4 - Heaven

• Agape Will Get you to Heaven -

  • In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus taught that it is not what you believe, but what you do will get you to heaven
  • Those who do good (sheep) will be rewarded with eternal life in heaven
  • Doing good is feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, caring for the sick, looking after strangers and clothing the naked
  • Helping these is like helping Jesus
  • Those who are rewarded simply do the right thing - they didn't know they would go to heaven
• Way to Heaven is Hard -

  • Jesus taught the way to heaven is like a narrow gate/road
  • It is hard to stick to and requires a lot of moral effort
• Store Treasure up in Heaven -

  • Jesus said 'Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven'
  • Jesus compares performing good deeds to putting money in a bank
  • Worldly goods can be stolen or destroyed but God will reward good deeds after death in heaven - this can never be taken away from you
• Greed on Earth Will Be Punished -

  • In the Parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man is sent to hell for not feeding the poor man Lazarus who begged at his gate.
  • Greed will be punished in the afterlife, wealth must be shared on earth now