HEROES - Are you on the list?

As you watch Heroes (the show) you find all of these seemingly ordinary people who are actually extraordinary.
There’s this list with an unknown # of people who fall into this category. So the buzz is... Are you on the list. Could u b hero?

Something else you may not be aware of is that God has a list. It is the most important list that can be found in heaven or on earth. I cannot emphasize how important this list is and how extremely important it is for us to know with certainty if our name is on that list. My purpose in today’s message is to provide you with the latest information about God’s list, what it is, and how one gets their name on that list.

We will all agree that it is important for our names to be on certain lists. There are good lists and there are bad lists. Everyone wants his or her name on a good list. (like Santa) I hope that this will be the case when I tell you about the best list of all – God’s list.

How many of you have heard of the “Do not call” list?
How many of you asked that your name be placed on the “Do not call” list?
Many welcomed the chance to get our name on a list that would penalize telemarketers if they called. I read that since the list has been created the number of such calls has been drastically reduced.

A telemarketer’s list is a bad list to be on.
A “Do not call” list is a good list to be on.

When someone has a grudge against one who has offended or hurt him or her in some fashion we may hear the offended party say about the offender, “He (or she) is on my list.” In other words they are going to remember what was done and maybe even seek to retaliate. In an even more serious sense mobsters or members of the Mafia may put people of their “hit list.” A Mafia “hit list” was a death sentence.

There’s the Dean’s list in college. That was good because it meant that I made good grades.

One of the lists we don’t like is the waiting list. Only because we want instant gratification and we don’t want to have to wait to get what we want. Some know what it is to be on an organ transplant waiting list to get a kidney or perhaps for a heart transplant.

Whether actively or passively in some way, some form, fashion, and for some good or bad reason we all have our names on a list somewhere. Your name is written down on some record either in a book or perhaps a computer. Your name is recorded at the Court House, in a Social Security file in Washington, DC or the local driver’s license bureau.
It’s interesting that the Bible has much to say about another official record where we may (or may not) find our name written down. I am talking about a record in Heaven. There is a book of names in Heaven. I am talking about a list of names that God Himself writes down as He oversees each entry in His book. This is the reason for my question, “Is Your Name On God’s List.” Meaning, is your name written down in God’s book?

Let me provide some Scripture background that will validate and authenticate the question I have asked. There are more than just a few passages of Scripture that relate to my question.

The first I have chosen is not the best but it is interesting because of the events that make up the story where this verse is found. Jesus had sent out 72 of His disciples on a mission of preaching and teaching that included the ability to work miracles. When they returned from their very successful ministry tour they were overjoyed. Luke tells us:

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."” Luke 10:17-20

In the show Hereos - try to stop bomb from destroying city
let’s suppose there was only one safe place to flee and because this place could accommodate only a limited number of people it meant only a certain number of people could board the buses to flee to safety.
In order to determine who would go and who would stay a list is made and only those whose name was on the list is allowed to find shelter and safety. If you knew such a danger existed and you knew the only way to live – the only way to get on the bus and save your life -- was to get your name on the list, how many of you would try your best to get your name on the list?

My story is an imaginary one. However, let me take you to the Scripture and ask you to seriously consider what the Prophet Daniel says about a day of calamity that is to come upon this earth. This is not imaginary. I am not making this up.

“"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” Daniel 12:1

This verse predicts a day and time—perhaps a season lasting for an extended period—when the nations of this world will enter into a period of distress of such magnitude, such intensity and suffering, that has never happened before in the history of the world. This verse seems to describe a division between those who will suffer and those who will not suffer. It says some will be delivered from the suffering and others will not be delivered. The prophecy makes a clear distinction between those who will and those who will not be delivered. “Everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered” (vs. 1).
This verse says there is a book.
This verse says names are written in this book.
This verse says those whose names are written in this book will be delivered.
Is your name in the book? Is Your Name on God’s List?

This is the most important question. Thousands and thousands of people today want to know when this time of trouble will come. They want to know what will be happening when it comes. They want to know what they can do to protect themselves when it comes.
What is going to happen, how is it going to happen, or when is it going to happen, these are not the question one should be asking. The most important question that needs to be asked and answered is: Is your name on God’s list. Is your name found written the book?

The Bible has much to say about God having a Book—and names being inscribed in it--that hasn’t been mentioned yet. Consider the following:
1. Moses
As you know, Moses was God’s instrument in leading the Hebrews out of Egyptian slavery toward freedom in a land God had promised. On several occasions the people sinned against the Lord with murmuring and complaining through their unbelief. On one occasion it was more serious than it had ever been. Because of the sin of the nation, God was about to literally wipe them off the face of the earth. Moses sensed a catastrophe was in the making. The Bible says:

“The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.”
So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!”
But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of
everyone who has sinned against me.” Exodus 32:31-33

2. The Apostle Paul was familiar with this book.

“And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.” Phil. 4:3

3. John the Revelator spoke often of this book. Consider:

“All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.” Rev. 3:5

There are several other passages of Scripture that mention names being written in God’s book. All these verses—Old and New Testament—make ever so real the truth Jesus set forth in our text found in Luke 10:20. “….rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
1. There is a book in heaven called “The Book of Life.”
2. It is possible for our names to be written in it.
3. It is imperative—absolutely of the greatest importance—that we know our names are written there.
4. The question we face, the question, which must be given the most serious consideration, is: IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE? ARE YOU ON GOD’S LIST?

WHAT CONDITIONS MUST I MEET TO HAVE MY NAME PLACED ON GOD’S LIST?

I have no power to write my name there. Another hand must write it. I sign checks. I sign order blanks. I sign letters. I write my name often and for many reasons, as you do. But no king, dictator, general, merchant, scholar, or scientist can write his name in heaven. Think about that! You and I may get our name written into a church book but getting it in the Lamb’s Book of Life is another matter.
But you will never be good enough to write your name there. And the Son of God says it is better to have your name written there than to have it on the largest bank check ever drawn. Someone is going to have to write it there for you.
Another question arises: WHO CAN DO IT FOR ME?
Can my pastor?
Can the evangelist?
What about my attorney?
Can my personal physician take care of it for me?
Can my congressman, or senator do it?
All these may legitimately act in your behalf in urgent matters that affect your life down here but THEIR POWER IS LIMITED TO THIS EARTH!

Only one person has the right—has the authority and power--to place your name, or my name, in the Book of Life. It is the privilege of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. If your name is ever
written in heaven, it will be written on God’s terms alone.

HOW CAN WE KNOW?
“That 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.” Romans 10:9
The Cross is God’s Great PEN that inscribes your name in the Book of life
1. The cross is a sign of God’s love
2. The cross is a sign of God’s mercy
3. The cross is a sign of God’s grace
4. The cross is a sign of God’s forgiveness
5. The cross is God’s great quill dipped in the precious blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It is the only instrument worthy enough--powerful enough—to inscribe your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Only the hand of God can do that!
There’s absolutely nothing we can do - only to believe He DID it


HOW CAN A PERSON BE SURE?

1. This is something we cannot afford to merely guess about. We cannot afford to take a chance. If it were not possible to be sure that your name is there, Jesus would not have told us to rejoice. Remember, “…rejoice that your names are written in heaven…” (Lk. 10:20. You and I cannot rejoice about something we are not certain about.
2. Don’t tell me, “I hope so,” or “I do the best I can.” When I ask you, “Is your name written there, are you on God’s list?” I want either a “yes,” or a “no.”
3. It is as simple as A-B-C.
a. ALL have sinned
b. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
c. Confess with your mouth

If you have never done, if you’re just not sure, now is the time.

COULD YOU BE A HERO?

“And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children... You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” Galatians 3:29

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these” John 14:12