The Love of God Can Change the World for His Glory: Live it! Tell it!

A. The Love of God was Revealed in Eternity Past in the Bible

1. (Of 12)We believe in the Scriptures as verbally inspired by God and inerrant in the original writing and that they are of supreme and absolute final authority of faith and life and truth.

2Tim 3:16 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Prov 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge"

John 17:17 "Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth."

John 14:6 "Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Prov 22:21 "That I might make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you might answer the words of truth in them that send for you."

His thoughts are certain. We think after Him.

Ps 119:18 "Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law"

*[=Discipleship Pointers] The Word of God is necessary for a Christian to grow and trust in Jesus Christ.

Learning to listen to God through the reading of His Word is the most important thing you can do because there is no other way to enjoy the amazing, wonderful life He offers walking with Him.

2. We believe in One God, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, unchanging, holy, just and sovereign over all.

Mk 12:29 "The first of all commandments is.. The Lord our God is One Lord" He reveals Himself in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit yet is One in nature, attributes, power, glory.

Mat 28:19 "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

2Cor 13:13 "The grace of our Lord Jesus and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

a. We believe in Deity of Christ:

John 1:1,3,14 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory.."

Jn 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

Heb 1:2-4,8 "(God) has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: ...But unto the Son He says, Your throne O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom."

b. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person

Act 5:3-4 "Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land? You have not lied to men but unto God."

c. God's Purpose:

Nu 14:21 "As truly as I live all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD"

Ps 86:9 "All the nations you have made will come and worship before you O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. Rev 21:26 "And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it (v-10 that great city the holy Jerusalem)."

d. God is Love:

Jn 4:7-8 "Beloved, Let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not knows not God for God is love."

God was with Jesus Christ in love and in glory in eternity past:

John 17:24 "Father I will they also which You have given Me that they may behold My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."

e. God has made everything:

Ps 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmaments show His handiwork."

Ps 97:6 "The heavens declare His righteousness, and all people see His glory."

Ps 104:24 "O LORD. How manifold are your works: In wisdom have you made them all."

f. God is sovereign over everything:

Ps 145:13 "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and your dominion endures through all generations."

Isa 46:10 "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please."

g. God reveals Himself to all men:

Ps 36:9 "For with you is the fountain of life. In your light shall we see light."

Acts 14:17 "Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness in that He did good and He gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness."

*We Talk to our God In Prayer: fight all your battles on your knees and you will win every time. As we submit to Him, we stand firm in faith and resist the enemy every time.

Your time in prayer with God and His Word is the best investment you make every day.

3. We believe that man was created in the image of God for relationship and the glory of God:

Isa 43:7 "Even every one that is called by My name. I have created Him for My Glory."

Jn 17:21 "That they all may be one as You Father are in Me and I in You, that they may be "One in Us" that the world may believe that you sent Me."

a. Man sinned: Gen 3:6; Rom 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

b. They incurred a penalty which is physical and spiritual death separate from God.

Rom 6:23 "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"

c. God had a Plan to Redeem Us from the penalty of sin which was Revealed in Eternity Past:

1Pet 1:18-20 "We are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish or spot, foreordained before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you."

2 Tim 1:9 "Who has saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works but accord-ing to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

Eph 1:4 "According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love"

Titus 1:2 "In hope of eternal life which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

B. The Love of God in Focus on Israel is Revealed in Covenants:

Dispensation: Promise

Abraham Covenant: Nation Always; Land Always

Gen 12:3, 12 "in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.. I will give you this land."

God was preparing the world for the promised Savior through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel)

Dispensation: Law

Mosaic Covenant: Redemption with conditional Blessings

The Law marked Israel as nation of God, separate that they might be a light to the nations.

God wants [a] Relationship with Us:

Deut 10:12 "Love and serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.."

Jer 32:41 "Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good and I will plant them in this land truly with My whole heart and with My whole soul."

Davidic Covenant: King Forever

2Sam 7:16 "Your kingdom, Your throne shall be established forever"

New Covenant through Jeremiah: A Redeemed People Forever: Jer 31:31-35

Gal 3:29 "And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise."

C. The Love of God Revealed by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ

4. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and that He is the true God and man.

Matt 1:23 "Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call His name Emmanuel, 'God with us'.

Luke 1:32-35 (To Mary) "..the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: He shall reign over house of Jacob forever and of His kingdom there shall be no end. The Holy Ghost shall come upon you and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God."

Matt 4:17 Jesus began to preach: "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Mankind was separated from a holy God by self-centered sin: Refusal to come under God's authority.

Rom 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness: v-19 Because that which may be known of God is revealed in them, for God has showed it unto them. v-20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of this world are already seen, being understood by the things that are made, even the eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse. v-21 Because that, when they know God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was hardened. v-22 professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. v-25 who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen."

Eph 2:1 "And you has He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins; v-2 Wherein time past, you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in children of disobedience."

5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary eternal sacrifice and rose again for our justification

1Cor 15:3-4, "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures: And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. "and they saw Him" v-5. The Scriptures ascertain the Deity of Jesus Christ. We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord

1Pet 3:18 "For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit."

Jn 20:26-28 "After 8 days His disciples within, Thomas with them, then came Jesus, the doors being shut, 'Peace be unto you, Reach here your finger and behold My hands, reach here your hand and thrust it into My side and be not faithless but believing. Thomas answered, 'My Lord and My God'."

Jesus is Lord:

Col 1:16 "For by Him were all things created that are in the heaven and earth.. v-17 He is before all things and by Him all things consist. v-18 He (Christ) is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence."

Col 2:3 (Christ) "In whom are hid all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge. v-8 Beware unless any man rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the principles of the world and not Christ. v-9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily."

Eph 1:10 "That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in "One" all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him. In whom also we have obtain-ed an inheritance being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will: That we should be to the praise of His glory who first trusted Christ."

Jesus Resurrection body was identical in form to His earthly body but immortal and thus capable of entering either the dimension of earth or heaven with no violation to the laws of either. His present life there is as High Priest and Advocate until His personal, bodily, visible premillennial return to establish His Kingdom on earth to reign as the Only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

D. Love of God Revealed to Change the World for His Glory:

Christ in Us the Hope of Glory

6. We believe all who believe in Him are justified through His shed blood.

I. Who am I?

a. We are saved by grace thru faith without works or merit.

Eph 2:8-9 "For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. Not of works, less any man should boast."

Rom 5:1-2 "..being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Col 1:13-14 "(God) Who has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us unto the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His blood even the forgiveness of sins.

*Salvation: We cannot fully love one another until we ourselves experience His love. We experience His love when we willingly surrender to His call to be our Savior and Lord.

7. We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus are born again by the Holy Spirit of God We know the Love of God in Restored Relationship with "Us" (Father, Son and Holy Spirit):

Col 1:27: "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you the Hope of Glory."

John 3:3 "Verily, verily, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

*Eternal Security:

Eph 1:13-14 "In whom you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation in whom after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of His Glory."

1Pet 1:5 "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

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 theme. Is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand."

*The Holy Spirit The moment you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells you.

Jn 16:13-16 "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself: but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me, for He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are Mine, therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine and show it unto you."

Rom 8:16 "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."

God's Holy Spirit has come in His all-knowing ability to give us what we need to know in order to live clean, obedient and faithful lives unto Him.

Receive Christ Jesus as Lord:

Col 2:6 "As you therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in Him. v-7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught abounding therein with thanksgiving."

How did you become a Christian? The same way, so walk you in Him.

1Cor 1:18 "For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

We turn away from wisdom of man to gain illumination of the Holy Spirit.

1Cor 2:12 "Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. v-16 ..But we have the mind of Christ."

1Cor 2:2 (Paul) "For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. v-5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God"

*Result: One must renounce autonomy and come under authority of God's Son as Lord.

1Cor 12:3 "Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit."

It is the Holy Spirit which causes all believers to say "Jesus is Lord".

Rom 14:9 "For to this end Christ died, rose and revived that He might be Lord of the dead and the living."

Phil 2:8 (Christ) "Being found in fashion, as a man humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. v-11 That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.."

The message to be confessed if we are to be saved is "Jesus is Lord".

Rom 10:9 "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved."

Col 2:6 "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in Him."

As Lord over the believer, Christ requires we love Him with every means we possess.

Matt 22:37 "Jesus said unto them, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Every thought is to brought captive to the obedience of Christ.

2Cor 10:5.

The Christian is committed to Christ's Lordship and Word of the Lord Rooted In Him. He is a new man with a renewed mind in thinking in a way that is pleasing to Christ.

2Cor 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."

*Salvation: Restored Relationship With God: God Blesses Us That We Might Bless Others. As we know and love God and seek a deeper relationship with Him, the more effective our service will be. We receive the very life of God so we can relate to Him and others and bring Him glory.

*Resolve Sin Issues:

Eph 4:17-18 "...you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk... Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts."

v-21-32 "If so be that you have heard Him (Christ), and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus, put off concerning the former conduct the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that you put on the new mind which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor for we are members one of another. Be you angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Neither give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no more, let him labor with his hands the thing which is good that he may have for him who needs. Speak that which is good to use of edifying. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."

a. They become children of God:

John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

1Jn 3:1 "Behold what manner of love the Father has toward us that we should be called the sons of God"

*Baptism: Jesus submitted Himself to John's baptism to provide a perfect example to us of how to live in righteousness and obedience to the Father.

1. Who can be baptized? He who believes with all his heart that Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

2. In baptism he identifies with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ by immersion.

3. In baptism he proclaims his love of Jesus Christ who saved Him and desire to live in new life in Him, when He put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ and called on Him to save him.

b. The Focus is on the Church: Christ in Us: the Hope of Glory:

Eph 3:21 "Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus through all ages world without end. Amen"

*The Church:

1. No Christian has ever been called to go alone in his walk with the Lord. Heb 10:24-25

2. Believers meet together for prayer, study God's Word, have communion and respond to needs.

3. The Church is a functioning body of believers who are saved, baptized, organized to execute and accomplish instruction of New Testament Church.

*Giving: God gives us all we have and just requests 10% in return.

8. We believe that the saved are called to be a separated people to abide in Christ, to walk in the Spirit and enjoy victory over the world (1Jn 2:16), the flesh (Gal 5:16), and the devil (1Jn 4:4; Heb 2:14).

2Cor 6:17-18 "Come out from among them and be you separate and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

*Liberty in Christ: To Serve:

1. Stay standfast in the liberty of Christ on the basis of what Christ has done on the cross.

2. Brokenness is God's requirement for maximum usefulness.

3. God is committed to bringing us to a place of spiritual maturity, conforming us to the image of Christ.

*My Work: The Holy Spirit is present equipping and energizing the Christian. View yourself as a servant who works for the Lord Himself.

Col 3:23 " And whatever you do, do it heartily. as unto the Lord and not unto man."

*My Money and Possessions: Love of money is root of all evil; it spoils relationship with God. Be content with blessings you have.

1Tim 6:6,8. When we are surrendered to Him, on our behalf, He provides beyond all we imagined.

9. We believe God instituted marriage and defined it as a relationship agreement between one man and one woman personally and God Himself

Mat 19:5-6 "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and they both shall be one flesh? They are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder."

Eph 5:21 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. v-22 Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church; and He is the Savior of the body. v-25 Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it. v-26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. v-27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church.. holy and without blemish.

I. Why am I Here? – [VIII Questions In Application]

10. We believe it is a privilege and responsibility for each of us to share the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ until all the world hears it.

a. It is the last command of Jesus Christ: Mat 28:18-20.

Mat 28:18 "Jesus came and spoke unto His disciples, 'All power is given unto Me in heaven and earth."

(The Great Commission is a pronouncement of victory by the risen Savior, through His disciples on the basis of His authority and power.)

Mat 28:19 "Go you therefore and teach all nations (make disciples)."

The Church sent in Christ's mission.

"baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

(They are baptized in one name which includes identity of each of three persons God reveals Himself. Baptizing in name of Jesus only emphasizes His Deity as Savior but does not cancel significance of Christ's command).

Mat 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you"

(Discipleship training).

"and yes, I am with you always even unto the end of the age. Amen."

(Christ's promise of His presence guarantees the success of the Church's mission to take his claim of Lordship to the world.)

b. He committed the Gospel to our trust to tell others.

2Tim 2:2 "And the things that you have heard of Me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also." (God's one way for restored relationship with Him. Watch out! Cults go in our zeal to teach error that will not save.)

1Pet 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

c. We need a right heart with Him to go for Him:

2Cor 5:14-15,20 "For the love of God convicts us; because we judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And that He died for all, that they which live should not live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again. Now are we ambassadors for Christ."

*The Will of God: The Christian Life:

God saved me because He loves me: When we acknowledge our sin and need for a Savior, He forgives us, grants us eternal life and gives us the gift of the His Holy Spirit out of His immeasurable love and grace. Jesus poured out His life to help others and provide the way for us to be saved. 2Cor 8:9.

We can never outgive God. God saved us that we might reflect His nature: compassion, love and mercy at work through us as we live it and tell it. Give your life to Him and allow Him to lead you every day as you walk by faith. Then we become vessels of His love in action and bring Him glory. He wants to bless us and the work of His Kingdom. It's our privilege to be a part. That's what the Christian life is all about.

III. What do I go tell? 'The Gospel' 1Cor 15:3-4

a. God loves you:

Jn 3:15-16 "That whosoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

b. We all have sinned and there is a penalty:

Rom 3:23 "All have sinned and come short of glory of God"

Rom 6:23 "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life thru Jesus Christ our Lord.

c. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for sin:

1Pet 3:18 "For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit."

d. Repent and accept Christ as your Savior:

Act 3:19 " Repent you and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

e. Grow in maturity, living pleasing to God and closer to Him in relationship and Giving Him Thanks:

(1). Go to Church:

Heb 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching."

(2). Pray:

Eph 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

2Chrn 7:14 "If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."

(3). Read and study God's Word:

2Tim 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."

(4). Love God and one another:

Rom 13:8 "Owe no man nothing but to love one another, for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.

(5). Tell the Gospel:

Phil 2:15-16 "That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the middle of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the Word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not labored in vain."

IV. When do I go Tell?

2Cor 6:2 "Behold now is the accepted time; Now is the day of salvation."

V. Where do I go tell?

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you; you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and the utmost part of the earth."

VI. How do I go Tell?

a. Pray:

Col 4:3 "Pray that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ."

b. Not hindered by suffering:

1Pet 5:10 "God of all grace who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

c. Looking unto Jesus:

Heb 12:2 "..Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"

Mt 14:27-

d. Compassion:

Act 20:31 (Paul) "Watch and remember that in period of 3 years I never stopped to warn every one night and day with tears."

Matt 9:36 "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."

VII. Why do I Go Tell?

a. God's Will:

2Pet 3:9 "..not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

b. Make a Difference in your world:

Act 17:6 "Those who turned the world upside down are here also

1Thes 1:9-10 For you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from wrath to come. You sounded out the word of the Lord in every place where your faith toward God is heard."

c. Joy:

1Thes 2:19-20 "For what is our hope, or joy or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? You are our glory and joy."

*Eager anticipation of the Lord's return keeps us living productively.

2Thes 3:5 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and patient waiting for Christ."

Watch steadfast in the faith. Work diligently. Win souls. Wait peacefully [until the] Lord Jesus Christ comes.

VIII. Where am I Going?

11. We believe in the bodily resurrection of all dead: the saved to a life of eternal glory with God. We shall be made like Him incapable of sin and abide with Christ in His eternal heavenly kingdom.

a. Everlasting Life:

Jn 11:25-26 "Jesus, I am the resurrection and the life: He that believes in Me though he were dead, so shall he live. Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Believe you this?

Mat 25:46 "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

b. The terrifying reality of the unsaved is to eternal judgment of conscious suffering and woe.

Rev 20:15 "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

God is love and God is just. Sin is rebellion against God. He executes eternal righteous judgment and requires infinite retribution upon anyone who treads underfoot the precious blood of Christ, who is the Lamb slain for lost sinners from the foundation of the world.

c. All believers will change and have a glorified body:

1Cor 15:51-52 "Behold we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed. In the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed."

Phil 3:20-21 "For our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we look for the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like His glorious body,"

12. We believe that at any moment the Lord shall descend from heaven

a. He will catch up His people to meet Him in the air "and so shall we ever be with the Lord"

1Thes 4:16-18 "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Comfort one another with these words."

Jn 14:2-3 "In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

In Hope of Glory.

b. *Judgment Seat of Christ:

2Cor 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every man may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad."

Rev 22:12 "And Behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me."

c. As the Church, Bride of Christ, Saints, We will come with Christ at His Second Coming:

Zech 14:4,5;

1Thes 3:12-13 "The Lord make you to abound in love as we do toward you: to the end He may stablish your hearts in holiness before God, our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

d. For there is a kingdom for All Who Love Him: James 2:5;

A kingdom that Cannot be Moved: Heb 12:28

It is not Physical: Rom 14:17;

In the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: 2Pet 1:10-11;

In the heavenly kingdom: 2Tim 4:7-8, 18.

e. God Dwells with All Believers in Complete Restored Relationship: Christ in Us: Hope of Glory!

Rev 21:1-3, 7 "I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: there was no more sea. I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

I heard a great voice, Behold the dwelling place of God is with men; He will dwell with them; they shall be His people and God Himself shall be with them and be their God.

He that overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be My son."

f. Until then:

Mt 24:14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, then shall the end come."