Sermon titles:
Paradise Message
The Paradise Message.
While responding to a fire in Humboldt county we saw a lighted Cal- Trans sign that read “ All roads to paradise closed.” At first we just laughed. I mean if you were facing a life threatening ordeal, Seeing a sign like that could be a little unnerving.
But the more I thought about it I began to see a message. (Not the one that Cal Trans was trying to tell me.) Even though all of the roads were closed, and guarded, we still made it to Paradise.
The reason we made it, is because the person guarding the road recognized us. He knew who we were. He called us to him. And then showed us the way.
Lets look at the parallels .
Jesus says in John 14 starting with verse one: (NIV) Version
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
So Jesus is the way… What does it take to get to Heaven? Jesus say’s “No one comes to the Father except through me.
Will He let you enter?…..
If you had a heart attack right now, Would Jesus let you into paradise?
That Armed officer let us pass because he recognized us. He saw 5 fire engines and he knew the were a strike team. He knew who we were.
In Mathew 7:21-23 Jesus says
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Does Jesus know you? I’m sure he knows who you are, but do you have a personal relationship with him?….
There is one more analogy or parallel that I want to talk about. Before the guard pointed us in the way we should go, he called us over to him. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20-21 (NIV)
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
I’m a firm believer that every thing happens for a reason. There are no accidents in God’s creation. If you are here today, it is because God wanted you to hear this message. God is calling you!….
The only thing you have to do to enter paradise is answer his call…
And come to him…
While responding to a fire in Humboldt county we saw a lighted Cal-
But the more I thought about it I began to see a message. (Not the one that Cal Trans was trying to tell me.) Even though all of the roads were closed, and guarded, we still made it to Paradise.
The reason we made it, is because the person guarding the road recognized us. He knew who we were. He called us to him. And then showed us the way.
Lets look at the parallels .
Jesus says in John 14 starting with verse one: (NIV) Version
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
So Jesus is the way… What does it take to get to Heaven? Jesus say’s “No one comes to the Father except through me.
Will He let you enter?…..
If you had a heart attack right now, Would Jesus let you into paradise?
That Armed officer let us pass because he recognized us. He saw 5 fire engines and he knew the were a strike team. He knew who we were.
In Mathew 7:21-
Does Jesus know you? I’m sure he knows who you are, but do you have a personal relationship with him?….
There is one more analogy or parallel that I want to talk about. Before the guard pointed us in the way we should go, he called us over to him. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20-
I’m a firm believer that every thing happens for a reason. There are no accidents in God’s creation. If you are here today, it is because God wanted you to hear this message. God is calling you!….
The only thing you have to do to enter paradise is answer his call…
And come to him…