Where Will You Spend Your Eternity?

WHERE WILL YOU SPEND YOUR ETERNITY?

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Matthew 25:31-46

Supporting Texts: John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27

INTRODUCTION:

Eternity is a reality every human must face. The Bible tells us that after this life, there is an eternal destination for everyone—either in the presence of God in heaven or separated from Him in hell. The decisions we make in this life determine where we will spend eternity. Today, we will reflect on the certainty of eternity and the importance of preparing for it.

1. ETERNITY IS CERTAIN FOR EVERYONE

a) Life on Earth is Temporary:

James 4:14 reminds us that our life is like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Earthly life is brief, but eternity lasts forever. What we do with the time we have on earth will determine our eternal destination.

b) Two Eternal Destinations:

Jesus spoke clearly about the two possible destinations: eternal life in heaven or eternal separation from God in hell (Matthew 25:46). Heaven is a place of joy and peace in God's presence, while hell is described as a place of torment (Luke 16:22-24).

c) The Judgment Seat of Christ:

2 Corinthians 5:10 teaches that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our lives. Every deed, whether good or bad, will be judged, and the verdict will determine where we spend eternity.

Biblical Example: The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) contrasts the eternal destinations of two men based on how they lived their lives.

2. JESUS IS THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

a) Salvation Through Christ Alone:

John 14:6 makes it clear that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Salvation and eternal life are only available through faith in Christ. No other path or religion can lead to eternal life in heaven.

b) The Sacrifice of Christ:

Jesus paid the price for our sins through His death on the cross, offering us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Without this sacrifice, we would all be condemned to eternal separation from God.

c) The Invitation to Receive Christ:

Jesus invites everyone to come to Him for salvation. In John 3:16, we see that God loved the world so much that He gave His Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Biblical Example: The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) received the promise of paradise because he placed his faith in Jesus at the moment of his death.

3. PREPARING FOR ETERNITY

a) Repentance and Faith in Jesus:

The first step in preparing for eternity is to repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Acts 3:19 calls us to "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out."

b) Living a Life of Holiness:

Hebrews 12:14 says, "Without holiness, no one will see the Lord." To spend eternity with God, we must live a life that pleases Him, walking in obedience and holiness.

c) Sharing the Gospel:

As believers, part of our preparation for eternity is fulfilling the Great Commission. We must share the good news of salvation with others so that they too may have the opportunity to choose eternal life in Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).

Biblical Example: The apostle Paul lived his life with eternity in mind, pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ (Philippians 3:13-14).

4. THE DANGERS OF IGNORING ETERNITY

a) The Deception of Worldly Pleasures:

Many people live as though this life is all that matters, chasing after wealth, pleasure, and success. Matthew 16:26 warns, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Worldly pleasures are temporary, but eternity is forever.

b) The Reality of Hell:

Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible. It is a place of eternal separation from God, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:50). Ignoring the reality of eternity can lead to eternal regret.

c) The Suddenness of Death:

Hebrews 9:27 says, "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Death can come unexpectedly, and it is essential to be ready at all times by living a life that is right with God.

Biblical Example: The rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 was concerned with building earthly wealth but neglected his soul. He died suddenly and faced judgment, unprepared for eternity.

CONCLUSION:

Where will you spend your eternity? This is the most important question every individual must answer. Jesus has made the way for eternal life through His sacrifice, but it is up to each person to accept His gift. As we reflect on eternity, let us ensure that our lives are in alignment with God’s will. If you have not made the decision to follow Christ, today is the day of salvation. Let us live with eternity in mind, knowing that our time on earth is short, but eternity is forever.