Following Jesus Assures Eternity in Heaven
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, we know as the gospel song says, “This world is not our home we’re just a passin’ through.” Amen
READ:
“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
REFLECT:
Many people today are thinking about the question of what happens when you die. A friend’s Home Team went through the study of Erwin W. Lutzer’s book One Minute After You Die. This is only one of the many books that have been written about life after death and Heaven.
We are not alone in thinking about death and dying. The focus Scripture demonstrates that Paul was thinking about it. In his case he knew what was going to happen. 2 Timothy 4:8a says, “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness….” He knew that the prize awaited him because of his deep-seated faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Like Paul, we can know what will happen to us after we die if we truly believe, internalize, and apply what is written in John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
APPLY:
David Jeremiah in his book, Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven, writes, “Three times Peter (2 Peter 3:11-14 NIV) told us to look forward---anticipate---what God has for us in the future: the return of Christ, the creation of the new heaven and the new earth, and our eternal home in heaven. Our anticipation will empower us to live holy, Godly, and purposeful lives in this present age.”
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, help us to anticipate what you have for us in the future and help us live holy, godly, and purposeful in lives today. Amen
CONTINUED READING:
Luke 18:28-30, 1 John 2:25, Galatians 6:8
WORSHIP: