BS9C - WHAT WOULD IT COST YOU TO MISS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
Well to start with, you’d be turning your back on the best news ever. God has already done through Jesus what was needed to restore each of us to the way he originally made us. He wants us to be in partnership with Jesus to fulfill the purpose for which we were made.
Ephesians 2:1-9
Every one of us has a job to do that God has arranged beforehand for us. We are meant to do that job together with Him.
Ephesians 2:10
To build your life on your own interests instead of what God created you to be and do would be like building a sand castle. When the waves wash over the sand the castle erodes until there is nothing left.
Matthew 7:26-27
But when Jesus Christ becomes the foundation for your life, that is like building on a solid rock that will not erode when the waves and winds come.
Matthew 7:24-25
Then there is the issue of eternity. God originally made us to live forever with Him.
King Solomon wrote:
Ecclesiastes 3:11
We all instinctively feel deep down that we were made to live on. Nobody in all of history spoke about eternity as Jesus did. He made it clear that man was meant to live forever – indeed he will live forever.
John 5:24 / 10:27-28 / 14:1-3 / 17:3
But Jesus says that we have a choice as to where that will be – either WITH God or WITHOUT Him.
John 14:6
Jesus had come to earth from an eternity with God so that we could start over.
John 8:58 / 17:5 / Romans 6:23
He gave his ALL to accomplish this –---
Matthew 26:27-29 / Galatians 3:13
----because God wants ALL of us to be part of his family.
But, because we are made with free wills, Jesus knew that there would be many of us who would ignore, despise, and outright reject what he has done for us. What does Jesus say to those who do not believe in Him?
John 3:18
Jesus doesn’t want anyone of us to be condemned when it comes time for judgment. Why? What did He come to do for us?
John 12:47
Even though Jesus wishes that ALL of us would be saved from eternal consequences, He knows that some will still reject Him and the words He speaks. What does Jesus say will judge the one who refuses to believe?
John 12:48
Jesus says that the words He speaks are exactly what our Father God wanted Him to speak to us. Therefore, what Jesus says is what God says.
John 12:49-50
These same considerations about following Jesus are for us to make today -- 21 centuries later. Jesus still wants to be #1 in our lives – the driving force behind our living and not just a Sunday hobby.
The question we must all face is: Are we willing to take Jesus not JUST as our Savior but make him also our Lord and Master?
Luke 6:46
Whatever you feel you give up in making Jesus Lord will be amply repaid. How did Jesus answer Peter’s question about this?
Matthew 19:27-29
We’ll also have Christ’s friendship in good times and bad. For those who follow Jesus what does He call us?
John 15:15
The strength of HIS character and moral power will become the same in us. What does John say our lives will be in this world?
1 John 4:17 (especially 17b)
You’ll have his forgiveness and cleansing because sin of any kind makes us dirty from the inside out. Even if others don’t see our dirty secrets, we know them and the guilt we live with. Jesus offers us his righteousness.
Romans 3:26 / 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus, gives life new purpose and zest. We don’t just plod along like everyone else. We know where we are going and we want others to be part of the Kingdom of God too. And, when life becomes unbearably pressured, Jesus is alongside us offering his peace and calm.
John 14:27 / 16:33
Jesus promised us that he will never leave or forsake us and He keeps that promise because Jesus gives his own Spirit to indwell our human spirit.
Matthew 28:20 / Hebrews 13:5
Then you’ll find some amazing companionship with others who follow Jesus. They will become real brothers and sisters to you and you’ll have them all over the world. It’s really an amazing family.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
You’ll have to decide one way or another for Jesus. The one thing you can’t do is nothing --- because not to decide is to decide.
Next Study: BS9D- Accessing the Facts