected To The Only Way To Heaven

Jesus Lived

Let’s say it’s your first day at the new job. You’re sitting at your desk and your boss says, “Go to it!” You’d want to ask, “What am I supposed to do?” Someone has to communicate, “We want you to do this.” There has to be some kind of standard, some guidelines so you know what to do. After those are communicated you’ll try your best, but some of your projects may not come out quite so perfect.  In most cases you won’t get fired right away but get a chance to do better. Now consider God’s standards. Since every human being is born with a sense that there’s something out there bigger than we are to whom we are accountable, it is common sense to assume that this higher power will find a way to communicate what it takes to get on his good side and stay there. The true God did just that! He is the living, loving God who communicates with us through the Bible. The shocking reality is that God’s standards are a lot higher than anyone can imagine, and he does not give second chances or wink at minor infractions.  He damns failing humans to hell! Sin is sin. If you die and meet God with sin on your account, that’s it. Anything less than an absolutely perfect life is below his standards and stokes the fires of hell.

That’s why Peter and John reveled in the relief offered by the Redeemer. Peter announced to the religious leaders who called him and the others on the carpet,

“Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, ⁹ if we are being questioned today for a kind act that was done for the lame man, as to how this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,”

Could anyone find fault with Jesus? No!  They tried but refused to listen to the facts.  They rejected him even while they had to admit that he had never violated any of God’s laws. Jesus’ life matched up to God’s standards.

Here’s the miracle. It’s the first piece of the pie in our testimony about who God is and what he is like. God considers Jesus’ life to be ours. So when we stand before the throne of God, we have nothing to be embarrassed about because our sin is covered by Jesus’ righteous life. When explaining to people how to get a personal relationship with the only higher power there is, just state the truth. There’s no other way to match God’s standards!  Only Jesus Life Connects Us To Heaven.  And that’s because ….

Jesus Died

If you messed up on the job, somebody has to fix the problem.  That somebody is probably you. If we violate even one of God’s commands someone has to fix it.  Tell a lie.  Hurt someone’s feelings.  Disobey your parents. Cheat at work or school.  For every sin you commit a payment has to be paid. It should be you.  It should be me.  Today, we thank and praise God we won’t have to. That’s why Peter and John loved the relief they had received from Jesus, their Redeemer. Peter announced to the religious leaders who called him and the others on the carpet,

“¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified.”

Oh, what the enemies of Jesus thought they knew, but didn’t.  They may have killed the Lord of glory, but that death paid for all their sins, and not only for theirs, but also “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). This entire worship service is under the theme, “He Lives To Be the Only Way To Heaven!”  While some might hear this and think we are being exclusive, the reality is that Christianity is completely inclusive in that Jesus paid for the sins of all.

Here’s the miracle. It’s the second piece of the pie in our testimony about who God is and what he is like. God considers Jesus’ death to be ours. So when we stand before the throne of God, we have nothing to be embarrassed about because our sins have all been paid for. When explaining to people how to get a personal relationship with the only higher power there is, just state the truth. There’s no other way to avoid making the payment for sin ourselves!  Stay Connected To the Only Way To Heaven, Jesus who Lived, Died and

Jesus Rose Again

“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” was a TV show that ran for 11 years. What gave that show its appeal was sitting at home trying to outsmart the contestants and sensing the tension when they said, “That’s my final answer,” but you knew they were guessing. The uncertainty made it exciting.

Life is not a game show. Neither is the afterlife. I do not want to stand before God with even a hint of uncertainty in my heart when he asks, “Why should I let you in?” because at that point I won’t be able to poll the audience of angels or phone a friend. God will want a final answer, and I don’t want to be nervous! I want to be sure. How about you?  That’s why Peter and John loved what Jesus gave to them. Peter announced to the religious leaders who called him and the others on the carpet,

“it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead! By him this man stands before you healed…… ¹² “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.“ 

The resurrection is God’s stamp of certainty and assurance, “Yes, sins have been completely paid for on the cross.”

Here’s the miracle. It’s the third piece of the pie in our testimony about who God is and what he is like. Jesus said, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). So when we stand before the throne of God, we have nothing to be embarrassed about. When explaining to people how to get a personal relationship with the only higher power there is, just state the truth. We have God’s final answer. Stay Connected To The Only Way To Heaven.  Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection!

It’s hard for parents to grasp, but in a few years their kids head out for college or a job. You might think that’s a long way off, but believe me, it zips by in a flash, and then they will be faced with people who don’t have the right understanding of what happens when we die.  Will they speak up for the truth or not? Do you think any of them will be nervous about stating, “There is only one way to heaven”? Peter and John were in the same boat. Yet, they overcame their nervousness and fears and offered a bold confession of the truth. You might be thinking, “Easy for them! They were disciples of Jesus.” But remember they were average Joes who became confident witnesses for Jesus. They could do that because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. You might think, “Well, if I were filled with the Holy Spirit, I could be a witness for Jesus, too.” I’m here to tell you that you have been, and you are. Don’t sell yourself short, or better yet, don’t sell the Holy Spirit short. He filled you with his power at your baptism. He strengthens you at the Lord’s Supper to be a witness. You’ve got the message everyone needs. Stay Connected To The Only Way To Heaven.  Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection!  Amen.