Preaching About The Life Everlasting
Preaching About the Life Everlasting
In this post we are continuing the series on preaching doctrine in your church. We have been following the Apostles’ Creed. The first post in the series is here. This will be the last post in the series. We are going to look at how to go about preaching about the life everlasting as a major doctrinal statement.
Where to Begin
I like this illustration to begin such a message. In 1951, in October, there was a rather strange phenomenon at Riverside College’s football game. The home team was behind by three
touchdowns, and yet, there was a buzz in the stands. In fact, every once in a while, cheers would break out at times that seemed totally unrelated to what was happening on the field. And then things got even more mysterious when a loud cheer burst out in the stands. What happened? The people in the stands were listening on their transistor radios to another game. The Giants were playing in the World Series, and Bobby Thompson just hit a home run to clinch the win.
In a similar way, we live with our attention on another place and time. Here’s how Jesus put it in a few verses, any one of which is appropriate (or all of them) for a sermon on life everlasting.
-
but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
-
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
The Believer’s Perspective
As I write this post, I am in one of those times. My son has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. We are in the throes of juggling our own life struggles, to traveling across the country to be with his family of wife and 5 children to help out. Even as we pray for healing, and hope for restoration that will preserve his life, we listen to another promise of Jesus. We will be given eternal life.
It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? Life that goes on and on and on. One where, as the book of Revelation says in chapter 21.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b]or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
What is around us is all temporary, including the unpleasant things. So, we listen for the reasons to cheer.
Conclusion
Some might choose to do a series of messages on heaven as the conclusion of a series on doctrine. If so, let me refer you to this resource.
In conclusion, preaching about heaven will give many in your church a renewed patience with the present as they tune their ears and hearts to the eternal.
