Why Some People Will Not Be In Heaven
INTRODUCTION.
A. The Bible clearly teaches that not every person will be in Heaven. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)
B. There is a two-fold question you should ask yourself today:
1. Will you be in Heaven?
2. What will keep you out of Heaven?
C. It is the purpose of this lesson to show five reasons why some people will not be in Heaven.
I. SOME WILL NOT BE PREPARED.
A. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
1. Five virgins were prepared with extra oil.
2. Five virgins were not prepared.
3. When the bridegroom arrived, the five virgins, who were prepared, entered in with the bridegroom.
4. The five unprepared virgins were trying to make last minute preparations. They missed the arrival of the bridegroom.
B. Are you prepared for the Lord’s return?
1. If you have never obeyed Jesus’ command to believe and be baptized, then you are not prepared. (Mark 16:15-16)
2. If you have never obeyed Peter’s command to repent and be baptized, then you are not prepared. (Acts 2:38)
3. If you are a Christian, but you are living in sin, then you are not prepared. Do not wait until you see the Lord to start repenting of your sins. It will be too late. Prepare yourself by repenting of your sins and turning back to the Lord. (Cf. I John 1:8 - 2:2)
II. SOME ARE TOO BUSY.
A. Read Luke 14:15-24.
1. Many were invited to a great supper. However, they made excuses. They claimed to be too busy with their own affairs.
2. The master sent his servant out to call others to the supper. The master declared that those initially called would not taste the supper.
B. Are you willing to answer the call of the Lord?
1. Do you find yourself too busy to come to the Lord today?
2. Do you find yourself too busy to serve the Lord?
3. One day, the “supper” will be served. If you are too busy to serve the Lord today, then you will surely miss the “great supper” or eternity with God in heaven.
III. SOME SLEEP.
A. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.
1. The Lord will return as a thief in the night.
2. Those who are in darkness and sleeping will be overtaken.
3. Those who are of the day will be sober and watchful. They will be prepared.
B. Will you be overtaken by the Lord’s return?
1. If you are not yet a Christian, then it is time for you to wake up to the Gospel’s call to salvation. Stop sleeping and become a Christian, a child of God today.
2. If you are a Christian, but you are slipped back to sleep, then it is also time for you to wake up. Paul wrote, “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; . . .” (I Corinthians 15:34, NKJV) Begin by asking recognizing your sin, ask God to forgive you, then stop engaging in sin.
3. If you are a Christian and are fully awake, then wonderful. Work to stay that way. Never allow yourself to return to that state sleep. If you will remain awake to serving the Lord, then you will not be overtaken when the Lord comes again.
IV. SOME DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL.
A. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
1. The Lord will take vengeance upon those who do not know Him and have not obeyed His gospel.
2. They will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.
B. Do you know the Lord? Have you obeyed His gospel?
1. You can only know the Lord by knowing His Word. God’s Word will reveal God to you.
2. Once you begin to study God’s Word, you must then obey His Gospel. The basics of that Gospel was taught by Jesus’ apostles. Jesus told His apostles, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV) Take notice that Jesus defined the Gospel in verse 16: He who believes and is baptized will be saved.
V. SOME WILL NOT OVERCOME.
A. Read Revelation 21:7-8.
1. All who overcome will inherit eternal life with God in Heaven.
2. Everyone else who does not overcome will have their part in the lake of fire.
B. Are you in the process of overcoming the world or are you being overcome by the world?
1. It seems that our world has become ever more of a challenge to live in. Many Christians have been overcome by:
a. Greed (covetousness, i.e. gambling)
b. Alcohol (social drinking and drunkenness)
c. Drug Abuse
d. Sexual sins (fornication or “casual sex,” pornography, etc.
e. Lying
f. Many more varieties of sin.
2. Christians must face these challenges and be victorious.
a. The Greek word translated as “overcome” in Revelation 21:7 is nikao {nik-ah’-o} which means “1) to conquer 1a) to carry off the victory, come off victorious” (Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon)
b. We must overcome. We must be victorious.
c. Paul wrote, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39, KJV)
CONCLUSION.
A. As we close, let us consider 2 Peter 3:10-14.
B. Since we know that judgment is coming and that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God, what manner of persons should we be?
1. Let us be holy in conduct and godliness.
2. Let us be without spot.
3. Let us be blameless.
C. Will you be in Heaven? You will be in Heaven if you:
1. Will be prepared.
2. Be busy serving the Lord.
3. Awake to righteousness.
4. Will obey the Gospel.
5. You Will Overcome
D. We stand ready to help you on your journey to Heaven. Come forward as we stand and sing.
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Why Some People Will Not Be In Heaven - January 26, 2003 - File #: 295 - Heaven
by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK