WHY SHOULD I ALLOW YOU INTO MY HEAVEN?

Matt. 22:1-14

INTRODUCTION

1. Recently I was re-reading a book and came across this bold and challenging question:

a. Jesus is admitting people to heaven and asks: "Why should I allow you into my heaven?"

b. What would you say?

2. Various answers to this question:

a. the appeal to morality Matt 19:16-22

You can be moral and still not please God if you allow

other things to come first

b. the appeal to pedigree Phil 3:7-8

Nadab and Abihu were priests but still perished in

disobedience

c. the appeal to works Luke 18:9-14

*this appeal doesn't work because our good does not cancel out our bad

*Can anyone ever pay for salvation? heaven? blessings?

eternal life, eternal joy, eternal fellowship, eternal health, eternal inheritance

*no one is good enough

d. the appeal to grace Eph 2:4-10

the sinner of Luke 18 "God be merciful to me, the sinner"

any appeal must ultimately rest on the grace and mercy of God towards us

I. GRACE IMPLIES A GIFT

1. Gifts are free but they are not cheap--and should never be cheapened by being taken for granted

a. wives are a gift but not cheap or frivolous

b. children are gifts but not to be taken for granted

2. Matt 22:1-14 the speechless man took his invitation for granted and cheapened his response by failing to wear the proper clothes

a. the King here was mighty angry--I at one time thought He was unjust

b. the poor man was probably wearing the best clothes he had

c. then I learned that the KING customarily provided not only the banquet meal but also the WEDDING GARMENT

d. We must not only accept Christ's offer but also put Him on in our lives:

Gal 3:26,27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

e. this man failed to put on Christ, to be like Christ

f. he took the invitation but not the challenge to be like

Jesus and was unprepared for heaven's kingdom

II. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GIFT

1. There is a great blessing to Christianity, but there is also responsibility

a. everyone wants to go to heaven; 88% think they will surely do so

b. but they are just not ready just to take up their cross

c. they assume there will be time later

2. People must never presume upon time, take it for granted

a. you may not have the time you want--Jas 4:13-17

b. you may not want to change at a later time

*you may want to do right today more than you ever will

*you may be satisfied with self and see no need to change

*Acts 24:25 Felix had two whole years and never found time to repent

c. time will not change the facts; however long you wait God will still remember sin

3. The presumptuous man will always be speechless before God

no excuses, no opportunity now

CONCLUSION

1. There comes a time when an invitation is offered and must be accepted or denied

a. Jesus doesn't ask "why should I allow you into heaven?"

b. what Jesus does is INVITES, CALLS us into heaven

c. there can be no adequate reason why anyone will say 'no' or be unprepared

2. I know of no obstacle worth missing heaven

a. don't treat the gift of God as if it were nothing

b. lovingly come and obey the Lord