THE WAY TO HEAVEN
Heb 11:13-16
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
I. A PROBLEM IS CONFRONTED.
“How does one get to heaven?”
A. SOMETHING PEOPLE EARNESTLY DESIRE .
1. Most people want to go to heaven.
2. Not many people want to go to hell.
B. SOME PEOPLE ARE EAGAR TO DISCOVER.
“How do I get there?”
1. Good conduct…will that count?
2. Going to church…will that count?
3. Giving to charity…will that count?
II. THE PATH IS CLEAR.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
A. MAN IS A SINNER.
1.By conception.
Ps 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
2. By choice. Romans 3:10,23
B. MAN HAS TO BE SAVED.
1. The necessity of the new birth.
A. Without the “new birth” one cannot enter heaven.
1. You cannot see it.
2. You cannot be sure of it.
B. Without the “new birth” one cannot escape hell.
2. The nature of the new birth.
A. It is a spiritual mystery.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
B. It is a supernatural miracle.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
1. Not of human descent.
2. Not of human design.
III. THE PROSPECT IS COMFORTING
A. BY FAR.
1. Heaven will be a better place.
A. Because it is a place of rest. Rev. 14:13, Heb. 4:9
Heb 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
B. Because it is a place of righteousness. II Peter 3:13
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
C. Because it is a place of reward. Matt. 5:11,12
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
2. Heaven will be a beautiful place.
B. BY FAITH.
1. I intend to run my course. II Tim. 4:6-8
2. I intend to reach that city.
