Transforming Lives Through Jesus: Embracing Eternal Life Now

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound implications of Jesus's call to repentance and the kingdom of heaven being at hand. This call is not merely about preparing for life after death but about transforming our current lives by trusting in Jesus Christ and living within His kingdom. This transformation involves bringing every aspect of our lives into a state of dependence on Him. The forgiveness of sins, a crucial element of this transformation, is accomplished through Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. This is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that affects how we live daily.

Salvation, as depicted in the New Testament, is synonymous with eternal life, which begins here and now, not just after death. Eternity is already in motion, and we are invited to participate in it through our discipleship with Jesus. This journey of discipleship is a learning process where we gradually understand how to live in this eternal reality. The atonement is not solely about Christ's death; if it were, it could have been resolved in the Garden of Eden. Instead, the long history leading to Christ's coming was necessary, as it was part of God's divine plan for humanity and eternity.

Understanding this helps us see that Jesus Himself is our redemption. Our relationship with Him, characterized by faith and trust, is what redeems us. This relationship is not just for the afterlife but is meant to transform our entire existence here and now.

Key Takeaways:

1. Living in the Kingdom Now: Jesus's message of repentance and the kingdom of heaven is about transforming our current lives, not just preparing for the afterlife. By trusting in Jesus and living in His kingdom, we bring every aspect of our lives into dependence on Him, experiencing eternal life now. [00:23]

2. Forgiveness and Transformation: The forgiveness of sins through Jesus's life, death, and resurrection is central to our transformation. This forgiveness is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that changes how we live daily, aligning us with God's eternal plan. [00:38]

3. Eternal Life Begins Here: Salvation is synonymous with eternal life, which starts in the present, not just after death. We are invited to participate in eternity now, learning to live as disciples of Jesus and experiencing the fullness of life in His kingdom. [01:08]

4. The Necessity of History: The long history leading to Christ's coming was necessary for God's plan. It wasn't just about Christ's death; it was about the fullness of time and God's unfolding plan for humanity and eternity. [01:48]

5. Redemption Through Relationship: Jesus is our redemption, and our relationship with Him, characterized by faith and trust, redeems us. This relationship is meant to transform our entire existence, not just prepare us for the afterlife. [02:03]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:23] - Trusting in Jesus
[00:38] - Forgiveness of Sins
[00:54] - Redemption and Life
[01:08] - Eternal Life Now
[01:19] - Discipleship and Learning
[01:33] - The Necessity of History
[01:48] - Fullness of Time
[02:03] - Relationship and Redemption
[02:15] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 4:17 - "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"
2. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
3. Romans 6:4 - "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus's call to repentance and the kingdom of heaven being at hand mean for our daily lives? [00:23]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection in the forgiveness of sins? [00:38]
3. According to the sermon, when does eternal life begin for believers? [01:08]
4. Why was the long history leading to Christ's coming necessary according to the sermon? [01:48]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of living in the kingdom now change the way believers view their daily activities and decisions? [00:23]
2. In what ways does the forgiveness of sins through Jesus's sacrifice impact a believer's relationship with God and others? [00:38]
3. What does it mean to participate in eternity now, and how does this affect a believer's understanding of salvation? [01:08]
4. How does understanding the necessity of history and the fullness of time enhance a believer's appreciation of God's plan for humanity? [01:48]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life. Are there areas where you struggle to bring your life into dependence on Jesus? How can you begin to trust Him more in those areas? [00:23]
2. How does the practical reality of forgiveness through Jesus's life, death, and resurrection influence your daily interactions and decisions? [00:38]
3. In what ways can you actively participate in eternal life now, rather than viewing it as something that begins after death? [01:08]
4. Consider the long history leading to Christ's coming. How does this understanding affect your view of God's timing and plan in your own life? [01:48]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus that transforms your entire existence, not just your preparation for the afterlife? [02:03]
6. Identify one aspect of your life that needs transformation through your relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take this week to begin that transformation? [02:03]
7. How can you share the message of living in the kingdom now with someone who may not understand its significance? What practical examples from your life can you use to illustrate this concept? [00:23]

Devotional

Day 1: Living in the Kingdom Now
The call to repentance and the kingdom of heaven is an invitation to transform our current lives by trusting in Jesus and living within His kingdom. This transformation is not just about preparing for the afterlife but involves bringing every aspect of our lives into a state of dependence on Him. By doing so, we experience eternal life now, as we align our daily actions and decisions with His will. This is a profound shift from living for ourselves to living for Christ, allowing His presence to permeate every part of our existence. [00:23]

Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can more fully depend on Jesus today? How can you actively seek His kingdom in that area?


Day 2: Forgiveness and Transformation
The forgiveness of sins through Jesus's life, death, and resurrection is central to our transformation. This forgiveness is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that changes how we live daily. It aligns us with God's eternal plan, allowing us to live in freedom and grace. As we accept this forgiveness, we are called to extend it to others, embodying the love and mercy that Jesus has shown us. This daily practice of forgiveness transforms our relationships and our hearts, drawing us closer to God's vision for our lives. [00:38]

Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 3: Eternal Life Begins Here
Salvation is synonymous with eternal life, which starts in the present, not just after death. We are invited to participate in eternity now, learning to live as disciples of Jesus and experiencing the fullness of life in His kingdom. This journey of discipleship is a learning process where we gradually understand how to live in this eternal reality. By embracing this perspective, we find purpose and meaning in our daily lives, knowing that we are part of something much greater than ourselves. [01:08]

John 17:3 (ESV): "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Reflection: How can you live with an eternal perspective today? What is one way you can practice being a disciple of Jesus in your daily routine?


Day 4: The Necessity of History
The long history leading to Christ's coming was necessary for God's plan. It wasn't just about Christ's death; it was about the fullness of time and God's unfolding plan for humanity and eternity. Understanding this helps us see the depth and breadth of God's love and His commitment to redeeming humanity. It reminds us that our lives are part of a larger story, one that God has been writing since the beginning of time. This perspective can give us hope and assurance, knowing that God is in control and His plans are perfect. [01:48]

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you saw God's timing in your life. How does understanding the necessity of history help you trust in God's plan for your future?


Day 5: Redemption Through Relationship
Jesus is our redemption, and our relationship with Him, characterized by faith and trust, redeems us. This relationship is meant to transform our entire existence, not just prepare us for the afterlife. By cultivating a deep and personal relationship with Jesus, we experience His love and grace in profound ways. This relationship invites us to live differently, to embody His teachings, and to share His love with others. It is through this relationship that we find true redemption and purpose in our lives. [02:03]

Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."

Reflection: What is one way you can deepen your relationship with Jesus today? How can this relationship transform the way you live and interact with others?

Quotes

"Jesus's message was repent for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand and how it changes you is you learn to trust Jesus Christ and live in his kingdom and that means to bring your whole life and everything you do into a position of dependence on him." [00:13:45]

"And of course the issue of forgiveness of sins has to be dealt with and that's taken care of by him in his life and his death and his resurrection that's the whole story because the the the real test of your understanding of redemption is what does it have to do with life not just what does it have to do with death but life." [00:38:52]

"And the picture of the New Testament is that salvation is eternal life and that's not something that starts after you die it's eternity has been running for quite some time and now we get to take our life into that here and now that's a learning process that occurs as we are disciples of Jesus we learn more and more how to do that." [01:04:20]

"See if the death of Christ were the only thing involved in atonement that could have been taken care of in the Garden of Eden Christ could have died on the spot but he didn't the long and painful process of history was necessary before he came in the fullness of time he came and what he did was tied to the fullness of time in God's plan of human history and eternity." [01:29:47]

"So that's what we have to see to understand that it will help us to remember that Jesus is the redemption our relationship to him is what redeems us that's one of faith and trust for life as a whole." [02:01:20]

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Transcript
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