1. “Stop trying to make it to heaven!” John 6:25-29

2. 2 Sinners cannot earn salvation 2 Timothy 1:9 False applications: False applications: Nothing you can do affects salvation (Phil. 2:12) Nothing you can do affects salvation (Phil. 2:12) “Just believe in the ‘finished work of Jesus on the cross’” (Jas. 2:19) “Just believe in the ‘finished work of Jesus on the cross’” (Jas. 2:19) “Heaven is not a reward” Psa. 19:11; Heb. 11:6 (Matt. 5:12; Heb. 10:35; Rev. 22:12) “Heaven is not a reward” Psa. 19:11; Heb. 11:6 (Matt. 5:12; Heb. 10:35; Rev. 22:12) “You cannot wash your sins away” Acts 22:16 “You cannot wash your sins away” Acts 22:16

3. 3 Faith Only: A False Doctrine! “Finished work of Christ” “Finished work of Christ” Nothing sinners can do to be saved Nothing sinners can do to be saved “You are totally depraved” (Rom. 7:9) “You are totally depraved” (Rom. 7:9) “You must have the personal righteousness of Christ imputed to you” “You must have the personal righteousness of Christ imputed to you” Bible: Personal faith imputed, Rom. 4:3-8 Bible: Personal faith imputed, Rom. 4:3-8

4. 4 The Truth About “Faith Only” Yes, Jesus “finished” the work given Him by the Father (Jno. 17:4) Yes, Jesus “finished” the work given Him by the Father (Jno. 17:4) Perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 2:10; 5:8) Perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 2:10; 5:8) Perfect priest to offer sacrifice (Heb. 7:28) Perfect priest to offer sacrifice (Heb. 7:28) God commands things that sinners must do in order to be saved, Rom. 6: 17-18 (Acts 10:34-35; Jas. 2:24-26) God commands things that sinners must do in order to be saved, Rom. 6: 17-18 (Acts 10:34-35; Jas. 2:24-26)

5. 5 The Truth About “Faith Only” False to say that if one obeys in faith he is not trusting in the work of Jesus! False to say that if one obeys in faith he is not trusting in the work of Jesus! Obeying Jesus is not earning heaven Obeying Jesus is not earning heaven “Trying to make it to heaven” by grace through faith (Lk. 17:8-10; Eph. 2:8-9) “Trying to make it to heaven” by grace through faith (Lk. 17:8-10; Eph. 2:8-9) If we must “stop trying to make it to heaven,” then there are other things we must also “stop trying to do” ---- If we must “stop trying to make it to heaven,” then there are other things we must also “stop trying to do” ----

6. 6 Perhaps we should stop… Obeying Jesus, Heb. 5:8-9 Obeying Jesus, Heb. 5:8-9 Working out our own salvation, Phil. 2:12-13 Working out our own salvation, Phil. 2:12-13 Pressing toward the goal of heaven, Phil. 3:11-16 Pressing toward the goal of heaven, Phil. 3:11-16

7. 7 Perhaps we should stop… Hearing & following Jesus, Jno. 10:27-28 (3-5); 8:51 (12, 31-32) Hearing & following Jesus, Jno. 10:27-28 (3-5); 8:51 (12, 31-32) Laboring for the food that endures to everlasting life, Jno. 6:26-29 Laboring for the food that endures to everlasting life, Jno. 6:26-29 Expecting to reap what we sow, Gal. 6:7-9 Expecting to reap what we sow, Gal. 6:7-9

8. 8 Perhaps we should stop… Walking in good works, Eph. 2:10 (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:20-24; Rev. 14:13) Walking in good works, Eph. 2:10 (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:20-24; Rev. 14:13) Enduring the trials of life, Heb. 12: 1-2 (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Gal. 3:4; Heb. 10:35) Enduring the trials of life, Heb. 12: 1-2 (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Gal. 3:4; Heb. 10:35) Seeking a heavenly homeland, Heb. 11:13-16 Seeking a heavenly homeland, Heb. 11:13-16

9. 9 HEAVEN: Reward of the Faithful Not because we earn it… Not because we earn it… Because we trust (believe) Jesus and follow (obey) Him (Heb. 11:6) Because we trust (believe) Jesus and follow (obey) Him (Heb. 11:6) Do not lose your reward, 2 Jno. 8 Do not lose your reward, 2 Jno. 8 After faith endures, the Lord gives the crown of life to those who love Him (2 Tim. 4:7-8) After faith endures, the Lord gives the crown of life to those who love Him (2 Tim. 4:7-8)