Witnessing: God's Goodness Series

Witnessing: God's Goodness

Luke 18:18-30

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Last month, we borrowed out the movie, Heaven is for Real, from the library. It wasn't a great movie. I'm still trying to sort out the spiritual value of the movie.

I'm not sure what you're supposed to think about how you get into heaven, if you went by the movie. Maybe a loving God lets all people, except Hitler, go to Heaven? There are so many misconceptions about this all-important matter of eternal life.

Someone tells the story of Mother Teresa’s conversation with God. After being in Heaven for a couple of weeks, she asked God one day: “Lord, you know I love you. I’ve served you faithfully in my earthly life. I would have served you even if there were no Heaven. And I’m not disappointed now that I am with You in Heaven.

“But I have noticed that the hot place down there is serving filet mignon, lobster and the works. And I’ve been getting peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

The Lord replied, “I know. But it’s really hard to cook for just two.”

Some people believe that getting into Heaven is so difficult, that only the very faithful will be there. One who has devoted his or her entire life to serve God. Is that what the Bible teaches?

Our 2015 church theme is Follow Jesus. Jesus calls us to follow him in this life and into eternal life. As we follow Jesus regarding eternal life, we discover His answer to be very different than what many believe.

We believe Jesus has the only reliable answer about how to get into Heaven. Here's why. Jesus came from Heaven. He returned to Heaven. The Bible reveals that Jesus is God.

Last month, we looked at what Jesus reveals about God. Jesus revealed God's compassion to sufferers and sinners. Jesus revealed God's invitation to the underprivileged and undeserving. This morning, we will see Jesus revealing God's goodness, and what that has to do with getting into Heaven.

Our text is Luke 18:18-30. I'll read it and then we'll look in detail together.

(READ)

We see from this passage a person of authority and wealth who wanted to get into heaven, but on his own terms. If you try to get into my house on your own term, we call that breaking in. Heaven is God's House. And if we wish to enter, we must enter by His terms.

This morning, we will clarify God's terms. This way when someone asks us, "How do I get into Heaven?" we could provide a helpful answer. Let's look together.

First, what does this passage tell us about eternal life? (vs. 18, 22, 24, 25, 26, 30)

The good news is you're going to Heaven; the bad news is you're going on Tuesday. When you hear this, you know the person doesn't understand what going to Heaven means.

There are five phrases in this passage that are associated with Heaven: Eternal life (vs. 18), Heaven (vs. 22), Kingdom of God (vs. 24-25), Saved (vs. 26), Age to come (vs. 30). Let's look at each to get a fuller picture of the package we call Heaven.

Most people understand eternal life like the rich ruler: A higher quality of life lived beyond the grave, which we earn by doing good in our earthly life. But the Bible tells us eternal life is our relationship with God and Jesus, which can begin here on earth (John 17:3). Furthermore, the Bible tells us eternal life is a gift, not a reward, from God, because God loves us (John 3:16).

How do the other phrases fit in to eternal life? Eternal life begins on earth and continues into Heaven, beyond the grave, in the age to come. So eternal life is lived in two locations, earth and Heaven, and in two time periods, now and the age to come.

Here's what else. Eternal life is lived under a new authority and a new dependency. We are saved into the Kingdom of God through humility and trust. We read in the verses immediately before: Luke 18:15-17 (READ)

Eternal life involves new authority, the Kingdom of God. Eternal life also involves new dependency, saved by God's mercy and grace, not by our own doing. We enter into eternal life through humility and trusting in God.

Second, what does this passage tell us about our goodness? (vs. 20-23)

The rich ruler was able to keep 5 of God's 10 Commandments! That's better than me. But that's like saying, "I've stopped at 50% of the red lights." Or, "I pay my taxes 50% of the time."

Now Jesus didn't doubt the rich ruler's goodness in those areas. Jesus did reveal the rich ruler's failure to keep the other 5 commandments. These 5 have to do with loving God and loving people above all else, including above money and possessions.