Sermon Outline Title: Set Your Course for Heaven
Bible Text, Theme, Big Idea
Text: Matthew 6:31-34
Theme: When we set our direction toward heaven and keep our hearts on God, everything else in life begins to fall into its rightful place.
Big Idea: Faith in Christ is the believer’s spiritual navigation system. When we seek the kingdom of God first, He leads us safely home.
1. Set Your Course by Faith, Not by Worry (Matthew 6:31-34)
a. Jesus said, “Take no thought for tomorrow.” In other words, don’t let the worries of life consume you. Your heavenly Father already knows your needs.
b. The world spends its time fretting over money, possessions, and the future, but God’s people are called to trust Him one day at a time.
c. Living one day at a time is not careless living; it is confident living — confidence that tomorrow belongs to God.
d. For the believer, God has already mapped out tomorrow; our job is to live faithfully today.
e. Those without Christ may have reason to worry, but for the saved, every tomorrow is already held in God’s hands. Live in the now and let God take care of the next.
2. Seek First the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)
a. The Bible gives us the key to a full and worry-free life: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
b. Make heaven your destination, not just your desire. Set your course early and stay on it until you reach home.
c. For the believer, death is not the worst thing that can happen; it is simply going home.
d. If you know where your journey ends, you can enjoy every step along the way.
e. The peace of knowing that heaven is your home lets you live life to the fullest without fear of what tomorrow holds.
3. Let Jesus Take the Wheel
a. Too many people invite Jesus to ride along but never let Him drive. He must be behind the wheel, not in the back seat.
b. Carrie Underwood’s song “Jesus Take the Wheel” tells of a young mother who lost control of her car — and found her faith.
c. Like that young mother, when life spins out of control, take your hands off the wheel and let Christ guide you safely.
d. The One who can stop a spinning car can certainly steady a spinning life.
e. Turn the controls over to Jesus; He never misses a turn and never loses His way.
4. Stay on the Highway of Faith (John 10:10)
a. The road to heaven runs straight through a world full of temptations and traps, but faith keeps us moving forward.
b. The devil’s mission is to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
c. Faith in Christ doesn’t mean a problem-free life, but it does mean a purposeful, peaceful, and protected life.
d. The devil is strong, but Christ is stronger. When faith is your shield, the enemy becomes only a nuisance.
e. Stay on the highway of faith, and you will reach your destination safely — every time.
5. Let the Bible Be Your Guide (Psalm 119:105)
a. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” God’s Word is your GPS for the soul.
b. There are many side roads in life that can lead you astray, but Scripture keeps you on course.
c. Even if you’ve wandered off, God’s Word can lead you back and restore your soul.
d. A man once said, “I got off the right road and can’t seem to get back.” Yet through prayer, Scripture, and persistence, God revived his spirit.
e. God is faithful to forgive and restore. If you’ve gotten lost, the map still works — just open it again.
6. Let Prayer Keep You Safe on the Journey
a. Prayer is the power that fuels the believer’s journey. It saves, sustains, strengthens, and shields.
b. Through prayer, mountains are moved and miracles are made.
c. When you pray in faith, you invite heaven’s direction into your earthly road.
d. A prayerful life is a peaceful life — God answers those who believe.
e. Never travel without prayer; it’s the believer’s lifeline to the One who guides the way.
Illustration / Example
Before GPS, travelers had to read maps and hope they didn’t get lost along the way. Today’s spiritual travelers have something better — the Word of God and the Spirit of Christ. Enter “Heaven” as your destination, follow the directions in His Word, and you’ll never lose your way.
Alliterated Main Points
1. Faith — Trust God for tomorrow.
2. Focus — Seek His kingdom first.
3. Follow — Let Jesus drive.
4. Fortitude — Stay on the highway of faith.
5. Foundation — Let Scripture guide your steps.
6. Fellowship — Stay connected through prayer.
Conclusion / Invitation
Life is a journey, and this world is not our home — we’re just passing through. If you will set your course for heaven and seek God first, everything else will fall into place.
Let Him be your driver, let Scripture be your guide, and let prayer be your constant connection.
No GPS can get you there, but God’s Word can — enter His kingdom as your destination, and one day you’ll hear Him say, “Welcome home.”