Sermon for April 17, 2011 - Are You Ready For Your Journey Into Eternity?

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

This week’s Sermon - Are You Ready For Your Journey Into Eternity?

I have posted this sermon before; as it is very appropriate during Christ’s Passion Week however, this year I am adding to the beginning an additional thought. So with that in mind I will ask the same question twice once now and again at the beginning of the original sermon. If you were to die today, would you know for certain that you would spend eternity with God?

During the past year I have had to take some very serious looks at death and/or eventuality of death. Because of this I have taken a more serious look at those around me and in the media who profess to be Christians and have come to realize that many of them do not fully comprehend the meaning of being Christians and their duties as such.

All too often it is not their fault but that of those leading them. Much of it stems from the fact that most do not want to face the facts that although God is a very merciful God; he is also quick to anger and will poor out His wraith on those who sin. God hates sin and all sin has to be paid for - there is no getting around it - all sin has to be paid for. There is more written in the Holy Scriptures about God’s wraith and punishment than there is about His mercy. This should be a major wakeup call to everyone that God hates sin and will punish all sinners. Being baptized and confessing your sins does not automatically get you into Heaven. Confessing your sins and being baptized is the cleansing of your sins up to that moment however if you return to your old ways and begin living your former life of sinful activity then the former cleansing of your sins was for naught. You will die in your sins!

2 Peter 2:20-22 - For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it,] to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

As you can see above - it would have been better for the individual to have never heard of and accepted Jesus Christ into their lives before returning to their former life of sin because unlike before when they were ignorant of Christ – now they have learned and on purpose turn from Him. This is turn will lead to the Wrath of God when they come before the Judgment Seat.

Let us take a closer look at the Wrath of God:

No-one likes to think or dwell on thought of God’s Wrath and there are even those that believe God is pure love and that He would never punish His creations or at most it would be for a short time. There are actually many Libertarians that teach that God only send sinners to Hell for a short time and that eventually everyone enters Heaven. Sometimes I am amazed at such ignorance by those that are supposed to be teaching the truth. What they are teaching is people like Hitler, Nero, or others that have committed atrocities against mankind will be eventually with everyone else in Heaven (including those that they murdered). I feel sorry, not only for them, but also for all those that have been led astray by them.

You see the biblical witnesses to the wrath of God are overwhelming. God announces His wrath toward rebellious nations: Psalms 2:5 - Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. - Isaiah 63:3-4 - I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. - Isaiah 5:25 - Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. - Deuteronomy 32:22 - For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. - Romans 1:18 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; - Those are just a few of well over 500 passages in the Holy Scriptures of God’s Wrath.

In the New Testament uses two basic terms for God’s wrath. One is orge (John 3:36; Romans 1:18; Revelation 6:16-17); the other is thymos (Romans 2:8; Revelation 14:10, 19). The only difference between them, is the former refers more to a constant and settled state of controlled indignation, like a volcanic fire that is constantly seething beneath the surface; and the latter refers more to a passionate outburst of wrath or a sudden up-flowing of rage, like a volcano when it erupts. Thus God’s wrath is a constantly burning indignation against all sin, but on specific occasions it bursts forth in acts of consuming judgment. - Hebrews 12:29 - For our God is a consuming fire.

When studying God’s Wrath it’s important to see that the outpourings of divine wrath and burning fire of wrath is as much a part of Him as His love and mercy. Because God is Holy it’s impossible for God not to be wrathful in the presence of sin. Because of the very nature of God He cannot help but recoil against all that is unholy. God’s holiness always burns against the very thought of sin, but it’s not obvious or observed until someone sins. Where at that point God’s Holiness comes forth as a “consuming fire” that must by nature engulf and destroy the offending evil, just as a hot stove instantly vaporizes drops of water that fall on it.

To be the object of God’s wrath is described in the Bible as a horrible experience: “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Those under God’s wrath are called His enemies (Romans 5:10; Colossian 1:21; James 4:4). “Behold, I am against you,” He ways to those under His wrath (Jeremiah 50:31; Ezekiel 21:3). “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

Sometimes we hear that God hates the sin but loves the sinner. This is not true; God’s hatred is directed against the person who sins and not just the sin itself. “You hate all who do iniquity… The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit” (Psalms 5:5-6). “The one who loves violence His soul hates” (Psalms 11:5). See also Leviticus 20:23; Deuteronomy 25:16; Psalms 78:59; Proverbs 6:19; 11:20; 16:5; 17:15; Jeremiah 12:8; Hosea 9:15; Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13. We cannot ignore the force of these passages.

Basically God’s wrath is a well deserved punishment given for those that sin. It is in fact judicial penalty justly inflicted upon the unrepentant sinner by God the righteous Judge. It is the curse prescribed by law; on the Day of Judgment Christ will say, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” - Matthew 25:41. It is divine vengeance that repays the wrongdoer the just wages of his sin: “To me belongeth vengeance,” “Vengeance belongeth unto me” declares the LORD -Deuteronomy 32:35; Hebrews 10:30. The many biblical references to God’s wrath as vengeance leave no doubt that it is a form of holy retribution upon those who deserve it.

The Grace of God:

When speaking of the Wrath of God you must also take time to speak about His Grace which is the most extreme expression of God’s love when it comes face to face with sin. Grace is God’s willingness and desire to forgive and accept the sinner in spite of their sin, to give the sinner the very opposite of what he deserves.

To understand this, and to get the full impact of it, we must remember what sin means to the Holy God - how it goes against everything that He is, how it violates His good and righteous will, how He hates it with a holy hatred, and how it is His very nature to consume it in wrath. Yet despite all this, in His infinite love He is still willing to receive rebellious sinners back unto Himself. He is not just willing to receive them, but lovingly desires to receive them and seeks them. This is His grace.

The basic meaning of the NT word for grace, charis, is “a gift that brings joy.” It can refer to any kind of gift, including God’s gifts of creation, His providential blessings, the gifts of the Spirit, and divine aid in general. Sometimes, though, it refers to saving grace, it reflects that aspect of God’s nature that causes Him to desire the salvation of sinner and to go to whatever lengths are necessary to make this salvation possible. This is displayed most distinctly in God’s willingness to forgive sins. See Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:17-20; Nehemiah 9:17; Micah 7:18-20; Romans 3:24-26. As said in Psalms 103:8-12 - The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

In defining the essence of God’s grace we may say that it includes three things. First, grace means giving. To say that God is gracious means that it is His nature to give of Himself and of His bounty to His creatures. Here is a basic difference between the two sides of God’s nature. Grace is a form of love; and whereas holiness demands, love gives. In the context of sin, love-become-grace gives salvation. “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23; see Romans 8:32). Because salvation comes to us by grace, it must be a gift, because the very essence of graciousness is to give.

Second, grace means forgiving. Being forgiven by one whom you have offended is the greatest gift that person can give you. When the one offended is the Holy God, and when the offense is sin against His holy law, then His forgiveness is the greatest imaginable gift. And this is exactly what the God of grace wants to give every sinner. Desiring to forgive those who have sinned against Him lies at the heart of God and at the heart of grace: “For you, LORD, are good, and ready to forgive” (Psalms 86:5). Wherever the Bible speaks of forgiveness, it is speaking about grace.

Third, grace means “favor bestowed when wrath is owed” (a phrase I owe to Ranny Grady). The definition of saving grace as “unmerited favor” is much too weak, except perhaps in reference to gifts not having to do with salvation. Where salvation is concerned, the gift of eternal life is not simply unmerited or undeserved; it is the very opposite of what we deserve. That God is gracious means that He is by nature willing to give us the very opposite of what we deserve, the very opposite of what His own holiness demands. As Packer puts it, “The grace of God is love freely shown towards guilty sinners, contrary to their merit and indeed in defiance to their demerit”.

In summary, God’s graciousness is His infinite willingness and desire to give sinners the gift of forgiveness, even though they deserve His wrath, and even though it costs Him the cross.

INTRODUCTION:

1. If you were to die today, would you know for certain that you would spend eternity with God?

2. The Bible tells us we can know for sure - 1 John 5:13 - These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

a. If it is possible to know, I’d want to know, wouldn’t you?

b. May I take a few moments of your time to share what the Bible says about receiving eternal life?

3. Before I do, let me ask you another question:

a. Suppose you come before Jesus and He asks, “Why should I let you into heaven?”

b. How would you answer Him?

4. Some might answer:

a. “I kept the Ten Commandments”

b. “I attended church regularly”

c. “I was a good moral person”

d. “I was a good neighbor”

-- These and similar answers imply an understanding that salvation is earned

5. Yet the good news (gospel) of the Bible is that eternal life is a gift:

a. “...the gift of God is eternal life...” - cf. Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

b. As a gift, it is not something we earn or deserve!

[Why is eternal life a gift? The answer lies in understanding man’s problem with sin...]

I. THE NEED OF GRACE:

A. THE BIBLE TEACHES ALL HAVE SINNED:

1. Sin is violating the law of God - 1 John 3:4 - Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

2. Sin is failing to do what is right - James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

-- Everyone has sinned in some way - Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

B. THE BIBLE DESCRIBES THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN:

1. The wages of sin is death! - Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. What kind of death? Everlasting separation from God! - cf. Revelation 21:8 - But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

a. Have you done any of these?

b. Just a few?

-- Even if just one sin, we are still guilty! - James 2:10-11 - For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

[While everyone is guilty of sin and deserving of death, there is hope in ...]

II. THE SOLUTION OF GRACE:

A. GOD OFFERS THE GIFT OF LIFE:

1. In mercy God offers the gift of eternal life - Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2. He does this through the death of His Son - Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

3. Out of love, God sent Jesus to be a sacrifice for our sins - John 4:9-10 - Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

a. On the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins!

b. Through His death, Jesus made eternal life possible!

-- What wonderful love, what a wonderful gift! Yet sadly...

B. FEW RECEIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE:

1. Because many will not look for it - cf. Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

2. Because many will not have done the Father’s will - cf. Matthew 7:21-23 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

a. Though they may do many things in the name of Jesus

b. Remember, doing good things does not merit eternal life

-- Only those who do the Father’s will have eternal life! - cf. 1 John 2:15-17 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

[What is the Father’s will that we might receive the gift of eternal life...?]

III. THE RECEPTION OF GRACE:

A. BELIEVE IN JESUS:

1. We must believe in Him whom God has sent - cf. John 6:28-29 - Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. - John 6:40 - And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

2. Believing in Christ involves more than mental consent - e.g., John 12:42-43 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

3. A faith which does not express itself in action is a death faith - cf. James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

-- How are we to express our faith in Christ?

B. REPENT OF SINS:

1. Jesus requires repentance - cf. Luke 13:3 - I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. - Luke 24:46-47 - And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

2. True repentance is:

a. A change of heart which will result in a change of life

b. A change brought about by sorrow for our sins - cf. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 - Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

-- In repenting, we decide to turn from sin and turn to God!

C. CONFESS FAITH IN JESUS:

1. Together with faith, confessing Jesus leads to salvation - Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

2. Confessing Jesus means to acknowledge Him as the Son of God - cf. Acts 8:37 - And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

-- Confess Jesus before others, and He will confess us before God! - Matthew 10:32-33 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

D. RECEIVE CHRIST IN BAPTISM:

1. Note first these spiritual truths:

a. All spiritual blessings are in Christ - Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

b. Salvation is in Christ - 2 Timothy 2:10 - Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

c. There is no condemnation in Christ - Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

d. Eternal life is in Christ - 1 John 5:11 - And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

2. All these blessings are in Christ:

a. It is one thing to believe in Jesus, quite another to get into Jesus

b. How does one get into Jesus? The same way you get into a coat (you put it on)

3. We get into Jesus by putting Him on in baptism - cf. Galatians 3:26-27 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

a. As many as are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ

b. Those not yet baptized into Christ, have not yet put on Christ

c. If we have not put on Christ, we are not yet in Christ

4. What is baptism?

a. An immersion (burial) of the believer in water - Acts 8:35-38 - Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

b. Administered to the penitent for the remission of sins - Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

c. In which we are:

1) Baptized into the death of Jesus - Romans 6:3 - Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

2) Buried with Him into His death - Romans 6:4a - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:

3) Raised with Him that we might walk in newness of life - Romans 6:4b - that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

d. A working of God in cooperation with our faith - Colossians 2:11-13 - In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

1) In which our sins our cut away (circumcised)

2) In which we are made alive, forgiven of all sins

-- Titus 3:5-7 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

E. REMAIN FAITHFUL TO JESUS:

1. Jesus expected us to learn and follow Him after baptism - Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

2. Jesus promises the crown of life to those who remain faithful - Revelation 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

CONCLUSION:

1. Though deserving of death because of sin:

a. We can receive God’s gift of eternal life!

b. By expressing our faith in Christ through repentance, confession, and baptism!

2. Two examples confirm this is how God’s gift of grace is extended:

a. Peter on the day of Pentecost - Acts 2:36-42 - Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. - Acts 2:47 - Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

b. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch - Acts 8:35-39 - Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

-- Note what people were told to receive forgiveness of sins (the gift of eternal life)

3. Does this make sense...?

a. Is there anything I have said you do not understand?

b. Have I taught you anything other than what the Bible teaches?

If you are willing to place your faith in Jesus, repent of your sins, confess your faith before others, then let these words move you to respond in the proper way...

Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Yes, why wait, when you can put on Christ in baptism and prepare yourself for your “journey into eternity”?

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Ephesians 6:23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Lord I truly thank You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which You sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.