Do You Know Where You Will Spend Eternity?

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY?

2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of

my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have

finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is

laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the

righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but

unto all them also that love his appearing.

"Do you KNOW where you will spend eternity?” is a question that

everyone should consider carefully, and answer honestly, because

so much depends on the answer you truthfully give.

A few years ago town leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited

Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Mr. Graham hesitated to

accept the invitation because of Parkinson’s disease.

But the leaders said, "We don’t expect a major address. Just come

and let us honor you."

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped

to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I’m reminded today

of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who was honored by Time

magazine as the Man of the Century.

"Albert Einstein was once traveling on a train when the conductor

came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger.

When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He

couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It

wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t find it.

Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t find it.

"The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all

know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry

about it." Einstein nodded in appreciation.

The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he

was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw

Albert Einstein down on his hands and knees looking under his

seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein,

don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a

ticket. I’m sure you bought one."

Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I

am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.’"

Having said that, Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I’m

wearing? It’s a brand new suit.”

“My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve

gotten a little sloppy in my old age. I used to be a bit more

fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon

and for one more occasion.”

"You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be

buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to remember

the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know

who I am…I also know where I’m going!"

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO

KNOW WHO WE ARE!

Forget titles or abbreviations that follow names. There are only

two kinds of people in the world:

• sinners in need of the Savior

• sinners saved by the grace of God!

1. We are: Sinners in need of the Savior:

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of

God.”

Ezekiel 18:4b “The soul who sins is the one who will die.”

1Ti 1:12 CEV I thank Christ Jesus our Lord. He has given me the

strength for my work because he knew that he could trust me. 13 I

used to say terrible and insulting things about him, and I was cruel.

But he had mercy on me because I didn't know what I was doing,

and I had not yet put my faith in him.14 Christ Jesus our Lord was

very kind to me. He has greatly blessed my life with faith and love

just like his own. 15 "Christ Jesus came into the world to save

sinners." This saying is true, and it can be trusted. I was the worst

sinner of all!

2. We are: Sinners saved by grace: unmerited favor...

Romans. 10:12-13“... there is no difference between Jew and

Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who

call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will

be saved."

Ephesians 2:8-9 “... by grace you have been saved through faith,

and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest

anyone should boast.”

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO

KNOW WHERE WE’RE GOING!

1. It is important to know that we can know.

It would be cruel of God to let us live every day knowing that “it

is appointed unto men to die once, but after this the judgment”