Christian Life - Life in Light of Eternity - Luke 12 and Philippians 1 - November 14, 2010

Bible Study – Christian Life – Life in Light of Eternity – November 14, 2010.

This is lesson two (2) in our series “The Case for the Christian Life.”
Our scripture is Luke 12:13-21; Philippians 1:21-26.


In last week’s study we discussed, “Why the Christian life is better.” This week we add another reason to why the Christian life is better, eternity. Examine all the religions of the world and see if any can guarantee heaven. Does any other religion have a SAVIOR who has conquered death like JESUS did and was raised from the dead by GOD to prove that HE was GOD’S ONLY SON? Has any other religious leader died for another person’s sin? No!


Christians make a religion out of Christianity but true Christianity is CHRIST in you. Christian religions have many different ways they worship GOD/CHRIST. Christians must keep in mind that all the ritual does not make a person a Christian. It is CHRIST in you and then he/she worships to grow and mature Spiritually.


CHRIST gave HIS life on the cross by shedding HIS blood to pay the price which GOD required to pay for sin. CHRIST became sin for all who would believe in HIM. CHRIST redeemed all who would believe in HIM from the consequences of sin, which is death. HIS resurrection from the dead is proof that GOD accepted HIM as the perfect sacrifice for sin. HIS resurrection is proof and the guarantee that all who believe in HIM will have eternal life. JESUS said it best in John 3:15-16:
15 so that everyone who believes in Him (JESUS) will[9]have eternal life. 16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son (JESUS), so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10]


Do you mean simply saying, “Dear JESUS, I believe that YOU died upon the cross for my sins and that GOD raised YOU from the dead. I ask YOU to forgive me of all my sins and to come into my life right now”, that makes me a Christian? Yes, if you meant it. GOD looks upon the heart and you know your heart. You may not fully comprehend what CHRIST did for you on the cross but if you will place your faith in HIM and ask HIM to reveal truth to you, HE will.


Salvation is just the beginning of a Christian’s journey with CHRIST. It is a Spiritual growth and maturing process with the help of the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT will reveal truth to you as you read the Bible, GOD’S Word and as you pray seeking to obediently serve HIM. Obedience builds your faith in HIM. As the lyrics of the song express, “The longer I serve HIM the sweeter HE grows.” Place your hand in the hand of the Master and let HIM lead, guide, teach and reveal mighty Spiritual truth to you.


JESUS tells us in John 5:24:
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

As a Christian, when you die your born-again spirit goes immediately to be with CHRIST.


Eternity is hard for us mortals to comprehend. But this we know. We will all die one day. Eternity is just one heartbeat away.


Those who have followed these lessons know that I had an experience many years ago. It was not an out-of-the-body experience. I was driving down the Interstate from Charlotte, NC to Spartanburg, SC when all of a sudden I saw a picture/ vision high in the sky to my right accompanied by a loud booming voice like I have never heard before or since. The voice said, “Mrs. Green has just passed away but she is walking with the LORD.” A joy swept over me and I began to sing. The voice said again, “I told you she is fine, she is walking with the LORD, you pray for the family.” I prayed for the family and looked at my watch. It was 3:45 PM.


Mrs. Green was the mother of a lady who I worked with and we had been praying for her because she had cancer. I had never met her mother. When I left to go on a trip, Mrs. Green was taking treatment for cancer but she was at home. As already mentioned, I looked at my watch, shortly after this event, and the time was 3:45 PM. I got to the plant about 4:05 PM.


I asked about Mrs. Green and was told that she had gotten worse and was taken to the hospital that morning but she was doing fine. I told them what had happened to me driving down the Interstate. I was told that if she had died they would know about it because her daughter had called after lunch to say that her mother was resting. About 4:30 PM or so, Mrs. Green’s pastor’s wife called the plant to tell us the Mrs. Green had died. The doctor had pronounced her dead at 4:10 PM. I think about that now and laugh. Her body was pronounced dead at 4:10 PM but she was walking with the LORD at 3:45 PM.


I never saw the face of tall person, THE LORD, walking with Mrs. Green. I only knew it was “THE LORD” because the voice identified HIM. The sound was 360 degrees surround sound not coming through my ears but like a dome was placed over my head. In the picture/vision, I saw the path they were walking on. I could see the top of Mrs. Green’s head and the top of HIS left shoulder angling under HIS chin. She was dressed in a white robe/garment and HE was dressed in a green robe/garment. If I had ever imagined CHRIST, I would have imagined HIM in a white robe. Both had arms, legs, and a body. She had a head, face, long flowing brunette hair and appeared like a normal human being. They were not disembodied spirits. They were walking side by side. I saw Mrs. Green for the first time in the casket. What I saw in the vision was not the same as her earth suit in the casket. In the picture/vision she appeared to be a 20 something year old young woman with long flowing brunette hair striking about her waist. They were both walking down a path, about to make a turn to the right. The path curved to the right and was lined with green foliage. The path appeared to be a reddish dirt path. All this happened in a matter of seconds.


Such an event has never happened to me again. In fact this was before my mother passed into the arms of the LORD and I was disappointed that I did not have a similar experience. But she just slipped away from this earth into heaven.


Mrs. Green was a strong Christian lady and so was my mother. This experience let me know, as confirmed by the Apostle Paul, to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD. A Christian goes immediately to be with the LORD. This experience does not make me special, nor am I trying to elevate myself to the status of Paul. It makes me more accountable. I can only share what happened to me with you.


Keep in mind that we were not made for time but for eternity. We dwell on obtaining stuff in this life but the real joy and peace is obediently serving CHRIST as directed by the HOLY SPIRIT. GOD has a plan for each of us which can include a career and getting stuff. Christians need to keep their hearts focused upon CHRIST and on building and maintaining the right relationship with HIM. GOD calls people to serve HIM in a large variety of careers. HE calls Christians to go to all the world and share the Good News. Your world is different than my world. We all come into contact with various people each day and if we know the truth, then GOD will give us an opportunity to share it.


We saw in last week’s study that JESUS spoke of HIS peace and HIS joy. HE knew where HE came from, HE knew HIS FATHER, HE knew HE had been completely obedient to HIS FATHER, HE knew HE was free of any sin; HE knew HE was on target to fulfill HIS mission and HE knew where HE was going. When you know that, you will know the joy and peace of CHRIST in you. It is a Spiritual growth and maturing process. We are easily distracted by the things the world has to offer and follow the desires of our flesh. But real treasure is obediently serving GOD through an intimate, loving relationship with CHRIST. This treasure is stored in heaven and is safe. People in JESUS’ day had the same desire for stuff that we have today. Let’s explore.


Let’s read Luke 12:13-15: The Parable of the Rich Fool


13 Someone from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 “Friend,”[4] He said to him, “who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

In JESUS’ day, many thought that having possessions was proof that a person was in favor with GOD. The more stuff a person had, the more GOD loved him. Stuff made them appear righteous before GOD, which was a very wrong conclusion.

JESUS was teaching and someone asked JESUS to tell his brother to share his inheritance with him. According to Jewish law when the father died his estate was distributed to his sons. The eldest son usually received a double portion because he had the responsibility of his mother and any unmarried sisters. We do not know the circumstances of this case. The person asking the question was more concerned about getting stuff than what JESUS was teaching. He had missed the point of JESUS’ message – Beware of religious hypocrisy - Fear GOD – Acknowledging CHRIST. JESUS was teaching about things of eternal value and this person was focused on the here and now.

JESUS knew this person’s heart and HE went to the heart of the matter. Greed can cost you your soul. HE follows this statement with a parable.

Let’s read Luke 12:16-21:
16 Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You[5]have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your • life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”


The parable was for all but it was also for the person who asked the question. We as humans focus on getting more and more but the most important thing is to learn more about CHRIST. Christians can pursue careers, accumulate wealth and stuff while they obediently serve GOD. It is a matter of where your heart is. There is nothing wrong with making money and accumulating things as long as you keep your mind and heart focused upon JESUS. It is the Love of money that is the root of all evil. It is a matter of the heart. However, JESUS cautions us about wealth in Matthew 19:23-24 - 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “• I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”


Self-sufficiency is a great stumbling block to obediently serving GOD. GOD desires for Christians to depend upon HIM.


Let’s read Philippians 1:21-26: Living Is Christ
21 For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your advancement and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Philippi, shared with the Christians there that to live meant that he would continue to serve CHRIST and he would continue to invest in fellow Christians to encourage them to be all that CHRIST desired them to be. Paul wanted to be fruitful by sharing the Good News of CHRIST as long as he was upon earth. Yet, he knew what awaited him in heaven and he considered death as gain over life on earth. If he had a choice between life and death, he did not know how he would choose because both choices meant unspeakable joy. Let’s explore why Paul had this attitude.

It is believed that Paul died when he was stoned and he told the story recorded in Acts 14:19-20:
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. 20 After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.


Paul told the story about a man taken up to the third heaven 2 Corinthians 12:1-10: Sufficient Grace
1 It is necessary to boast; it is not helpful, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. 6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger[1] of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power[2]is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Many believe that Paul was telling of his visit to heaven when he was stoned. The first heaven is where the birds and clouds are. The second heaven is where the moon, stars, plants and galaxies are. The third heaven is where GOD is. Paul knew what awaited him in heaven and he was ready to go whenever GOD was finished with him on earth. Paul knew that eternity was certain and he was ready to go when his work on earth was complete. Paul had the right relationship with CHRIST.


Eternity is just a breath away. Are you ready to meet JESUS?

The Apostle Paul told the Christians in Corinth why they should remain steadfast in the faith. First Corinthians 15:50-58: Victorious Resurrection
50 Brothers, I tell you this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption. 51 Listen! I am telling you a • mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 Because this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. 54 Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.[19]55 O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?[20]56 Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.


It is hard for people to consider eternity when they are so connected to this world. We think here and now. In light of eternity, this brief life upon earth is our opportunity to obediently serve GOD and to set our sights upon eternal life with HIM in heaven. I can hear some say, “Boring! I want to be with my friends.” Just keep in mind that in 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 - 6 However, among the mature we do speak a wisdom, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.[3] 9 But as it is written: What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man’s heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him.[4]10 Now God has revealed them to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God.


When our body is on earth but our heart is in heaven, then our obedience to our LORD is not compromised by the things on earth. But this level of commitment requires the right relationship with CHRIST. Remember GOD’S goal for every Christian is for him or her to be made in the image of CHRIST. That process is called sanctification. It requires Christians to yield their lives to CHRIST. Some Christians may say as simple as, “LORD here I am as I am, take me and make me into the Christian you want me to be.” It is impossible for anyone to know fully what road he/she will travel as he/she obediently followers CHRIST. Just know that HE will never leave you or forsake you. HE bought you with HIS life. Let HIM help you to grow and mature Spiritually. The rewards are eternal and you have seen it, heard it or even thought about what GOD has planned for you, if you obediently serve HIM.