6
THINGS
THAT
WILL    
    NOT
GET YOU
INTO
HEAVEN

Many people today have different beliefs concerning how a person gets to Heaven.   And are therefore
        trusting in different things to get them there.   But let's look at what God says in the Bible.
Because after all, God's way to Heaven is the only one that counts.   And the only one we could trust.

FIRST OF ALL - The Bible says that our sins are what keeps us from ever being with God in Heaven:
*   "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from
      you, that he will not hear."   ISAIAH 59:2
*   "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."   ROM. 3:23
SECONDLY - The Bible says that the penalty for our sin is Death:
*   "For the wages of sin is Death...."   ROM. 6:23
*   "The soul that sinneth, it shall Die" EZEK. 18:4
*   "Without shedding of Blood is no remission [Forgiveness]" HEB. 9:22
Death means eternal separation from God in a lake of fire.   (Rev. 20:11-15)

However there are people who trust that God's penalty will be satisfied thru one or more of the following:

ΠBAPTISM - BUT BAPTISM CAN'T PAY THE PENALTY BECAUSE NO ONE DIES DURING BAPTISM.

 CONFIRMATION - THIS CAN'T PAY IT EITHER, SINCE THERE IS NO DEATH INVOLVED.
                                         REMEMBER !, DEATH HAS TO TAKE PLACE.

Ž COMMUNION - NO DEATH, THEREFORE NO PAYMENT FOR SINS.

 GOOD DEEDS - GOD SAYS DEATH NOT GOOD DEEDS.

 KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS - NO DEATH INVOLVED HERE.

‘ CHURCH MEMBERSHIP - THIS CAN'T SATISFY THE PENALTY EITHER - NO DEATH TAKES PLACE.

PEOPLE SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES THIS:

è   "If what I am trusting in, is paying for my sins.   Then why don't I have complete peace?"   ç
"Why is the thought of standing before God uncomfortable?"

   The answer is because none of the above is paying for any portion of the penalty.   In fact anything that
does not involve death will not satisfy the penalty of sin.   This also includes: Self-Righteousness, Sincerity, Good
Intentions, etc.

   But the good news is: God is willing to accept Jesus Christ's death as a substitute for ours:

* For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
   have everlasting life.   JOHN 3:16
* But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.   ROM. 5:8

HIS DEATH AND SHEDDING OF BLOOD PAYED FOR OUR SINS !   THE BIBLE SAYS SO:

* For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
   scriptures.   I COR. 15:3
* In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.   EPH. 1:7

Now doesn't it make more sense to trust in his death and shed blood since that will pay for sins.

* But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour;
   that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.   HEB. 2:9

   Therefore, anyone who is trusting in one or more of the things mentioned should change their minds

(REPENT) and instead place their trust in Christ.

* That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from
   the dead, thou shalt be saved.   ROM. 10:9

If you died today, are you 100% sure you would
go to Heaven? ... The Bible says you can be!
* "These things have I written...that ye may
   know that ye have eternal life" I John 5:13.

A. You must understand where you stand with God.

1. God loves you and wants you in Heaven forever with Him.
* "God so loved the world" John 3:16.

2. However, your sins separate you and God.
* "your iniquities have separated between you and your God,"
   Isaiah 59:2.

3. That includes everyone.
* "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
   Romans 3:23.

* Jesus died on the cross 2000 years ago to pay for sins.

B. You must understand that Heaven cannot be earned.

1. Not by doing enough good things.
* "Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
   but according to his mercy he saved us..." Titus 3:5.

2. Not by being baptized, joining a church, or obeying the
    Ten Commandments.
* "(8)For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
   not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)Not of works,
   lest any man should boast."   Ephesians 2:8-9

* The price for your sins must be paid, but to bypass the
   death of Christ and try to earn your own way to Heaven
   is an insult to God.

C. You must be willing to change your direction.

1. Sin will take you to Hell.
* "the wages of sin is death;" Romans 6:23.

2. Pride and self righteousness will cause you to miss Heaven.
* Prov. 6:16-19; Rom. 10:2-3; Luke 13:2-5; Matt. 5:20; Rom. 3:28
--
"(16)These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (17)A proud look...."   (Proverbs 6:16-19)
"(3)For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."   (Romans 10:2-3)
"(2)And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?   (3)I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.   (4)Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?   (5)I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."   (Luke 13:2-5)
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."   (Romans 3:28)

3. Faith in yourself, your baptism, or your church will
    cause you to miss Heaven.
* Rom. 3:24-25; John 1:12-13; Mark 7:6-13; John 3:3
--
"(24)Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25)Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" (Romans 3:24-25).
"(12)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: (13)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)
"(6)He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.   (7)Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.   (8)For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.   (9)And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.   (10)For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: (11)But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.   (12)And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; (13)Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."   (Mark 7:6-13)
"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)

4. You must be willing to repent.
* "Repent ye therefore, and be converted," Acts 3:19.
* "The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but
   that all should come to repentance."   II Pet. 3:9
* Repentance means to change your mind or attitude about sin.

D. You must believe in Jesus Christ with your heart.

1. A head knowledge about religion never got anyone to Heaven.
* "the devils also believe, and tremble."   James 2:19

2. Contrary to popular opinion, according to the Bible, most
    people will not go to Heaven when they die.
* "(14)narrow is the way...few there be that find it."
   Matthew 7:13-14,21-23

3. You must receive Jesus Christ by faith as your personal Saviour.
* "being justified by faith" Romans 5:1.

* Eternal life was paid for with the shed blood of Christ.   Accept it
   as a free gift.

* "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
   saved."   Romans 10:13

* If you have any further questions, please call the
   church office at 232-5500.

FARGO BAPTIST CHURCH

3303 23rd Avenue SouthWest
Fargo, North Dakota 58103

Speaking the truth in love
Ephesians 4:15

aaa.232.5500

Schedule of Services

SUNDAY SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:30 A.M.
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP . . . . 10:30 A.M.
SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE . . . . . .. 6:00 P.M.
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY . . . . . . . 7:00 P.M.

SEND THE LIGHT
A WRITING MINISTRY
OF
FARGO BAPTIST CHURCH

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