Are There Any Goats In Heaven?
Preaching
Shaking Wolves Out Of Cherry Trees
And 149 Other Sermon Ideas
Purpose Statement: Who is saved and how?
To some extent what we think about heaven, who is going, and why, can determine how we act towards others or at least affect our attitudes concerning others. We don't know very much about "heaven," and unfortunately, the Bible bears conflicting witness on just how we get there. Paul emphasizes salvation by faith while Jesus, for every one statement implying salvation by faith, makes ten or more statements emphasizing works. The simple truth of this dilemma is that true faith and real works are inseparable (James 2:18, 24, 26).
Let us look at the beautiful parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46):
a. They seem to be saved by works. They fed the hungry and ministered to the sick. Faith and works are like the heart and mind of the body; we cannot survive without both. It would seem pointless to debate which is the most important.
b. They seem to be unaware they were saved. The most amazing part of this parable is that the sheep appear oblivious to their "saved" condition. The message seems to be "forget about getting saved; just love and serve people." Jesus said something about losing your life if you seek to save it and vice versa.
c. It is possible some (or all) of the goats made it. Jesus' mention of eternal hell is no doubt an oriental, dramatic emphasis to underline the importance of loving and caring for others. It would be unconscionably uncharacteristic of Jesus and God to hold out an eternity of burning punishment to threaten us to be good. I like the comment (Matthew 21:31) about the prostitutes and evil tax collectors getting to heaven ahead of the religious folk.
Are we really saved by a magic formula or pledge of allegiance, or by who and what we are (Matthew 21:28-31)? Heaven cannot be heaven unless my family is there no matter what they believe. And (as a conservative friend assured me), "If some of our loved ones don't make it, God will simply make us forget them," seems despicable.
To some extent what we think about heaven, who is going, and why, can determine how we act towards others or at least affect our attitudes concerning others. We don't know very much about "heaven," and unfortunately, the Bible bears conflicting witness on just how we get there. Paul emphasizes salvation by faith while Jesus, for every one statement implying salvation by faith, makes ten or more statements emphasizing works. The simple truth of this dilemma is that true faith and real works are inseparable (James 2:18, 24, 26).
Let us look at the beautiful parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46):
a. They seem to be saved by works. They fed the hungry and ministered to the sick. Faith and works are like the heart and mind of the body; we cannot survive without both. It would seem pointless to debate which is the most important.
b. They seem to be unaware they were saved. The most amazing part of this parable is that the sheep appear oblivious to their "saved" condition. The message seems to be "forget about getting saved; just love and serve people." Jesus said something about losing your life if you seek to save it and vice versa.
c. It is possible some (or all) of the goats made it. Jesus' mention of eternal hell is no doubt an oriental, dramatic emphasis to underline the importance of loving and caring for others. It would be unconscionably uncharacteristic of Jesus and God to hold out an eternity of burning punishment to threaten us to be good. I like the comment (Matthew 21:31) about the prostitutes and evil tax collectors getting to heaven ahead of the religious folk.
Are we really saved by a magic formula or pledge of allegiance, or by who and what we are (Matthew 21:28-31)? Heaven cannot be heaven unless my family is there no matter what they believe. And (as a conservative friend assured me), "If some of our loved ones don't make it, God will simply make us forget them," seems despicable.
