## According to the Polls…

## Ephesians 2:8-9

- A recent survey found that 77% of Americans believe in Heaven, and 76% say their chances of going to heaven are good or excellent.
- This poll also found that nearly 9 out of 10 (85%) consider themselves to be Christian.
- So, according to the poll, 85% of the people living in this country think they will go to heaven when they die.
- Yet Jesus said:

(Mat 7:21-23) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. {22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

- Jesus was saying that not everybody that thinks they are going to heaven when they die, are going.
- Jesus was saying that many who profess to be Christians are not what the Bible defines as a Christian. · In light of what Jesus said, we need to consider two very important questions.

Question #1: If you were to die today, do you think you would go to heaven?

If you answered yes, then that brings up Question #2: If you were to die today, why should you get in heaven?

I heard about one man that arrived at the Pearly Gates. Peter said to him, "Why should I let you in heaven?" The man thought for a few moments and said, "Well, one time I helped an old crippled lady that was being robbed by a gang of thugs." Peter said, "And when was that?" The man replied, "About 2 minutes ago."

Now, we know that Peter doesn't stand at the gates of heaven questioning people before allowing them in, but let's play make believe for just a moment this morning:

Imagine that you died and went to heaven, and you were asked, "Why should you be allowed in," what would your answer be? Our text this morning reveals the correct answer.

Read: Ephesians 2:8-9

I. A Salvation Based On What Is False!

A. It is possible for someone to believe they will go to heaven when they die, but that hope be based on a false premise.

B. The reason why one thinks they will get in heaven may not be what is required to get into heaven.

C. It is possible that one can base their salvation on that which gives them a false hope.

1. There are no doubt many that believe they will go to heaven because of something that is good, but that is wrong.

2. According to the poll, most Americans believe that salvation is an outcome to be earned through their good character or behavior.

3. (57%) believe that "if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others during their lives, they will earn a place in heaven."

4. It also reveals that there is a growing tendency to believe that "all good people, whether or not they consider Jesus Christ to be their Savior, will live in heaven after they die on earth."

5. The public is now evenly divided on this matter: 46% agree, 47% disagree.

D. Sad and Sadder

1. What is sad is that so many believe in a false way to be saved.

2. What is even sadder is that more and more believe in a false way to be saved.

3. In our text. Paul speaks of a salvation that is based on the false.

E. Salvation Is Not A Human Achievement.

1. In verse 8, in 5 words we are told that man does not have the ability to save himself.

2. The Bible says, "and that not of yourselves."

3. Man is able to do some amazing things.

a. His achievements in the field of medicine, science, and technology are amazing.

b. Man can send a spacecraft to Mars and create a little remote control buggy that goes around picking up rocks, analyze them and then send the data back to earth.

c. He can create a satellite that from 450 miles out in space can take pictures of a human being on earth that looks like what we took with a camera standing less than 20 feet away.

d. But there is one thing that man cannot do and will never be able to do, and that is achieve his own salvation.

F. Salvation Not By Human Accomplishments.

1. "Not of works, lest any man should boast."

2. Again the poll found that 57% of Americans believe that salvation is an outcome to be earned through their good character or behavior.

3. I remember a song from the 60's (that has been recently recorded again) about a couple of teenagers that was out on a date and involved in a car crash.

4. The girl was killed. The chorus goes:

Where O, where can my baby be, The Lord took her away from me; She's gone to heaven so I gotta be good, So I can see my baby when I leave this world.

5. That's how many think when it comes to going to heaven.

6. They think that if they are good enough and do enough that they will get into heaven when they die.

7. A person cannot be good enough and cannot do enough to be saved, because salvation is not by works.

(Titus 3:5) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

a. Salvation has nothing to do with our rituals

b. Salvation has nothing to do with our race

c.Salvation has nothing to do with our religion

d. Salvation has nothing to do with our righteousness

8. A person can be:

a. A good Churchmember and live a religious life

b. A grand citizen and live a reputable life

c. A great companion and live a reliable life

d. And yet never be saved, die and go to hell instead of heaven.

II. Salvation Based On What Is Free!

A. Not what we do, but what has been done.

1. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of your selves: it is the gift of God."

2. Before salvation, John Newton (the author of Amazing Grace), was a slave trader.

3. He wrote, "I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I hope to be. But, blessed be God, I am not what I was, and by His grace I am what I am."

4. The Bible tells us that we are what we are by the grace of God and if we go to heaven it will be by the grace of God. Salvation is free, full, and forever.

B. Jesus Graciously Purchased Our Salvation.

1. "For by grace are ye saved."

2. The word "grace" speaks of that which is undeserved yet has been provided for us.

3. Being saved by grace means that Jesus has done all that is necessary for salvation.

4. We read in John 19:30, that when Jesus died, He cried "It is finished."

5. Those 3 words are actually one word in the Greek, used in a variety of ways.

a. It was a servant's word: A master would tell his servant to go do something, and when the servant had completed the task, he would come back and use the word to say, "I have finished the work that you gave me to do."

b. It was a priest's word: The Jewish people would bring their sacrifices to the priest to be examined, and if it was acceptable, he would use the word and say, "It is perfect."

c. It was also an artist's word: When a painter completed his work, he would step back and say, "The picture is completed."

d. It was also a merchant's word: If you purchased something, the merchant would take your money and then give a receipt that would say, "The debt has been fully paid."

6. Jesus was saying, "I have purchased salvation for all men. I have paid the debt for sin debt."

7. There is nothing to work for, pay for, or to strive for, the work has already been done; That's grace.

C. God Gloriously Presents Salvation.

1. Verse 8 tells us that salvation is "the gift of God."

2. Salvation was purchased by Jesus and presented by God.

3. Salvation is freely offered to all men.

4. Someone has said that God's favorite word is "come."

5. God's offer is that He will save you, regardless of who you are and what you have done, if you will come to Him.

a. Verse 8 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith."

b. All that is left is for one to accept what Jesus has purchased and what God has presented.

c. The only thing we have to do is accept Christ.

d. The only thing we have to give God is our heart.

e. The only thing God required of us is faith.

If you were to die today and stand at the gates of heaven, what would you answer when asked why you should be allowed in? The only answer that will allow for entrance is "I have been saved by grace through faith."