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Welcome to Phil Needler Ministries!
Phil Needler is the senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of South Haven, Indiana. Phil and his wife Sharon reside in
"WHAT MUST I DO TO GO TO HEAVEN?"
That is a big question. It is life's most important question. Eternity is longer than 70 years, 100 years, and 1,000 years. Eternity is forever. Eternity is too long to be in the wrong spot!
I have never seen a U-haul at a graveside service. Everything we earn physically in this life is left behind.
So what really matters? Where we spend eternity is what really matters. Heaven or Hell? With God or with the devil? Beside the river of life or in the flames of torment? Remember, eternity is never ending.
The Bible, God's Word, tells us how we can get to Heaven.
First, we must realize that we are all sinners.
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
We are not perfect. We are sinners. Notice the new video games at McDonalds have signs that say to share and to play fair. Why? Because we are born with a sin nature. It is natural for us to be selfish. It is natural for us to cheat.
Second, we must realize that God has a punishment on sin; and that punishment in eternity in the flames of Hell.
Romans 6:23a says,"For the wages of sin is death;"
Revelation 20:14-15 says, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
We are sinners; hence, we all deserve to be punished forever in the lake of fire.
God, knowing our Hell bound situation, made a way for us to escape Hell and get to Heaven.
Third, we must realize that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins in our place. He is our substitute!
Romans 5:8-9 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
Matthew 28:5-7 says, "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into
Jesus died on the cross for our sins, shed His blood for our sins, and rose from the dead.
Fourth, anyone who wants to go to Heaven can get to Heaven - by placing their faith in Jesus Christ as their way to Heaven.
Luke 13:3 says, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
To repent simply means to reconsider; to change ones mind. What must we change our minds about? We must change our minds about who Jesus is. For example, Nicodemous viewed Jesus as a good teacher (John 3:1-7), but that did not get him to Heaven. In order to get to Heaven, you must first view Jesus as your ONE and ONLY hope for Heaven. You must view Him as Saviour of the world; not just a historical figure.
Jesus was talking to the "proffessional good people" of his day (in Luke 13:3); and they needed to repent. That means they had to reconsider what they were trusting in to get them to Heaven. They were trusting in their good lives to get them to Heaven. They had to change their minds, realizing that Jesus was their only Saviour from Hell and their only hope for Heaven.
You too must realize that Jesus is your only hope for Heaven! You must change your mind about who Jesus is and decide to trust Him 100% as your way to Heaven.
John 14:6 says, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Acts 16:31 says, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
In order for you to go to Heaven, you must place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your way to Heaven.
Sample prayer:
Dear Jesus, I know I'm a sinner. I know I deserve to go to Hell for my sins. I don't want to. I want to go to Heaven. Jesus, I believe you died for me, shed your blood for my sins, and rose from the dead. I trust you now as my way to Heaven and receive you as my personal Saviour. Thanks for saving me. In Jesus Name, Amen.
If you trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, I'd be delighted to hear about it! God Bless You!
Phil Needler