Rejoice in Eternity – Being with God
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SUBJECT: Heaven
TITLE: Rejoice in Eternity
PROPOSITION: Out of the many reasons the Christian has to rejoice, the hope of being in heaven eternally is certainly one of the greatest. There are many reasons that we could list for rejoicing in eternity. Perhaps the most motivating for the Christian are the following: 1) In eternity we will be with God. 2) In eternity we will be separated from evil. 3) In eternity we will have a new body. 4) In eternity we will be united together in love. We will look at the first of these in this lesson.
OBJECTIVE: Each listener should be able to state at least one reason why we can rejoice in eternity.
AIM: To motivate all to live faithfully so as to one day be in eternity with God.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
2. About the Text:
1) Peter was writing to Christians who were being persecuted.
2) He tells them to rejoice in this because they were partaking of Christ’s sufferings.
3) They rejoiced, not because of the pain and anguish which they were bearing.
4) They rejoiced because they were laying up treasures in heaven.
5) Their ultimate joy would be realized when Christ returned.
6) They would be glad with exceeding joy.
3. Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
1) Today we have the words of Christ to guide our lives.
2) These words provide joy for us while we live in this life.
3) They provide joy because the creator knows what will bring us joy in this life.
4) But there is a greater joy for which all Christians look.
5) Jesus speaks of this joy as well.
6) This is the full joy that comes only as a result of having lived a life in faithful service to Christ.
7) This is the joy that we ultimately find in eternity.
4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: In eternity we will Be With God . . . .
I. It will be joyous to be with God.
1. Because we will be in his presence. Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
2. Because we will experience his glory. Jude 1:24, 25 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
3. Because we will see his holiness. 1 Peter 1:15, 16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
II. It will be joyous to be with Christ our Savior and Lord.
1. Because it will be the culmination of all of our efforts here on earth. Phil.2:5ff
2. Because we will appear with him. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Col.3:4).
3. Because we will be like him. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2).
III. To be with God and Christ in eternity is the hope and desire of every faithful Christian.
1. This motivates us to live the way He wants us to live.
2. 1 Cor.15:58 “Wherefore my beloved brethren . . . .”
3. Phil.2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
CONCLUSION:
1. So we rejoice in eternity because we will be with God . . .
i. We will be with God.
ii. We will be with Jesus Christ.
iii. This hope motivates us to live righteously.
2. Invitation