Francis Chan: How Good Must I Be To Get Into Heaven?

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes that our joy is not dependent on external circumstances, but rather it's a choice we make every day. Even in difficult times, we can choose to focus on God's love and our eternal life with Him. The law was given to show us that we cannot please God on our own, and it drives us to a need for a Savior.

Key Scripture References

• Luke 10:25-37 - This passage shows Jesus' response to the expert in the law's question about how to inherit eternal life. Jesus teaches that loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves is the key.
• Luke 10:25-37 - The story of the Good Samaritan illustrates what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Samaritan's actions show compassion and kindness towards someone in need, demonstrating God's standard for us.
• Galatians 3:10 - This verse emphasizes that those who rely on observing the law are under a curse because no one is justified before God by the law. It highlights the purpose of the law to show us our need for a Savior.
• Romans 7:7-9 - This passage shows how the law reveals our sin and drives us to a need for a Savior. The law exposes our inability to please God on our own, leading us to rely on faith in Jesus Christ.
• Galatians 3:10 - This verse reiterates that those who try to earn their way to heaven by obeying the law are under a curse because they cannot keep all of God's commands perfectly.
• Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus teaches that loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves is the greatest commandment. This passage emphasizes the importance of living out these two commands in our daily lives.

Main Points

• The law was given to show us that we cannot please God on our own, and it drives us to a need for a Savior.
• Our joy is not dependent on external circumstances, but rather it's a choice we make every day.
• Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves is the key to inheriting eternal life.
• The law exposes our sin and reveals our need for faith in Jesus Christ.
• We cannot keep all of God's commands perfectly, so we must rely on His mercy and forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

Application

This message encourages us to focus on God's love and our eternal life with Him, rather than relying on external circumstances for joy. We are called to live out the two greatest commands: loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Conclusion

This message emphasizes that we need a Savior because we cannot please God on our own. The law was given to show us this truth, and it drives us to rely on faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life. May we choose to focus on God's love and live out the two greatest commands in our daily lives.