Know the Code

Message 3

For all of recorded history man has separated (segregated) ourselves in many ways. We have used religion, skin color, economic status, political power, nationality, athletic ability, intelligence, vocations, faith, height, width, nose length, birthplace and any number of other inconsequential and crazy things to divide us into smaller groups of “like people” or “cliques” as they are more popularly known.

Why?

• Maybe we think that people who are like us are better that the others
• Perhaps we think that we deserve more or better than “those people”
• Nazi’s and racists think that there is the only “pure” race and all others should be eliminated.

How sad it is that one human being could treat another so shamelessly and violently.

All of us are products of God’s special creation.

I am glad that God does not discriminate. He truly loves all people.

All of us have equal access to salvation and restoration though Jesus Christ.

There is only one standard that separates people into one of two distinct groups:

Matthew 25:31-35 and 41 – 42 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” - “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons!” NLT

Which side are you on? The right or the left?

Those who are on the path to ascension into God’s House and glory or those on a descent into the pits of hell?

There are only two choices.

Those who write Bible codes, gnostic deceptions, liberal lies and humanistic or cult literature would have you believe that there are many ways to God and they are all valid.

It all sounds so nice and warm and fuzzy. We can get to God on our terms and in our time based on our good works, good heart and good life.

The only problem is that they are LIES!

Let’s discuss two questions that you can ask yourself or other people to determine whether either you or they are true Christians:

1. Who is Jesus Christ?

a. Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code says that Jesus of Nazareth was a good guy and a great teacher but was nothing more than a man.

b. The world has to admit that Jesus lived because of the evidence; Yet they ignore the evidence of His death burial and resurrection despite the variety of sources from Christians and Jews, Religious and non-religious, government leaders and historians.

c. Who you BELIEVE Jesus is a real life changing belief.

d. Who does God say Jesus is?

i. Matthew 3:16-4:1 “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him.” NLT

e. Who does Jesus say He is?

i. John 5:25-26 “And I assure you that the time is coming, in fact it is here, when the dead will hear my voice — the voice of the Son of God . And those who listen will live. The Father has life in himself, and he has granted his Son to have life in himself.” NLT

f. Who is the Bible saying Jesus is?

i. John 1:1-5 “In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” NLT

ii. John 1:14 “So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.” NLT

2. How can a person get to Heaven?

a. Some say we gain access to heaven based on the cosmic scales of justice. If our good outweighs our bad then we are golden! If not we are toast.

b. Some say we are all going to Heaven anyway, regardless of what we do or what we believe. God loves us and would never send us to hell

c. Some say we can get to Heaven by following any number of paths.

d. Yet others say we must believe in something, even if it ourselves. Faith is faith regardless of what our faith is based in.

e. How does God say we can get to Heaven?

i. This is the key question!

ii. After all, it is His house.

iii. Romans 10:9-13 “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed." Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They all have the same Lord, who generously gives his riches to all who ask for them. For "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” NLT

f. How does Jesus say we get to His Father’s House?

i. He is His Son, surely He knows the directions to His House.

ii. John 14:6-7 “Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!” NLT

God loves you and wants you to be with Him both now and forever. The only requirement is that you believe in His Son.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” NLT

Do you believe?