Investing in Eternity 1 Timothy 2:1-8 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Financial markets rise & fall. We are seeing that today more than ever. Folks I truly believe we are in a modern day depression. Everything is unstable right now. I’m not sure if it will get better. Jesus is coming folks. There is one thing that is for sure in today’s world. That is investing in a person’s soul guarantees a good return.
One day, everyone will stand before the Lord for judgment.
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Those who received Christ in this life will live with Him eternally. People who rejected the Lord will forever be separated from Him. As we lead others into a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Folks we make an eternal investment in their lives.
1.We should share the gospel because God desires that we do.
A.The Father wants all men to be saved 1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. The message the world needs to hear is that God desires to rescue all people. From their sin & make them new creations in Christ. Notice that God wants everyone to be saved. No one is excluded 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Believers from each tribe, tongue, & nation will be represented in heaven You want proof look at Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; You & I have a responsibility to share the good news with all people.
B.The Father also "wants all men to come to a knowledge of the truth” 1 Timothy 2:4b and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. After we become God’s children. He wants us to continually learn biblical truths & grow closer to Him. For one thing, spiritual growth makes us more effective at sharing the gospel with others.
For example, I heard of a church deacon that had been involved in organized crime before he became a Christian. After he received Jesus into His life. This man passionately applied himself to learning the Word. Went on to became an effective prison evangelist. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2. The gospel is God’s provision for sinful mankind. People often rationalize their mistakes. Wrong doing by deciding that they are not as sinful as others. They think that their good deeds outweigh the bad. But according to the Bible. By the way this is all that matters is the Word of God. All of us have rebelled against our Creator Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; We can be saved only through faith in Christ Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Because of God’s holy nature. He cannot commune with humanity in its sinful state. The only way we enter into a saving relationship with the Father. The only way to find eternal life is through Christ. Who by the way is the only mediator between God & man 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Our Savior’s death made it possible for anyone to become a child of God 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: God’s intent was not only to rescue us from the guilt of sin. It was also to free us from its penalty, power.
3.God has commissioned us to share the gospel with the world. Believers are to be like salt and light wherever we go. Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Light drives away the darkness. In return salt changes the flavor of food. At work, at home, & at play, our presence should make a difference. Seek to reach out to neighbors, coworkers, & relatives who don’t know Jesus. If you aren’t allowed to talk about your faith at work. You can still live in such a way that other people wonder why you have peace in the midst of life’s difficulties. 2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: Ask God for opportunities to share your testimony. I guarantee He will open doors for you. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would give us power. To share the gospel in our city, our nation, & around the world Acts 1:8-9 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Even if you & I are not called to serve God abroad. We should participate in the Great Commission by praying, giving financially, & supporting missionaries in other ways Even if we are not called to preach the Gospel. We are all able to preach (tell) the Gospel to a lost & dying world. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Conclusion: The best way to invest in eternity is to share the gospel. Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing a friend or loved one come to a saving knowledge with Jesus Christ. The truth be told there is no greater joy in seeing anyone come to Christ. Just think God could have given the job to the angels. For sure they would have done a whole better than we have. Yet God chose man to tell the most important creation the story of the cross. That creation is man. We are His eyes & His mouth. We must get the story out. Your blessing will be two-fold: 1.You will experience the joy of playing a role in that person’s salvation. 2.You will earn heavenly rewards at the same time. The wisest & most enduring investment you can make is the one that affects a person’s eternal destiny with Christ. This is the only thing that will not burn up. That is the souls we win for Christ. All other is sinking sand.
