"ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR JOURNEY INTO ETERNITY?" INTRODUCTION 1.

If you were to die today, would you know for certain that you would be with God eternally? 2. The Bible tells us we can know for sure - 1 Jn 5:13 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. NIV a. If it is possible to know, I'd want to know, wouldn't you? b. May I take a few moments of your time to share what the Bible says about receiving eternal life? 3. Before I do, let me ask you another question... a. Suppose you come before Jesus and He asks, "Why should I let you into heaven?" b. How would you answer Him? 4. Some might answer... a. "I kept the Ten Commandments" b. "I attended church regularly" c. "I was a good moral person" d. "I was a good neighbor" -- These and similar answers imply an understanding that salvation is earned. 5. Yet the good news (gospel) of the Bible is that eternal life is a gift...! a. "...the gift of God is eternal life..." - cf. Rom 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV b. As a gift, it is not something we earn or deserve! [Why is eternal life a gift? The answer lies in understanding man's problem with sin...] I. THE NEED OF GRACE A. THE BIBLE TEACHES ALL HAVE SINNED... 1. Sin is violating the law of God - 1 John 3:4 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. NIV 2. Sin is failing to do what is right - James 4:17 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. NIV 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, NIV -- Everyone has sinned in some way - Ro 3:23 B. THE BIBLE DESCRIBES THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN... 1. The wages of sin is death! - Ro 6:23 2. What kind of death? Everlasting separation from God! - cf. Re 21:8 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." NIV a. Have you done any of these? b. Just a few? James 2:10-11 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who

said, "Do not If you do not have become a -- Even if just one [While everyone is guilty in...] II. THE SOLUTION OF GRACE

commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." commit adultery but do commit murder, you lawbreaker. NIV sin, we are still guilty! - Ja 2:10-11 of sin and deserving of death, there is hope

A. GOD OFFERS THE GIFT OF LIFE... 1. In mercy God offers the gift of eternal life - Ron 6:23 2. He does this through the death of His Son - Rom 5:8 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NIV 3. Out of love, God sent Jesus to be a sacrifice for our sins - 1 John 4:9-10 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. NIV a. On the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins! b. Through His death, Jesus made eternal life possible! -- What wonderful love, what a wonderful gift! Yet sadly... B. FEW RECEIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE... 1. Because many will not look for it - cf. Matt 7:13-14 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. NIV 2. Because many will not have done the Father's will - cf. Matt 7:21-23 21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' NIV a. Though they may do many things in the name of Jesus b. Remember, doing good things does not merit eternal life -- Only those who do the Father's will have eternal life! - cf. 1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. NIV [What is the Father's will that we might receive the gift of eternal life...?] III. THE RECEPTION OF GRACE A. BELIEVE IN JESUS... 1. We must believe in Him whom God has sent - cf. John 6:28-29,40 28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to

believe in the one he has sent." 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." NIV 2. Believing in Christ involves more than mental consent - e.g., John 12:42,43 42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. NIV 3. A faith which does not express itself in action is a death faith - cf. James 2:26 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. NIV -- How are we to express our faith in Christ? B. REPENT OF SINS... 1. Jesus requires repentance - cf. Luke 13:3; 24:46-47 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. NIV 2. True repentance is: a. A change of heart which will result in a change of life b. A change brought about by sorrow for our sins - cf. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. NIV -- In repenting, we decide to turn from sin and turn to God! C. CONFESS FAITH IN JESUS... 1. Together with faith, confessing Jesus leads to salvation - Rom 10:9-10 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. NIV 2. Confessing Jesus means to acknowledge Him as the Son of God - cf. Luke 12:8-10 8 "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9 But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. NIV --Confess Jesus before others, and He will confess us before God! - Matt 10:32-33

32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. NIV D. RECEIVE CHRIST IN BAPTISM... 1. Note first these spiritual truths: a. All spiritual blessings are IN Christ - Eph 1:3 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. NIV b. Salvation is IN Christ - 2 Tim 2:10 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. NIV c. There is no condemnation IN Christ - Rom 8:1-2 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, NIV d. Eternal life is IN Christ - 1 John 5:11 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. NIV 2. All these blessings are IN Christ a. It is one thing to believe IN Jesus, quite another to get INTO Jesus b. How does one get INTO Jesus? The same way you get into a coat (you put it on) 3. We get INTO Jesus by putting Him on in baptism - cf. Gal 3:2627 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NIV a. As many as are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ b. Those not yet baptized into Christ, have not yet put on Christ c. If we have not PUT ON Christ, we are not yet IN Christ 4. What is baptism? a. An immersion (burial) of the believer in water Act 8:35-38 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. NIV b. Administered to the penitent for the remission of sins Acts 2:38 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. NIV c. In which we are: 1) Baptized into the death of Jesus - Ro 6:3 2) Buried with Him into His death - Ro 6:4a 3) Raised with Him that we might walk in newness of life - Ro 6:4b d. A working of God in cooperation with our faith -

Col 2:11-13 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, NIV 1) In which our sins our cut away (circumcised) 2) In which we are made alive, forgiven of all sins -- Not a work of righteousness done to earn salvation, but an act of faith submitted to in order to receive God's grace and mercy - cf. Titus 3:5-7 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. NIV E. REMAIN FAITHFUL TO JESUS... 1. Jesus expected us to learn and follow Him after baptism Matt 28:19-20 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." NIV 2. Jesus promises the crown of life to those who remain faithful - Rev 2:10 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. NIV CONCLUSION 1. Though deserving of death because of sin... a. We can receive God's gift of eternal life! b. By expressing our faith in Christ through repentance, confession, and baptism! 2. Two examples confirm this is how God's gift of grace is extended... a. Peter on the day of Pentecost - Acts 2:36-42 36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching

and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. NIV b. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch - Acts 8:35-39 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. NIV -- Note what people were told to receive forgiveness of sins (the gift of eternal life) 3. Does this make sense...? a. Is there anything I have said you do not understand? b. Have I taught you anything other than what the Bible teaches? If you are willing to place your faith in Jesus, repent of your sins, confess your faith before others, then let these words move you to respond in the proper way... "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Ac 22:16) Yes, why wait, when you can put on Christ in baptism and prepare yourself for your "journey into eternity"?