"Can A Good Person Go To Hell?"
1 of 1 Galatians 4:8-15 July 20, 2003
Chester FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction:
A On June 16, 1989, Mohammed Shera’ie came within seconds of death. He had murdered the wife and two children of Mohammed Yehia Ali Saeed Faqihi, and was now kneeling before his executioner.
a The sword was already raised when Faqihi cried out before the crowd of witnesses. "Listen, I have forgiven you for the murder of my wife and children, whom you will meet before God."
b In accordance with Islamic law, which is enforced in Saudi Arabia, Shera’ie was released and his death sentence was revoked. He entered the square expecting justice, but found grace instead.
His change of destiny parallels that of those who exchange the price of sin for the gift of God.
B Today, I ask the question "Can A Good Person Go To Hell?"
a Galatians 4:8-15
EXEGESIS:
Paul had preached to these folks before the letter of Galatians was written. (Physically sick so he stopped and preached the gospel. Men like Paul do not need much of reason to preach about Jesus!)
Audience were Galatians whom were former pagans or former jews, but were saved by the grace of God.
After Paul left Galatia, some Jewish teachers, Judizers, started preaching a message that included Grace and Good Works (Law of the Old Testament.)
We see Paul preaching the same sermon, to the same people, at the same place, for a second time!!!
[8] Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. [9] But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? [10] You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! [11] I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. [12] I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. [13] As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. [14] Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. [15] What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
b Paul told the Christian at Galatia that the gospel of grace had set them free from the law. (ETS)
C Christians are free from the effects of sin through the grace of God. (ESS)
a I hope you will know that Jesus is the only way to experience lasting freedom.(Obj.)
b How have you received lasting freedom? (Probing Question)
T.S.: Lets look at two freedom facts that help us have real liberation.
I The first freedom fact is that. . .BEING GOOD DOES NOT GET A PERSON TO HEAVEN.
A The Galatians had tried to work/earn their way to heaven for years. (v.8) These are former pagans/jews.
a Paul called this attempt/practice to earn ones spot into heaven as WEAK & MISERABLE!! (v. 9a)9] But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?
b These Galatians who were saved by grace during Paul’s first visit were now turning back to trying to earn their way into heaven again. (v.9b)Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
Going back to days, months, seasons, & years of the Jewish/pagan calendars.
Going back to religion and getting away from a relationship.
Going back to being enslaved by the law. (Have Prison Guard lock me up in chains.)
B Just like the Galatians of 2,003 years ago, we can not work/earn our way into heaven in 2003.
a Eph. 2:8,9
[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
Admitted they have messed up and ask for forgiveness.
(Romans 3:23) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
1JN 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Believe That Jesus Christ died on a Cross, was buried, and rose again. (Romans 10:9/10) [9] That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Committed their lives to Him.
2 Cor. 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
b Our salvation is found in God’s Grace Alone. (Not by being Good!)
C In a recent Dennis the Menace cartoon there was a vivid picture of grace. Dennis was shown walking away from the Wilson’s house with his friend Joey. Both boys had their hands full of cookies.
a Joey then asked, "I wonder what we did to deserve this?" Dennis delivered an answer packed with truth. He said, "Look Joey, Mrs. Wilson gives us cookies not because we’re nice, but because she’s nice."
b Our names could easily be replaced for Dennis and God could be substituted for Mrs. Wilson. The good that comes my way is not because I’m good but because God is so good.
T.S.: Being good, doing good doesn’t secure your eternity.
II The second freedom fact is. . .BEING GOD’S DOES GET A PERSON TO HEAVEN.
A The save Galatian had been showing the ear mark of a life of grace.
[12] I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. [13] As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. [14] Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. [15] What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
a God’s people do good things. (v.15) "torn out your eyes and given them to me." = "give me the shirt off your back."
These people were being selfless not because it was a good work, but because it was a God work.
There was nothing selfish about the Cross!!
b Paul asks, "What has happened to all your joy?" (v:15)
You’ve lost that loving feeling. (Maybe use TOP GUN Clip?)
Focusing on keeping your salvation through works makes you miserable!
B Once were saved, we never need to lose one more nights sleep or one day of worry over losing our salvation.
a Our salvation is based on us. . .it’s based on God.
We are no longer under the law, but under God’s grace..
Who is doing the work under the law? (Me) Under grace? (God)
(I’m handcuffed to myself!!!)
The law asks, "What can I do for God?" Grace asks, "What can God do through me?"
b The believer is no longer under the law, rather the believer is under grace.
WARNING!! Just because we are no longer under the law doesn’t mean we can live lawless.
*Eph. 2:10 [10] For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
*The Galatians was saved to do good works, not doing good works to be saved! THEY GOT THIS FACT CONFUSED
Once saved. . .Always saved. . .Once saved. (There is a change!)
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
New. .improved. .different. (Why would try to see how much sin we can still do and still be saved.)
*Being a believer doesn’t mean we are sinless. It should mean we sin less. Because WE ARE GOD’S!!!
C A 4 year old boy was trying to memorize John 3:16. Doing find until. . .
a He said, ". . . whoever believes in him should not perish, but shall live happily ever after." Not a bad paraphrase!
b There is a different in our lives once we give them to God!
We don’t make the difference, God does!
CONCLUSION:
Paul told the Christian at Galatia that the gospel of grace had set them free from the law. (ETS)
Christians are free from the effects of sin through the grace of God. (ESS)
A We’ve looked at two freedom facts that help have real liberation from the law.
a Fact #1: Being Good Does Not Get A Person To Heaven.
b Fact #2: Being God’s Does Get A Person To Heaven.
B I hope you will know that Jesus is the only way to experience lasting freedom.(Obj.)
a Rely on yourself to get to heaven. (If you’re a self made man,. . .your not much.)
b Rely on God to get to heaven.
C How have you received lasting freedom? (Probing Question)
IL. John Wesley tells of a dream he had. In the dream, he was ushered to the gates of Hell. There he asked, "Are there any Presbyterians here?" "Yes!", came the answer. Then he asked, "Are there any Baptists? Any Episcopalians? Any Methodists?" The answer was Yes! each time. Much distressed, Wesley was then ushered to the gates of Heaven. There he asked the same question, and the answer was No! "No?" To this, Wesley asked, "Who then is inside?" The answer came back, "There are only Christians here."
a Yes, Good people do go to hell. Only God’s people go to heaven.
b The author of "Amazing Grace," John Newton, had great difficulty with his memory. In the later days of his life a friend asked if he still had a bad memory. Newton replied, "Yes, I do, but I remember two things: I am a great sinner and I have a great Savior; and I don’t suppose an old slave trader needs to remember much more than that."
*A man dressed as Jesus enter the sanctuary from the back with the key to unlock the handcuffs.
*Only Jesus can set you free from the law, sin.
HOW HAVE YOU RECEIVED LASTING FREEDOM?
