God's Eternal Kingdom Part 3

Gary DeLashmutt
Revelation 22:12

In God's eternal kingdom, Jesus rewards His followers for their faithful service. God motivates us to live faithfully for Him by promising us rewards when this life is over. We will get the satisfaction of seeing the full significance of our service to Him. Things we did that we thought were insignificant or unsuccessful will be praised by God because they had significant ripple effects that we could not see. We will have the joy of being praised by God for our service.

Dumping Religion

Chris Hearty
Philippians 3:1-9

If there ever was a person who could claim righteousness under the law it was Paul, but he denounced all his accomplishments as worthless dung in comparison to the surpassing value in knowing Jesus. Instead he proclaims that righteousness only comes from Jesus not our good works. Paul warns the Philippians to beware anyone who presents a gospel other than righteousness through faith in Jesus.

Joy and Safe Passage

Jim Leffel
Philippians 3:1-21

Although we are works in progress, we can have joy because we have confidence that Jesus will complete the work of transformation that he began in us. We know the end of the story which gives us courage to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. We can confidently rejoice because having put our faith in Jesus, we have safe passage.

Final Judgment

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 20:11-15

Many people, Christian and non-Christian alike, are uncomfortable with the idea of final judgment, or hell, but it is a reality. Hell is necessary because sin is a reality that must be dealt with. God loves people and sin hurts the people God loves. Because God values free will, he honors our choices. Because God is righteous and just, he must punish sin. Because he is loving, he offers an alternative to hell for anyone who chooses to receive the forgiveness Jesus offers through his death on the cross.

Five Ways to Experience God's Power

James Rochford
Philippians 3:9-15

When Paul talks about the power of the resurrection, he is not referring to life after death but the actual power that can raise the dead. This same power is also what fuels spiritual growth. The five ways to experience God's power in spiritual growth is 1. Share in Jesus' suffering, 2. Forget what happened in the past, 3. Reach forward, 4. Press on and 5. Respond to God's guidance. God changes lives; will you respond to his invitation?

Is Being a Good Person Good Enough?

James Rochford
Philippians 3:1-9

Paul roundly condemns legalism by emphatically denouncing these "dogs," these "evil-doers," for putting any confidence in the flesh. If there ever was one who could put confidence in the flesh it was Paul. He had the best of everything, a good upbringing, a great heritage, an excellent education, the highest religious zeal, but none of these things were good enough to warrant entrance into heaven. Paul counts all his former good deeds as the foulest of excrement. The only thing Paul valued was the surpassing value of knowing Jesus as his Lord.

The Second Coming of Christ

Mike Sullivan
Revelation 19:1-21

The Bible is clear, Jesus first came to earth as a suffering servant and he will return to earth as a conquering king. When he returns, he will defeat his enemies and will put an end to rebellion forever. Satan and his antichrist will be thrown into the lake of fire forever. There will be a wedding celebration for all those who have put their trust in Jesus to save them. If you are a believer, the question is are you ready for his return? As a non-believer, will you put your faith in Jesus and join the celebration?

Joy's Greatest Enemy

Scott Risley
Philippians 3:1-9

Legalism or living under law is the greatest enemy of joy. Paul reserves his harshest words for anyone who weighs down believers with the false burden of legalism. As believers, we live under the law of grace where we do not work to secure our salvation but instead live with the reality of forgiveness, freedom, peace, rest and joy.

Jesus and Nicodemus

Ben Foust
John 2:23-3:21

In John 3, John describes an encounter with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a leader and teacher to the Jews. Nicodemus visits Jesus under cover of darkness. He is a man of power and commands great respect in his community, unlike the woman at the well from last week's teaching. John has these two very different encounters back to back perhaps to contrast Nicodemus' apparent righteousness and the woman's obvious sinfulness. They both need God's forgiveness. Nicodemus could never be righteous enough to earn entrance into heaven on his own and the woman is not so far down the road to sin that God can't forgive her, too. Both are equally under judgment and both are equally offered forgiveness.