WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.000 do you know what's going to happen after you die? 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:09.120 The Bible tells us very clearly, 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:13.280 it is appointed for man to die once, 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:16.179 and after that comes judgment. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:20.900 That means that judgment is just as certain as death. 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:24.500 And we know that everybody dies. 00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:28.640 Death is the one common denominator of all people. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:34.980 We need to be equally clear that all will be judged. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:37.820 That's what we're going to look at this morning. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:41.299 What judgment will be like for everyone. 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:47.620 I'm talking about both believers, Christians, and unbelievers. 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:53.340 I want us to begin where we left off last week in Ecclesiastes chapter 3. 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:56.859 If you're new, we're going through a study of the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:01:04.180 And in this book, we're reminded over and over again that we're going to die. 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:10.299 And we need to live life in light of the fact that nothing in this world is permanent. 00:01:12.200 --> 00:01:15.680 But the writer of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:18.420 refers to himself as the preacher throughout the book. 00:01:18.420 --> 00:01:25.379 He also brings up the subject of judgment from time to time. 00:01:26.760 --> 00:01:28.840 Look, chapter 3, verse 16. 00:01:29.900 --> 00:01:31.859 Today I'm going to put all this on the screen 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:35.079 because we're going to be looking at a lot of different passages from throughout the Bible. 00:01:35.719 --> 00:01:37.359 So it's going to be on the screen this morning. 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:43.840 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, 00:01:44.739 --> 00:01:46.379 even there was wickedness. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:52.060 And in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 00:01:52.459 --> 00:01:55.980 He's talking about in the place where justice was supposed to be. 00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:00.460 In the place where righteousness, that which is right, 00:02:00.459 --> 00:02:03.799 where it was supposed to be happening. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:05.759 It was not. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:08.099 Then verse 17. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:09.879 I said in my heart, 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:13.259 God will judge the righteous and the wicked, 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:19.019 for there is a time for every matter and for every work. 00:02:20.299 --> 00:02:22.479 The first thing I want us to think about this morning is 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:25.419 a time of judgment is coming for all people. 00:02:25.419 --> 00:02:28.000 That's what He's saying here in verse 17. 00:02:28.339 --> 00:02:32.359 That's really going to be the main focus of this morning's message. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:37.500 God is not going to just judge unbelievers. 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:44.500 We, as Christians, we will be judged. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:48.060 And we're going to look at some of that this morning. 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:49.439 But before we do, 00:02:50.359 --> 00:02:52.859 I want us to look at the last part of this chapter 00:02:52.860 --> 00:02:57.820 and clarify what is said about life after death. 00:02:57.880 --> 00:03:00.400 Because if you just read it 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:03.160 and don't think about who's talking 00:03:03.160 --> 00:03:04.520 and other things that He said, 00:03:04.600 --> 00:03:05.480 you might get the impression 00:03:05.480 --> 00:03:08.660 that this preacher is really an unbeliever, 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:10.060 an agnostic even. 00:03:10.900 --> 00:03:12.600 So let's look at point two next. 00:03:13.600 --> 00:03:15.060 A time of judgment is coming, 00:03:15.800 --> 00:03:20.380 but only if people experience life after death. 00:03:21.240 --> 00:03:22.440 He's going to raise the question, 00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:26.120 do people, does everyone, 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:29.359 do humans, as He will say it, 00:03:29.719 --> 00:03:30.680 do they go up? 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:32.500 Or are they just like the animals 00:03:32.500 --> 00:03:34.699 and just die and put in the ground? 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:37.099 Let's look at it. 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:39.759 We saw last week that the preacher began this section 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:42.439 by calling attention to the unfairness 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:44.639 and injustice in this world in verse 16, 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:45.460 what we just read. 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:48.219 We all know life's not fair. 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:49.300 That's just a fact. 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:52.219 But what He's calling attention to is 00:03:52.219 --> 00:03:54.880 there's some places where life is supposed to be fair. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:04:00.000 There's some places where God intends for justice to be done. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:02.140 He's talking about a court, 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:04.200 the legal system, 00:04:04.760 --> 00:04:06.740 before a judge. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:10.980 That's where we are to expect justice to be done. 00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:16.159 That's where we expect the right thing to always be upheld. 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:19.759 But in that day and in our day, 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:21.500 we know that's not always the case. 00:04:23.099 --> 00:04:27.339 Sometimes you can't get a fair shake before a judge. 00:04:27.339 --> 00:04:34.599 Sometimes the legal system is just not really fair or just. 00:04:35.799 --> 00:04:38.819 And what Solomon is saying here is, 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:41.939 where there's supposed to be justice and it's not, 00:04:42.219 --> 00:04:43.899 that's real evil. 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:46.179 Wickedness is the word he uses. 00:04:47.679 --> 00:04:50.419 He wants us to understand, to be real clear. 00:04:51.979 --> 00:04:53.439 There should be justice. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:55.939 There should be a sense of fairness in this world. 00:04:55.939 --> 00:04:57.199 But there's not. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.459 But God has so ordered society 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:03.519 in every era, every period of time, 00:05:03.719 --> 00:05:05.600 in the ancient world up until today, 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:07.480 there are supposed to be places 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:09.360 where you can count on justice being done. 00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:10.560 And where it's not, 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:15.060 God takes personal offense. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:16.879 It is wicked. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:17.639 It is evil. 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:18.959 It is totally immoral. 00:05:20.040 --> 00:05:21.699 And as we saw last week, 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:26.219 that's one reason why God exercises judgment. 00:05:27.479 --> 00:05:30.019 One day God's going to right all wrongs. 00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:33.560 One day justice will prevail 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:38.439 except for where we experience mercy. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:40.800 We'll talk about that a little bit later. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:46.519 We, we don't always want to get what we deserve, do we? 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:47.519 Not before God. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:50.099 That's where the mercy comes in. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:53.959 That God graciously doesn't give us what we deserve 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:56.639 because Jesus took our punishment. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:59.939 See, God can never be unjust. 00:06:01.620 --> 00:06:03.240 God's going to either be just 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:04.560 and give us what we deserve, 00:06:04.799 --> 00:06:06.779 or He's going to show mercy to us 00:06:06.779 --> 00:06:08.579 and not give us what we deserve 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:11.859 because Jesus suffered the punishment 00:06:11.859 --> 00:06:13.419 that we deserve. 00:06:13.420 --> 00:06:17.379 Let's move on into verse 18 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:19.860 for what we're looking at now. 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:22.080 The time of judgment is coming, 00:06:22.520 --> 00:06:25.420 but only if people experience life after death. 00:06:26.660 --> 00:06:28.580 In verse 18, it seems that the preacher's saying 00:06:28.580 --> 00:06:30.259 that since people have no more regard 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:33.800 for their fellow man than to be so unjust, 00:06:34.340 --> 00:06:35.500 treat people that way. 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:36.780 We treat one another that way. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:40.160 It seems like we're no better than the animals. 00:06:40.420 --> 00:06:41.180 Look at verse 18. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:44.939 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:47.300 that God is testing them 00:06:47.300 --> 00:06:51.199 that they may see that they themselves 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:55.079 are but beasts or animals. 00:06:56.900 --> 00:07:00.280 It's the fact that humans and animals 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:02.360 share one thing in common. 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:03.160 We're going to die. 00:07:03.519 --> 00:07:05.680 That's what He's talking about in verses 19 and 20. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:06.420 Look at it. 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:08.840 For what happens to the children of man 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:12.079 and what happens to the beasts is the same. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:15.639 As one dies, so dies the other. 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:17.899 They all have the same breath. 00:07:18.679 --> 00:07:21.459 And man has no advantage over the beasts 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:25.359 for all is vanity, futile. 00:07:26.559 --> 00:07:28.399 All go to one place. 00:07:29.399 --> 00:07:30.759 All are from the dust 00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:33.839 and to dust all return. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:35.539 Here's what He's saying. 00:07:35.899 --> 00:07:37.779 We all, humans and animals, 00:07:38.779 --> 00:07:40.239 we stop breathing. 00:07:41.119 --> 00:07:43.060 We go to the place of death. 00:07:44.299 --> 00:07:46.000 We all return to dust. 00:07:48.799 --> 00:07:50.799 But the preacher then goes on in verse 21 00:07:50.799 --> 00:07:51.899 to ask a question 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:55.039 that makes him sound like 00:07:55.040 --> 00:07:58.140 an agnostic 00:07:58.140 --> 00:08:00.140 or even an atheist. 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:01.400 Look at what he says. 00:08:02.200 --> 00:08:03.860 Who knows whether the spirit of man 00:08:03.860 --> 00:08:05.100 goes upward 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:07.580 and the spirit of the beast 00:08:07.580 --> 00:08:10.080 goes down to the earth. 00:08:11.520 --> 00:08:13.040 That sounds like he's not sure 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.500 about life after death for people. 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:16.660 Who knows if 00:08:16.660 --> 00:08:18.360 the spirit of a human being 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:19.720 goes up before God, 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:22.379 if that spirit of man 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:23.340 will continue to live, 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:25.739 or if we're just like animals. 00:08:26.339 --> 00:08:28.199 We just die and are buried. 00:08:30.719 --> 00:08:32.439 If that's all you know about 00:08:32.439 --> 00:08:33.839 this preacher, 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:34.679 as he calls himself, 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:36.980 you just wonder, 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:37.299 well, 00:08:38.079 --> 00:08:38.959 who does know? 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.419 But that's not what he means 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:41.879 because 00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:43.740 he makes it clear 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:44.759 in other places 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:45.959 that he believes 00:08:45.959 --> 00:08:46.959 in life after death. 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:48.819 He believes 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:49.779 there's going to be a judgment 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:51.000 and there's only a judgment 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.639 for people who continue to live. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:54.059 Look at verse 17 again. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:56.639 I said in my heart, 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:58.000 God will judge the righteous 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.059 and the wicked. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:02.639 If there's no life after death, 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:03.799 there will be no judgment. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:04.939 So he doesn't believe 00:09:04.939 --> 00:09:06.740 that when we die, 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:07.899 we're just going to be dead, 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:08.779 buried, 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:09.939 returned to the dust 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:11.100 like an animal. 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:13.659 He also, 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:14.919 in the last chapter 00:09:14.919 --> 00:09:15.799 of Ecclesiastes, 00:09:16.299 --> 00:09:18.100 he uses the same language 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:18.799 that we see here 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:19.340 in verse 21 00:09:19.340 --> 00:09:20.280 to describe the fact 00:09:20.280 --> 00:09:20.840 that people 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:22.220 will continue to live 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:22.780 after death. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:23.360 Look at it. 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:26.180 The Spirit returns to God 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:27.240 who gave it. 00:09:27.920 --> 00:09:28.780 In chapter 12, 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:29.180 verse, 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:31.019 the first seven verses, 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:33.600 Solomon's talking about 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:34.920 how we all just going to 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:36.980 get old 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:37.940 and age, 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:39.660 become decrepit 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:41.379 and die. 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:44.019 Gloomy picture, 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:46.179 but the reality is, 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:48.000 look in the mirror, 00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:50.120 no matter what your age, 00:09:50.839 --> 00:09:51.799 it's going to get worse. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:53.620 If you live, 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:54.659 it's going to get worse. 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:56.000 I mean, 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:57.079 that is a fact. 00:09:59.459 --> 00:10:01.139 We're going to deteriorate 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.879 and we're going to die. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:03.919 But the point is, 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:06.299 the Spirit returns to God 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:07.679 who gave it. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.279 Here in verse 21, 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:09.980 he's talking about 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:11.319 what death looks like 00:10:11.319 --> 00:10:12.519 from the perspective 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.779 of life lived 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:16.019 just under the sun. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:18.919 If all we know 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:20.080 is what we see 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:21.000 and feel, 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:22.840 if all we know 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.980 is what we experience, 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:24.960 then we don't know 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:25.419 that there's life 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:25.980 after death. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.700 Everybody that you've 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:29.879 ever known and loved, 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:30.759 when they died, 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.519 you saw, 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:32.539 if you saw them die, 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.879 you saw them stop breathing. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:36.120 And that's it. 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:36.960 That's all you saw. 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:39.100 They were buried. 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:41.740 That's all you know 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:43.100 for a fact 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:44.759 by what you observe, 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:45.700 what you see. 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:49.960 From a purely 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:51.919 earthly perspective, 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.279 no one does know 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:55.259 what happens after death. 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:58.080 But, 00:10:58.080 --> 00:11:01.340 human beings 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:03.220 are different 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:03.780 from animals. 00:11:04.400 --> 00:11:05.440 We are a higher 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:06.780 form of life 00:11:06.780 --> 00:11:07.580 from animals. 00:11:07.800 --> 00:11:08.660 We're more important 00:11:08.660 --> 00:11:09.139 than animals. 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:10.600 We're above animals. 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:12.700 Only human beings 00:11:12.700 --> 00:11:13.100 are created 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:13.920 in the image of God. 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:14.900 That's what makes us 00:11:14.900 --> 00:11:15.259 different. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:17.500 In Genesis chapter 1, 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:18.180 beginning about 00:11:18.180 --> 00:11:19.040 verse 26, 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:20.040 the scripture's 00:11:20.040 --> 00:11:20.580 very clear 00:11:20.580 --> 00:11:21.460 that when God 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:22.640 created human beings, 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.840 He created human beings 00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.720 differently 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:26.620 than everything else 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:27.779 under creation. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:30.259 It's only men 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:30.620 and women, 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:31.460 male and female, 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:33.539 human beings 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:35.399 that God created 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:37.980 in His image. 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:39.580 And that's what 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:40.399 makes us 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.299 different. 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:42.340 The preacher 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:43.320 describes 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:45.600 how we're different 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.379 in one way 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.159 in chapter 3, 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:47.860 verse 11, 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.220 like this. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:49.679 He says, 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.419 God has put 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:50.960 eternity 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:52.639 into man's heart. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:55.019 We looked at that 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:55.879 two weeks ago. 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.699 Because God 00:11:58.699 --> 00:11:59.299 created us 00:11:59.299 --> 00:11:59.939 in His image, 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:00.919 we know, 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.439 we just know 00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:03.100 innately 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:05.039 that there's more 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:05.439 to life 00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:06.399 than what we see. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:07.939 Human beings 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:08.519 have always been 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:09.740 spiritual beings. 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.919 We've always believed 00:12:10.919 --> 00:12:12.120 in a higher form 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:12.439 of life. 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.559 Even people 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:14.379 who are not Christians, 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:15.740 who are not Jews, 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:17.720 every culture, 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:18.620 every people, 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:19.519 no matter what 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.019 they worship, 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.679 they worship 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.899 something besides 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.600 themselves. 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:24.439 We know 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:25.220 there's more 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:26.319 than what we see 00:12:26.319 --> 00:12:27.639 can touch. 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.240 It's because 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:29.980 God has created 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.539 us that way. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:31.379 In fact, 00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:32.360 Paul tells us 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.919 in Romans chapter 1 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:35.360 that God 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.059 has so created 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:36.740 this world 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:38.379 that everybody 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.459 can understand 00:12:39.459 --> 00:12:40.500 there is a God. 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:41.139 It's called 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.439 natural revelation. 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:43.840 Chapter 1, 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.559 verse 18, 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:45.120 and following, 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:46.240 Paul talks about 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.120 everybody's without 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.740 excuse 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:49.419 in terms of 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.259 we know 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:50.960 there's a God. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:52.539 And what we know 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.159 about God, 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:55.559 we really rebel 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:56.079 against. 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.779 We don't really 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:58.439 want to honor 00:12:58.439 --> 00:12:58.939 this God. 00:12:59.159 --> 00:12:59.740 We want to live 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.419 life our way 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:01.179 rather than His way. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:01.959 So he talks about 00:13:01.959 --> 00:13:02.659 the universality 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:03.179 of sin. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:03.679 In other words, 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.679 all people in this 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:04.959 world, 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.439 God makes it clear 00:13:06.439 --> 00:13:06.860 to them 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:07.779 something about 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.340 Himself, 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:11.819 but we don't 00:13:11.819 --> 00:13:12.620 act upon 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:13.840 what He shows us 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:15.059 in a way 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:15.879 that would 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.579 honor Him. 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:17.840 And that's what 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.480 makes us 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:19.100 sinners 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:20.899 without excuse 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:21.519 before God. 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:22.700 He even goes 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:23.379 on in chapter 2 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.379 to say that God 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:25.100 has so put it 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:25.680 in your 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:27.060 conscience, 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:27.899 in your heart, 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.500 a general 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.220 awareness of 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:30.840 His law, 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:31.560 of what's right 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:32.060 and wrong. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.159 Because human 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:34.700 beings are created 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:35.120 in the image of 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:35.300 God, 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.480 we know innately 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.399 that there's some 00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:37.800 things, 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.420 I'm talking about 00:13:38.420 --> 00:13:39.440 just basic things, 00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:40.779 that are right 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:41.080 and wrong, 00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:41.779 good and bad. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.580 That's how God 00:13:43.580 --> 00:13:44.600 made us. 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:45.860 So God has put 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.660 eternity into our 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:46.820 hearts. 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:48.140 He has made us 00:13:48.140 --> 00:13:48.560 such a way that 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:49.440 we know there's 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:49.960 more life than 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:50.500 what we see. 00:13:50.780 --> 00:13:51.820 But there's a 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:52.560 whole lot about 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:53.080 life we don't 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:53.620 understand. 00:13:53.920 --> 00:13:54.360 That's what He 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.060 went on to say 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:55.740 in chapter 3 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.280 verse 11. 00:13:56.540 --> 00:13:57.060 Look at it. 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:58.100 God has put 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:58.740 eternity into 00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.460 man's heart, 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.400 yet so that he 00:14:00.400 --> 00:14:01.540 cannot find out 00:14:01.540 --> 00:14:02.220 what God has 00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:02.740 done from 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.220 beginning to 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:03.640 the end. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:05.860 That's His way, 00:14:06.300 --> 00:14:06.860 the preacher's way 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.200 of saying, 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.020 we're never going 00:14:08.020 --> 00:14:08.620 to figure out 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.260 everything about 00:14:09.260 --> 00:14:09.600 life. 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:11.440 There's things 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:11.700 that are going 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.140 to happen in 00:14:12.140 --> 00:14:12.540 this world, 00:14:12.780 --> 00:14:13.240 there's things 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:13.620 that are going 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.000 to happen in 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.480 your life, 00:14:14.520 --> 00:14:14.820 and you're just 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:15.260 going to think, 00:14:15.800 --> 00:14:16.560 I don't understand 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:17.559 why this happens. 00:14:18.979 --> 00:14:19.779 I don't understand 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:21.000 how a great and 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.179 good God could 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.059 allow this or 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:23.859 cause this, 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.319 and we're going 00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:25.759 to go to our 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.579 grave with those 00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:27.059 questions. 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.079 We're going to 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.019 go to our grave 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:30.599 with a lot of 00:14:30.599 --> 00:14:31.539 unanswered questions 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:33.099 because God has 00:14:33.099 --> 00:14:34.299 not chosen to 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:35.199 reveal everything 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:35.739 to us. 00:14:37.619 --> 00:14:38.419 He's God, 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.099 we're not, 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.039 and we cannot, 00:14:40.359 --> 00:14:41.139 we could not 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:42.179 understand all that 00:14:42.179 --> 00:14:42.819 He would even make 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.539 known to us if He 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.119 chose to, 00:14:44.359 --> 00:14:45.019 because we're not 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.199 Him. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:45.780 we don't have 00:14:45.780 --> 00:14:46.500 His mind. 00:14:49.540 --> 00:14:50.379 But we do 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:52.140 know there's 00:14:52.140 --> 00:14:52.940 more to life 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:54.160 than just what 00:14:54.160 --> 00:14:56.280 we see under 00:14:56.280 --> 00:14:57.240 the sun. 00:14:58.040 --> 00:14:58.840 Most of what we 00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.480 know about life 00:14:59.480 --> 00:15:00.840 after death is 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.540 what God has 00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:02.420 actually revealed 00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:03.820 to us in His 00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:05.759 Word and in the 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:07.420 resurrection of 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:07.700 Jesus. 00:15:08.460 --> 00:15:09.240 Let's look now 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.700 at some of the 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:10.480 things that God 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.940 has revealed about 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.100 judgment, about 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:14.140 life after death. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.240 So this is what 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:15.460 we're going to 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:16.000 do actually is 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.899 go back now to 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:18.019 point one. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.259 A time of 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.039 judgment is 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:20.960 coming for all 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.340 people. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:22.580 And I want you 00:15:22.580 --> 00:15:23.179 to note how the 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:24.100 preacher emphasizes 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.299 the comprehensive 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:27.299 nature of God's 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:27.659 judgment. 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:28.620 It's going to 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.539 include all people. 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.659 Again, verse 17, 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.980 God will judge the 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.960 righteous and the 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:33.179 wicked. 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.779 Look at what He 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.539 says at the end 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.580 of Ecclesiastes. 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.439 The very last 00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:39.200 verse, chapter 12, 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.779 verse 14. 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.220 Judgment is going to 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.320 include everything 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.160 we've ever done. 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.360 For God will bring 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.580 every deed into 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.680 justice, into 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:50.080 judgment, with every 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:52.120 secret thing, whether 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.860 good or evil. 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:55.120 Let's just be real 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:55.519 honest. 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:58.160 You've got some 00:15:58.160 --> 00:15:58.580 secrets. 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.480 You've got some 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:03.120 secrets that nobody 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.720 in this world knows 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.040 about. 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.399 And so do I. 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:07.879 You know what some 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.440 of mine are? 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.519 You're an idiot if 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.000 you think I would 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.360 tell you. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:12.740 They're secrets. 00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:14.800 And I don't want 00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:15.379 you to know. 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:17.700 And you've got 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.279 secrets you don't 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:18.779 want me to know. 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.360 There are secrets 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.120 that only Lisa 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.000 knows about me. 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.480 You've got some 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:26.060 secrets that only a 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:27.759 few people know 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.200 about you. 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.080 It might be your 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.360 spouse. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:31.060 Some of you, you've 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:31.879 got some buddies, 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.560 some friends. 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:35.240 They know some real 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.500 secrets that get you 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.159 in a lot of trouble. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.720 They're going to go 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.180 to their grave. 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:38.560 They're not going 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:38.980 to tell it. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:41.279 Well, here's the 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.580 unsettling part. 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:44.820 The things that I 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.360 don't want you to 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:46.340 know, the things 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:46.860 that you don't want 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:49.560 me to know, it's 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.039 going to be made 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.279 public on the day 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:51.740 of judgment. 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.639 I don't know all 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.460 about what that's 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.019 going to mean. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:57.000 But this is not 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:59.779 the only place that 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.620 the scripture is 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:03.259 clear that everything 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.019 about us is going 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.460 to be laid bare. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:08.259 we're not going to 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:08.680 hide it. 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.000 We're not going to 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.700 keep it covered. 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.579 We're not going to 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.440 be able to because 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.299 God knows. 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.279 God knows what we 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.620 think. 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.740 He knows what we 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.480 feel. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.319 He knows what our 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.579 attitudes are behind 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.600 our actions and our 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.120 words. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.400 Jesus even said on 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:25.519 one occasion that 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.180 we're going to give 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:26.900 an account on 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:28.000 judgment day for 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.759 every word, every 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:31.480 idle word we've 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:31.819 spoken. 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:33.759 You know, the 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.259 things that are 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.980 said in the Bible 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:36.079 about judgment, even 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:37.019 for us as Christians, 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:39.639 it should get our 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.079 attention. 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.099 It should make us 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.240 just stop and think, 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:46.399 it matters how I 00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:46.859 live. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.200 And even though I 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.119 can get by with 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:52.139 some things and 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:53.259 keep some things from 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.319 some people, I 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.079 can't keep it from 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.480 God. 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:57.779 And one day I'm 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:58.519 not even going to be 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.519 able to keep it from 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.079 anyone. 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:03.599 scary thought, 00:18:04.659 --> 00:18:06.559 humbling thought. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.500 Jesus also taught 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:15.480 that all people will 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:17.859 be judged, both 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:18.659 believers and 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:19.159 unbelievers. 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.740 And the most lengthy 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.339 and detailed 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.179 description is found 00:18:22.179 --> 00:18:22.779 in Matthew chapter 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.179 25. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.299 Look with me, 00:18:24.639 --> 00:18:25.319 beginning in verse 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:25.899 31. 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.059 Jesus said a lot 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.759 about judgment, 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.179 actually. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:31.759 He said a lot of 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.460 little statements 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.100 here and there 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:34.400 about, we'll give 00:18:34.400 --> 00:18:34.880 an account for 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.519 every outer word 00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.000 and that kind of 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:36.200 thing. 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.259 This is the 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.080 lengthiest one, 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.180 beginning in chapter 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.060 25, Matthew, 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.500 chapter 25, 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:42.080 beginning in verse 00:18:42.080 --> 00:18:42.420 31. 00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:43.200 I want to encourage 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.779 you to write that 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:45.120 down, read that. 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.539 We're not going to 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:45.940 look at the whole 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:47.580 thing today, but 00:18:47.580 --> 00:18:48.100 it's important. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.220 It's serious. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.279 Look at verses 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.580 31 to 32 now. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.039 Jesus said, 00:18:55.120 --> 00:18:55.580 when the Son of 00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.340 Man comes in His 00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.299 glory, that's His 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.100 favorite way to 00:18:58.100 --> 00:18:58.799 describe Himself. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.859 Speak of Himself. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.079 When the Son of 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.659 Man comes in 00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:03.720 glory and all the 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.879 angels with Him, then 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.960 He will sit on His 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.960 glorious throne. 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.619 That's the second 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.339 coming of Jesus 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.799 Christ. 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.960 Before Him will be 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:13.159 gathered all the 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:14.980 nations, all the 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.379 people. 00:19:17.139 --> 00:19:17.799 And He will 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:19.139 separate people one 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:20.460 from another as a 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.980 shepherd separates the 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.279 sheep from the 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.619 goats. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.539 One day Jesus is 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.079 going to come back 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.839 into this world in 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:29.139 power and glory. 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.220 And it will be an 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.659 awesome sight and 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:33.139 it will be an 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:33.939 awesome day. 00:19:35.899 --> 00:19:36.959 Judgment will take 00:19:36.959 --> 00:19:37.740 place when Jesus 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.459 comes back. 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:40.699 He's going to 00:19:40.699 --> 00:19:41.279 really be the one 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.299 to exercise final 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.759 judgment. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.679 Jesus explained how 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:45.679 all this works. 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:47.919 In John chapter 5 00:19:47.919 --> 00:19:48.980 verses 22 and 23, 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.659 look at it. 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.920 For the Father 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:52.240 judges no one but 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.019 has given all 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.300 judgment to the Son 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:56.220 that all may honor 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.840 the Son just as they 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.560 honor the Father. 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.700 God the Father has 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.720 delegated judgment to 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.440 God the Son. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.960 Some places you read 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:06.580 in the Bible about 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:09.160 God's judgment, the 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.840 Father's judgment. 00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:11.040 Sometimes you read in 00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:12.640 the Bible about the 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.160 judgment of Jesus, the 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:15.460 judgment seat of Christ. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.880 Both are correct. 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:21.520 God judges through 00:20:21.520 --> 00:20:23.620 His Son, Jesus. 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:25.620 Now Matthew 25 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:27.800 describes how Jesus 00:20:27.800 --> 00:20:28.720 is going to exercise 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.380 judgment with an 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.420 image that everyone 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.360 there that day 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.100 understood. 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.380 We don't ever see 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:35.800 this. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.340 But He was talking 00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:38.480 about how a shepherd 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.080 separates the sheep 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:40.820 from the goats at the 00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.280 end of the day. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.839 evidently in that day 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:45.700 a shepherd had sheep 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.379 and goats and they 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:47.859 just grazed together 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:49.000 out in the pasture 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.379 land. 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.579 But at the end of the 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.059 day when He brought 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.700 them in they didn't 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.420 stay all mingled 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:53.759 together. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:55.019 He separated the 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:56.259 sheep on one side, 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.480 the goats on another. 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:59.660 He would put one pen, 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.619 one in another pen 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:01.119 evidently. 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:02.960 Well that's the image. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:05.039 See, Jesus was a 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.680 master of painting 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:08.019 pictures, word 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.279 pictures for us to 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.599 understand what He was 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.240 talking about. 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.480 Note how Jesus 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.459 says this. 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.099 He's going to divide 00:21:17.099 --> 00:21:18.279 people in two 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.539 categories immediately 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.480 when He comes. 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:20.939 Look at it. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.859 This is verses 22 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.480 and 33. 00:21:22.659 --> 00:21:23.459 32 and 33. 00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:25.359 For Him will be 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:25.919 gathered all the 00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.659 nations and He will 00:21:26.659 --> 00:21:27.480 separate people from 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:30.059 one from another as a 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.059 shepherd separates the 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.919 sheep from the goats. 00:21:32.719 --> 00:21:33.659 He will place the 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:34.679 sheep on His right and 00:21:34.679 --> 00:21:36.039 the goats on the left. 00:21:38.199 --> 00:21:39.099 Think about what the 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.759 image is. 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.799 Jesus returns. 00:21:43.719 --> 00:21:45.139 All people are before 00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:45.459 Him. 00:21:47.139 --> 00:21:49.019 He separates one group, 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:50.199 His people, that He 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:51.740 refers to as sheep, on 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.259 His right. 00:21:53.899 --> 00:21:55.119 And then the others who 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.019 are not His people 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:58.219 designated the goats on 00:21:58.219 --> 00:21:58.759 His left. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:00.539 what I want us to 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:03.420 understand is when 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:05.500 Jesus comes, He 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.740 doesn't determine, or 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.660 out of this whole big 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.660 group, some of them 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.500 are sheep and some of 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.099 them are goats. 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:12.759 The determination has 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.480 already been made. 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:15.799 When Jesus comes, there 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:18.000 are sheep and there are 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.579 goats. 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.779 Judgment Day is not 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.920 going to be the day 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:26.460 when people are designated 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:29.980 to be believers or not. 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.740 Judgment Day is just 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:34.220 going to reveal who the 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.140 believers are and who the 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:35.800 believers are not. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.480 Judgment Day just reveals 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.740 who the sheep, who His 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:42.580 sheep are, who they are 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.000 not. 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:46.300 The people on the right, the 00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:47.120 sheep on the right, as He 00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:49.060 uses the term, they're the 00:22:49.060 --> 00:22:50.460 people who trusted Jesus as 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.140 their Lord and Savior 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:52.259 before He arrived. 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.100 They had a relationship 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.039 with Him before He 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.640 arrived. 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.720 And when Jesus came, He 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.460 knew His sheep 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.100 immediately. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:01.720 Those on the left, they 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.779 didn't have a relationship 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.720 with Jesus when He 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.240 arrived. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.299 And when He arrived, it 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.940 was too late. 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:09.220 And they were put on the 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:11.360 side separate from the 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:12.880 sheep immediately. 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.579 This makes it clear that 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.840 everyone's eternal destiny 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:18.579 is decided before Judgment 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:18.840 Day. 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:20.419 On Judgment Day, Jesus 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:21.679 makes it, just makes it 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:23.779 known who's who. 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.980 Now I want you to look 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:27.759 next at the destiny of the 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:29.980 sheep and the goats. 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.319 Look first at the sheep. 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:33.740 Verse 34, still in Matthew 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.279 25. 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:37.500 Then the King will say to 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:39.919 those on His right, come, 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:42.220 you who are blessed by my 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:44.859 Father, inherit the kingdom 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:46.959 prepared for you from the 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.460 foundation of the world. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.860 Those on His right, those 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.660 who have a relationship 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.900 with Him, those He is 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:55.500 designating as sheep, they're 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.539 eternally blessed. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:24:00.860 They're going to inherit the 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:02.079 blessings of the kingdom of 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.480 God forever. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.799 Now note the destiny of the 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.700 goats, those on the left, 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.720 those who are not the sheep. 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.799 Then He will say to those on 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:12.960 His left, depart from me, you 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:17.279 cursed into the eternal fire 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:20.120 prepared for the devil and his 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.500 angels. 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:24.539 It's going to be too late on 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.640 the Day of Judgment for those 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.600 who are not believers. 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.400 They're going to be eternally 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.480 condemned right then. 00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:31.319 And Jesus makes it clear that 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.860 these final states, they are 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.279 eternal. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.900 Look at the last verse that 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:36.160 we're talking about in Matthew 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.620 25. 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:39.659 And these, He's talking about 00:24:39.659 --> 00:24:41.619 the goats now, these will go 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:43.299 away into eternal punishment. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.679 That's the wicked, the 00:24:45.679 --> 00:24:46.399 unrighteous. 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:49.459 But the righteous into eternal 00:24:49.459 --> 00:24:49.839 life. 00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:51.459 Look at that word, eternal 00:24:51.459 --> 00:24:54.779 punishment, eternal life. 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:59.119 On the Day of Judgment, our 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.359 relationship with the Lord will 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:02.359 be made known. 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:04.299 It will be permanent. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:06.599 There's not one thing anybody 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.359 can do about it. 00:25:08.659 --> 00:25:09.879 So let's just make this real 00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:10.819 personal right now. 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.059 What would happen if Jesus 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:14.119 came back today? 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:18.240 Which group would you find 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.899 yourself in? 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:22.039 If you have a real relationship 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.740 with Christ as your Savior and 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.480 Lord, all is going to be well. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.639 You don't have to fear the 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:26.960 judgment. 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.419 You're going to find Jesus to be 00:25:29.419 --> 00:25:31.399 a very gracious and merciful 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:34.279 shepherd who's going to bless 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:37.279 you with an eternal inheritance 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:40.200 in the kingdom of God. 00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:45.460 It'll be an awesome sight, but 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.980 it's going to wind up well for 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:49.160 all who truly trust Jesus and are 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.720 His. 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.940 But if you don't have a 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:55.319 relationship with Jesus, all will 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.019 be lost. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:59.920 You will find Him to be a just 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:04.900 judge who will condemn you to 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:09.139 eternal punishment in hell as a 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:11.379 result of your sinful choices, 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:16.799 your own personal decisions to live 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:19.299 life your way and not God's way. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:22.419 We all know that we're going to die 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:22.960 one day. 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.559 We know that. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:28.779 Well, we need to also let it sink in 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:32.099 that judgment is just as certain as 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:32.419 death. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.639 None of us know when our death's going 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:38.379 to come, so none of us know when our 00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:39.359 judgment will be. 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:42.819 But we can be ready whenever it is 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:46.439 by having a right relationship with God 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:49.779 through faith, trust, commitment to 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:54.479 Jesus Christ as our own Savior and Lord. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:57.720 You know, the New Testament often 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.200 encourages us to be ready for the day 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:02.700 of judgment by pointing out something 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:05.220 very positive, that God's going to 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.680 reward His faithful people. 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:08.319 That's the last point I want us to look 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:10.700 at this morning, the rewards of the 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.039 righteous. 00:27:12.660 --> 00:27:14.400 You know, there's several, many actual 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:16.420 passages of Scripture that talk about 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:18.480 rewards for Christians in some way. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:22.740 I want you to look at a very clear-cut 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.599 example from Peter. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:27.079 Some things happened. 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:31.759 The rich young ruler that Jesus had an 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:34.079 encounter with, he seemed to be 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:35.779 interested in being a follower of Jesus, 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:37.640 but when Jesus told him the real story, 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:40.680 what he needed to do, he just walked 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.099 away. 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:48.460 And it caused Peter to think and have a 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:48.819 question. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.819 I want you to look at it. 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:52.099 Peter's talking to Jesus. 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:56.259 Then Peter said in reply, see, we have 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:59.419 left everything and followed you. 00:27:59.459 --> 00:28:00.779 They left their family, they left their 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:03.259 jobs, they left life as they knew it. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:05.879 We've left everything and followed you. 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:08.419 What then will we have? 00:28:08.939 --> 00:28:11.719 And Jesus said to them, truly I say to 00:28:11.719 --> 00:28:14.500 you, in the new world, when the Son of 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:17.059 Man will sit on His glorious throne, you 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:19.480 who have followed me will also sit on 12 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:22.420 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel and 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:25.759 everyone who has left houses or brothers or 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:28.440 sisters or father or mother or children or 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:30.480 lands or anything. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:36.700 For my sake will receive a hundredfold and 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:39.140 will inherit eternal life. 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:44.720 You know, you could think Peter was a, Peter was the real 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:44.900 deal. 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:46.720 He was a faithful follower of Jesus. 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:51.320 Earlier in Matthew, Jesus had commended him because he 00:28:51.320 --> 00:28:54.160 said, he made this great declaration of faith, speaking on 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:56.120 behalf of his disciples, of all the disciples. 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:57.720 We believe that you are the Christ. 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:59.220 You are the son of the living God. 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:01.820 And, and, and Jesus just commended him. 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.420 God has shown you that Peter. 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:04.680 That's not something you figured out. 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:06.440 God has opened your eyes. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.039 You and all these who follow me. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.580 God has made it known to you. 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.900 You are true believers. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.299 He commended them. 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:18.560 They were not in it for wrong motives or anything. 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:21.519 They were genuine followers of Jesus because they, they 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.160 believed in him. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.920 They loved him. 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.779 They were committed to him. 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.620 They wanted to serve him. 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.799 They wanted to do God's will. 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:34.440 But on one occasion, Peter just said, we've given up everything 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:36.200 in this world to follow you. 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:40.159 Will we get anything in return? 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.359 Will we be rewarded? 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:45.579 And Jesus didn't put him down. 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:50.299 Jesus didn't say anything, not even hint that there was 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:52.899 anything wrong with Peter asking that question. 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:59.420 The fact is, Jesus said that his faithful followers will be 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:01.060 rewarded, what, a hundredfold? 00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:05.920 We rewarded in all kinds of ways, some in this life. 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:11.200 But ultimately, and most importantly, we're going to be 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.920 rewarded with eternal life. 00:30:14.780 --> 00:30:18.700 You know, we don't know a whole lot about the kinds of rewards 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.740 we'll experience in heaven. 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:21.480 There's going to be something in heaven. 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:24.360 Heaven, let me rephrase that. 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:26.779 When all is said and done after Judgment Day, there's going to be 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.099 a new heaven and a new earth. 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:31.640 We're going to live and know people and be known. 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:33.099 We're going to do stuff in heaven. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:35.660 We're not going to be sitting around on these clouds playing a 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:38.839 harp like some kind of stupid illustration you've read or seen 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:39.200 somewhere. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.079 That's just ridiculous. 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:45.559 We're going to live forever in the presence of God and with 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.200 other people. 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.620 We're going to do stuff in heaven. 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.839 There's going to be rewards. 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:52.379 There's going to be categories of rewards. 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:54.220 I don't know a whole lot about what that's really going to be 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.539 and nobody else does either. 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:58.220 We can all have some thoughts and opinions. 00:30:58.939 --> 00:31:02.319 There's not a whole lot of concrete ideas, evidence of what it 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:04.480 will exactly be like. 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:05.859 But we can be certain of this. 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:09.719 All rewards in heaven are based on God's grace. 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.659 We don't deserve them. 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.659 We don't deserve our salvation. 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:18.399 We're saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, period. 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:21.799 Everything that we have from God is a gift of grace, so we need to 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.479 understand that. 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:28.919 But Paul said two things about eternal life that will be our greatest 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.879 reward. 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:36.300 He said it in the context of describing the second coming of Jesus to the 00:31:36.300 --> 00:31:41.080 Christians in the church of Thessalonica because they were concerned 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:46.400 about some of them had loved ones, family members and friends who had died, and 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:48.560 they were wondering what has happened to them. 00:31:49.780 --> 00:31:55.200 So Paul, in chapter 4, he tells them some things about what's going to happen 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:55.840 at the second coming. 00:31:55.839 --> 00:32:00.099 He tells them some things about their family members and their friends. 00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:01.500 They're going to see them again. 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:07.179 But I want you to note there's two things he says in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 about 00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:10.319 how we're going to be blessed in heaven, and these are the ultimate rewards. 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:14.399 Number one, verse 17, we will always be with the Lord. 00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:17.439 Heaven is where Jesus is. 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.919 Heaven's where the Father is. 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:24.199 And we're going to be with them for all eternity. 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:27.580 That's going to be the number one blessing and benefit of heaven. 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:33.740 But number two, note verse 17, he says, we will always be with the Lord. 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.700 Who's he referring to with that we? 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:41.740 He's talking about Christian family members and friends that you know and love and will 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:43.380 see and spend eternity with. 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:46.519 I want you to look at how he describes this. 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:51.680 Christian family members who have died, what's going to happen? 00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:55.860 Look, we're going to read in chapter 14 or chapter 4 beginning in verse 13. 00:32:57.000 --> 00:33:01.799 Paul says, we don't want you, members of this church, we don't want you to be uninformed 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:08.299 brothers about those who are asleep, that's people who died, that you may not grieve as 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:11.680 others who have no hope. 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.860 Christians grieve. 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:19.639 Don't you ever think that it's something wrong with somebody you know and love you're close 00:33:19.639 --> 00:33:21.319 to when they die and it breaks your heart? 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:24.639 Well, that's just the way God made us. 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:28.699 When somebody you know and love dies, they're not here. 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:32.159 You know they're in heaven, but you still, you grieve, you're hurt because they're not 00:33:32.159 --> 00:33:32.919 here with you. 00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:33.959 And that's normal. 00:33:34.219 --> 00:33:35.099 That's natural. 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:37.819 That's being a human and a Christian human. 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:40.259 It's okay to cry. 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.579 It's okay to grieve. 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:43.099 It's okay to be sad. 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:45.619 It is not unspiritual. 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:51.679 The person who doesn't grieve is the one who something's wrong with. 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:57.500 But we don't grieve like people who don't have a clue as to what happened to their family 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:57.839 members. 00:33:58.399 --> 00:34:02.779 We don't grieve like people whose family members were not believers. 00:34:04.119 --> 00:34:05.059 Look what he says. 00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:11.820 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:14.119 with him those who have fallen asleep. 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:20.440 Your family members, friends who've died as Christians, when Jesus comes back in this world, 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:22.000 they're going to come back with him. 00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.900 Look at the next part. 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:24.900 And the dead in Christ will rise first. 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:28.019 That's when they get their new resurrected body. 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.739 Look at the next one. 00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:34.539 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.880 to meet the Lord in the air. 00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:39.779 That's when we get our new bodies if we're alive, when Jesus comes back again. 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.779 And there's that last phrase. 00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:44.920 And so we will always be with the Lord. 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:48.599 Paul intended for that to comfort or encourage us. 00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.519 Look at the last verse. 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:53.619 Therefore encourage or comfort one another with these words. 00:34:54.279 --> 00:34:54.980 Here's the point. 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:59.679 Our greatest rewards in heaven will be relationships. 00:35:02.139 --> 00:35:07.960 We will be there with those we love the most. 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:16.900 The Lord Jesus, our Heavenly Father, and our Christian friends and family members. 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:19.460 People we shared life with in this world. 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:22.340 We're going to share eternity with them as well. 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:28.380 I read several articles, I'm sure you have too, about the death of Billy Graham. 00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:35.159 Well, Franklin Graham, his son, describes where his father is right now 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:39.159 in a way that emphasizes the truth of what I'm bringing out about Paul 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:41.740 and about relationships in heaven. 00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:45.980 Franklin said this about his dad after he died. 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:51.639 What joy he has to be welcomed by God the Father 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:57.280 and be reunited with my mother in the presence of Jesus. 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:03.860 That's the great reward. 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:08.900 To be in the presence of Almighty God and the Lord Jesus Christ 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:13.840 with your friends and family members who were Christians. 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:17.000 It'll be great. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.179 It'll be great. 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:19.000 It'll be great. 00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:19.539 It'll be great fellowship. 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:26.480 Real relationships forever and ever in a perfect place. 00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:33.119 You know, seeing what Franklin Graham said about his dad, 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:38.960 how will your family members think of you following your death? 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:42.800 And what I'm asking is, what kind of hope will they have? 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:48.360 Everybody that I've ever known and loved when they died, 00:36:49.060 --> 00:36:50.039 as I thought about them, 00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:53.760 I've always thought about where they were right then. 00:36:55.680 --> 00:36:58.580 If they were Christians, I've always thought they're in the presence of the Lord. 00:37:00.720 --> 00:37:02.220 And while I may be still sad, 00:37:02.560 --> 00:37:07.660 there's a whole lot of peace in knowing that they're in perfection, 00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:09.320 in paradise now with the Lord. 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:17.480 How do you think of yourself following your death and judgment? 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.780 Do you have comfort? 00:37:22.059 --> 00:37:24.260 Or are you afraid? 00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:28.280 One thing that we need to be, must be clear about, 00:37:29.380 --> 00:37:31.980 our salvation is not based on our good works. 00:37:31.980 --> 00:37:36.280 Understand, if you don't hear anything else this morning, 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:38.400 the New Testament clearly teaches 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:43.840 that your salvation is not dependent upon you being good or bad. 00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:49.579 Your salvation, your home in heaven, 00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:54.599 is not a reward for the good deeds that you do. 00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:59.019 It's not something that God does because you do more good than bad in the world. 00:38:02.779 --> 00:38:09.559 Our salvation is based on the goodness of Jesus Christ. 00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:13.759 Our salvation is based on who He is and what He's done. 00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:20.099 You see, Jesus lived the only perfect, righteous life that's ever been lived. 00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:22.860 And when we trust Him as our Savior and Lord, 00:38:23.719 --> 00:38:26.460 His perfect life is credited to us. 00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:29.940 Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. 00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.920 He lived a perfect life. 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:34.239 He didn't deserve to die, but He chose to die as our substitute. 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:37.199 He chose to take our sins upon Himself 00:38:37.199 --> 00:38:39.900 and incur God's wrath against our sin, 00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:41.719 to incur God's punishment. 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:44.819 He chose to suffer the pain and punishment of hell, 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:47.079 separation from God, for us, 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:48.519 so that if we will trust Him, 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:52.239 His death for sin will count as our death. 00:38:52.719 --> 00:38:54.179 And that's how we get to be forgiven. 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:59.460 We're saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus and Him alone. 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:01.420 Look at what Paul says. 00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:07.000 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:39:08.079 --> 00:39:10.199 We who are Christians should not fear death. 00:39:10.460 --> 00:39:11.860 We should not fear the judgment. 00:39:12.199 --> 00:39:14.380 But I want you to be real clear about what it means to be a Christian. 00:39:14.380 --> 00:39:19.340 The New Testament teaches that saving faith is continuing faith. 00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:26.220 The New Testament knows nothing about somebody just making a profession of faith 00:39:26.220 --> 00:39:27.380 or getting baptized, 00:39:28.380 --> 00:39:31.840 and nothing ever changes about them. 00:39:33.160 --> 00:39:36.840 The New Testament tells us that what God starts, He finishes. 00:39:37.300 --> 00:39:39.640 Look at how Paul describes it in Philippians. 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:42.980 And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you 00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:47.460 will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:51.460 When Jesus saves a person, He changes that person from the inside out. 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:55.019 Now, no one is instantaneously changed and made perfect. 00:39:55.239 --> 00:39:56.440 It's a lifelong process. 00:39:57.359 --> 00:39:59.960 But people who have been born again by the Spirit of God 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:05.199 will be gradually changed by the Spirit of God. 00:40:05.199 --> 00:40:09.139 Slowly but surely, if the Spirit of God lives within us, 00:40:09.939 --> 00:40:14.059 we will be developing the fruit of the Spirit, 00:40:14.899 --> 00:40:16.000 the character of Jesus, 00:40:16.199 --> 00:40:20.000 which is things like love and joy and peace and patience and kindness, 00:40:20.500 --> 00:40:22.339 goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 00:40:23.099 --> 00:40:28.359 There's not a person in this room who fully demonstrates this full-blown fruit. 00:40:28.360 --> 00:40:30.539 But if the Spirit of God lives within you, 00:40:30.700 --> 00:40:35.140 there is within you a desire to develop such character, 00:40:35.740 --> 00:40:38.099 to grow in the development of such character. 00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:40.460 There will be a desire within you to put forth the effort 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:42.300 to cooperate with God as He works in you 00:40:42.300 --> 00:40:43.700 to develop that kind of character. 00:40:44.440 --> 00:40:47.019 And if the Spirit of God has been living in you for any length of time, 00:40:47.220 --> 00:40:52.579 there will be some signs of such fruit in your life now. 00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:57.299 Sometimes, you know, you can see some evidence, 00:40:59.299 --> 00:41:02.500 but then there's some times you sort of go back 00:41:02.500 --> 00:41:04.719 and you don't see quite as much. 00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:09.739 But over time, we ought to see how God is chipping away 00:41:09.739 --> 00:41:12.639 at our old sinful, selfish ways 00:41:12.639 --> 00:41:20.519 and developing these spiritual fruit qualities, 00:41:20.779 --> 00:41:23.119 character qualities in us. 00:41:24.179 --> 00:41:25.339 Jesus said clearly, 00:41:26.359 --> 00:41:28.619 By this my Father is glorified, 00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:31.159 that you bear much fruit, 00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:34.079 and so prove to be my disciples. 00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:35.719 On Judgment Day, 00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:39.219 our lives will be evaluated, 00:41:39.219 --> 00:41:42.559 not by an empty profession of faith, 00:41:42.639 --> 00:41:46.839 but by a fruitful demonstration of faith. 00:41:48.279 --> 00:41:50.960 Does your life bear spiritual fruit? 00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:56.460 This is how we know who is truly saved 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:59.699 by the grace of God through faith in Jesus.