Let's begin this study in prayer...
Hebrews 6:1-9Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers on the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-- things that accompany salvation.
I. INTRODUCTION
As we come to the close of this series of studies, let us address
the following,
QUESTION: What is the purpose of it all? Why become a Christian? What
is the goal? Well perhaps the answer to these questions are given to
us by the Holy Spirit as He spoke through Paul concerning the
certainty of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:19
In other words if it is only for blessings in this life we have hope
and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then we have missed the point; we
have come far short of understanding the goal.
QUESTION: Why? Why is this the case?
Well in order to find out let us review the main reason why our Lord
Jesus Christ came to offer His body and blood as a sacrifice for our
sins.
To find out, let us begin by reading about the vision that our Lord
Jesus Christ gave to the Apostle John concerning the final judgement
of all peoples.
Revelation 20:11-15
Notice vs 15
QUESTION: How is one's name written in the Book of Life?
Well, let us consider why God the Father sent His only begotten Son,
Jesus Christ, to this earth.
John 3:16-17
And so we find that the goal of our faith in Jesus Christ is not for
the "good" life here upon this earth but for the "good" life in all
of eternity. In fact what we find is that Jesus tells us that as
Christians, while living upon this earth,
A. WE ARE TO DAILY PICK UP OUR CROSS
To see this, let us read what Jesus told His disciples relative
to the worldly cost of becoming one of His disciples.
Luke 9:23-26
Or perhaps put another way,
B. WE ARE NOT TO LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS OF THE WORLD
This is given to us in,
1 John 2:15-17
In addition we also find that Jesus warns us of the fact that,
C. WE CAN ALSO EXPECT PERSECUTION
To see this, let us prayerfully consider the following words of
our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
John 15:18-20(b)
However, even though in this life we go through self denial,
suffering and possibly persecution, we should rejoice!
QUESTION: Why? Why should we rejoice?
Well, because we are on our way to receiving the prize. Namely,
II. THE GOAL OF ETERNAL LIFE
To see this, let us consider what the Holy Spirit said through Peter
about suffering For Jesus' sake. First He told us that when we suffer
for His (Jesus Christ's) name sake,
1. THE SPIRIT OF GLORY RESTS UPON YOU
1 Peter 4:12-14
He also says rejoice because,
2. YOU WILL RECEIVE THE OUTCOME OF YOUR FAITH... SALVATION OF YOUR
SOUL
Peter 1:3-9
A. WHEN DOES THIS HAPPEN? WHEN DO WE RECEIVE THE PRIZE?
To find out, let us read a portion of what Jesus said to
His disciples when they asked Him what the signs would be
of His second coming.
Luke 21:25-28
Now let us finish this instruction from,
Matthew 24:36-44
B. WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THIS TIME?
First of all we find that,
1. THE DEAD IN CHRIST WILL BE RAISED
To see this, let us read from,
1 Thessalonians 4:13-16
Now some may say how can this be. Well, let us
consider the following scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:35-49
Notice vs 49 "we shall bear the image
of the heavenly man."
QUESTION: What does this mean?
Well, let us consider the following scripture.
1 John 3:2
Oh Wow! Something to ponder!
Now once the dead have been raised, then those who are
still alive will be changed.
2. THOSE ALIVE IN CHRIST WILL BE CHANGED
We find this given to us right where we left off in,
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
Once raised, then comes,
3. CHRIST'S THOUSAND YEAR REIGN
This is given to us in,
Revelation 20:1-6
then,
4. THE FINAL JUDGEMENT
To see this, let us return and reread,
Revelation 20:7-15
Now, let us read about the reward.
5. ETERNAL LIFE FOR THE RIGHTEOUS
To see this, let us read,
Revelation 21:1-7
6. ETERNAL DAMNATION FOR THE WICKED
Revelation 21:8
QUESTION: Where will we, the righteous, be?
Where will we retire?
Well, to find out let us read from,
Revelation 21:9-22:6
Oh My! Oh My! Oh MY!
III. SUMMARY
QUESTION: What is the message of this study? What is the Holy Spirit
telling us?
Well actually there are two points to be made.
A. LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART, SOUL AND MIND
To see this, let us first consider who He is and then think
about all the things our God has done for us so that we would
not perish but receive eternal life. Now with this in mind, let
us read,
Romans 8:31-39
Secondly, He asks us to,
B. LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR
To see this let us read the parable of the sheep and the goats.
Matthew 25:31-46
Let's end this study in prayer...
Proverbs 3:1-6My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Read the book by John Sweet, Jr.
Send e-mail to John Sweet... Internet address is jsweetj@jsweetj.cnc.net Send e-mail to web page curator... Internet address is kenzy@kenzy.com
Home page for web page curator...