Do all roads lead to heaven

Intro:

Everly loves to have my phone

I hide it behind my back. The only way for her to get is to climb over me and get it

Do all roads lead to heaven? is a very common question.

Perhaps you see the “coexist” bumper sticker with all the religions on it. Implying your truth is the only one that matters

Our culture today has taken away the ability for you to have your own opinion .

No longer can you disagree with someone without being a hypocrite, bigot, fascist, racist, and more.

The bottom line is that this is a foolish question.

Of course not all roads lead to heaven.

For some religions, heaven isn’t even the destination (Buddhism/Hinduism—Gain enlightenment.)

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Because of the black and white nature of what Jesus is saying, there has to be differences in our paths.

There are many slogans That help people feel better about themselves, but in reality are nonsense

- All roads lead to God

-How can you say Jesus is the only way. How rude, how arrogant, how judgy!

- All religions say basically the same thing

- All religions have a different piece of the truth

- I think sincere people will be OK

- Gd knows our hearts, and good people will be OK

-These slogans placate, make others feel nice, help others not be mad at you, they are hopeful, seem wise and “tolerant”

Tolerance in their minds is affirming what others believe even if you don’t agree

All religions lead to God

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

This is people saying that all religions work

This is people saying “You’ll end up with God in the End”

Seems insulting to the religions that believe in totally different ideologies

Questions to Consider

When you say we’ll end up with God, where are we going?

What are the requirements to get there? (Does Hitler get there)

How do you know what you believe is true?

This is where Christianity shines. It’s based on Public revelation rather than private imagination.

In the end, this view is partially true

All roads lead to God, but not salvation.

ALl men will stand before God one day

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

All Religions teach basically the same thing

Jeremiah 14:14 ESV

14 And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.

If anyone says this I would ask 2 questions:

What do you mean by that? (They have the same core tenants—We explain differences

How did you come to that conclusion?

Religions do have superficial similarities

Moral values, teachers, worship in some way, etc.

These things are not the core of religion.

Foundation is different with religions

Romans 1:25 ESV

25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

We have different God’s

We have an “Omni” God

WE have an incredibly loving God (Extreme difference with the god’s mentioned in other religions)

We have different paths (

God made man in His own image (Man has more value than other creatures because of this [Hindus believe different]

WE have a major sin problem. ONly the grace of God can help [All other religions talk about your own effort or what you need to do to overcome this]

Islam- five tenants

Buddhism—Stop desiring things

Mormons—Mission, hold on to the HOly Spirit, accomplish different tasks within the church

More

3. We have different outcomes

Buddhists goal is to cease existing

Islam paradise or hell

Hinduism—Reincarnation until you gain enlightenment/karma

How can you say Christianity is the only way. How Rude, How arrogant. How judgy

1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Doctor not giving diagnosis because it would offend you.

Good people will be ok

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

What is good?

Most people think they are good.

At least I didn’t do this. At least I had a good reason to do that

The OUtward presentation isn’t all that mattered. Also the inward heart

What do we do with this?

Keep fighting truth

Keep ignoring truth

Keep seeking truth