HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

Answering Common Questions about Up There

Pastor Mike Bailey
mike@cityunited.church

INTRODUCTION

Heaven is for real! It seems nowadays everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go now. Eternity is an uncertainty for many people, and the fear of death can be overwhelming. “What happens when I die?” is a common question in our culture today because many people don’t know their eternal destination.

On a positive note, the subject of Heaven has so many questions that the Bible answers.

But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ 10But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” —I Corinthians 2:9-10

This teaching series will focus on answering the common questions people ask when it comes to Heaven, the destination they desire to go to.

October 6       What Is Heaven?
October 13      How Do We Get to Heaven?
October 20      Does Heaven Immediately Follow Death?
October 27      How Do We Prepare Now for Heaven?
November 3      What Will Heaven Be Like?
November 10     Can People in Heaven Observe Life on Earth?
November 17     What Will Our Relationships Be Like in Heaven?
November 24     Will Animals Be in Heaven?

TEXT: Romans 3:20-26; Isaiah 59:2

TODAY’S TAKEAWAY:

Heaven is for believers in Jesus Christ

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL WEEK 2:

HOW DO WE GET TO HEAVEN?

The only ones who will be in Heaven are believers who have trusted in Jesus and have accepted His salvation.

HOW ARE WE SAVED?

I. By

—God’s Gift

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” —Ephesians 2:8

PM’s definition of Grace: receiving something you do not

.

II. Through

—Our Belief

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” —Hebrews 11:1-3 (NLT)

A. PM’s definition of Faith: the

belief in something that is

Reveal Answer

impossible.

B. What should I believe in? (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Believe that Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life.
(1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Believe that Jesus died and shed His blood on the cross for my sins. (Matthew 27:45-54; 1 Peter 3:18; Luke 23:46).
Believe that Jesus rose from the grave on the third day. (Matthew 12:40; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Acts 10:40).

HOW DOES JESUS PROVIDE SALVATION?

III. JESUS GAVE HIMSELF AS THE

(PROP) (v. 25)

A. PM’s definition of Propitiation -

of Atonement

1. Sacrifice—Genesis 3:21 “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”
2. Atonement—Leviticus 15-17 shows us the tradition of “Yom Kippur.”

B. Translation: Jesus was the

.

IV. JESUS GIVES US

(JUST) (v. 24)

A. PM’s definition: Just as if I didn’t do it.

“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” —Colossians 2:14

B. Translation: Jesus’ payment cleared our sin debt.

V. JESUS GIVES US HIS

(RIGHT) (v. 22)

A. PM’s definition: Being right with God.

This is the “TICKET” to get to heaven.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one.” —Romans 3:10

B. Translation: Jesus’ right standing before God is accounted to us.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE MOMENT OF SALVATION?

1. Your name is

   Reveal Answer
   in the Lamb’s Book of Life
   (Revelation 21:27; Philippians 4:2-3)

   Without this, no one can enter Heaven.

2. The angels

   Reveal Answer
   (Luke 15:10)

   God’s desire is for everyone to be in Heaven.

3. Your salvation is now,

   Reveal Answer
   , and secure.
   (John 10:28-29)

   Your eternal life begins now and can never be taken away.
   

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

1. The price is
   Reveal Answer
   .

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” —John 3:17

1. The time is
   Reveal Answer
   .

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” —2 Corinthians 6:2b

1. The method is
   Reveal Answer
   .

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” —John 3:18

“Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” —Luke 23:42-43

CONCLUSION: Are you trusting Jesus for your salvation?

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