"When Does IT End?"

LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE 

Date: 5 March, 2017

Text: Textual message on "for ever"

Title: When Does IT End?

Introduction:

ill. Life goes very quickly - Like a roller coaster - you crest the hill and you are being shoved to the end of the ride.

Pro 27:24  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?

Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

(Prophecy of John the Baptist) 

Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

exp. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John  - all apply this Scripture to John the Baptist. 

 note: John the Baptist is "the voice"

Isaiah 40:6  The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

7  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: 

(His message - man's life is temporary - but there are some things that last forever.)

but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Certain things last forever. 

390 time the phrase "for ever" if found in our Bible in 380 verses.

97 times "everlasting" is found in 91 verses

47 times "eternal" is found.

Message this morning, "When Does IT End?" What you are living for is either temporal or eternal. That question - will answer for you whether or not you are living for eternity.

I. God's Word will never end. How important is God's Word to you?

A. God's Word is UNCHANGING for ever.

Psa 119:160  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

exp. God's Word rightly applied to Adam "Of every tree of the garden" to Moses, "Thou shalt not...." and to every human being since the beginning of creation. "Every one" endures of those truths ENDURETH FOR EVER.

 ill. Mankind has convinced themselves that they can change the law of God to suit the mood of society. Has the "scientific" law of gravity ever changed? (Imagine if unbelief in gravity could make us float away.) 

app. Mankind knows that scientific laws of God can't be changed - but they have convinced themselves *because of unbelief in God - that the Law of God's word can be. (They aren't floating and sadly they won't violate his moral law without consequences either. IT CAN NOT CHANGE.)

B. God's Word is true for ever.

Psa 117:2  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

ill. 28 Feb. 2017 - Chrisian Concern article - "Two street preachers have been convicted of public order offences, after a public prosecutor claimed that quoting parts of the King James Bible in the context of modern British society "must be considered to be abusive and is a criminal matter.... During the four-day trial, prosecutor Ian Jackson, claimed:

"To say to someone that Jesus is the only God is not a matter of truth. To the extent that they are saying that the only way to God is through Jesus, that cannot be a truth."

 app. I think I can hear the Apostle Peter saying, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." Don't believe that the lie that there is no such thing as absolute truth. "Let God be true but every man a liar." - Romans 3:4

C. God's Word is settled for ever.

Psa 119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

exp. Mankind is given no opportunity to change God's Book.

 ill. Thomas Jefferson - cut out words of Jesus and compiled his own book on the morals of Jesus which is known as the Jefferson Bible.

note: I doubt he put the following words of Jesus in His Bible - Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

app. Don't try to edit God's Word. Cut it and paste it to your own destruction.

D. God's Word has God's authority for ever.

Psa 119:152  Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

Psa 146:6  Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

exp. GOD GAVE US THIS BOOK. "Thou hast founded them for ever." "Which keepeth truth for ever:"

 ill. My university was named after the evangelist who founded it - Evangelist Bob Jones Sr. A university is a changing place. There are probably things that Evangelist Bob Jones Sr. would fight to change because THEY ARE NOT HOW HE INTENDED. But, he is dead. There are other things that he probably wouldn't have thought of but would have enjoyed and appreciated.

 app. God isn't dead and God didn't make any mistakes or need advice in his establishment of His Word. HE STANDS BEHIND IN 100% WITH ALL HIS LIVING AUTHORITY!

transition: The Bible is an eternal book. It will last "For Ever." How important is the Bible to you?

II. The reign of Jesus will never end.

 ill. When witnessing to unbelievers I have often pointed out that Jesus is the most famous person in human history. (His birthday, our calendar....etc) HOW IMPORTANT IS JESUS TO YOU?

A. Jesus is King for ever.

Psa 10:16  The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

question: Is he your king?

 ill. Patriotism is a wonderful thing for a righteous nation. A patriot is sworn to fight and defend the nation. If there is a monarchy he is sworn to uphold the sovereignty of that monarch.

app. Have you sworn your allegiance to King Jesus?

B. Jesus has authority for ever.

Psa 45:6  Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.

question: Do you yield to His authority? Whether you swear allegiance to Him or not - he is still king. AND IF NOT NOW, ONE DAY YOU WILL BOW BEFORE HIM.

Isa 45:23  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

 app. Have you bowed the knee to His authority in your life?

C. Jesus beautiful home is eternal.

 note: if you are a believer you will live there eternally - Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psa 93:5  Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

ill. Better Homes and Gardens home in Colorado 

Bought out huge housing scheme at the base of government land mountain range.

Huge log home with walkover hall way over drive. Single beam log lowered into place by helicopter.

two trout ponds

incredible furniture tower for glassing for elk on the mountain side.

two cabins etc.

 exp. The incredible home is beautiful because of wealth. I was a little intimidated to be in that home because of my comparative 'poverty.'

app. The house of Jesus is beautiful for it's purity. It will be eternally pure. Would you be embarrassed to go into God's Holy home today because of your comparative impurity?

transition: Is your Bible important (it's for ever) is Jesus (He's for ever.)

III. God's mercy will never end. How important is the mercy of God to you?

 exp. If you were convicted at all of the purity of the home of God - than you ought to appreciate his mercy - which makes us as pure as the pure Son of God.

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

A. His people can trust it for ever.

Psa 52:8  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

exp. King David wasn't a perfect man. He sinned against God by committing adultery and murder. But, David got right with God and trusted eternally in God's mercy.

 ill. Damaging Jim Sahlstrom's car - scratch - feeling guilty all night and having to tell my dad and Jim what I had done. Jim was very merciful and now that I know him more I know I need never have feared not having his mercy.

app. The character of God is mercy. You could be feeling really bad not knowing - but if you go to him you'll find Him full of mercy to those who trust in Him.

B. Because of God's goodness mercy will never end.

Psa 106:1  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 exp. The idea of the eternal mercy of God is possibly more pronounced than any other truth in God's Word.

Psalm 126 (All 26 verses end with "For his mercy endureth for ever."

ill. Joseph's family were fine in Egypt until a king arose who knew not Joseph.

18  Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

19  The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

 app. Nothing is going to ever change the mercy of God. You can have God's mercy today and for ever - because it is unchanging. 

transition: How important is God's Word, Jesus, God's mercy....

IV. Everlasting life will never end. How sure are you that you have eternal life?

 ill. Jesus said this was so important that if earhtly riches are keeping you from recieving it - you should willingly give up everything you have to get it.

Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

 ill. Jesus said that is was so imortant - that if your hands are keeping you from coming - it would be better to cut them off. Mar 9:43  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

A. Those who receive life from Him get it eternally.

Psa 21:4  He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

question: Who doesn't want to live for ever?

 ill. Man in Liberton - Well who wants to have these problems for ever (Heaven isn't like that.) Well I still don't want it. Do you want to die then? Would you be happy then to die today? YOU WANT TO LIVE.

app. Do you want eternal life - Get it from God. Joh 6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

B. The inheritance of God's children is eternal.

Psa 37:18  The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

ill. Putting flyers out in West Linton this week and singing, "I've got a mansion, just over that hilltop,...." I don't anticipate ever inheriting something wonderful on earth. BUT I FULLY ANTICIPATE INHERITING SOMETHING WONDERFUL IN HEAVEN.

 app. Christian where are you laying up treasure? Matthew 6 19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

C. God's is not just our God in life.

Psa 48:14  For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

ill. Witnessing to unbelievers - sharing anwers to prayer, How God has blessed our family and directed our family and cared for our family. 

exp. God is our God.

We also have someone with whom to face death and the gates of Heaven. Unbelievers have to go to the gates of death on their own - they have hell to welcome them.

 app. Friend how is it with your soul? Is he your God. If He is - you will have him for all eternity. If he is not - you will be without him for all eternity.

D. We abide in Him eternally.

Psa 61:4  I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

exp. A Tabernace is a tent. We are tabernacled with God - sheltered under His protective care for ALL ETERNITY.

 ill. Enjoy watching some outdoor shows with the boys. One time these two men we were watching were away from their tent and decided to sleep under the stars. They covered themselves with branches and were freezing - BECUASE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEIR SHELTER WITH THEM.

app. Friend, are you shivering because you are outside of God's protective shelter. If you are a believer you can abide in the tabernacle for ever. 

E. God's covenant has no end of contract.

Psa 105:8  He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

exp. Contracts are important - they are legal guarantees that protect us.

 ill. Marriage contract - you can't say that I'm not married. THE ONLY thing that ends that according to God is death.

Work contract - you can't unjustly fire me. That contract may end at a certain predetermined time or by violation of the contract..

app. God's covenant is a contract - which can not be broken because the duration of the contract is ETERNAL. The only requirement to enter the contract is that you do so through the mediation of Jesus. Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

How important is God's Word, Jesus, Mercy, Heaven to you? If not -  there is one other eternal thing which I need to mention.

VI. Hell will never end. How sure are you that you won't go to an eternal hell?

 exp. There are four incredibly awful things about hell.

1.) Hell is a literal fire of God's judgment against mankind.

2.) Hell is where those who never accepted God's mercy will suffer.

3.) Hell is complete separation from God and His mercy.

4.) Hell is ETERNAL.

 ill. In witnessing I often hear people say, "Well I guess I'll find out when I get there."

question: Have you ever had somebody walk past you towards danger saying as you warn them, "I guess I'll find out when I get there."

A. There is an eternal death.

Psa 49:8  (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

exp. There are precious souls - that will be lost to hell fires blaze for all eternity. It is eternal death.

Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 app. Friend, will that be you burning for all eternity - because you don't care about God's Word, Jesus, Mercy, and Heaven.

B. There is an eternal destruction.

Psa 92:7  When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

exp. Hell isn't a party. 

ill. No soldier returning from combat in Afghanistan or Iraq says, "It was great. It was a party." They saw death and destruction everywhere. It was horrible. They are struggling now with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because their souls were exposed to such awful scenes.

 app. Hell is eternal destruction. LISTEN TO THE JUDGE OF ALL EARTH SAY - DEPART FROM ME INTO HELL FOR EVER. It isn't too late - God's mercy is here for you today - you can accept God's Word and Believe in Jesus and Have a home in Heaven!

John the Baptist is "the voice" that cried some sobering words about life. IT IS TEMPORARY!

Isaiah 40:6  The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

7  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

WON'T YOU BELIEVE GOD'S ETERNAL WORD TODAY!