Five Eternal Questions

We all have questions regarding life after death.  Questions like Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?  For the next few moments we are going to look to God’s Word – the Bible - to answer five questions about eternity.

The first question is one that many people wonder about, and the Bible gives very clear answers for.

I.                   What is God Like?

a.      God is eternal – He was existent before everything – has always been and will always be.

-          1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal. .  the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever

b.      God is holy – He is completely pure, without blame, without error, and completely free of sin.

-          1 John 1:5 describes holiness as pure light with no mixture of darkness. It says “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

c.       God is all-knowing – He knows everything – facts, secrets, actions, thoughts, and motives. His eyes see all.   

-          Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

d.      God is Just and Righteous – He does every right and good thing, and cannot overlook wrong and wicked things.

-          Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

e.       God is Love - He is a God of absolute, pure love. It is who He is.  

-          1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God . . . for God is love. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God’s character is wonderful, but it is even more amazing that He chooses to reveal Himself to us.

II.                How does God show himself to us?

a.      God reveals Himself through creation – the whole of creation shows the character of the Creator.

-          Genesis 1:1 –“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

-          Psalms 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”

b.      God reveals Himself in the Scriptures - God has given His Word - the Bible - to reveal Himself, His purpose for man, and the way to know Him personally.

-          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

Since we have seen Who God is, let’s look at who He made us to be.

III.             What were the first people like?

a.      They were made in God’s image – the part of the creation most like the Creator - having, personality – mind, will, and emotions.

-          Genesis 1:27 - “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him.”

b.      They were holy and full of joy – They were holy and unspotted with sin, and full of Joy because they were in the presence of their Creator and had a personal relationship with Him. However, they made a choice to disobey God severing the relationship.

-          Romans 5:12 - “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin . . .

This brings us to our next question.

IV.             Do we all have a broken relationship with God?

a.       Yes, because all of us are sinners. – Even just one sin, is enough to sever the relationship with a perfect and holy God.

-          1 John 3:4 - “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

-          Romans 3:23 - “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

-          James 2:10 - “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

b.      Yes, because God must judge that sin. – The eternal and just God must deal an eternal punishment.

-          Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-          Revelation 20:15 - “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

We need to be forgiven! Who will help us?

V.                Does God have a plan to restore your relationship with Him?

a.      Yes, but it does not include our own righteousness; no amount of our right could undo the wrong we have done in offending a holy and just God. Sin must be punished.

-          Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

-          John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

-          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.”

b.      Yes, Jesus Christ took the punishment of death for our sin. – God loved us so much that He devised a plan that required the sacrifice of His own perfect Son in our place.

-          Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth [shows] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

-          Jesus came and lived a perfect life, died a cruel death, endured all of our punishment from God, But Jesus did NOT stay dead!

-          1 Corinthians 15:4  -- “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried and that He died again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

-          Because he was sinless, and then conquered death by rising from the dead, He is the only one who can rescue us from sin and sin’s penalty. He is the living Savior.

-          2 Corinthians 5:21 - “For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus, God the Son] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

c.       Yes, God saves all those who turn from their sins and trust in Him!

-          Acts 3:19 –  “Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins by be blotted out”

-          Repentance means turn from your sin, turn from your own efforts to save yourself and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

Do you need to be saved from your sin?

Do you want Jesus more than your sin?

d.      If yes, His plan is…

                                                              i.      Admit that you need God’s forgiveness because of your sin.

                                                            ii.      Believe that Jesus Christ the sinless Son of God died for your sins and rose again.

                                                          iii.      Call out to Jesus Christ to save you and acknowledge Him as your Lord Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

There are no special words that God requires of you to accept His gift of salvation.  No particular prayer will give you that relationship with Christ.  However, some people struggle knowing how to pray so here is a simple prayer that can serve as an example. You pray from your own heart knowing that God knows your heart. 

Dear Lord – I know I am a sinner who has fallen short of the perfect righteousness you demand of a person who wants to be with you in Heaven forever.  I agree that you were just and right to condemn me for my sins.  I know that I have no way of earning righteousness by my good works, my church membership, or my religious or moral deeds.  And so I turn away from my sinful ways and my efforts at self-righteousness and I ask you to forgive me and to cleanse me of my sins.  Make me your child and help me to live in obedience to your Word as my Lord and Savior.