Sunday, 30 June 2019

I am Good Enough to Go to Heaven

Pastor Jeremy Helmuth


Universalism is the belief that everyone will eventually get to go to heaven no matter what they believed in or how they lived. This is a growing  opinion among many people, including Christians. But is this what the  Bible teaches? We will look at five main statements from Scripture which teach us that Christianity is exclusive in its claims:

  • Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6).
  • The road to heaven is narrow. (Matthew 7:13-14).
  • Salvation is found only in Jesus’ name (Acts 4:12).
  • Everyone will confess Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
  • If you know Jesus, you have eternal life (1 John 5:11-12).

Discussion Questions

Getting Started

1. Why is Jesus the only way? Since there are so many religions out there, some people believe that “many religions” prove that all ways will lead to heaven because people are trying their best to find God. What would you say to someone who believes that there are many ways to God and heaven?

Digging Deeper

2. Read about the grace of God (Titus 2:11-14; Romans 3:24; 6:1-3; 5:20; 11:6; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 8:7-9; 12:9; Psalm 103:10-12; John 1:17; Hebrews 4:16; James 4:6). This is what makes Christianity different from every other religion.

3. If you are a Christian, why did you place your eternal destiny in Jesus Christ? Was it simply because you were born into a Christian family, or has Jesus drawn you to Himself (John 6:44)? Were you deeply “compelled” to believe?

4. There is one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), one God above all of us (Ephesians 4:4), and eternal life is found in Jesus (1 John 5:11). Meditate on these verses.

Applying the Word to Life

5. How can you be assured of your salvation? If you are unsure, then follow 1 John 1:9 and 5:11-12 and answer: Have you confessed your sins? Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you talk with Jesus Christ and listen to Him? How do you make your relationship with Jesus a normal part of your day?

6. Challenge: strike up a conversation with a nonbeliever this week and discuss this statement: In other religions, we are trying to get to God, but always come up short. In Christianity, God comes to us so that we can live together forever.