Are We Preparing Our Life For Eternity?

May 04, 2003

HOLY SPIRIT BLESS US

Are we preparing our life for eternity?

Luke 24: 46-48

He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer (Mt 16: 21) and rise from the dead on the third day, v. 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name (Acts 10: 43) to all nations (Mt 28:19) beginning at Jerusalem. v. 48. You are witnesses of these things.” Acts 1: 8

Why did the Father will the death of his only beloved Son, and in so painful and shameful a form?

Because the Father had "laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6).

Jesus’ death was vicarious (undergone in our place)

and atoning (securing remission of sins for us and reconciliation to God).

It was a sacrificial death, fulfilling the principle of atonement taught in connection with the Old Testament sacrifices: "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" (Heb. 9:22; Lev. 17:11).

James Packer, Your Father Loves You, Harold Shaw Publishers, 1986.

No amount of good works can repay what Jesus Christ has done for us.

He suffered so much because He loves you & me.

People are entitled to the punishment of God, but, Jesus died in our behalf.

Instead of you and me, He became the substitute for us all. This is the good news my friends!

Do not count our struggles and sufferings because it’s nothing and cannot be compared to what Jesus Christ had been through.

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?"

"Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take it."

(Unknown).

We sometimes are tempted to make litany of complains and struggles in every details of our life.

But, when we’re back to our senses, we come to realize that, as we face all these pains and suffering, God suffered first and He knows what we are going through and He is with us as we go through all the unlikely experiences in our life. We will surely overcome.

In v. 47 “and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name (Acts 10: 43) to all nations (Mt 28:19) beginning at Jerusalem”

What we need to preach are two things: repentance & forgiveness in Jesus name.

The Bible clearly states, “ For all have sin and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3: 23

Everyone of us who are here today have somehow committed sin to a certain point in our life.

We have fallen short of the glory of God. Perhaps you might say that it’s just a small sin.

But I tell you, there is no such thing as small or big sin. Sin is sin!

God knows what is in our hearts. Jesus knew what it is to be human. But He did not remain just knowing who we are as persons who needs forgiveness of sins. He did something so that we may be forgiven. Because in repentance there is forgiveness.

Now, how can we be sure that we are forgiven?

The verse states, repentance comes first before forgiveness. Repentance involves forsaking sin;

Repentance in Greek word “metanoeo” is “to turn around.” It is a turning from evil ways and turning to Christ.

In Acts 10: 43 “All the prophets testify about Him (Jesus Christ) that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

The decision to turn from sin and to salvation in Christ involves accepting Christ not only as Savior from the penalty of sin, but also as Lord of one’s life. Thus, repentance involves a change of lords- from the lordship of Satan (Eph 2:2) to the Lordship of Christ and His Word.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY ONE who can forgive sins. Nobody here on earth was ever given the power to forgive sins, not even the pastors or priests or whoever, because we are all human beings.

We are not God, though there are some church groups whose leaders are claiming they are also god. That is abomination. I really feel sorry for those people… they need to repent.

Many people are being trapped and brainwashed so they tend to believe and trust their fellow human being more than Jesus Christ.

We need to admit that as human beings, we have limited knowledge and wisdom but God isn’t.

I know you will agree with me that, at this point in time we don’t know what is happening in our respective homes but Jesus Christ knows.

We don’t even know what will happened next Sunday but Jesus Christ can.

He can because He is our Omnipresent/Ever-present God; Omniscient/All-knowing God; Omnipotent/All-powerful God.

We need repentance (metanoeo) from past or present sins in the name of Jesus Christ.

Remember the promise in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”