Made Alive: Forever
When my ninety-four-year-old father died, I was there and my family gathered. I was surprised when one of my siblings nearing seventy shakily volunteered he’d never seen a dead body. For me it was a sad moment to see my father go, but not shocking. I had learned early sooner or later you will experience grief. Death will come and without Christ along with grief, a certain fog of fear can drift in around your life and loved ones.
Christ has come to free us from living in bondage to the fear of death. Jesus rose from the grave to make us alive for a purpose. His plan is to love us forever.
Eph 2:4-7 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Wow!
When you believe in Jesus, you have every tomorrow forever. Someone said “no one is ready to live until they are ready to die.”
I really want you to be able to go through life full of hope and joy. This Sunday, the message is titled: “Forever”. If you want a glimpse of heaven and know others who need one too, please bring them with you.
Joh 6:40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
Joh 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.
Blessings, Joe
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Please pray for me and all who serve this Sunday.
Please consider the scriptures and answer the following questions.
Joh 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 eternal life.
Joh 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”
Rev 21:4-5 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
- What are you most afraid of?
- Name a time you had to face death.
- How can the fear of death make you a slave?
Heb 2:14 -15 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
- How can you walk in peace through deaths shadow?
psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Heb 13:6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
- Why is being secure in Gods grip of grace important?
Joh 10:27-28 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
- Who do you know who needs this message of hope?
Rev 21:4 -5 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Joh 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 eternal life.
- How can we pray for you?
