Opening Prayer 00:00:00
A prayer asking for guidance and focus on God's love and relationship.
Preacher
Pastor Caleb Hankin
Date
May 17, 2026
Location
Milpitas
Language
EnglishThis sermon teaches that entrance into heaven is not based on our works, but on the accepting Jesus' grace and perfect righteousness.
A prayer asking for guidance and focus on God's love and relationship.
Introduction to the question of how to get into heaven, highlighting its importance.
Reading from Matthew 19:16-30 about the rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus.
Explaining that good works cannot earn salvation, which requires perfection.
Discussing the dangers of believing we can earn favor through our actions.
Jesus addresses the rich young ruler's attachment to material wealth.
Encouragement to focus on eternal treasures instead of temporary worldly gains.
Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Matthew 19:16-30
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.
Romans 3:10
We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.
Isaiah 64:6
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3
What must I do to get into heaven?
We must recognize that our works cannot earn us a place in heaven, but rather trust in Jesus' righteousness.
How does Jesus view my good works?
Jesus emphasizes that our good works are not sufficient; we need to rely on His sacrifice for salvation.
What does it mean to exchange temporary treasures?
It means prioritizing spiritual investments over worldly possessions, focusing on eternal life and relationship with God.