Eternal Life

Watch my video on the gospel presentation! http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c1c0ec2b4291a319f30a

A pastor friend of mine, who lived in Oklahoma City, got up one morning in April of 1995 and began his routine like any other day. As he was getting dressed he heard a loud “bang!” and felt his house shake. He was not sure what happened but went on with his morning, until one of his kids turned on the TV and heard that a building in downtown had just been bombed.

Feeling impressed to help, he went to a nearby hospital to help comfort and counsel the victims and their families. Later the city would place him in charge of arranging counseling for all those affected by the bombing.

My friend told me when he got to the hospital that he wished he had more of Jesus to share with these people. Of course he had no idea what would happen that morning. He shared with me that none of us knows when there will be a crisis, and people will need us to share Jesus with them. When a crisis strikes there will be no time to prepare, and we cannot share what we don’t already have.

The best way to share Jesus with others is to have a personal relationship with Jesus ourselves. We live in a society that seams to be avoiding relationships, and getting more into “things”. Our computer games, TV and many other distractions encourage anti-social or at least anti- relationship behavior with others, including Jesus.

Jesus has often had to deal with people who were more interested in things than they were in a relationship with Him. In Matthew 19 a rich young ruler comes up to Jesus and asks a very shallow and self centered question. He asks, what good “thing” must I do, to gain eternal life. By the wording of his question you can tell he is in no way interested in a relationship with Jesus but just wants to know what thing or work he can do to gain eternal security. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, specifically those concerning relationships. Like not stealing, killing or lying about your neighbor. Being faithful to your wife and parents and loving your neighbors. The ruler claimed to do all that, so Jesus asked him to sell all his things and follow Jesus, meaning come with Me, and let’s have a relationship. The ruler did not want a relationship, he only wanted things so he went away.

In the same story, Peter shows he was no better when it came to relationships, when he turns around and tells Jesus, “we have left all to follow you, what will there be for us.” See Peter apparently did not know the true value of a relationship with Jesus, wondering what his reward would be for spending time with Jesus, when in fact time spent with Jesus in a relationship was the reward!

The prodigal son has the same attitude when he tells his father, “give me my inheritance and I will leave.” See the son wanted his father’s things but he did not want a relationship with him.

A relationship with Jesus is its own reward and the only sure way to eternal life. Many people are starving for the hope and assurance that can only be found in a relationship with Jesus. The best way to share Jesus is to have a relationship with Him yourself.

I remember sitting in my friend’s tent one afternoon during Oklahoma camp meeting. My friend’s thirteen year old daughter was sitting outside with a boy about her age. The boy had come to camp meeting with his grand father who had just become the first member of his family to accept Jesus! So, all of this Christianity was new to the boy. As he and the girl sat outside he asked her, “what is this Jesus stuff about anyway?” My ears perked up, I wanted to know how she would answer the question. Would she begin with Daniel and the seventy weeks? Would she start with John 1? I can remember her answer like it was yesterday. She said, “before my mom and I met Jesus we would yell and scream at each other all the time and home was a miserable place to be. Now that my mom and I have Jesus, we don’t yell anymore and I love being in my home.” I thought, “wow! She did not use Daniel or John. She had her own relationship with Jesus and that is what she shared.”

If we all have a relationship with Jesus, we too, will be able to share that relationship. We often meet people who are looking for hope and assurance for the future. The following study is the gospel presentation. You can chain reference in your Bible, so that you can have it ready to share with anyone.

If you decide to chain reference the following study, begin in the back of your Bible by writing:

Gospel Presentation GP 1 John 5:13

“Gospel Presentation” is the name of the study. “GP” is the abbreviation you will be using as you chain reference this study. 1 John 5:13 is the first verse we will go to. Then from there you will use “gp” and write the next verse which will be Ephesians 2:8-9.

Begin with the question: “If Jesus came today, do you know that you would be with Jesus for eternity?” Many people will answer this question with doubt and uncertainty. Share with them, that Jesus has every intention of us being saved with Him! Matthew 25:41 tells us that hell is prepared for the devil and his angels-not for us! Jesus has no intentions of us going to hell. Jesus tells us in John 14, He is going to prepare a place for us in heaven.

Now share with them this hope in 1 John 5:13.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13

This text assures us God does not want us wondering about our eternal salvation but wants us to know He has made provision for our eternal security. Many people do not feel worthy of this promise of life. However no one has ever earned life before or after the cross. Life has always been a free gift to every creature in heaven or earth.

Next question: “If you were to stand before God and He were to ask you why He should let you into His kingdom, what would you say?” (Of course this a hypothetical question as God wants you in His kingdom!)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8,9

Note: I share that I would not even answer the question but would rather let Jesus answer it for me. And based on the above verse this is what He would say: “I was treated the way William deserves to be treated so he can be treated the way I deserve to be treated. I died the death William

deserves so he can have the life I deserve. I took his punishment so he can have My reward. I took his sins so he could have My righteousness." (See Desire of Ages 25)

Why do we need grace?

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;   Romans 3:23

What are the wages of sin?

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life.

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:23

You may point out that since the wages of sin is death the only thing our works will ever get us is death. We need the gift of God which is eternal life. By the way, you don’t really need a relationship with your boss to earn your wages. Just do what he says, take your pay and go home. But eternal life is a gift, which is associated with friendship, meaning there must be a relationship.

What is sin?

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  1 John 3:4

While we suffer the consequences of a sinful nature, the only guilt we are imputed with is the choice we make to break God’s law. We also see in this verse that God’s law is still effective or there would be no way to sin since sin is breaking the law. Let’s say I am barreling down the highway at 110 mph. Let’s say there is no speed limit on this highway, but the police officer pulls me over. He looks at my license, and when he sees my last name is ‘Earnhardt” he makes some wisecrack about me driving like the race car driver. Then he tells me to slow down, but does not give me a speeding ticket. Would that be grace? No! Remember there is no speed limit, so I did not break any law-I don’t need grace. We only need grace when there is a law.

Now Paul says, we are not under the law but under grace. What does he mean by that? Let’s us the same scenario, but this time there is a speed limit. Let’s say the maximum speed limit is 70 and the minimum is 40. I am going 68. Can the officer now pull me over and give me a ticket? No. Because I am in harmony with the law, and not under its condemnation. This is what Paul means when he says, we are not under the law but under grace. God’s grace keeps us in harmony with the law, so we don’t fall under its condemnation.

Even if grace kept me in harmony with God’s law from here on out, that would not chance the fact that I have sinned and one sin is all takes for me to deserve death. How does God deal with that?

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:10

Not only does Jesus’ death stand in the place of my death but His perfect life also stands in the place of my life. Jesus is my justification which is "Me in Jesus", my title to heaven. Jesus is also my sanctification which is "Jesus in me", my fitness for heaven.

The following verse reiterates the above points and shows us this is a free gift given to all mankind.

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Romans 5:19

Just as Adam brought condemnation to all mankind, Jesus has brought salvation to all mankind. If we do not reject this gift that is already given we will be drawn to Jesus. (John 12:32)

It’s not fair that Adam sinned with no choice of ours, and made us all sinners, but Jesus came and took our nature and lived a perfect life with our DNA. Just as I sinned in Adam as my DNA was in Adam, likewise my DNA was in Jesus when He lived a perfect life. All our DNA was in Adam when he sinned, which is why we all were condemned. Jesus took our nature and took our DNA and crucified it on the cross. So while we all sinned in Adam, we all died in Christ! Also, since we all sinned in Adam we all lived a perfect life in Christ. Jesus totally undid all the damage that Adam caused! We are accepted in the Beloved! Probation is not about deciding if God will accept us-He already does! Probation is about deciding if we will accept God.

The next verse clarifies the points already made that our salvation comes from Jesus being treated the way we deserve to be treated so we can be treated the way He deserves to be treated.

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  2 Corinthians 5:21

This verse also shows what we may become as part of the plan of salvation. Along the way we may ask Jesus to help us hate the sins we once loved and to love the righteousness we once hated. Jesus became sin for us, and died our death. This is our justification which is a free gift. Then Jesus works to make us the righteousness of God, which is our sanctification. This too is a free gift. Justification is my salvation from the penalty of sin which is me in Jesus, my title to heaven. That is all a free gift! Sanctification is my salvation from the power of sin which is Jesus in me, my fitness for heaven. This too is a free gift! After giving us the free gift of eternal life, Jesus works in our hearts to help us reflect more of Him and less of self.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  1 Peter 2:24

If you have been chain referencing this study you now want to write next to 1 Peter 2:24, “End GP” as this is the last verse of the study.

I can not repeat it enough. Jesus was treated the way we deserve to be treated so we can be treated the way He deserved to be treated. In this verse in 1 Peter, Peter talked about Jesus bearing the guilt of our sin upon a tree. What that meant to peter was that Jesus was willing to say goodbye to life forever if that’s what it took to save us. Hanging on a tree meant being accursed of God. On the Cross Jesus was treated the way we deserved to be treated. This is why Jesus could not call God his Father while He was on the cross, but instead crying out, “My Father” He cried out “my God, my God why have you forsaken me.” He was not asking why God had forsaken Him till Sunday morning. You don’t forsake someone when you leave them for weekend. You forsake them when you leave them forever. Since Jesus was being treated the way we deserve to be treated, He thought God was leaving Him forever. “The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father's acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father's wrath upon Him as man's substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God.” {Desire of Ages, p. 753}

Since Jesus was treated on the cross the way we deserve to be treated we can be treated the way Jesus deserves to be treated. The gift of eternal life has already been given! Do you want to accept it reject it? The choice is yours.

As in all Bible studies you now want to ask for a decision. “Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Savior for the assurance of your salvation?” You want to ask the questions asked earlier again to be sure they know and understand what you have just shared. “If Jesus were to come today do you know you would be with Him for eternity?” If you were to stand before God and He were to ask why He should let you into His kingdom what would you say?” Make it clear to them that this is a free gift and whatever struggles they may have Jesus will continue to work in their hearts as they allow Him into their lives.

Close with a simple prayer. Something like, “Dear Jesus thanking for dying the death that I deserve so I may have the life that you deserve. Thank you for the free gift of eternal life. Please come into my heart now and help me hate the bad things I now love, and love the good things I now hate. In your name I pray amen.”

By the way, I always pray this prayer with them, not as a Bible instructor teaching the sinner, but as two sinners calling upon our savior. I need Jesus too!

When the prayer is completed you want to politely leave as soon as possible. You want to leave them with that prayer on the heart for the rest of the day and not some idle chat.

Would you like to call or talk to an Elder about accepting Jesus as your Savior?

You may call William at 813-933-7505 (Couontry Code 01) or write to LayPastor@TampaAdventist.net