DO YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN??

Introduction:
   1. This question should be a foolish one, but is it?
   2. Everyone should show by their actions that they desire to go to
      heaven, but do they??
   3. What actions of mine show (prove) that I want to go?
   4. Do I demonstrate that desire??
   5. What is there in my life that indicates my desire??
   6. Let us pause just here while each one makes a mental list of
      what we are doing that shows our desire to enter Heaven.
   7. How long is your (my) list?  One, two, five, ten,  etc.
   8. Paul said-- 2 Tim. 4:7-8, FOUGHT, FINISHED, KEPT
      Paul said that He was expecting a CROWN and gave three reasons
       for his expectations:

  I. "I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT"
       1. Paul is not speaking of some battle to conquer land or seas.
       2. He does not speak of a battle directed by some earthly
          Emperor.
       3. Paul -- soldier of Christ -- 2 Tim. 2:3.
       4. Paul was not lacking for battle scars -- 2 Cor. 11:16-23.
            His battle scars would scare the most of us to death.
       5. These scars (both physical and mental) in a spiritual battle
       6. God provided Paul with the armor -- Eph. 6:10-20.
            Paul wisely used it.  PROVIDED FOR ALL OF US!!!
       7. Paul fought according to God's battle plan--Who is the
          General??  Without taking a life, caused souls to be saved.
          Without conquering an earthly kingdom, looked forward to
          great personal riches in the world hereafter.
       8. DO YOU WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN?
            What kind of a soldier am I, You??
            Are you swinging the sword of the spirit???
            If not, how do you expect others to know of your desire to
                go to heaven, unless they ask?

 II. "I HAVE FINISHED THE COURSE"
       1. The word "course" here has to do with the whole span of
          life.
       2. We cannot finish our course without completing what God has
          placed us here to do.
       3. Must go all the way around the track: we cannot stop half
          way around and say we have done enough. MUST CROSS THE
          FINISH LINE.
       4. Jn. 4:34 -- "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me,
          and to finish his work."
       5. Not enough to begin--- Although one must begin.
       6. Not enough to work almost until life's end.
       7. Not enough to be "almost persuaded."
       8. Created for a purpose and that purpose is not completed as
          long as we are still living.
       9. What is your purpose for living??? Make a living?? Have a
          good time?? Enjoy what is here???
      10. Eph 2:10 -- created unto good works.
      11. 1 Cor. 15:58 -- always abounding in the work of the Lord...
      12. Cannot stop short of quitting time (death).
      13. Do you want to go to heaven?? If you are not still working,
          running toward the finish line, how do we know unless we
          ask?
     14. The finish line is yet ahead. Still to be crossed. Still in
         our future. NO PLACE TO LET UP AND COAST!!!
     15. The bridegroom is coming, let us have our containers filled
         by obedient works, by approved actions.

III. "I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH"
       1. Paul not referring to some teaching of man. No
          denominational philosophy.
       2. The faith made perfect or complete by works--actions,
            James 2:14-26.
       3. This faith made real by Christ as He came to this earth,
          lived, taught, proved His authority by signs and miracles,
          rose from the dead, sent apostles to proclaim His Deity.
       4. Gal. 1:11 -- Certified gospel.  Heaven's approval.
       5. Giving us a pattern to follow and follow it we must.
       6. If we have faith in its author, as Paul did, willing to
          follow this pattern, obey its instructions.
       7. Jude 3 -- "THE FAITH" -- synonymous with "THE GOSPEL"
            Once delivered -- no addition, subtraction, COMPLETE.
            Contend for it -- Stand firm in its instructions.
            It is the Faith that saves, 1 Cor 15:1-4, the gospel.
       8. YOU MUST OBEY THE FAITH--IF YOU ARE TO KEEP IT.
       9. Are you keeping the faith? If you are never heard contending
          earnestly for it, and do not carry a sign; how do we know
          that you want to go to heaven, unless we ask???

Conclusion:
   1. Jesus said His followers would be known by their fruits.
       But, they must NOT fade in color and drop off.
   2. If we want to go to heaven, then we will display in our life the
      desire by the actions of our day by day activities.
   3. We must ever move forward in the race.
       "Fight the good fight"
       "Finish the course"
       "Keep the faith"

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