Text: John 14:1–6
Topic: How to get to heaven

• Which of God's commandments would you say is the most difficult for you to obey?
• I think one of the hardest commandments to obey is this one: "Don't let your hearts be troubled."
• There's so much to be troubled about: the war in Iraq, the immigration policy in the United States, the financial pressure that you have in the home, or maybe the struggles of your children and grandchildren.
• Peace hinges on our being confident that Jesus has risen from the grave, and that he's provided a way for us to get to heaven.

• Illustration: If you were troubled about your finances to the point of seeking help, you would investigate the credentials of those who might offer you their services.
• Is Jesus worthy of taking care of your entire future?
• Jesus is worthy because of his supernatural identity.
  • John 14:9
• Jesus is trustworthy because of his impeccable integrity.
• Jesus merits your trust because of his keen intellect.
• Jesus is worthy of your trust because of his sacrificial death.
  • Illustration: Russell shares how we would be grateful—even elated—over someone paying off our house debt.
• We all had a huge debt of sin that we couldn't pay, so God offered his Son as payment.
• Jesus is worthy of your trust because of his predicted resurrection.
• Jesus is worthy of our trust because of his present position.
  • Romans 8:34
• Illustration: Russell shares how his father would meet up with him on a dark road to walk him home from baseball games.
• Don't let your heart be troubled about your uncertain future, for the one who has all power and authority in the universe will not let you walk through the darkness alone.

• Put your hope in heaven.
• There are several biblical metaphors for heaven, but here's the one I like the best: my Father's house.
• When Jesus says "in my Father's house," that should conjure up for us a sense of confidence and fulfillment.
• If you grew up in a dysfunctional home, the Father's house should conjure up an image of a place where you're going to experience those wonderful values for the first time, to the nth degree.
• The Bible says we have a place in heaven reserved for us.
• Heaven will be filled with all kinds of people ("many rooms").
  • Revelation 7:9
• Don't let your heart be troubled; you have this hope of heaven.
• The present distress that you're going through is not the end anymore than the Crucifixion was the end for Jesus.
  • Illustration: Russell tells the story of the death of Anthony Burger, a gospel pianist.

• Folks, here is a sobering truth about heaven that most people don't understand: the majority of people are not going to heaven.
  • Illustration: A survey of the American people showed that 85 percent of Americans believe they are going to heaven, and most of those believe they're going because they're pretty good.
• It's very important that we don't just believe in heaven, but we must also know how to get there and follow Jesus' instructions.
  • Illustration: Just as we can show people the way through parts of a building they never knew were there, so Christ can show us the way to heaven.
• Jesus said: I am the way to eternal life; follow me, and you can make it through.

• God has made the way to heaven as simple as A, B, C, and D.
• A—Admit that you have sinned and separated yourself from God.
  • Romans 3:20
• B—Believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
  • John 3:16
• C—confess Jesus as the Lord of your life.
  • Romans 10:9
• D—demonstrate your allegiance to Christ by repenting of sin and being baptized into Christ.
  • Acts 2:38

• Don't let your heart be troubled; trust in Christ.
• Nothing is going to happen to you in the darkness that the two of you can't handle together.
• Put your hope in heaven.
• Follow Christ.

Bob Russell was senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, for over 40 years. He has authored numerous books, including When God Builds a Church (Howard Books, 2000).

Personal growth: How has this sermon fed your own soul?

Skill growth: What did this sermon teach you about how to preach?

Exegesis and exposition: Highlight the paragraphs in this sermon that helped you better understand Scripture. How does the sermon model ways you could provide helpful biblical exposition for your hearers?

Theological Ideas: What biblical principles in this sermon would you like to develop in a sermon? How would you adapt these ideas to reflect your own understanding of Scripture, the Christian life, and the unique message that God is putting on your heart?

Outline: How would you improve on this outline by changing the wording, or by adding or subtracting points?

Application: What is the main application of this sermon? What is the main application of the message you sense God wants you to bring to your hearers?

Illustrations: Which illustrations in this sermon would relate well with your hearers? Which cannot be used with your hearers, but they suggest illustrations that could work with your hearers?

Credit: Do you plan to use the content of this sermon to a degree that obligates you to give credit? If so, when and how will you do it? (For help on what may require credit, see "Plagiarism, Schmagiarism" and "Tempted to Plagiarize")