“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20).
There is an old Scottish legend about a shepherd boy tending sheep on the mountain side. He saw a beautiful flower and pulled it up. The side of the mountain opened up and revealed a cave. In the cave was gold and precious jewels. He dropped the flower and picked up all the gold and jewels he could carry. As he was about to leave, he heard a voice say, “Don’t forget the key to the vaults.” When he walked outside, the doors to the cave closed and the gold and jewels turned to dust in his hands. It was then he realized the key to the vaults was the flower that he had left inside.
Many are like the shepherd boy. We become so involved in material wealth, we forget that the true treasure is in heaven. Material wealth will one day be dissolved. We forget the key to the real treasures and just leave it lying while the things we live for turn to dust in our hands.
Today I want to talk to you about the key to the vaults where the true treasure is found. A treasure that will never turn to dust, where not thief will take it from you. A treasure that will not dissolve when this world is done away.
JESUS THE KEY TO TRUE HAPPINESS. Millions in the world today are suffering from depression. Millions of dollars are spent each year by folks going to psychiatrists, counselors, etc., seeking happiness. People are unhappy and maladjusted because they do not have Jesus in their lives. Jesus invited: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-30). This is not rest from physical labor. We were created to work, and feel better when involved in productive pursuits. It is not quiet solitude though this is sometimes restful. This is the inward peace that calms the troubled waters of life’s stormy seas.
JESUS IS THE KEY TO ETERNAL LIFE! “He that believes on the Son has eternal life; but he that obeys not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36). Notice that believe and obey are used interchangeable in this verse. You cannot say you believe in Jesus and refuse to obey Him. “This is the will of my Father, that every one that beholds the son, and believes on him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up in the last day” (John 5:24) Most fear death. But for the faithful Christian, death is only the door to eternal life. Jesus overcame death, He is the key, and through him we too, will overcome.
JESUS IS THE KEY TO HEAVEN! “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). Christians have an inheritance in the next life. It is sure. It cannot be destroyed. Christians have a reservation in heaven. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy began us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (I Peter 13-4).
Jesus is the only key to heaven’s gate. Do you want to be saved? The key is available….If you leave it until the doors of eternity are closed….it will be too late!
Frank Briscoe