IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN

HEAVEN

 

INTRODUCTION: LUKE 10:17-20

 

A- Luke chapter 10 records the commission and ministry of the 70

 

 1- After a brief and interesting ministry, the record says: They were elated and their radiant report was:  ¹⁷Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.  Jesus fully understanding  their power to work miracles in his name, was a source of  great happiness,  But wanted them to know they had a much greater reason for joy than the ability to cast out demons, thus Jesus replied:  

Luke 10:19

 

    ¹⁹Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ²⁰Notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

B-   THIS TEXT  ESTABLISHES TWO GREAT FACTS —

    < 1^st — The names of those serving the Lord are written in heaven —

    < 2^{nd  —} To know this should be the supreme source of joy.

 

1- You know, there are many registries where one can have his name written Many of these places give us much  joy and a sense of great satisfaction,  many delight to know that their names are recorded high on some social register, others rejoice because they have succeeded in getting their names on some        “Who’s Who In America” 

 

2- There is a sense of accomplisshment connected with these and we would not belittle them, but no list of men can compare with having our name written in Heaven, in the book of life —  Jesus says to you —

rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

C- A question of interest Is your name written in Heaven?

 

1- The apostle Paul writing  to the church at Philippi concerning certain members stated in Philippians  4:3

 

    <³And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

 

2- The Hebrew writer similarly  wrote

    ²³To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven,      Heb. 12:23

 

Is Your Name Written In Heaven?

 

II- As we reflect upon Heaven, singing the beautiful songs that stir our hearts ¾  

 

A- Perhaps you are brought to wonder how does one get his name recorded in Heaven

"In The Book Of Life?"

 

1- Does God, arbitrarily write the names of men there without their having anything to do with the matter? There was a time when some believed that God chose certain men and women before they were born. Hence two classes, “the elect” and “the non-elect”.  Neither group had anything to do with their classification. This is salvation by election, or predestination. This doctrine is still alive and well in some religious teachings today.

 

2- But there are many passages teacch responsibility of the hearers:  Jesus Himself offers the greatest invitation known to mortals Matt. 11:28-30  

 

      ²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 ;

3- God has closed His great inspireed book with these words      Rev.22:17

 

    ¹⁷And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. That’s God’s final word to humanity —  whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

4- No God does not arbitrarily record our names the there for Jesus says  

    Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

5- What then is necessary in order to have our name written in   heaven, in the  Book of Life?

    Perhaps this question can best be answered  by looking at some things that will not suffice.  There are things that hinder  us in having our  name recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life..  Let us notice the negative side of our question. 

 

III- What will not suffice?

 

1^st-   Morality alone is not enough.

 

1- There are many who pride themselves upon their morality and who think that heaven may be reached, indeed should be reached by their own righteousness. Brethren, its commendable, when we find a person good, and moral. But  morality  alone cannot save To you I commend

    <Ephesians 2:8-9

 

    <⁸For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

2- There is another group, who can''t do enough for the Lord, I haven't done anything worthy of salvation, again to you I recommend Ephesians 2:8-9.  God has provided to all, we must reach out and lay hold by faith.  In Acts chapter 10 we meet an outstanding man of his time.   Described to us in these words Acts 10:2

 

    <²A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.   Here is a man both moral and religious, a man who was doing many fine works,   notice the words that describe him. feared God — gave much alms to the people — prayed alway

 

3- But God revealed to him his needd of salvation. “Cornelius, you are a fine man, your prayers are come up before me as a memorial, — ¹³Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;¹⁴Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved Acts11:13;14.  The Bible reveals to us none of us are good enough to live in the presence of  God because “for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God”.    Romans 3:23

 

2^nd-Sincerity alone is not sufficient in getting our names written there.

 

1- While sincerity in indispensable, it alone is not adequate. Proverbs 14:12

 

    There is a way which seemeth right unto a man: but the end thereof are  the ways of death

    <Brethren, sincerity will not make error into truth.  Think of all the employees of Enron who thought their life savings were secure.  Jesus gives us a simply rule by which we judge all else    John 8:31-32 

    <If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ³²And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free  .

 

2- There are multitudes who have beeen led to believe that baptism is unnecessary.  Sincere? Yes, but sincerely wrong..  This is a common doctrine of man, and simply cannot be, because it would void the words of Christ who said,  Mark 16:15-16

"he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"

 

3- If one’s faith stop short of baptism it is not enough, it has stopped short of obedience to Jesus’ words. The new birth is not consummated  without baptism. Christ said:  “

      ⁵Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God

 

4- God has provided just one way, for men to be saved  In John 14:6

    ⁶Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,  the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  While Christ was on earth, He pointed to Himself as the only way to eternal life.     

John 17:3

 

    <³And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent

 

5- Many times I have stood before yyou and suggested that Christianity is a sensible affair, where men and women may study and know what God would have them do.   

 

    <³⁹Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.                                                        John 5:39

 

 

¹⁴And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ¹⁵That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.                           John 3:14-17

 

6- Obedience to doctrines of men will not put one’s name in the Lamb’s Book of Life, but only hinder. There are men and churches, that presume to speak where God and God alone has that right to speak. What God has spoken, is final and it has always been forbidden to man to “change the Word of God”.

 

7-   Jesus in rebuking the Pharisees stated Matt 15:6-9

 

    <⁶Ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. ⁷Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, ⁸This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. ⁹But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

8- Thus it is plainly evident, thatt it takes more than obedience to men’s doctrines to get one’s name written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life”.  God has placed His power to save men in the Gospel of Christ,  Romans 1:16-17

 

IV. Thus In Answering The Question:  “How May I Get My Name Written In Heaven?”

 

A-  By obedience to the gospel  —    Romans 1:16-17            

 

    ¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ¹⁷For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,  The just shall live by faith.

 

1- And again Mark 16:15-16

 

    ¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

V- Turning to our next point we look at a question of great importance:

 

A- Can One’s Name Be Blotted Out Of The Book Of Life?”

 

1-   In view of the fact that many have been taught that a child of God can never so sin as to be lost, this becomes a vital matter. The Age Old Question

 

“Can a child of God so sin as to loose his salvation?”

 

2- This is an important question annd fortunately, Christ answered the question for us Himself. To the church at Sardis, he wrote: .  Rev. 3:1-6

 

      ¹And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead  ²Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. ³Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. ⁴Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. ⁵He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. ⁶He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

 

3- This language of our Lord shows that only those who over came and kept their garments undefiled shall have their names retained in the book at the last day.  All those who depart from the teachings of Christ, yielding to the allurements of the present world and defiling their Christian garments, will have their names blotted out of the Book of Life.

 

4- The only way they could be sure of their names being in the Lamb’s Book of Life at the last day  was to repent of their sins, (to cleanse their garments)  their lives, the examples they set before others. The Christian life has such a high standard, those observing us; should be able to take note our life reflects Christ.  If we aren’t reflecting Christ, who then are we reflecting?

 

Matthew 5:14-16

    <¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

"I will blot his name out of the book of life!"

 

VI. Can a  man be saved who's name has been blotted out of the "Book Of Life"?

 

A-  There are two passages I would like to share with you to help us answer this most important quire.

 

1-   From our text in Revelation 21, John gives us a  picture:  of the grandeur and magnificence of the New Heaven and Earth , and then in   Rev. 21:27

   

    ²⁷And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

 

2- In Rev 20:11-15 we have a picturre of the judgment, hear it ¾

 

    ¹¹And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. ¹²And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ¹³And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  ¹⁴And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

B- Thus a matter of utmost importance that my name  be written In Heaven... recorded there in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” for all time.

 

1- Is your  name written there?  If I expect to go to heaven my name must be there.  But those who have neglected to get their names recorded,  and  those who have acted in such  a way as to have their names blotted out will not enter into heaven.

 

2-   How beautiful heaven must be !    Beloved, now is the time for you to make sure that your name is written there. If you have not complied with the requirements  God has given... (note the examples of awhile ago),  Today is the day of salvation

 

3- My prayer to God is “that all ouur names are there, and may that we live in such a way they may not be blotted out from there until we safely end up on that eternal portal.

 

C- Have you obeyed the Lord's command to believe and be baptized?  Mark 16:15-16

 

1- This is how we get our names in the book of life. A life of faithfulness will keep our name there, after it has been recorded.  IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?