The Road Trip To Heaven

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 ...’