Pastor's Notes
May 2016
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The Kingdom of Heaven
“Is heaven my eternal home”? Have you ever found yourself asking that question? When it concerns such a critical issue, one would think individuals would look to the authoritative source for the answer. Unfortunately, many look everywhere but to the one authority.
Consider Jesus response to Nicodemus
Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” ~ John 3:3 The Amplified Bible
Consider Jesus response to the Disciples.
He called a little child and set him before them, 3 and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 18:2-4 The Amplified Bible
Repentance is the life-long process of conforming our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to the kingdom of God. True repentance is essential for salvation. True repentance results in a desire to turn away from our sin, to go in the opposite direction, to seek Gods presence. If that desire is not present, true repentance has not occurred.
Jesus said that we’re to be “child-like”, not “childish”. Little children haven’t lost their ability to be trusting, humble and forgiving.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Amplified Bible
“Is heaven my eternal home”?
What does the evidence say?
Spiritual awakening brings a new life!
Have I experienced Spiritual awakening?
How can I be sure?
If heaven is my eternal home I have been reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, the previous moral and spiritual condition have passed away and that’s not all, new things have come because spiritual awakening brings new life, eternal life!
Some say that you can have Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration! Don’t fall for it! Let’s talk!