First Baptist Church
136 Cherry Street, Colstrip, MT (Behind the Town Pump)
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Highway to Heaven1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You won't find it on Mapquest.com or even Hubblesite.org, but a highway to Heaven does exist.  The so called "Roman Road" to heaven is explained in the Book of Romans in the Holy Bible. In this article the Holman Christian Standard Bible is used.  However, you may use any translation you like and it will still reveal the same truth.
 
This road to heaven begins with Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes. . ." This verse tells us that God has provided all the power that anyone needs to complete their journey to heaven.  God Himself gives the power for the journey to anyone who will simply believe.
 
Why do we need God's power and why can't we complete the journey on our own? 
 
Because we have a problem that robs us of the power to go to heaven on our own and that problem is sin.  Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  To understand this verse we must understand the term sin.  Many people think that sin is someting that one does that is bad or hurts someone else.  We may have a list of sins in mind like murder, rape, theft, smoking drinking, and etc. and, yes, most of these things are examples of sin.  However, the original word used for sin was an archery term that meant to miss the mark.  Not only did the archer miss the bullseye but the entire target!  That is what happens in our lives without God, we completely miss his intended destination for us.  No one can get to heaven on their own power.  Why?  Because we are sinners and miss the path set for us.  We fail to hit the mark in our own power.
 
Everyone who has ever worked loves payday.  we toil for someone and that's the result -- payday!  Well, there is a payday for sin as well.  However, we can escape that dredful payday according to Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Once again, we are on a journey, toward payday for our sin, but God has provided an alternate route to enable us to live forever in Heaven through his son Jesus.
 
So then, the Map to the Highway to Heaven is found in Romans 10:9, "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  Here are the directions turn by turn:

 

  • Set off on the straight path of confession.  This means that we have to agree with God about our sinful state and the need we have for salvation.

 

  • This brings us to an immediate turn which I like to call a U Turn because we have to change the direction we are travelling in (our way) and go in another (God's way). 
 
  • To do this we agree within ourselves that Jesus is God's Son sent to die on the cross for our sins and say so out loud.  That is what confession is, beginning to believe and saying so.

 

  •  
    To "believe in your heart" then, is to simply put your faith in Christ and to trust in His death on the cross, in your place, so you would not have to collect the paycheck that you earned by your sin.  "But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" (Romans 5:8).

 

If you would like to begin your journey on the Highway to Heaven then simply pray a prayer like this one: "Dear God, I confess to you my sin and need for salvation.  I turn away from my sin and place my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  Amen."
 
If you prayed this prayer in all sincerity then be glad!  You are on the Highway to Heaven.  Now tell someone.  Tell your Mom, Dad Sister, Brother or friend -- just tell someone!  Don't keep it a secret.  That's confession.  If you don't have a Christian friend or pastor to tell then tell me. I would love to know.  Contact me Pastor Mike Andrews at:
 
         pastor@fbccolstrip.com
 
         Phone: 406.748.3689
 
         Pastor Mike Andrews
         PO Box 795
         Colstrip, Mt 59323-0795
 
Celebrate for becoming a Christian (and that's what you are after praying the prayer sincerely) is the beginning of a lifelong journey on the Highway to Heaven.  But it's only the beginning.  God wants you to continue in your growth as a disciple of Christ on a spiritual journey through life and on to Heaven by finding a place for growth, service and believers baptism by immersion.  For this you need a local church.  If you cannot find one I'll be happy to help.  Just get in touch with me and I'll assist you on your great journey.  You are not alone.
 
Still not Clear?  Would you like a differant explaination? Then go to:
 
 
Young and prefer to see / hear the message?  Rick Warren has a great explaination and invitation to belief at:
 
 
How about a Child?  Do you want an explaination that a child would understand and appreciate?
 
 
 
 

1 Inside cover, LifeLessons Learner Guide, LifeWay Christian Resourceses, Nashville, TN