Eternal Life: Fact or Fiction?
03/19/2000 (1John 5:11-13) RPBC a.m.
Let Him In
A little girl began to learn all of the traditional fairy tales, like Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the Three Little Pigs. Her mother and father taught her the familiar Bible stories as well. The little girl’s mind was like a sponge, absorbing everything she heard.
One day her mother read the Bible to her. The passage was Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." When she finished reading the verse she asked the little girl, "If Jesus is knocking at your heart’s door, will you open and let Him in?"
Without a moment’s hesitation she responded, "Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin."
That describes the simplicity of a child’s mind. Sometimes they cannot tell the difference between fact and fiction. Do you remember when you discovered that some of the characters you thought existed as a child actually didn’t? Wasn’t it a little disappointing? Didn’t you think that someone was pulling the wool over your eyes?
Somehow that is the way it is for many people. They are confused about the matter of salvation, especially the security of the believer. They are not sure whether they are saved or not. They don’t know for certain if anyone can know it. They cannot tell the difference between fact and fiction.
This week we had many decisions. Seven people came forward to profess Christ as their Savior. That is wonderful. Still, others came not knowing if they were really saved. I thought this would be an opportune time to speak to you on the subject of eternal life. I want you to be 100% sure of your salvation experience. I don’t want anyone here to doubt as to whether they are going to Heaven or Hell.
There are many subjects you can be wrong on and it really doesn’t matter much, but where you are going to spend eternity is not one of them.
You see:
BI - "WHEN IT COMES TO ETERNAL LIFE YOU’RE EITHER DEAD RIGHT OR DEAD WRONG, THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND, AND NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO BE WRONG ON THIS SUBJECT."
Let me share three simple thoughts from this passage about eternal life.
Please mark them down either in your Bible or on a piece of paper. They may come in handy one day when a friend cannot tell the difference between fact and fiction. Concerning eternal life, it is important to understand:
I. THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURES - (10-13)
(1 John 5:10-13) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (KJV)
As John wrote this letter he made certain he emphasized the authority of the Bible. In verse ten he called the Bible the "record." The word record means "witness, or record of truth." In verse 11, again he called the Bible the "record." In verse thirteen, he emphasized the things he had written to them so they might "know" they had eternal life.
If you don’t get anything else from the message this morning get this: The Bible is God’s record to us. What He wishes us to know is in the Bible. If it’s not in the Bible don’t worry about it, but if it is, don’t neglect it. The Bible is God’s source for revealing Himself and the things of His kingdom to us.
The Bible is authoritative because it is inspired. Because it is inspired it is inerrant. Because it is inerrant it is infallible. The copy of the Bible you hold in your hands this morning is your authority for Christian faith and practice. Everything you need to know is in the Bible. Everything you need to do is in the Bible. Consider some Scriptures that assure us that God’s record is reliable.
(2 Timothy 3:15-16) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
The word "inspired" means to "exhale." Paul said God’s Word was inspired of God. God breathed out the words He wanted recorded in the Bible through "revelation" and men wrote them down as God gave them through "inspiration." Because the Bible is inspired of God, it is completely without error, and therefore infallible.
APP: THE BIBLE IS OUR ONLY INFALLIBLE SOURCE FOR INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION FROM GOD. THAT MAKES IT AUTHORITATIVE.
(2 Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
(2 Peter 1:19-21) We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. {in old time: or, at any time} (KJV)
(Psalms 119:89) LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (KJV)
That means in the Bible God said what He means and meant what He said. You can count on the Bible. It is authoritative.
ILL: When it comes to salvation many people will not go by what the Bible says but by the way they feel. You know what I’m talking about. You ask someone about his or her salvation and they reply, "I feel like I am saved," or they may say, "Sometimes I feel like I am saved and sometimes I don’t." What they are saying is that they depend on their feelings, or emotions in determining their security of salvation. You cannot do that. Feelings are real, but they are not authoritative. One day you may "feel" saved and the next day you might not. It’s dangerous to depend on your feelings when it comes to eternity.
There must be something more substantial than emotions and feelings to base the destiny of the eternal soul. There is. It is the Bible. One must base his eternal future on what the Bible says and nothing else. It’s important to get this right. It’s imperative to get this right. It’s essential to get this right. If you never get anything else right in the Christian life, make sure you get this right! If you’re mistaken about this it doesn’t matter what else you are right about.
CONCERNING ETERNAL LIFE IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES. SECONDLY, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE:
II. SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION - (13)
All four verses in this passage point to the simplicity of the gospel message. It so simple that a little child can understand it. It’s so simple that no one should miss it. It’s so simple that we ought to be telling it to every man, woman, boy and girl. What is this simple message? It is as easy as ABC. It is the message of believing and receiving.
A. ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER -
(Romans 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (KJV)
(Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)
(Isaiah 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (KJV)
You’re not a sinner because you sin; you sin because you are a sinner. Fat sinner, skinny sinner, black sinner, white sinner, short sinner, or tall sinner. It makes no difference. Sin is sin and sinners are sinners. As far as God is concerned we are all alike. He hates sin. And because of sin, we have been separated from God. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, young men and young women, we are in a predicament. Our sin has separated us from a holy God, and there is nothing we can do about it.
Siding with the Devil
While dressed in a devil costume, a man was walking to a Halloween costume party. It began to pour down rain and the man ran for shelter. It just happened that the first sign of shelter was a church where the services were in progress.
As he ran in the congregation panicked and began to clear the room. Everyone left except one poor unfortunate woman who was trapped beneath the feet of the confused fellow. With fear and trembling the woman pleaded, "You know, I’ve been on your side all along!"
Folk, that’s what sin is and that’s who sinners are. Just like this poor frightened woman, before we come to Christ for salvation we are on the devil’s side. You don’t have a choice in the matter. You were born in sin.
(Psalms 51:5) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. {conceive...: Heb. warm me} (KJV)
Ultimately, sin will separate us from God forever unless something is done about it.
(Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
(Revelation 20:11-15) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. {hell: or, the grave} And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV)
ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER. SECONDLY:
B. BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS -
(Romans 5:8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (KJV)
(John 3:13-14) And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (KJV)
(2 Corinthians 5:21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)
"Jesus paid a Debt He did not owe because we had a debt we could not pay."
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small, Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all."
Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, Can change the leper’s spots And melt the heart of stone.
For nothing good have I Whereby Thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white In the blood of Calvary’s Lamb.
And when before the Throne, I stand in Him complete, "Jesus died my soul to save," My lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
A- ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER. B- BELIEVE JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS.
C. CONFESS YOUR SINS TO GOD AND YOUR FAITH IN JESUS -
(Acts 20:21) Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)
(Romans 10:9-13) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (KJV)
CONCERNING ETERNAL LIFE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES, SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION, AND LASTLY THE:
III. CERTAINTY OF SECURITY - (13)
(1 John 5:13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (KJV)
(John 3:15-18) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)
(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV)
(John 4:14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (KJV)
(John 5:24) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (KJV)
(John 6:40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (KJV)
(John 10:27-29) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. (KJV)
(John 17:3) And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (KJV)
(Matthew 25:46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)
CONCERNING ETERNAL LIFE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCRIPTURES, THE SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION AND THE CERTAINTY OF SECURITY.
It might be OK to be wrong on some things, but:
BI - "WHEN IT COMES TO ETERNAL LIFE YOU’RE EITHER DEAD RIGHT OR DEAD WRONG, THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND, AND NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO BE WRONG ON THIS SUBJECT."
