Theme: The Bible teaches that not everyone will go to heaven because only those who obediently follow Jesus will enter God's kingdom.

The majority of Americans (83%) believe there is an afterlife. Religions and philosophies may differ on how that afterlife is defined, but most (74%) believe in heaven.'

Another study shows that 40 percent of Americans believe that everyone, regardless of what they believe or do, will be saved and accepted by God. That belief gives a false sense of comfort because it does not line up with what the Bible teaches.

📓 A. Heaven Is Not For Everyone (Matthew 7:13-14)

There Are Only Two Options (Narrow Gate / Wide Gate)

Which Came First, The Gate or The Road?

Definition: Religious pluralism is the belief that there is more than one true religion.There is no one right way to believe in God or practice religion. People can have different beliefs and still be good.

Judgment Is At The End of Both Roads With Different Results (v.14)

📓 B. Some Who Claim To Speak The Truth of The Bible Don’t (Matthew 7:15-20)

Prophet
We often think of prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah as those inspired by God to foretell the future. However, the broader biblical use of this term refers to “those God calls to speak His truth to His people.”

Their primary messages are not about the future but about the present. The Old Testament has many warnings about false prophets and distinguishes them as those who claim to speak for God when God had not given them a message (Jer. 6:13-14; Ezek. 13:1-10).

How to Identify False Prophets:
Examine their lives and behavior. True prophets consistently exhibit good character and integrity.

Evaluate their teachings carefully. They should align with Scripture and not promote personal agendas.

Consider the results of their ministries. Do they produce positive fruit, such as spiritual growth and transformation, or do they lead to harm?

Recognize Biblical Teachers By The Fruit of Their Teaching and The Fruit of Their Lives
Good Fruit / Bad FruitGood fruit represents the positive actions and results in a person's life that stem from a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

It aligns with biblical teachings and produces spiritual growth, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Bad fruit, in contrast, represents the negative actions and consequences that arise from a lack of genuine faith. It manifests as unrighteousness, immorality, impurity, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, divisions, and envy (Galatians 5:19-21).

📓 C. Only Those Who Trust Jesus With Their Life Will Enter Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23)

Genuine Disciples Are Those Who Follow Jesus Christ And Obey His Teachings, As Evidenced By Their Actions And Lifestyle.