THE ROAD TRIP TO HEAVEN
Text: 2 Tim. 4:6-8
Intro: All of us have taken trips before. To have a successful trip there are some things you need to do.
1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT VEHICLE TO GET YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO GO.
A) You don’t want something that will breakdown on you half way.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,
John 14
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
B) Just because a vehicle is new and flashy don’t mean it will get you there.
Today you have
1. Scientology (1952) 2. Mormons (the book of Mormon was published in 1830) 3.Jehovah Witness (late 19th century) 4.Pentecostal Holiness (1906 Azusa Street revival as the start of the modern Pentecostal Church)
THE TRUE CHURCH HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS.
** WE NOW HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL MANY NEW BIBLES BUT THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN TRIED AND PROVEN TO WORK IS THE KING JAMES VERSION.
2. YOU HAVE TO START THE TRIP.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again
**IT IS ONE THING TO KNOW THE RIGHT WAY BUT IT IS ANOTHER THING TO GO THE RIGHT WAY.
Joh 3:3 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.
**IF YOU DON’T START A TRIP YOU WILL NEVER GET TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
3. YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR UNEXPECTED STOPS.
** Flat tires, break downs.
** I always told my children to keep a flash light in their cars.
A) Life is life and we will have stops alone the way.
**The death of loved ones is an unexpected stop.
Introduction
“[16 year old] Nathan Johnson dreamed of starting a revolution for Christ. [He wrote in his diary, “God’s] will for me is to radically impact my school for Him." But before he could see the revolution become a reality, Johnson’s life was cut short by an automobile accident [after] striking a cement truck almost head-on.”
Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Question: How can Paul write these verses in light of tragedy to good people?
Perhaps you have asked a similar question about your situation.
How can anything good come from a death?
How can anything good come from my sickness?
How can anything good come from rape?
How can anything good come from a drunk driver killing an entire family?
ALL THESE ARE STOPS ALONG LIFE’S ROAD
Allow me to finish this true story published in the September 6th edition of the Baptist Press:
“Despite his early death, friends and family say that God is using the tragedy to make [Nathan] Johnson’s dream a reality. Nearly 300 people have professed faith in Christ in the aftermath of Johnson’s accident, including more than 30 at his funeral [and 16 more] two nights following the funeral at the Wednesday night youth gathering…One of Johnson’s gifts was his football ability, which he displayed as a kicker and punter for Beech [High School]. Johnson […] consistently [kicked] field goals of 45-50 yards. But [he] saw his athletic ability as a tool to win teammates to Christ […] In his journal, Nathan had written, "God has given me the gift of kicking so that I can start by winning my teammates on the football team to Christ." During his freshman year, he led two players to faith in Christ during football camp and later led a senior to faith.
Inside the front cover of this year’s team program, which is sold at every game, is a picture of Johnson in his football uniform with a message dedicating the season to him. At the top of the page is the Apostle Paul’s declaration from Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.” At the bottom of the page is Jesus’ command from Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven.”
The final page in the program has another photo of Johnson in his uniform with the quote from his journal about impacting his school for Christ. At the bottom of the page is a quote from Johnson’s grave marker: ‘Dude, Heaven is sweet. See you there ...’
In the aftermath of Johnson’s funeral, professions of faith have continued, and several local churches report that they baptize people weekly who say they were saved at the funeral [and] teenagers at [Johnson’s church] have been saved at several programs since the funeral.” 1
The bottom line is that God allowed something bad to happen temporarily to a great young man in order to bring much good eternally for many.
4. WE MUST KEEP OUR EYES ON THE ROAD IF WE WANT TO MAKE THE END OF OUR TRIP.
A) More wrecks happen when people take their eyes off the road than almost anything else.
** People have died because some one took their eyes off the road.
WHERE ARE YOU EYES RIGHT NOW?
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
AFTER YOUR UNEXPECTED STOP HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD
(JESUS)
1Co 7:35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
** If you are distracted you know who is doing it.
1Pe 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Lu 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
5. I ALWAYS LIKE TO GAGE MY JOURNEY.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
** Paul knew he was close to the end of his race.
** I know when I am coming home that Darlington is about half way.
Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
(Matthew 24:4-14) Turn in bible
WE ARE COMING TO THE END! AND IT WONT BE LONG UNTIL WE SEE JESUS.
6. YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR DESTINATION.
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Paul knew where he was going.
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF WHERE YOU ARE GOING HOW CAN YOU EVER GET THERE?
7. WHEN I TAKE A LONG JOURNEY I MAKE SURE SOMEBODY KNOWS THAT I AM COMING SO THAT THEY WILL LOOK FOR ME.
**WHEN JOWAND TRAVELS ALONE I MAKE SURE SHE TELLS ME WHEN SHE LEAVES SO THAT I WILL KNOW ABOUT HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE FOR HER TO GET TO ME.
**SOME TIME I HAVE HAD TO LOOKING FOE HER.
A) I told Jesus 23 years ago that I was on my way and he started looking for me.
**SOME TIMES JESUS HAS HADE TO COME AND FIND ME BECAUSE I GOT DISTRACTED OR GOT MY EYES OFF THE ROAD.
**I HAVE HAD SOME BAD WRECKS ALONG THE WAY.
** NOT ONLY DID JESUS COME AND FIND ME HE FIXED ALL MY MESSES.
Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
DOES JESUS KNOW YOU ARE COMING
MAYBE HE IS LOOKING FOR YOU RIGHT NOW
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PASTOR JOHN SHEARHART FOR THE ILLASTRATION ABOUT NATHAN JOHNSON WHICH I FOUND IN HIS SERMON ON ROMANS 8:28-30
