2. + Fencing #6- How to Constructively Deal with “You Think You’re the Only Ones Going to Heaven” We’ve been engaged in a series of lessons specifically designed to help us be better equipped and trained with the Sword of the Spirit. We’ve tried to address topics that commonly arise when initiating spiritual conversations and talking to others about the gospel. So far, we’ve covered: “Salvation by Faith Only” and “Once Saved- Always Saved” “Instrumental Music in Worship” “It Doesn’t Really Matter What You Believe As Long As You’re Honest and Sincere” and “Speaking in Tongues.” Now…

3. + Remember our “How To” list from previous lessons: Let’s start at the beginning- what has prompted “You Think You’re the Only Ones Going to Heaven”? You’ll probably find: A denominational concept of the church; An ecumenical attitude; and, A misunderstanding of judgment. So, to constructively deal with this topic, you’re going to have to address whichever of these has produced the mindset, and the statement stemming from it. Let’s take them one at a time… 1. Use your love and care for souls to be kind & gracious; 2. Use “The Bible says….”; 3. Establish common ground as far as possible (Belief in God, Christ, the Bible, Salvation’s Requirements, etc.); 4. Ask questions, listen perceptively, and start where they are; 5. Use context to show the true meaning of their verse or passage; and, 6. Harmonize their verse with other passages to provide a more complete picture.

4. + Remember our “How To” list from previous lessons: A Denominational Concept of the Church: Probably comes from 1Cor.12:12 (if any passage per se); but… It can’t be justifying the “we’re all just taking different roads to the same place” concept since all certainly do not take the road of “baptism,” v.13. This passage provides a “picture” of local congregation relationships, attitudes, and work- not a universal church view, cf. vv.14-27. The universal church view is partially shown in vv.28ff. Even so, the Universal Church is still made up of individual Christians, not denominational churches, 1Cor.1:10- 13; Rom.12:3-5. 1. Use your love and care for souls to be kind & gracious; 2. Use “The Bible says….”; 3. Establish common ground as far as possible (Belief in God, Christ, the Bible, Salvation’s Requirements, etc.); 4. Ask questions, listen perceptively, and start where they are; 5. Use context to show the true meaning of their verse or passage; and, 6. Harmonize their verse with other passages to provide a more complete picture.

5. + Remember our “How To” list from previous lessons: An Ecumenical Attitude: “Ecumenicism” is typically defined as friendship, cooperation, and/or unity between churches- sounds good, but… The net result is the destruction of conviction through compromise, Jas.4:17; rather than, True unity based on the N.T. authority, Matt.28:20; Eph.1:22-23; 4:4-6. The only way to be truly united in the “one body” as God intended is for everyone to demand book, chapter and verse authority for every belief, doctrine, and practice, John 17:20-21; 1Cor.4:6; Col.3:14-17; 2John 9. 1. Use your love and care for souls to be kind & gracious; 2. Use “The Bible says….”; 3. Establish common ground as far as possible (Belief in God, Christ, the Bible, Salvation’s Requirements, etc.); 4. Ask questions, listen perceptively, and start where they are; 5. Use context to show the true meaning of their verse or passage; and, 6. Harmonize their verse with other passages to provide a more complete picture.

6. + Remember our “How To” list from previous lessons: A Misunderstanding of Judgment is another possible basis of “You think you’re the only ones going to heaven.” Judgment: Will be individual rather than congregational, 2Cor.5:10; Rev.3:4; Will be individual rather than denominational, Rom.14:10-12; Gal.3:26-29; Will be based on individual willingness to obey God’s word rather than denominational requirements or affiliations, Matt.7:21-23; John 12:46-50. God/Jesus will judge everyone based upon His word. Eternal acceptance will not be determined by any congregational or denominational standards of acceptance, 1Cor.5:1ff; 3John 9ff; Matt.22; 23; Luke 13:1-5. 1. Use your love and care for souls to be kind & gracious; 2. Use “The Bible says….”; 3. Establish common ground as far as possible (Belief in God, Christ, the Bible, Salvation’s Requirements, etc.); 4. Ask questions, listen perceptively, and start where they are; 5. Use context to show the true meaning of their verse or passage; and, 6. Harmonize their verse with other passages to provide a more complete picture.

7. + Remember our “How To” list from previous lessons: But most often, “You think you’re the only ones going to heaven” stems from: Interaction with some “Church of Christ” member who, by wrong-headed attitudes and improper words, has left that impression, Luke 18:9-14! Stand for truth always, but don’t be that person, Col.4:5-6. Self-righteous attitudes and caustic rather than gracious and preserving words can cost their souls as well as yours, Luke 16:15; Matt.9:10-13; 12:36- 37. God determines who ‘goes to heaven’- not me, you, or any man, congregation, or denomination. Let’s determine to let Him be the judge of such things, and commit ourselves to learning, living, and teaching His word! 1. Use your love and care for souls to be kind & gracious; 2. Use “The Bible says….”; 3. Establish common ground as far as possible (Belief in God, Christ, the Bible, Salvation’s Requirements, etc.); 4. Ask questions, listen perceptively, and start where they are; 5. Use context to show the true meaning of their verse or passage; and, 6. Harmonize their verse with other passages to provide a more complete picture.