Subject: S> If You Don't Have the Boarding Pass, You Can't Get On! Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2000 11:32:42 -0600 From: Grady Scott To: gopnana@hotmail.com Brethren, Here is a sermon I am going to preach in the morning, Lord willing. Let me know if you want an attachment copy. - Grady IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE BOARDING PASS, YOU CAN’T GET ON! INTRODUCTION: Whenever you intend to fly you have to do several things. You have to buy the ticket. You then have to check in your bags. And then you have to get your boarding pass. If you don’t have the boarding pass, when you get ready to board the place, they will not allow you to enter. No matter how much you beg you are not going on the plane without that pass. The same is true of Heaven. There are some requirements you MUST meet if you are going to go there! BODY I. THEY CANNOT ENTER BECAUSE THEY HAVEN’T BEEN CLEANSED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS. A. The Bible teaches that there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood. 1. Hebrews 9:22_ And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. B. Jesus shed his blood for our sins. 1. Matthew 26:28 2. John 1:29_ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 3. 1 John 2:2_ And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 4. Hebrews 9:13_14 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, Hebrews 9:14_ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? C. One will only get to see Heaven if they have been made pure by the blood of Jesus. 1. Matthew 5:8_ Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 2. 1 John 1:7_ But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 3. Revelation 1:7_ Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. II. THEY CANNOT ENTER BECAUSE THEIR NAMES ARE NOT ENROLLED THERE. A. In order to enjoy the benefits of many programs and special one must be enrolled for them. 1. In order to receive a degree a person must be enrolled in a University. It is not automatic in gaining entrance 2. In order to receive certain benefits from government programs you must be enrolled. B. We have to be enrolled in Heaven in order to receive admission to that beautiful place! 1. Our names must be enrolled in Heaven’s book if we are to enjoy the benefits! 2. Hebrews 12:22_ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 3. Revelation 17:8_ "The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 4. Revelation 20:12_ And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. III. THEY CANNOT ENTER BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT CITIZENS. A. Only citizens enjoy the full benefits of a country. 1. Non-citizens, for example, cannot vote here in this country. B. Only citizens of Heaven will be allowed to dwell there. 1. Philippians 3:20_ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 2. We are not citizens in this world. a. Hebrews 11:13_16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14_ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15_ And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16_ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. IV. THEY CANNOT ENTER BECAUSE THEIR TREASURE IS NOT THERE. A. People invest in things which they think will pay dividends. 1. No one will normally desire to invest in something that will not eventually show some profit. B. The Christian is laying up investments in Heaven, which will pay eternal dividends. 1. Matthew 6:19_21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 2. The Christian ernestly desires to go to Heaven because his heart is invested there! V. THEY CANNOT ENTER BECAUSE THEY ARE DEFILED A. The church will be presented to Christ a pure bride without any blemish. 1. Ephesians 5:27_ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. B. The unclean cannot enter Heaven. 1. Revelation 14:4_5 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5_ And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. 2. Revelation 22:14_15 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15_ But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. CONCLUSION: "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!” But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:10-13) The main thought for this sermon, with modifications, was taken from an outline by brother J. J. Turner.