©2002 Pastor Thomas Miles

Part Three of Three

For those that believe in Christ there is the hope of eternal life.  For those that know that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior there should be a peace and understanding of what lies ahead when the believer dies.  Our goal in life should be to please God and through pleasing God we will win the victory over death by receiving eternal life.  This body is only a shell, a tent so to speak and the new body that is waiting for us in heaven is glorious and beyond description!

2 Corinthians 5:1 we know that if the life we live here on earth is ever taken down like a tent, we still have a building from God. It is an eternal house in heaven that isn't made by human hands.
2 Corinthians 5:2 in our present tent-like existence we sigh, since we long to put on the house we will have in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:3 after we have put it on, we won't be naked.
2 Corinthians 5:4 while we are in this tent, we sigh. We feel distressed because we don't want to take off the tent, but we do want to put on the eternal house. Then eternal life will put an end to our mortal existence.
2 Corinthians 5:5 God has prepared us for this and has given us his Spirit to guarantee it.
2 Corinthians 5:6 so we are always confident. We know that as long as we are living in these bodies, we are living away from the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:7 indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:8 we are confident and prefer to live away from this body and to live with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:9 whether we live in the body or move out of it, our goal is to be pleasing to him.

Titus 1:2 my message is based on the confidence of eternal life. God, who never lies, promised this eternal life before the world began.

Philippians 1:23-25 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.

2 Timothy 4:5 But you must keep a clear head in everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of a missionary. Devote yourself completely to your work.
2 Timothy 4:6 my life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:8 the prize that shows I have God's approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again.

Psalm 48:10 like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
Psalm 48:11 Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice because of your judgments.
Psalm 48:12 Walks around Zion. Go around it. Count its towers.
Psalm 48:13 Examine its embankments. Walk through its palaces. Then you can tell the next generation,
Psalm 48:14 This God is our God forever and ever. He will lead us beyond death.

Romans 5:21 as sin ruled by bringing death, God's kindness would rule by bringing us his approval. This results in our living forever because of Jesus Christ our Lord.

1. As a Christian what should we desire?

As a Christian/Believer we should desire to be with God.  Our ultimate goal should be to live with Christ in heaven.  To win that grand prize of eternal life should be the greatest desire of the believer.   Our confidence should be in the Lord for all things at all times.  Salvation is more than just something we might one day receive, as a believer salvation is something we already possess through Christ Jesus. The only way we will miss out on heaven when we die is if we are not walking with Christ when we die!

2. Paul was torn between living and dying--why?

Paul realized the glory of Heaven to be much better than anything this life could offer.  He realized also that to remain was to give others the knowledge of how to live a joyful life for the Glory of God.  Paul's acceptance of the truth that he has to remain in this life until it is his time depicts the will of God for each of us to accomplish that which God desires of us.  God is in control over all things and as long as we live according to the will of God we will live forever and when we fall asleep with Him we simply wake in Heaven anew and glorified!  In 2 Timothy we read that we are to continue in the service of God till the very end of our life.  We are to keep the faith till the very end, fighting the good fight against the evils of this world that would try to destroy the children of God.

3. What does the Word say about the believers hope in Psalm 48?

It says that our God is all sufficient and He is a strong tower to anyone and everyone that trusts in Him.   We are told of how our God will protect His children forever.  We are also told of how He will guide throughout life and into the next if we stay wrapped in His love.

4. What is promised to us in Romans 5?

We are given the promise that although sin once reigned in our life by the grace of God redemption from sin can now reign in our life through Christ Jesus who died for us.  It is through the righteousness of Jesus Christ that we have the security of eternal life.   If Jesus Christ is our Lord then He will be the source of all our blessings.  It is not by any works of our own that we receive this gift of life, but it is only through the grace of God through Christ Jesus.  We not only receive a pardon from death, but also the gift of divine life that brings us to eternity with God.  Our glorification for serving Him with our all!

I would like to close this study with this story:

“The first wife of Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, a well known minister in Philadelphia, died from cancer while still in her thirties. All three of his children were under 12. Dr. Barnhouse had such victory that he decided to preach the funeral sermon himself. En route to the funeral they were overtaken by a large truck, which, as it passed them, cast a large shadow over their car. He asked one of his children, “Would you rather be run over by that truck or its shadow?” “By the shadow, of course!” replied the 12-year-old daughter. “A shadow can't hurt you.” With that answer Dr. Barnhouse said to his three motherless children, “Your mother has been overrun not by death, but by the shadow of death.” At the funeral he spoke on Psalm 23, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”

In our darkest and most difficult hour God is always near, He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Dear God, as we conclude this study realizing that because of sin we face a mortal death unless the Lord returns before we die and so we ask You now to forgive us for the sins we have committed in our life and pour ourselves out before You right now as sheep before the Shepherd lost without the Master.  We ask You dear Father to teach us to walk more closely to You daily.  Father, help us to not fear death, but instead realize that death is simply falling asleep in the arms of Jesus to wake in Heaven glorified.  Father, allow us during our remaining time on earth to fill our lives with faith and love.  Allow us dear Lord to tell others of Your grace and beauty so they may also have the assurance of eternal life.  And Father, we thank You most of all right now for the gift of life You have given unto us.  We are thankful to have the chance to share the message of salvation with others.  We are thankful for the love given us through the cross of Christ.  And Father, we ask right now that when our time comes to be with You, that we do not fear that time but step into it with great joy knowing that with it life truly begins.  Help us oh Lord to share with family members the joy of eternal life and to let them know that there is nothing to fear or worry about.  Father we give You all the praise and glory and ask this all in the name of Jesus, Amen!

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