Sermon:The gift of everlasting Life

IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?

The Bible teaches that there is life after death and that it is closely tied to one's relationship with God. Believers can look forward to a future life in heaven with God, while those who reject God's offer of salvation will face eternal punishment in hell.
●Resurrection: The Bible teaches that believers will be resurrected with new, glorified or eternal bodies that are suitable for heaven at the end of time .

-1 Corinthians 15:52-54,"For this corruptible must put on incorruption,and this mortal must put on immorality."
●Heaven: The Bible describes heaven as a place of eternal joy where believers will live eternally in the presence of God, where there will be no more death,sorrow, crying,suffering,or pain. 

-Revelation 21:4,"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;there shall be no more death,nor sorrow,nor crying.There shall be no more pain,for the former things have passed away."
●Hell: The Bible also teaches that there is hell, a place of eternal punishment for those who reject God's offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.It is described as a place of eternal suffering and  the everlasting fire,prepared for the devil and his angels.

-Matthew 25:41,".Depart from me,you cursed,into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
●Judgment: The Bible teaches that there will be a final judgment at the end of time, where all people who have ever lived will be judged based on their deeds and words.

-Hebrews 9:27,"And as it is appointed for men to die once,but after this the judgement."

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE?

Everlasting life is an eternal relationship with God that goes beyond physical death.

Everlasting life is a life that continues eternally in a state of relationship with God.

Everlasting life is for those who believe in the son of God.

▪︎God promises to give us eternal life.

-John 10:28:"And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand"

▪︎The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.

-Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

▪︎God has given eternal life to those who believe in the name of the son of God.

-1 John 5:11-13: "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son......to you who believe in the name of the son of God ,that you may know that you have eternal life."

▪︎Whoever believes in Jesus Christ will have everlasting life.

- John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT  EVERLASTING LIFE

▪︎Faith in Jesus:Belief in Jesus grants eternal life and whoever believes is passed from spiritual death to life. 

-John 5:24,"Whoever believes in Jesus Christ has everlasting life and has passed from death into life.

-John 3:16,"Whoever believes in Jesus  Christ  will not perish,but have everlasting life.

▪︎Resurrection of the dead: Some people will rise to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and contempt.Evil doers will face condemnation but those who did good will resurrect to life.

-Daniel 12:2,"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake to everlasting life,some to shame and everlasting contempt.(Daniel 12:2)

-John 5:29,"Those who have done good will resurrect to life and those who have done evil will resurrect to condemnation.

▪︎Victory Over Death:Jesus holds the authority over death and Hades,this promises that death will ultimately be defeated.

-Revelation 1:18,"I am He who lives,and was dead,and behold,I am alive forevermore.Amen.And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

- Revelation 20:14,"Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.This is the second death."

▪︎Eternal Presence with God:Believers who die are immediately present with the Lord, this shows the continuity of life beyond physical death.

-2 Corinthians 5:8,"We are confident, yes,well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

▪︎Divine Judgment: There is a divine judgment awaiting all, it is important to live a righteous life to attain eternal life.

-Hebrews 9:27,"As as it is appointed for men to die once,but after this the judgement. "

-Ezekiel 18:20-21,"The soul who sins shall die....but if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all my statues,and does what is lawful and right,he shall surely live;he shall not die."

▪︎Transformation through Christ:Believers being dead to sin and alive in righteousness, shows the transformative power of faith that leads to eternal life

-1 Peter 2:24,"That we,having died to sins,might live for righteousness. "

▪︎The Resurrection of the Living: Both the living and the dead in Christ will be resurrected and caught up together to be with the Lord.

-1 Thessalonians 4:15-17,".....Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHYSICAL LIFE AND SPIRITUAL LIFE.

•Physical life:This refers to our temporal, biological existence. It deals with worldly matters. It comprises our physical bodies, health, and the everyday experiences of living in the material world.

◇Creation of physical life

   - Genesis 2:7: "And the Lord God formed  man of the dust of the ground,and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." 

◇The transient nature of physical life.

   - James 4:14: "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."

•Spiritual Life:This refers to a person’s relationship with God and their inner spiritual condition. It is concerned with spiritual growth,morality and communion with God.It involves living in accordance with God’s will and experiencing the transformative power of faith.

◇The promise of everlasting life through faith in Christ. 

   - John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

◇Spiritual life that goes beyond physical existence. 

   - John 10:10: "I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."

◇Relationship and guidance of the Holy spirit in a believer's life.

   - Galatians 5:25: "If we live in the spirit,let us also walk in the spirit."

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE 

Heavenly Father,thank You for giving  Jesus Christ your son so I can have eternal life. Strengthen my faith daily, and help me to believe in Him wholeheartedly, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

PRAYERS

1.Lord, strengthen my faith in you, for I know that whoever believes in your Son has everlasting life,in Jesus name.

2. Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that no one can snatch me from your hand. I find peace in knowing that I am secure in Christ,in Jesus name.

3. God, I thank you for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ,in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me the courage to share the testimony of eternal life found in your Son, so that others may also believe and have life,in Jesus name.

5.Father, I trust that those who have slept in you will awaken to everlasting life. May this hope sustain me as we await your return,in Jesus name.

6. Lord Jesus, I thank you for holding the keys to Hades and death. Help me to fear not, knowing that you have conquered all,in Jesus name.

7. Holy Spirit, guide me to live righteously, knowing that my deeds will lead to resurrection to life, in Jesus name.

8.God, remind me that physical death is inevitable, yet through you, I have the promise of eternal life,in Jesus name.

9.Lord, help me turn away from sin and embrace the new life you offer,in Jesus name.

10.Father, I rejoice in the truth that to be absent from the body is to be present with you. May this truth comfort my heart,in Jesus name.

11. Lord, I long for the day when we will be caught up with you in the air. May my heart be filled with anticipation for this glorious reunion,in Jesus name.

12.God, during difficult times, remind me of the eternal hope I have in you. Let this hope be my anchor as I face life’s challenges,in Jesus name.

13.I will not die untimely,I will die at a good old age,in the name of Jesus.

14.Father, create in me a heart that seeks to live according to your will, turning away from wickedness and pursuing everlasting life,in Jesus name.

15.Lord, help us as a community of believers to encourage one another in faith, sharing the hope of eternal life together,in Jesus name.

16.God, open my eyes to the reality of both physical and spiritual life. Help me prioritize my relationship with you above all else,in Jesus name.

17.Lord, grant me the endurance to remain steadfast in my faith, trusting in the eternal life you have promised to all who believe,in Jesus name.

18.Father, comfort me in times of grief, knowing that those who have died in Christ are at peace and will rise again,in Jesus name.

19. Lord, guide my decisions and actions, reminding me that my choices today affect my eternal future with you,in Jesus name.

20.God, fill my heart with joy for the everlasting life You offer,in Jesus name.

Thank you Lord for answering my prayers,in the name of Jesus.Amen