Facing The Border

Facing the Border - Gen 5:22-24 - John 14

Intro. Adam sinned, and we see in verse 5, the effects of the sin. Eight times the phrase “and he died” follows the record of a man. But in the midst of it all, a man is named who escaped death, Enoch. He did not taste death because he walked with God - Giving a wonderful Old Testament example of Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift....” In John 14 - We see the promise of Jesus that He is Coming again - not just to bring judgment on the earth, but first to receive his church unto himself. Those that have walked with him by His grace, that are alive and remain will be translated to join those who have gone before -

A little girl was walking with her daddy under a starlit sky. After several moments of silence, she remarked, "Father, I’ve been thinking. If the wrong side of heaven is so beautiful, just imagine what the right side will be!" What a trip! You can be skeptical, and even doubt it in your mind - it won’t be long we will be facing the border!

I. Reality of Eternity -Enoch Believed it Jude vs. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

A. Based on God’s Promises

Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

B. Blessings will Exceed the Present

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

C. Believers have a home in Paradise

1Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you

II. Requirements for Entrance - Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Immigration - When you enter a country, you must have permission to be there.

Papers must be in Order - As I approached the official border, the desk at immigration in Atlanta, I noticed that the man had a computer in front of him. He took my passport, scanned it and confirmed that I was a citizen and welcomed me home. My papers were in order! In order to receive that passport:

A. A Birth was Substantiated (Birth Certificate needed to receive papers)

I am talking about the new birth, born by the Spirit of God.

B. A Cleansing was sufficient - You have to have a clean record

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

1. Recognition - You must realize that you need to be cleansed

2. Responsibility - God provides the cleansing, but you must submit to it

God does everything we need, but He had not destroyed your ability to choose You may think a plane will take you to a destination, but if you do not occupy a seat, you will not make the destination.

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb, are your garments spotless, are they white as snow, are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When a soul turns to Christ, all that was accomplished at Calvary’s cross to save the world becomes effective on his or her behalf - And their name is recorded!

That gives us our Spiritual papers for heaven - There was a preacher who

had a trip planned to the Holy Land. He packed his bags, kissed his family goodbye, drove to the airport and flew from Florida to New York. But when he went to board his flight to Tel Aviv, he realized he did not have his passport - He was refused passage and was left behind! -