Bring 101: The Hope of Eternal Life

MONDAY

All the topics we’ve been studying lately do not make any sense and have no value unless we consider the reason behind the motivation for studying them. The reason is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent to die for our sins and to give us a hope beyond this life by His resurrection. If He had only died on the cross and then buried, He would not have been any different from any other martyr. What declared Him Lord and Savior of all men was the fact that He arose on the third day (Romans 1:4). Read carefully John 3:13-16. What is Jesus trying to establish in verse 13? The account Jesus is referring to in verse 14 is found in Numbers 21:4-9. What parallels can you draw between the account in the desert with Moses and the crucifixion of Jesus? What was the purpose in lifting up the snake and the Son of Man? Why was this done (vs. 16)? Notice that eternal life is the key word in these passages! What’s the other side of the coin? Write John 3:36 on an index card and memorize it. Share this great hope with your co-workers this week.

TUESDAY

To have eternal life means more than to live forever. The stress is more on the quality than on the quantity, though both are affirmed. Furthermore, John reveals it to be not only future possession but also a present reality. This is the life Jesus offers to the world. Read John 5:24. What are two qualifiers for eternal life? What does it mean to believe Jesus’ word and to believe the One who set Him? Does Jesus say that you will have eternal life as in the future, if you believe, or does He say that you have it now, as soon as you accept these things (obeying the gospel)? There’s obviously some commitment involved in the qualifiers of eternal life. Read John 6:61-69. Notice the exclusivity in vs. 65. Many had and still have a hard time with that. Why? What kind of attitude did the apostles have in light of the rejection of other people? Doesn’t vs. 69 contain the qualifiers of eternal life we read in the previous passage? Write John 12:25 on an index card and memorize it. Have you let go of your worldly life?

WEDNESDAY

Appreciating what God has given you involves understanding and knowing His will. Read 1 John 5:20. Reflect on this passage for a while and pray after you’ve read it once and then read it again carefully. Rely on the Spirit God has given you to teach you about this conviction the Apostle John has. What did Jesus come to give you? Why has He give you this? Toward whom does this understanding lead you? What, or should I say Who is God and eternal life? Does the understanding of this passage lead you to believe that your walk in Christ is an exercise in self-control with a reward at the end or a blissful commitment to an eternal relationship with your Lord and Savior, your Bridegroom? Your conviction on this one can be shown by how much of your present life you entrust to God. Read Mark 10:23-30. How much have you entrusted to your Lord? Write John 17:3 on an index card and memorize it.

THURSDAY

You want absolute, exact proof that you will rise again? Do you want to be sure that you will partake in the resurrection of the righteous? Read Romans 6:3-12. What happened when you were baptized, if indeed you have been baptized (vs. 3 and 4)? So why should you, or anyone, be baptized? So baptism is a means to an end, right? To what end(vs. 6, 7, and 8)? Look at verse 7. Count yourself dead to sin but alive to God! This is eternal life folks! You have received it! You have been raised from the watery grave to LIFE! So if you have united yourself with Him like this (being baptized [Acts 2:38]) in His death (baptism is a simulation of death), you will CERTAINLY be what??? Praise the Lord!!! Write 1 Peter 3:21 on an index card and memorize it. What is it that makes this baptism effective? Share this great news!

FRIDAY

This has been an exciting week, hasn’t it? On and on the Lord continues to assure us and encourage us with the plans He has prepared for us. I’m going to ask you to dwell on a long passage: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. Notice the parallels between Adam and Jesus, which are a reflection between our former selves, born like Adam and fallen, and our new selves, raised to life in Christ by the Spirit. What’s going to happen to you if Jesus comes back before you die? Verse 57 is the attitude of thankfulness in all things and verse 58 is the motivation to continue in our earthly struggle, because, we have some incredible things to look forward to in our relationship with God! Write 1 Peter 2:9 on an index card and memorize it.

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