Embracing Eternity: Salvation Through Jesus' Grace
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound reality of eternity and the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ. We began by acknowledging the universal truth that death is inevitable for all of us. This truth often prompts us to avoid thinking about the afterlife, much like ignoring a bathroom scale. However, understanding and preparing for eternity is crucial, as it shapes how we live our lives today. We delved into the story of Jesus and the two criminals crucified alongside Him, as recorded in Luke 23. This narrative provides a powerful illustration of salvation and the grace of God.
The first criminal mocked Jesus, while the second recognized his own sinfulness and Jesus' divinity. This second criminal understood that he would face God immediately after death and acknowledged his need for God's grace. He simply asked Jesus to remember him, demonstrating that salvation is not about eloquent words or good deeds but about trusting in Jesus' grace and mercy. Jesus' response, "Today you will be with me in paradise," assures us that salvation is immediate and certain for those who believe.
We emphasized that heaven is not just a place but a state of being in the presence of Jesus. Many people desire heaven without Jesus, but true heaven is defined by His presence. The message concluded with a call to action: to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, recognizing that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn. The invitation is open to all, and today is the day to make that decision.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Inevitability of Death and the Importance of Eternity: Death is a certainty for everyone, and ignoring it is unwise. Understanding eternity shapes how we live today, urging us to live with purpose and assurance. [03:46]
2. Salvation Through Grace, Not Works: The story of the two criminals illustrates that salvation is not about our deeds but about trusting in Jesus' grace. The second criminal's simple plea, "Jesus, remember me," shows that faith, not works, is the key to salvation. [23:52]
3. The Presence of Jesus Defines Heaven: Heaven is not merely a place but a state of being in the presence of Jesus. Desiring heaven without Jesus is a misunderstanding of its true nature. His presence is what makes heaven truly heavenly. [28:25]
4. Immediate Assurance of Salvation: Jesus' promise to the criminal, "Today you will be with me in paradise," assures us that salvation is immediate and certain for those who believe. This assurance dispels doubts and fears about eternity. [25:01]
5. The Call to Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior: Salvation requires acknowledging Jesus as both Lord and Savior. It's not just about believing in Him but surrendering our lives to His lordship. This decision is crucial for eternal assurance. [32:04]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - Near-Death Experience
[02:43] - The Reality of Death
[03:46] - Ignoring Eternity
[05:45] - The Importance of Assurance
[06:40] - How to Get to Heaven
[08:11] - The Story of Two Criminals
[09:32] - The Criminals' Responses
[11:14] - Facing God After Death
[12:35] - The Beginning of Eternity
[14:38] - Recognizing Sinfulness
[17:10] - The Gift of Salvation
[19:49] - Jesus' Sacrifice
[21:44] - The Criminal's Plea
[25:01] - Assurance of Salvation
[28:25] - Heaven in Jesus' Presence
[32:04] - The Call to Decision
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 23:39-43: The story of Jesus and the two criminals crucified alongside Him.
- Hebrews 9:27: "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."
- Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the different responses of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to each? [09:32]
2. According to the sermon, what does the second criminal's plea, "Jesus, remember me," reveal about the nature of salvation? [23:52]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of heaven, and what is its defining characteristic? [28:25]
4. What assurance does Jesus give to the second criminal, and what does this imply about the immediacy of salvation? [25:01]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of the two criminals illustrate the concept of salvation by grace rather than works? [17:10]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of acknowledging one's sinfulness in the process of salvation? [14:38]
3. How does the sermon define the true nature of heaven, and why is the presence of Jesus essential to this understanding? [28:25]
4. What does the sermon imply about the urgency of making a decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior? [32:04]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be ignoring the reality of eternity, much like avoiding a bathroom scale? How can you begin to address this? [03:46]
2. The second criminal simply asked Jesus to remember him. How does this challenge your understanding of what it means to seek salvation? [23:52]
3. Consider your current understanding of heaven. How does the idea that heaven is defined by the presence of Jesus change or affirm your perspective? [28:25]
4. Jesus assured the criminal of immediate salvation. How does this assurance impact your own fears or doubts about eternity? [25:01]
5. The sermon emphasizes the need to accept Jesus as both Lord and Savior. What steps can you take to ensure that you are living under His lordship in your daily life? [32:04]
6. Think about someone in your life who may not know about the assurance of salvation through Jesus. How can you share this message with them in a meaningful way? [07:12]
7. Reflect on the urgency of the call to accept Jesus. What might be holding you back from making a full commitment, and how can you overcome this hesitation? [32:58]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Reality of Eternity
Understanding the inevitability of death is a sobering truth that can often be uncomfortable to confront. However, acknowledging this reality is essential for living a life of purpose and assurance. The certainty of death urges us to consider the significance of eternity and how it influences our daily lives. By contemplating the afterlife, we are encouraged to live with intentionality, making choices that reflect our eternal perspective. Ignoring the reality of eternity is akin to ignoring a crucial aspect of our existence, and it is wise to prepare for what lies beyond this life. [03:46]
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)
Reflection: How does the reality of eternity influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make today to live with a more eternal perspective?
Day 2: Salvation Through Faith, Not Works
The story of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus offers a profound illustration of salvation by grace. The second criminal's simple plea, "Jesus, remember me," highlights that salvation is not about eloquent words or good deeds but about trusting in Jesus' grace and mercy. This narrative emphasizes that faith, not works, is the key to salvation. It is a reminder that no matter our past, we can receive God's grace by acknowledging our need for Him and placing our trust in Jesus. This assurance of salvation is immediate and certain for those who believe. [23:52]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own efforts for salvation? How can you shift your focus to trusting in Jesus' grace and mercy today?
Day 3: The True Essence of Heaven
Heaven is often perceived as a distant, ethereal place, but its true essence lies in the presence of Jesus. Many people desire heaven without Jesus, misunderstanding its true nature. The presence of Jesus is what makes heaven truly heavenly, and it is His presence that defines the eternal joy and peace we long for. This understanding challenges us to seek a relationship with Jesus above all else, recognizing that being with Him is the ultimate fulfillment of our deepest desires. [28:25]
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" (Revelation 21:3, ESV)
Reflection: How does your understanding of heaven change when you consider it as being in the presence of Jesus? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him today?
Day 4: The Certainty of Salvation
Jesus' promise to the criminal, "Today you will be with me in paradise," provides a powerful assurance of salvation for those who believe. This assurance dispels doubts and fears about eternity, offering peace and confidence in our eternal destiny. The immediacy of Jesus' promise highlights that salvation is not a distant hope but a present reality for believers. This certainty encourages us to live with boldness and assurance, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [25:01]
"And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: What doubts or fears do you have about your salvation? How can you embrace the certainty of Jesus' promise and live with confidence in your eternal destiny?
Day 5: The Call to Surrender
Salvation requires acknowledging Jesus as both Lord and Savior, not just believing in Him but surrendering our lives to His lordship. This decision is crucial for eternal assurance and involves a daily commitment to follow Him. Recognizing Jesus as Lord means allowing Him to guide and direct every aspect of our lives, trusting in His wisdom and love. This call to surrender challenges us to let go of our own desires and align our lives with His purposes, experiencing the fullness of life He offers. [32:04]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'" (Luke 9:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What area of your life are you holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What practical steps can you take today to fully submit to His lordship?
Quotes
"Well, I want to welcome you to Christchurch this weekend. If you would, why don't you take out your smartphone and open up the Christchurch app. While you're opening it up, feel free to let us know you're here. Let us know if we can help you take a next step in your faith. Let us know if we can be praying for you in any way." [00:00:04]
"They wake us up to the reality that it just takes a moment for us to have our last moment. Like it just takes a moment, a second for us to breathe our last breath on earth. And then we, we die. And the reality of it is this, like when we talk about death, when we talk about the afterlife, we will all experience it. We will all die." [00:02:53]
"I also want to just take a minute and just acknowledge that for, for many of you, this topic and this series, it's, it's hard. Seems like every time I get on social media, I'm reading another story of another local child who who just lost their life. I'm reading stories about your friends and your family members and my friends and my family members who are breathing their last breath. They're, they're just gone." [00:04:00]
"Stephen Covey, in his book, he wrote a book called Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He said this. He's talking about success. But he said this. Success is having the end in mind. And for far too many of us, we don't think about the end. We don't think about eternity. We don't think about what happens when we die. And so here's what I want to do today. I want to talk about the end." [00:05:45]
"God's desire is for you to walk in this life with confidence, with assurance about where you will spend eternity. His hope is that you would know that you get to spend it with Him, because He wants you to know. And listen, if He wants you to know, there is one story in the Bible that stands for me above them all. About three months ago, when I found out I was going to be teaching this weekend, this story came to my mind right away." [00:07:40]
"See, according to God's Word, according to the Bible, when you die, you will face God. There's a lot of people who throw out different phrases, and they believe certain things about eternity, about when you die. There's some people out there who will point you to a thing called soul sleep. There's some people who grew up in other faith traditions that would talk to you about purgatory. Here's the thing. Those things are not going to change. They're not going to change. They're not real." [00:10:54]
"The Bible teaches us that when we die, here's what happens, we will immediately face God, and we will have to give an account for how we lived our life. Hebrews 9 .27 says this, just as people are destined to die once, and after that face judgment. But if you Google it, and you Google what is the mortality rate of mankind, do you know what Google will tell you? 100%. We're all going to die." [00:13:09]
"Paul says in Romans 6, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, and Christ Jesus our Lord. You need to circle the word sin, and you need to circle the word gift. Because Paul is telling us, hey, heaven, eternity, it is a gift. It is the gift of God. You couldn't earn it. In fact, if you could earn it, you know what that makes it? It would make it not a gift." [00:17:10]
"Can I tell you what that word literally means in the original language? This guy is saying, hey, this guy, Jesus, he's never done anything wrong. Zero, zilch. Never, ever, ever, ever done anything wrong. Has anyone ever said that about righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. According to God, there was only, criminal says, he's never done anything wrong." [00:19:06]
"Because God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. He would do it for this reason because he deeply loves you. He is the savior of the world. And I think this guy hanging on the cross, he recognized it." [00:20:50]
"Do you understand that getting into heaven is not based on your words and it's not based on your works. It is simply about trusting in the grace and the mercy of Jesus Christ. It's his work, not your work. Salvation is not based on what you do. It is based on what God did for you. Getting into heaven, it isn't based on you. It's simply based on this, saying yes to Jesus and saying no to yourself." [00:25:06]
"Why would anyone show up today and hear about the grace and the mercy of Jesus Christ and what he has done for them, and then say back to Jesus, you know what? Like, that's cool. Thanks. But I'm a pretty good person, so I think I'm going to earn my way to heaven on my own. Why in the world would anyone ever say that? To Jesus." [00:27:14]
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