Heaven & Hell – Week 1
Who Gets Into Heaven

80% of Americans believe in an afterlife.

Americans can’t agree on anything, but we agree on this. So you’d assume there’s a debate on every corner about how to get there. Nope. Most people are content to take what’s given to them. – So what about you?

Are you a good person?

To that question, almost everyone says, ‘I think so.’ Almost everyone. Why? Because we all think about the bad people in the news we choose to watch and in the movies, and we compare ourselves to those bad people, but

What ratio of good to bad works gets someone into Heaven?

The Bible doesn’t give us a ration. Is it a 50/50 thing? I just need to do more good than bad? Is there a sliding scale? Does giving $20 to the church cancel out murder?…”Stealing is 10 hail Marys, but lying is only 2.”

Who decides what is good and bad?

The Christian church sure can’t agree on it, and they’re using the same Bible. What about things the Pope used to say are good, & now he says they’re bad? What about things like slavery, sexism, unjust wars, and divorce?

When does the counting start?

At what age do my bad actions count against me?… I hope it’s 40. & if I do 1 more bad than good, do I go to Hell because of that 1 bad?

Heaven & Hell Week 1 Teaching Text

I Corinthians 6:9-11