August 31, 2008

“No Shoes…No Shirt…No Problem”

Matthew 25:31-46

2 Corinthians 6:14 – “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.
For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

I. Common Misconceptions about Inclusivity

Misconception #1 – Everyone goes to heaven.

Matthew 7:21 – Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

Point: Salvation is not attainable through human effort.

Misconception #2 – There are many ways to God .

John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Acts 4:12 – “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

Point: God has his parameters for salvation which focus on Jesus.

Misconception #3 – God makes no distinction between people.

Exodus 8:23 – God speaks through Moses to Pharaoh saying, “Thus, I will make a distinction between my people and your people.”

Point: God has the right to choose.

II. The Biblical Truth about Inclusivity

Truth 1 – God has a destiny for every person.

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Application: We experience our destiny by using our will to conform with God’s plan for us.

Truth 2 – God gives everyone time to prepare.

Matthew 24:44 – Jesus said, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Romans 9:25 – “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”

Application: The best use of our time is in preparation for eternity.

Point: Knowledge about God or opinion about salvation is subordinate to God’s will.

Truth 3 – God separates the nations for the purpose of justice.

Matthew 25:32 – “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

Question: Why the separation?
Answer: It’s all about response and reward.

For Discussion and Meditation…

1. How do you respond to those who believe that everyone goes to heaven?

2. What makes people so uncomfortable to think that God has his way to salvation and all others don’t work?

3. Why does God allow some to be lost? What balance is there between salvation and judgment…between rewarding the righteous and condemning the unrighteous?

4. If someone asked, “Does everyone go to heaven?”, how would you respond?

“Words Matter” Series -
Recapturing Biblical Language

Week 1: “The Wise Mind” – Judgmentalism (Matthew 7:1-6)

Week 2: “No Shoes…No Shirt…No Problem” Matthew 25:31-46 – Inclusivity

Week 3: “I’m OK…You’re OK…We’re all OK?” – Tolerance (Romans 2:1-11)
Week 4: Love (Pastor Bob)

** Scripture is from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
** All emphasis in Scripture and Quotes has been added.

© Rev. Dr. Kirk A. McCormick, all rights reserved.

Updated August 30, 2008