From Here to Eternity

Memory Verse: Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”

Our lesson tells the story of two very rich people – Princess Diana and the rich young ruler found in Matthew 19 and Luke 18.

Matthew 19:16-19 “16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

These are all commandments dealing with love toward others.

Matthew 19:20-22 20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions."

Did the young man value a relationship with God? How did he feel toward his riches? Why do you think that he wouldn’t sell everything he had and give the money to the poor? What did his love for his possession say to God? (He valued his possessions more that developing a relationship with God – he put them ahead of God as more important than God).

Jesus knew that the rich young man’s possessions were VERY dear to him – so dear that he passed by the opportunity to free himself of them and be one of Jesus’ disciples. Since he could not part with them, he treated them as a false god, thus breaking the first commandment.

How would you react to that same question if Jesus asked you to do that?

Do you have possessions that are more important than a relationship with God? Is your IPOD, stereo, horse, clothes, computer, TV shows, more important to you than God?

Matthew 19:23-26 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Why did Jesus say it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God?

When we have a lot of money and possessions, sometimes they and what they can buy become more important than developing a relationship with the Creator of Universe, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We spend more time taking care of or accumulating these things than with God or sometimes even our families.

27" Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then."

Peter wanted to know what the apostles would get for giving up everything to follow Jesus. Notice that Jesus did not say that their sins would be forgiven or that they would be saved because of what they did. Notice that Jesus spoke of rewards for their sacrifice for Him in this life.

Luke 18:29-30 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

Does that mean that we are free from the responsibility to do good to others? Does it mean we do good just to get a reward? Absolutely NOT! If we are truly God’s people, His Holy Spirit in us will make us WANT to do good. It will make us WANT to share our faith with others. It will become a part of us. We do good because we are saved – not to save us. The good we do will be rewarded, but that is NOT the reason we do them. God has given us a great and wonderful gift and we WANT to share it with others in any way that we are able.

Princess Diana did many wonderful things for the less fortunate during her life. Not a single one of those good acts earned her forgiveness of her sins or salvation and eternal life. If Princess Diana was a true, saved Christian, she will receive a reward for her generosity and care for the poor. If she was not a true, saved Christian, not having rejected God after knowing about Him, she will have an opportunity when she is resurrected to repent of her sins and accept Jesus’ sacrifice for her sins. No one earns forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life by what they do. All those things are gifts from God, available to every man, woman and child on the face of the earth who repents of their sins, is baptized and accepts Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for their sins.

Diana was very wealthy, as was the rich young man. Neither one of them could take a single thing with them when they died. All their earthly riches were temporary.

Our relationship with God is not temporary. We take it with us when we die. We will be with Him forever if we stay faithful and overcome evil in our lives. We have to keep ourselves pure for Him. We have to resist and flee temptation. When we do slip, we must ask God to forgive us and cleanse us and restore our relationship with Him. This is a forever friendship – it doesn’t end when we die.

Can you see how valuable Jesus’ gift to us is? How we should treasure and protect it in our lives? Can you see the compassion and love that Jesus had toward all of mankind? He doesn’t want anyone to fall through the cracks.

2Peter 3:9, 14-15 9 "The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

So what steps must you take to have eternal life? (Realize you are a sinner)

Romans 3:23 “23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (learn that salvation is a free gift)

Acts 16:31 “Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” (Believe in Jesus)

Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Repent of your sins and be baptized)

2Peter 3:18 “Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (Develop a personal relationship with God learn about Him in His Word and put what you learn into practice in your life)

Matthew 10:22 “And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved” (Endure to the end)

Revelation 2:10 “Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life” (Be faithful even unto death)

James 1:12 “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. " (Receive the crown of life)

All through the rest of your life after believing, repenting and being baptized you will want to know more about Jesus and how He lived and what He believed so you can be more like Him and can share who He truly is with others. You will need to resist temptation, repent of your sins after baptism, endure persecution and overcome the evil around you. It is not an easy life but it is a very WORTHWHILE life – to know your Creator/Savior God. Such riches are available to you that will make you richer that the richest person who has money, fame, power and possessions on this earth. Your riches will still be yours after death – theirs will go to someone else and they will have nothing.

The road from here to eternity is a journey we all have to take ourselves. No one can take it for you and you cannot take this journey for anyone else. You can bring others to this road, show it to them and they can join you on this road, but ultimately this journey is between you and God. Where are you on this journey? Are your riches eternal or temporary? Only you and God can answer these questions.

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