Eternal Life, Judgment, and Our Need for Jesus

 

Summary

Our lives are eternal, and we will all face the judgment of God. This is a fundamental truth of the Word of God. There was a time when we did not exist, but there will never be a time when we cease to exist. The ultimate reality that concerns us all is that it is appointed for each person to die once, and after that comes judgment, as stated in Hebrews 9:27. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Many people, even those without faith in Jesus Christ, may face death with confidence or defiance. However, the real issue for the sinner is not death itself but the resurrection and the prospect of standing before God's judgment throne. Every thought, word, and deed that has offended God will be accounted for, and the judgment for sin extends into eternity.

Understanding this reality makes it clear why we need Jesus. On the day of judgment, our only hope is that Jesus Christ will stand beside us and claim us as His own. He will declare that He died for our sins, and all the justice that could have fallen on us fell on Him at the cross. On this basis, no charge can be made against us, and we gain entrance into everlasting life. This foundational truth is why we come to Jesus, cling to Him, and trust in Him despite any difficulties or costs. It is crucial to have a clear grasp of why we need Jesus, for it is this understanding that leads us to Him and sustains our faith.

Key Takeaways:

1. Eternal Existence and Judgment: Our lives are eternal, and we will face God's judgment. This truth should shape our understanding of life and death, reminding us that our actions have eternal consequences. It is a call to live with an awareness of the eternal reality and the accountability we have before God. [00:38]

2. The Reality of Resurrection: The resurrection is not just a future event but a present reality that impacts how we live today. It is a reminder that life does not end with death, and we will stand before God. This understanding should lead us to live with purpose and urgency, knowing that our lives have eternal significance. [01:41]

3. The Need for Jesus: Recognizing the reality of judgment highlights our need for Jesus. He is our only hope on the day of judgment, as He stands beside us and claims us as His own. This truth should lead us to cling to Jesus and trust in His sacrifice for our sins. [02:22]

4. The Assurance of Salvation: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross assures us of our salvation. He took upon Himself the justice that was meant for us, and because of this, no charge can be made against us. This assurance should fill us with gratitude and confidence in our relationship with God. [03:04]

5. Living with Purpose: Understanding the eternal reality and our need for Jesus should lead us to live with purpose and commitment. It is a call to follow Jesus, trust in Him, and live in a way that reflects our faith, regardless of the difficulties or costs. [03:40]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Eternal Lives and Judgment
[00:38] - The Ultimate Reality
[00:51] - Fearful Judgment
[01:18] - Confidence in Death
[01:41] - Resurrection and Accountability
[02:00] - Facing Justice
[02:22] - The Need for Jesus
[02:42] - Jesus as Our Hope
[03:04] - Assurance of Salvation
[03:29] - Entrance into Everlasting Life
[03:40] - Following Jesus
[04:03] - Foundation of Faith

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 9:27 - "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 - "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."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Hebrews 9:27, what is the sequence of events that every person will face? How does this align with the sermon’s message about eternal existence and judgment? [00:38]

2. What does 2 Corinthians 5:10 say about the purpose of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on accountability for our actions? [01:41]

3. In the sermon, what is described as the real issue for the sinner, and how does this relate to the concept of resurrection? [01:18]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus on the day of judgment, and what assurance does this provide to believers? [02:42]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the understanding of eternal judgment influence a believer's perspective on life and death? What might be the implications of this understanding for daily living? [00:13]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the resurrection is a present reality, and how should this impact a believer’s sense of purpose and urgency? [01:41]

3. Why is it significant that Jesus stands beside believers on the day of judgment, and how does this shape the believer’s relationship with Him? [02:42]

4. What does the sermon imply about the nature of salvation and the assurance it provides to believers? How does this assurance affect a believer’s confidence in their faith? [03:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of eternal judgment. How does this awareness influence your daily decisions and actions? Are there specific areas in your life where you need to be more mindful of eternal consequences? [00:38]

2. Considering the sermon’s message about the resurrection as a present reality, how can you live with more purpose and urgency in your faith journey? What practical steps can you take to align your life with this understanding? [01:41]

3. How does the assurance of Jesus standing beside you on the day of judgment impact your relationship with Him? In what ways can you deepen your trust and reliance on His sacrifice? [02:42]

4. The sermon emphasizes the need for Jesus in light of eternal judgment. How can you cultivate a stronger connection with Jesus in your daily life? What practices or habits can help you cling to Him more closely? [02:22]

5. Reflect on the assurance of salvation provided by Jesus’ sacrifice. How does this assurance influence your confidence in your relationship with God? Are there areas of doubt or fear that you need to address in light of this assurance? [03:04]

6. How can you live with greater purpose and commitment to following Jesus, even when faced with difficulties or costs? Identify one specific challenge you are currently facing and consider how you can approach it with faith and trust in Jesus. [03:40]

7. In what ways can you express gratitude for the assurance of salvation in your daily life? Consider practical ways to demonstrate this gratitude in your interactions with others and in your personal spiritual practices. [03:04]

Devotional

Day 1: Eternal Perspective and Accountability
Understanding that our lives are eternal and that we will face God's judgment should profoundly shape how we live. This truth calls us to live with an awareness of the eternal consequences of our actions. It is a reminder that our lives are not just a series of random events but are part of a larger, divine narrative. Each decision, thought, and action carries weight in the eyes of God, and we are accountable for them. This understanding should lead us to live with integrity and purpose, knowing that we are ultimately accountable to God. [00:38]

"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: What is one area of your life where you need to align your actions with the eternal perspective of accountability before God?


Day 2: Resurrection as Present Reality
The resurrection is not merely a future event but a present reality that influences how we live today. It serves as a powerful reminder that life does not end with death and that we will stand before God. This understanding should instill a sense of urgency and purpose in our daily lives, encouraging us to live in a way that reflects the eternal significance of our existence. By embracing the reality of the resurrection, we are called to live with hope and intentionality, knowing that our lives have a lasting impact. [01:41]

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'" (John 11:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the reality of the resurrection into your daily life to live with greater purpose and urgency?


Day 3: Clinging to Jesus for Salvation
Recognizing the reality of judgment highlights our need for Jesus as our only hope on that day. Jesus stands beside us, claiming us as His own, and His sacrifice on the cross assures us of our salvation. This truth should lead us to cling to Jesus and trust in His sacrifice for our sins. It is through His grace and mercy that we find redemption and the promise of eternal life. By understanding our need for Jesus, we are encouraged to deepen our relationship with Him and rely on His strength and guidance in our lives. [02:22]

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively cling to Jesus and trust in His sacrifice for your sins today?


Day 4: Assurance through Christ's Sacrifice
The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross assures us of our salvation, as He took upon Himself the justice that was meant for us. Because of this, no charge can be made against us, and we gain entrance into everlasting life. This assurance should fill us with gratitude and confidence in our relationship with God. It is a reminder of the depth of God's love for us and the lengths He went to secure our salvation. By embracing this assurance, we are called to live with a sense of peace and joy, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [03:04]

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)

Reflection: How does the assurance of salvation through Christ's sacrifice impact your daily life and relationship with God?


Day 5: Living with Purpose and Commitment
Understanding the eternal reality and our need for Jesus should lead us to live with purpose and commitment. It is a call to follow Jesus, trust in Him, and live in a way that reflects our faith, regardless of the difficulties or costs. By living with purpose, we are able to make a meaningful impact in the world and demonstrate the love and grace of God to those around us. This commitment to living a life of faith is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the hope we have in Christ. [03:40]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live with greater purpose and commitment in your walk with Jesus?

Quotes


Look, your life is eternal. There was a time when you were not, but there never will be a time when you will not be. And here is the ultimate reality that concerns more than anything else in this world, concerns every single one of us here today: the ultimate thing that we must face. [00:21:50]

It is appointed for a man, for a woman, once to die, and after that comes the judgment. That's straight out of Hebrews 9 verse 27. And the writer says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the Living God. [00:47:26]

The problem for the sinner does not lie in the act of death itself. The problem for the sinner lies in the resurrection, in this ultimate reality that every single person that has ever lived will one day appear before the judgment throne of God. [00:89:58]

The awful reality of facing justice as a sinner and of the judgment that comes to a sinner extending into eternity, that is what is meant by the phrase and it all judgment and eternal. Now, when that gets settled in your mind, that that is the reality that every one of us faces. [02:15:92]

Then it will be very easy to see why we need Jesus and why we will cling to him and never let him go, and why he will never let us go. There will only be one hope for any of us on that day, and that is that Jesus Christ should stand beside us and claim us as his own. [02:50:50]

He will say to you, she is one of mine, and on that day in the presence of the Almighty, that he, as it were, embracing you, would say of you, I died for her sins, I died for his sins. All the justice that could ever for all eternity fall on her or on him fell on me at the cross. [02:70:30]

On that basis, no charge is to be made, and for this person who is in me, there is entrance into everlasting life. You see, when you see the most basic principle in the Bible, why you will come to Jesus and why it, when it's settled in your mind, you're gonna, you know, follow after Jesus and trust in him. [03:05:81]

Irrespective of the difficulties and irrespective of the cost, I end where then with this: this foundation matters. It matters that we have a clear grasp, every one of us, of why it is that we need Jesus because then we will come to Jesus, then we will cling to Jesus, then we will have a faith in lust. [03:24:87]

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Transcript
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