Eternal Assurance: The Hope of Christian Faith

 

Summary

In Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians, chapter five, verse one, we find a profound assurance: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian hope and the certainty of eternal life beyond our temporal existence. The Apostle Paul, despite facing persecution and the threat of death, remains steadfast in his mission because of this assurance. His life exemplifies the power of faith in the unseen and eternal, contrasting the transient nature of earthly life.

The Christian gospel is not a distant or theoretical concept; it is deeply practical and relevant to the realities of life. Many perceive Christianity as irrelevant, but it addresses the most pressing questions of existence, such as the inevitability of death and what lies beyond. The gospel urges us to confront these realities, offering a perspective that transcends the temporal and focuses on the eternal.

Christianity is not a vague or indefinable spirit; it is a faith grounded in concrete truths and doctrines. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of knowing what one believes, as this knowledge provides the foundation for facing life's ultimate questions. The certainty of the Christian message is based on the historical facts of Jesus Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. These events are not mere theories but are the bedrock of Christian hope and assurance.

The gospel challenges us to consider the ultimate test of any worldview: what happens when our earthly life ends? While the world offers various philosophies and religions, none provide the certainty and hope found in the Christian message. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of this hope, demonstrating victory over death and offering believers the promise of eternal life.

In conclusion, the Christian faith provides a unique and unparalleled assurance in the face of life's uncertainties. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, grounded in the knowledge of Christ's redemptive work. This assurance transforms how we face both life and death, offering a hope that is both practical and profound.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian gospel is deeply practical, addressing the most pressing questions of life, such as the inevitability of death and the promise of eternal life. It is not a distant or theoretical concept but a relevant and transformative truth. [06:24]

- Christianity is grounded in concrete truths and doctrines, not vague spiritual notions. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of knowing what one believes, as this knowledge provides the foundation for facing life's ultimate questions. [09:49]

- The certainty of the Christian message is based on the historical facts of Jesus Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. These events are the bedrock of Christian hope and assurance, offering a unique perspective on life and death. [41:07]

- The gospel challenges us to consider the ultimate test of any worldview: what happens when our earthly life ends? While the world offers various philosophies and religions, none provide the certainty and hope found in the Christian message. [26:27]

- The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian hope, demonstrating victory over death and offering believers the promise of eternal life. This assurance transforms how we face both life and death, offering a hope that is both practical and profound. [44:38]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Theme
- [01:04] - Paul's Ministry and Suffering
- [02:42] - Contrasts in Christian Experience
- [03:49] - Facing Death with Assurance
- [05:27] - The Practicality of the Gospel
- [07:08] - Living by Faith, Not by Sight
- [09:49] - The Concrete Nature of Christian Doctrine
- [11:04] - How to Listen to the Gospel
- [13:10] - The Frailty of Earthly Life
- [15:40] - The Bible's Unique Perspective on Death
- [19:25] - The Certainty of Death
- [22:23] - The Practicality of the Gospel
- [26:27] - The Failure of Other Worldviews
- [33:50] - The Certainty of Christian Hope
- [41:07] - The Foundation of Christian Assurance
- [44:38] - The Resurrection: Cornerstone of Hope
- [50:31] - Living with an Eternal Perspective

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 5:1: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by referring to our bodies as an "earthly house of this tabernacle"? How does this imagery help us understand the temporary nature of our physical existence? [00:09]
2. How does the Apostle Paul describe his attitude towards persecution and suffering in his ministry? What reasons does he give for his perseverance? [02:27]
3. According to the sermon, what are some common misconceptions about the relevance of the Christian gospel in today's world? [06:07]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the foundation of Christian hope and assurance? [41:07]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the assurance of an eternal house "not made with hands" influence a believer's perspective on life and death? [03:49]
2. In what ways does the sermon argue that Christianity is practical and relevant to the realities of life? How does this challenge the view that faith is merely theoretical? [06:24]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing what one believes. How does this knowledge equip believers to face life's ultimate questions? [09:49]
4. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ serve as the cornerstone of Christian hope, according to the sermon? [44:38]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: How does the assurance of an eternal home with God change the way you face daily challenges and uncertainties? [03:49]
2. The sermon suggests that many people view Christianity as irrelevant. How can you demonstrate the practical relevance of your faith in your community or workplace? [06:24]
3. Consider the doctrines and truths you hold as a Christian. How well do you know them, and how do they impact your daily decisions and interactions? [09:49]
4. The resurrection of Jesus is central to Christian hope. How does this truth affect your outlook on life and death? How can you share this hope with others who may be struggling with fear or uncertainty? [44:38]
5. Think about a time when you faced a significant trial or hardship. How did your faith in the unseen and eternal help you navigate that situation? [02:42]
6. The sermon challenges us to consider what happens when our earthly life ends. How often do you reflect on this question, and how does it shape your priorities and goals? [26:27]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can live with a more eternal perspective. What practical steps can you take this week to align your actions with this perspective? [50:31]

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel's Practical Relevance to Life's Questions
The Christian gospel is not merely a distant or theoretical concept; it is deeply practical and relevant to the realities of life. It addresses the most pressing questions of existence, such as the inevitability of death and what lies beyond. Christianity offers a perspective that transcends the temporal and focuses on the eternal, urging believers to confront these realities with hope and assurance. This practical nature of the gospel is a transformative truth that impacts how one lives daily, providing a framework for understanding life's challenges and uncertainties. [06:24]

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one pressing question or challenge you are facing today? How can you apply the practical truths of the gospel to this situation to find hope and assurance?


Day 2: The Concrete Foundation of Christian Doctrine
Christianity is grounded in concrete truths and doctrines, not vague spiritual notions. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of knowing what one believes, as this knowledge provides the foundation for facing life's ultimate questions. The certainty of the Christian message is based on the historical facts of Jesus Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. These events are not mere theories but are the bedrock of Christian hope and assurance, offering a unique perspective on life and death. [09:49]

"Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)

Reflection: What specific doctrines or truths about Christianity do you find most challenging to understand or accept? How can you seek deeper understanding and assurance in these areas?


Day 3: The Historical Certainty of Christian Hope
The certainty of the Christian message is based on the historical facts of Jesus Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection. These events are the bedrock of Christian hope and assurance, offering a unique perspective on life and death. The gospel challenges us to consider the ultimate test of any worldview: what happens when our earthly life ends? While the world offers various philosophies and religions, none provide the certainty and hope found in the Christian message. [41:07]

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:20-21, ESV)

Reflection: How does the historical reality of Jesus' resurrection impact your view of life and death? In what ways can you live out this hope in your daily life?


Day 4: The Gospel's Challenge to Worldviews
The gospel challenges us to consider the ultimate test of any worldview: what happens when our earthly life ends? While the world offers various philosophies and religions, none provide the certainty and hope found in the Christian message. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of this hope, demonstrating victory over death and offering believers the promise of eternal life. This assurance transforms how we face both life and death, offering a hope that is both practical and profound. [26:27]

"For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their craftiness,' and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'" (1 Corinthians 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What worldview or philosophy have you encountered that challenges your faith? How can you respond to this challenge with the certainty and hope of the gospel?


Day 5: The Resurrection: Cornerstone of Hope
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian hope, demonstrating victory over death and offering believers the promise of eternal life. This assurance transforms how we face both life and death, offering a hope that is both practical and profound. Living with an eternal perspective, grounded in the knowledge of Christ's redemptive work, changes how we approach every aspect of life, providing a unique and unparalleled assurance in the face of life's uncertainties. [44:38]

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life through Christ's resurrection influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live more fully with an eternal perspective?

Quotes

"For we know that if our Earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God and house not made with hens Eternal in the heavens. Now that's what he that is the context that is the background to this Mighty ch in extraordinary statement which we have in this first verse of this fifth chapter." [00:38:46]

"The Apostle is saying this you see that he is in no uncertainty at all why do I go on preaching why why do I suffer this persecution why do I face the threat of death almost daily I'm almost dying daily my old body is being worn out by these rigors and all the things that are happening to me but nevertheless he says I go on well why do I go on here's his answer I know he's got an absolute certainty he's confident." [00:34:21]

"Christianity is not speculation Christ it is in theory a Christian is not a man who's seeking to know the answer a Christian is not a man who's hoping that sometime or another before he does actually die well he'll just discover some kind of answer that's not Christianity at all as I said at the beginning if you don't know why you're a Christian you're not a Christian." [00:34:56]

"Christianity is based upon facts he it's based upon this person Jesus of Nazareth who was in this world nearly 2,000 years ago this is the thing that makes all the difference it is based upon what God has done in him that's the M of this chapter it is based upon what God is yet going to do in him what are these great facts on which it is based well here they are in this insecure World in which we live in this precarious kind of existence through which we are passing something has happened I say nearly 2,000 years ago that has changed the whole outlook if we could but see it." [00:40:38]

"Now then my friends there you are this is how Christianity comes to us now you see this is the way it begins always this is the thing that's at the center so we're not going to have an argument about God tonight we're not going to have an argument about the Lord Jesus Christ we're not going to have an argument about what you think of this that and the other that's happening in the world no no this is how you should listen to The Gospel you're living in a very frail tent Earthly House of this Tabernacle what if it suddenly went it may go at any moment the whole world situation tells us that doesn't it." [00:13:45]

"Now then my friend am I making it clear this is the way in which you listen to the gospel let me put it then in the second principle in this form that the gospel urges us to consider this question because this question is the ultimate test of all views of Life As I said there are many other things that are interesting there are many other things that are important but if you really want to test your viewer your philosophy of life this is the thing to test it by what is your view of life say to you when the Earthly House of your Tabernacle is dissolved that's the test." [00:17:52]

"Now the Apostle here is in a sense just continuing the theme which he had been dealing with in the previous chapter and the theme there is of course his own work and his ministry there he begins by saying therefore seeing we have this ministry and as we have received Mercy we faint not but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty Etc nor handling the word of God deceitfully now he's dealing in other words as I say with his work as a preacher as a Christian minister as one of the Apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." [00:01:12]

"Christianity is not just something that gives you a nice comfortable feeling while you're in a chapel while you're singing hymns that's like taking drink isn't it oh a glass of whiskey can do that and other things and drugs can do that that's not Christianity I'm not here to make you feel comfortable or happy if I can't give you something tonight that will make you equally happy when you're alarn tomorrow morning I fail completely if you're only happy while you're in a service you're not a Christian the Christian is a man who like Paul when everything's going against him when all the forces of hell around and about him he still says we know in the act of the dissolution of the body he knows why well because of the Incarnation because of the death of Christ yes but it doesn't stop at that does it listen that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again here it is it's the resurrection he rose again here you see is the only answer there has only been one person who has passed through death and has come out the other side and has manifested himself in this world and as taught men he's done it he's conquered The Last Enemy he's gone through death that's what this Apostle is teaching in this chapter." [00:43:00]

"Now then and on he goes yeah for we know he say that if our Earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God and house not made with hens Eternal in the heavens now that's what he that is the context that is the background to this Mighty ch in extraordinary statement which we have in this first verse of this fifth chapter he's ready to face all things if necessary death itself for the sake of the gospel and its message for the sake of God and for the sake of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now he not only tells us that but as is his custom he tells us why things are like that and it's because of that I'm calling your attention to this entire subject he tells us why he can thus face anything and everything and in telling us why he introduces us to the Great Central Cardinal principles of this Christian faith and this Christian message and so you see at one and the same time the Apostle tells us why he goes on preaching in spite of persecution in spite of possible death he tells us that at the same time he tells us why we should all listen to this gospel it's the same reason the reason he had for preaching it and the reasons you and I have for listening to it are exactly the same so he gives us his extraordinary reasons in the body of this chapter." [00:03:41]

"Now then my friend perhaps you will be when you are Earthly House of your Tabernacle is dissolving for there will be nothing else then that will be relevant or of any help to you this is what it's about and his glorious Resurrection bursting us under the bends of death and arising triumphantly over the grave manifesting himself to these chosen Witnesses 500 at a time the apostles and later to this men born as of due time but he gave him the Glimpse on the road to Damascus he knew he's not uncertain he's not theorizing he's not speculating we know I've seen him the Lord Of Glory I've looked into his face on the Damascus Road he appeared to me at other times we know and there is no other answer there is no other message to sleep but chance to dream are you ready to face the end in those terms you needn't my dear friend well let me ask you as I let you go what is your position do you know what will happen to you when your Earthly House of this Tabernacle is dissolved I ask you again dear know of any more urgent question than that if you really are alarmed and agitated by all these bums and the possibility of war and this International tension which is mounting up and now they're going to have a competition with all these possibilities with the moon and all the dread possibilities that open out of that I say that a man who doesn't face this question immediately is a fool what if the Earthly House of your Tabernacle were suddenly dissolved that's the question do you know what's going to happen to you do you know what lies ahead for you can you see through that are you able to face that as Paul faced it saying let them do what they like let them even kill me makes no difference to be absent from the body just means being present with the Lord that's how he faced it so he'll go on preaching why well because he knows there is nothing that can save people from the fear of death and from all that follows death in unbelief there is nothing that can save them from it save this gospel and so he says we beseech you in Christ's standad be ye reconciled to God my dear friend if only you see and believe that God has so loved you that he sent his only son into this world for you to die for you to Bear your punishment to Bear your sins that you might be reconciled to God that you might become a child of God yes and that after death you might go to be with god with Christ this old Tabernacle has gone at best it's only a moving tint but a building of God an house not made with with hands Eternal in the heavens that's the way to live that's the way to face life that's the way to face death that's the way to face an unknown eternity to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and then you will know that when this old body has gone and perhaps is rotting and molding in a grave or is blown to nothing Suddenly by a bum it doesn't matter you will be with Christ and with God Which is far better and you will have another body and house not made with hands Eternal in the heavens that's Christianity and nothing else my friend do you believe this do you know I don't care what answers you've got to how many questions have you got an answer to the last question the irreversible decision the uncorrectable event don't consider anything until you've solved that and when you've solved that you'll find that it's the greatest help in the world to live because it's when a man knows how to die that he begins to know how to live he's got his eyes set on eternity our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen But at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal have you seen them do you know the Eternal realities with God in Christ I beseech you in Christ dead be ye reconciled to God believe that Jesus is the son of God that he died for you and your sins to reconcile you to God believe on and you are reconciled to God and have nothing to fear." [00:47:19]

"Now then my friend perhaps you will be when you are Earthly House of your Tabernacle is dissolving for there will be nothing else then that will be relevant or of any help to you this is what it's about and his glorious Resurrection bursting us under the bends of death and arising triumphantly over the grave manifesting himself to these chosen Witnesses 500 at a time the apostles and later to this men born as of due time but he gave him the Glimpse on the road to Damascus he knew he's not uncertain he's not theorizing he's not speculating we know I've seen him the Lord Of Glory I've looked into his face on the Damascus Road he appeared to me at other times we know and there is no other answer there is no other message to sleep but chance to dream are you ready to face the end in those terms you needn't my dear friend well let me ask you as I let you go what is your position do you know what will happen to you when your Earthly House of this Tabernacle is dissolved I ask you again dear know of any more urgent question than that if you really are alarmed and agitated by all these bums and the possibility of war and this International tension which is mounting up and now they're going to have a competition with all these possibilities with the moon and all the dread possibilities that open out of that I say that a man who doesn't face this question immediately is a fool what if the Earthly House of your Tabernacle were suddenly dissolved that's the question do you know what's going to happen to you do you know what lies ahead for you can you see through that are you able to face that as Paul faced it saying let them do what they like let them even kill me makes no difference to be absent from the body just means being present with the Lord that's how he faced it so he'll go on preaching why well because he knows there is nothing that can save people from the fear of death and from all that follows death in unbelief there is nothing that can save them from it save this gospel and so he says we beseech you in Christ's standad be ye reconciled to God my dear friend if only you see and believe that God has so loved you that he sent his only son into this world for you to die for you to Bear your punishment to Bear your sins that you might be reconciled to God that you might become a child of God yes and that after death you might go to be with god with Christ this old Tabernacle has gone at best it's only a moving tint but a building of God an house not made with with hands Eternal in the heavens that's the way to live that's the way to face life that's the way to face death that's the way to face an unknown eternity to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and then you will know that when this old body has gone and perhaps is rotting and molding in a grave or is blown to nothing Suddenly by a bum it doesn't matter you will be with Christ and with God Which is far better and you will have another body and house not made with hands Eternal in the heavens that's Christianity and nothing else my friend do you believe this do you know I don't care what answers you've got to how many questions have you got an answer to the last question the irreversible decision the uncorrectable event don't consider anything until you've solved that and when you've solved that you'll find that it's the greatest help in the world to live because it's when a man knows how to die that he begins to know how to live he's got his eyes set on eternity our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen But at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal have you seen them do you know the Eternal realities with God in Christ I beseech you in Christ dead be ye reconciled to God believe that Jesus is the son of God that he died for you and your sins to reconcile you to God believe on and you are reconciled to God and have nothing to fear." [00:47:19]

"Now then my friend perhaps you will be when you are Earthly House of your Tabernacle is dissolving for there will be nothing else then that will be relevant or of any help to you this is what it's about and his glorious Resurrection bursting us under the bends of death and arising triumphantly over the grave manifesting himself to these chosen Witnesses 500 at a time the apostles and later to this men born as of due time but he gave him the Glimpse on the road to Damascus he knew he's not uncertain he's not theorizing he's not speculating we know I've seen him the Lord Of Glory I've looked into his face on the Damascus Road he appeared to me at other times we know and there is no other answer there is no other message to sleep but chance to dream are you ready to face the end in those terms you needn't my dear friend well let me ask you as I let you go what is your position do you know what will happen to you when your Earthly House of this Tabernacle is dissolved I ask you again dear know of any more urgent question than that if you really are alarmed and agitated by all these bums and the possibility of war and this International tension which is mounting up and now they're going to have a competition with all these possibilities with the moon and all the dread possibilities that open out of that I say that a man who doesn't face this question immediately is a fool what if the Earthly House of your Tabernacle were suddenly dissolved that's the question do you know what's going to happen to you do you know what lies ahead for you can you see through that are you able to face that as Paul faced it saying let them do what they like let them even kill me makes no difference to be absent from the body just means being present with the Lord that's how he faced it so he'll go on preaching why well because he knows there is nothing that can save people from the fear of death and from all that follows death in unbelief there is nothing that can save them from it save this gospel and so he says we beseech you in Christ's standad be ye reconciled to God my dear friend if only you see and believe that God has so loved you that he sent his only son into this world for you to die for you to Bear your punishment to Bear your sins that you might be reconciled to God that you might become a child of God yes and that after death you might go to be with god with Christ this old Tabernacle has gone at best it's only a moving tint but a building of God an house not made with with hands Eternal in the heavens that's the way to live that's the way to face life that's the way to face death that's the way to face an unknown eternity to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and then you will know that when this old body has gone and perhaps is rotting and molding in a grave or is blown to nothing Suddenly by a bum it doesn't matter you will be with Christ and with God Which is far better and you will have another body and house not made with hands Eternal in the heavens that's Christianity and nothing else my friend do you believe this do you know I don't care what answers you've got to how many questions have you got an answer to the last question the irreversible decision the uncorrectable event don't consider anything until you've solved that and when you've solved that you'll find that it's the greatest help in the world to live because it's when a man knows how to die that he begins to know how to live he's got his eyes set on eternity our light Affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory while we look not at the things which are seen But at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are Eternal have you seen them do you know the Eternal realities with God in Christ I beseech you in Christ dead be ye reconciled to God believe that Jesus is the son of God that he died for you and your sins to reconcile you to God believe on and you are reconciled to God and have nothing to fear." [00:47:19]

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Transcript
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