A Cry of Eternity – 3 Truths

It seems odd to talk about a final sermon when today’s subject is about eternity. But this was just the last in the Cries From the Cross series, preached by Dr. Justin Alexander of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, North Carolina. This has been a powerful series, and I hate to see it end, but what a high note!

Pastor Justin presented us with three truths.

THE FIRST TRUTH

When He breathed His last, Jesus experienced death. This is not only in the Bible but is also in the historical record.  https://bit.ly/4d2ppn3   Due to the brutal torture Jesus endured before and during the crucifixion, He sympathizes with us in our pain. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last (Luke 23:46 ESV). He was taken down from the cross and handed over to Joseph of Arimathea who buried Him in a new tomb, never used.

The veil in the Temple was torn in half, top to bottom, at the death of Jesus, signifying the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new, giving all believers direct access to God. But even when things seemed lost, God still had a plan which changed the world for all eternity.

THE SECOND TRUTH

Jesus transformed death. Justin told us that in a survey 40% of the people who responded said they believe death is the end. He cited Steve Jobs, the founder of apple. Have you ever noticed your apple devices don’t have on/off switches? Yeah, neither have I. Here is a link to see a conversation Jobs had about this subject and life after death: https://bit.ly/4jH2U95

Even though Jesus had raised people from the dead, a miracle of the highest order, many were skeptical that He rose from the dead. But our Bible and those 500 witnesses tell a different story.

THE THIRD TRUTH

Jesus defeated death. From the stone rolled away, to the angels declaring he had risen, just as He’d told them, to Mary Magdalene recognizing Him when He called her by name—there is so much evidence that this is the absolute truth.

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VICTORY!

That Jesus would rise from the dead had been known in eternity past. Remember, God is omniscient. He knew these things before the worlds began. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV) says, When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortal, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’s resurrection, death has lost its sting, and our pain and suffering are only temporary. Jesus resurrection signifies the greatest event to ever occur on the face of the earth. And because He lives, those who believe in Him will, also.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’ve told you many times, I am no Bible scholar. I’m a mere woman who loves Jesus with all her heart and who wants everyone I’ve ever known, and even those I will never meet, to have a relationship with our Creator. I want to spend all eternity with you. I’m convinced that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. That it is true. That we are in a tumultuous time of spiritual warfare.

Would you like to be assured of spending eternity in the presence of God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Friends, it isn’t about just uttering a simple prayer. Many have been led astray by thinking this is all it takes, repeating a few words. No, it is about a heart change. About a change of one’s mind and attitude. Mostly, it is about forming a relationship with the God of the universe and His only Son, Christ our Lord, through the indwelling of Holy Spirit within us. How do you do this? Go to your Bible and read the Gospel of John. Then read the book of Romans. These two books will show you exactly who Jesus is and how to live a Christian life. But don’t stop there.

When you know your Bible, reading and studying it from Genesis to the book of the Revelation, you will learn about Who God truly is. That yes, He is a God of wrath. But He is also the God Who so loved the world that He sent His only Son to die for all the sin of the entire world (John 3:16). He doesn’t want any of us to perish. He truly wants you with Him for all eternity. The good news is, Jesus Christ took upon Himself the wrath of God meant for all mankind that day on the cross. That is something neither you nor I could do for ourselves. It took a spotless lamb, The Lamb of God, to do that for us. This is truly, amazing grace, as the hymn says, that Christ my God hath died for me.

If you made that decision, that you believe in your heart that Christ died for you, that He was buried, and that He rose from the dead, know I’m praying for you to grow in your faith. And if you can’t quite bring yourself to cross into that realm of believers, know I’m praying for God to send you a witness. For your heart, mind, and spirit to be changed as only Holy Spirit can do. He is able!

Blessings, y’all.

Oh, how I love this song! Be blessed, y’all!! One day!!!!