Good Words from God’s Word
Today we are going back to Revelation to preach about the 5th Beatitude which Jesus gave to the apostle John. The sermon is found in Revelation 20:6 and is all about the “BLESSED” position of everyone who is bound for heaven. Heaven is a place that Jesus has prepared for all those who love Him (John 14:2). Heaven is perfect in every way (Psalm 16:11). Heaven is different than this world (Revelation 7:15-17). Heaven is reserved for believers (Philippians 3:20-21). Knowing that you are ready for heaven is truly what this Beatitude is all about.
Have you heard the story: A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, “Here’s how it works, you need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you have done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in.
“That sounds Okay, the man says, “I was married to the same woman for over 50 years, never cheated on her, even in my heart.”
“How wonderful,” said St. Peter, “That’s worth 3 points.
“Only 3 points,” the man said, “Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministries with my time, talents and money.”
“Terrific,” responded St. Peter, “Certainly, that’s worth 1 point.”
“1 point,” said the man disappointed at his slow progress, so he added, “I started a soup kitchen in my community and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans for a number of years.”
“Outstanding, that’s worth another 2 points,” added St. Peter.
“ONLY TWO POINTS!” cried the frustrated man, “At this rate, the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God.”
“THAT’S IT,” exclaimed St. Peter, by the God’s grace you’re in!”
The terms of heaven are still the same. “It is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8).
Today we are going back to Revelation to preach about the 5th Beatitude which Jesus gave to the apostle John. The sermon is found in Revelation 20:6 and is all about the “BLESSED” position of everyone who is bound for heaven. Heaven is a place that Jesus has prepared for all those who love Him (John 14:2). Heaven is perfect in every way (Psalm 16:11). Heaven is different than this world (Revelation 7:15-17). Heaven is reserved for believers (Philippians 3:20-21). Knowing that you are ready for heaven is truly what this Beatitude is all about.
Have you heard the story: A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter says, “Here’s how it works, you need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you have done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in.
“That sounds Okay, the man says, “I was married to the same woman for over 50 years, never cheated on her, even in my heart.”
“How wonderful,” said St. Peter, “That’s worth 3 points.
“Only 3 points,” the man said, “Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministries with my time, talents and money.”
“Terrific,” responded St. Peter, “Certainly, that’s worth 1 point.”
“1 point,” said the man disappointed at his slow progress, so he added, “I started a soup kitchen in my community and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans for a number of years.”
“Outstanding, that’s worth another 2 points,” added St. Peter.
“ONLY TWO POINTS!” cried the frustrated man, “At this rate, the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God.”
“THAT’S IT,” exclaimed St. Peter, by the God’s grace you’re in!”
The terms of heaven are still the same. “It is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8).
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