Have you heard or said? Don’t you dare come in the house with those muddy shoes! Close the door! Were you born in a barn? Don’t you dare come in the house with those muddy shoes! Close the door! Were you born in a barn? It’s mom’s house after all! It’s mom’s house after all! No shirt, no shoes, no service! No shirt, no shoes, no service! It’s their business after all! It’s their business after all! No driver’s license, no driving! No driver’s license, no driving! It’s the government’s responsibility after all! It’s the government’s responsibility after all!

What’s the deal? Somebody, somewhere set some standards that must be met! Somebody, somewhere set some standards that must be met! When standards are met, we move ahead! When standards are met, we move ahead! When standards are NOT met, a change must be made, or it’s just not good enough! When standards are NOT met, a change must be made, or it’s just not good enough!

NOT GOOD ENOUGH Four (4) common deceptions that don’t meet God’s standards for eternal life!

1) “I’m a good person” Let’s define a “good person!” Let’s define a “good person!” “I don’t do BAD things!” “I don’t do BAD things!” Is not doing bad good enough for God’s standards? Is not doing bad good enough for God’s standards?

1) “I’m a good person” Let’s define a “good person!” Let’s define a “good person!” “I don’t do BAD things! “I don’t do BAD things! Is not doing bad good enough for God’s standards? Is not doing bad good enough for God’s standards? Matthew 25:41-46 Matthew 25:41-46 What will keep “the goats” out of heaven? Bad things? Did they murder? Commit adultery? Steal? Lie? What will keep “the goats” out of heaven? Bad things? Did they murder? Commit adultery? Steal? Lie? NO! They didn’t do GOOD things!!! NO! They didn’t do GOOD things!!!

1) “I’m a good person” God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just not doing BAD things! God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just not doing BAD things! We must not do BAD things, but we must also do GOOD things. We must not do BAD things, but we must also do GOOD things. Who do we do these GOOD things for? Even the most insignificant, the least important people around us! Who do we do these GOOD things for? Even the most insignificant, the least important people around us!

2) “I believe in Jesus” Let’s define “believe in Jesus!” Let’s define “believe in Jesus!” “I believe Jesus lived, died on a cross & rose again.” “I believe Jesus lived, died on a cross & rose again.” Is this belief good enough for God’s standards? Is this belief good enough for God’s standards?

2) “I believe in Jesus” Let’s define “believe in Jesus!” Let’s define “believe in Jesus!” “I believe Jesus lived, died on a cross & rose again.” “I believe Jesus lived, died on a cross & rose again.” Is this belief good enough for God’s standards? Is this belief good enough for God’s standards? James 2:14,19 James 2:14,19 The demons believe in God (& shudder!), but what good is it? Will they make it to heaven? The demons believe in God (& shudder!), but what good is it? Will they make it to heaven?

2) “I believe in Jesus” God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just believing in Jesus! God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just believing in Jesus! Our belief in Jesus must change us from the inside out! Our belief in Jesus must demonstrate its reality in our visible and tangible GOOD works! Our belief in Jesus must change us from the inside out! Our belief in Jesus must demonstrate its reality in our visible and tangible GOOD works!

3) “I wish you well” Let’s define “I wish you well!” Let’s define “I wish you well!” Have you ever SAID something good but never DID something good to match your words? Have you ever SAID something good but never DID something good to match your words? Are good words good enough for God’s standards? Are good words good enough for God’s standards?

3) “I wish you well” Let’s define “I wish you well!” Let’s define “I wish you well!” Have you ever SAID something good but never DID something good to match your words? Have you ever SAID something good but never DID something good to match your words? Are good words good enough for God’s standards? Are good words good enough for God’s standards? James 2:15-17 James 2:15-17 What good is good words to someone in need when they have NEEDS that are not being met? What good is good words to someone in need when they have NEEDS that are not being met?

3) “I wish you well” God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just saying good words! God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just saying good words! Our good WORDS accomplish nothing unless they are backed up by visible and tangible good WORKS! Our good WORDS accomplish nothing unless they are backed up by visible and tangible good WORKS! Good WORDS without good WORKS is DEAD! Good WORDS without good WORKS is DEAD!

4) “Sure, I’ll do it” Let’s define “Sure, I’ll do it!” Let’s define “Sure, I’ll do it!” Have you ever said what someone wanted you to say just to get them off your back? Have you ever said what someone wanted you to say just to get them off your back? Is an empty promise good enough for God’s standards? Is an empty promise good enough for God’s standards?

4) “Sure, I’ll do it” Let’s define “Sure, I’ll do it!” Let’s define “Sure, I’ll do it!” Have you ever said what someone wanted you to say just to get them off your back? Have you ever said what someone wanted you to say just to get them off your back? Is an empty promise good enough for God’s standards? Is an empty promise good enough for God’s standards? James 2:20-24, 26; Matthew 21:28-32 James 2:20-24, 26; Matthew 21:28-32 It’s better to say “no” and then obey, than it is to say “sure” and then NOT obey! It’s better to say “no” and then obey, than it is to say “sure” and then NOT obey!

4) “Sure, I’ll do it” God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just making an empty promise! God’s standard for entering heaven is higher than just making an empty promise! Our promises accomplish nothing unless they are backed up by visible and tangible obedience! Our promises accomplish nothing unless they are backed up by visible and tangible obedience! FAITH without OBEDIENCE is DEAD! FAITH without OBEDIENCE is DEAD!

What’s NOT good enough then? 1) Merely not doing bad things! 2) Merely believing in Jesus! 3) Merely saying good things! 4) Merely promising good things!

What IS good enough then? “SAVING FAITH that causes GOOD WORKS to be common place in your life!” “SAVING FAITH that causes GOOD WORKS to be common place in your life!” James 2:14-26 James 2:14-26 Matthew 25:35-36; 21:28-32 Matthew 25:35-36; 21:28-32 Ephesians 2:8-10 Ephesians 2:8-10 Titus 3:14 Titus 3:14 What kind of “good works” are good enough? What kind of “good works” are good enough?

Consider 3 types of “good works:” 1) Obeying God’s commands! James 2:20-24, 26; Matthew 21:28-32 James 2:20-24, 26; Matthew 21:28-32 Faith without obedience is useless, even DEAD! Faith without obedience is useless, even DEAD!

Consider 3 types of “good works:” 1) Obeying God’s commands! 2) Serving God’s people through your spiritual gift(s) each week! 1) Serve in our church! (See lavender handout) 2) Serve in our community! (See orange handout)

Consider 3 types of “good works:” 1) Obeying God’s commands! 2) Serving God’s people thru your gift(s)! 3) Helping God’s people as needed! Gal.6:9-10 1) Providing food, water, clothing, shelter 2) Taking care of the sick, visiting prisoners 3) Caring for children, showing hospitality, washing feet, helping the troubled 4) Praying, comforting, listening, encouraging, laughing, crying, cleaning, fixing

God’s standards are non-negotiable! Don’t be deceived! When God’s standards are NOT met, a change must be made, or it’s just not good enough to enter heaven! Don’t be deceived! When God’s standards are NOT met, a change must be made, or it’s just not good enough to enter heaven! Will you make the necessary changes where you aren’t meeting God’s standards? Will you make the necessary changes where you aren’t meeting God’s standards? Or, will you be turned away on judgment day? Or, will you be turned away on judgment day?

GOOD ENOUGH! A FAITH that is so life-changing that it results in many GOOD WORKS is God’s standard for entering heaven. A FAITH that is so life-changing that it results in many GOOD WORKS is God’s standard for entering heaven. What kind of GOOD WORKS are missing in your life? What kind of GOOD WORKS are missing in your life? Make a commitment to change today! Make a commitment to change today! After all, heaven is God’s home and HIS standard for entering it is the final word! After all, heaven is God’s home and HIS standard for entering it is the final word!