January 30th, 2005, Sunday Morning

"Do You Have Jesus?"
Having world-class accomplishments and health are temporal; Having Jesus is forever


OPENING: 1 John 5:7-12

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• INTRODUCTION: World-class achievements only go as far as being printed in the record books
  
  
  • Dave Castillo was on a 1957-58 men's swimming team
    He did the 200 yard medley relay in 3 minutes, 45 seconds

    At 50 years old, he was seven seconds faster
    
    

    Helen Cline had not been athletic in her entire life

    At 55, after never been active her whole life, she all of a sudden took up jogging

    At 66, she competed in the Vermont 100 mile race and completed it in 24 hours, 59 minutes
    
    

    John Kelly, at the age of 90, climbed eight miles to reach the top of a mountain

    He ran the Boston marathon 61 times and won it two times
    
    

    For the age of 90...

    The 100 meter record is 19 seconds

    The one mile run record 12 minutes

    The high jump record is two feet, nine inches
  
  
• People who achieve world-class fame in life still die
  
  
• Even if people still do great things at the age of 80, there is no value if that person doesn't have Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour
  
  
• 1 John 5:7-12: John's intent: If you have Jesus (are saved) then you have life
  
  
• 1 John 5:11: God offers us all eternal life because Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree which caused them and all their children (the rest of the world) to be able to die (Genesis 2:17)
  
  
  • Genesis 3:24: Because Adam and Eve used their free will to want to know good and evil, regardless of God's order, they were cast out of the garden of Eden and their earthly bodies became capable of death
    
    
  • Romans 5:12: As just as Adam and Eve now inherited the ability to sin and die, so have we all
  
  
• Yet, today, some refuse to accept aging and try to stay young through extra sleep, vitamins, physical fitness, Botox, wrinkle-reduction cream, etc.
  
  
  • 1 Timothy 4:8: Physical fitness does not compare to the more important spiritual fitness
    
    
  • Regardless of how healthy you keep yourself, you cannot stop uncontrollable events such as cancer or being involved in a major accident
  
  
• Hebrews 9:27: The Bible states that every man's body shall die; Nothing can stop it, so why waste time, money and resources to combat it?
  
  
• About tomorrow...
  
  
  • 2 Corinthians 6:2: Today is the day to become saved; do not wait until tomorrow because it may be too late!
    
    
  • Luke 12:19-20: Do not put stock in storing goods to last you for years because God may require your life tonight!
    
    
  • Matthew 6:34: Don't worry about tomorrow; there's enough sin and temptation to deal with today
  
  
• What a tragic waste to live a full earthly life (that means nothing after death) and not have a spiritual life (that impacts you even after your earthly death)
  
  
• 1 Peter 1:12: The world shuns the Gospel more and more--the very Word even God's angels desire to look into!
  
  
• 2 Peter 2:4-5: God didn't give his (fallen) angels (i.e., Satan) a second chance but he allows man to fall (sin) multiple times in order to hope he wants to become saved
  
  
• WHAT IS HEAVEN LIKE FOR THE SAVED THAT AWAIT IT?
  
  
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard" the amazing things God has in store for the saved
    
    
  • John 14:2: Except for Jesus saying that He is a preparing a mansion for each of His saved
  
  
• 1 John 5:11 and John 14:6: There's only one way to become saved (acquire eternal life) and that's through Jesus Christ--the door to God
  
  
• John 15:23: You cannot separate love for God and Jesus--if you hate or don't know Jesus, you also hate or don't know God; Therefore, you cannot ignore Jesus if you plan to have eternal life
  
  
• COMPARISON TO OTHER RELIGIONS
  
  
  • The Principles of Buddhism
    
    
    • If you practice this religion, your reward is "eternal nothingness" and no one will come back to find your whereabouts
      
      
    • Your purpose in life is to be troubled by all the problems of this world
      
      
    • You may find all solutions to all of life's problems but you're not rewarded with life after earthly death
    
    
  • Hinduism (reincarnation)
    
    
    • If you were a bad person, you'll come back as a lower form of life
      
      
    • If you achieve the highest state, you may not come back anymore
      
      
    • It's like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day: he had to wastefully learn to do things over and over again, for many lifetimes
    
    
  • Islam
    
    
    • Principle: There's no guarantee of Heaven except through suicide attack, killing others along with yourself
    
    
  • Mormonism (in America)
    
    
    • Without the founder's consent (Joe Smith), you cannot enter Heaven
      
      
    • In his end, Joe Smith was arrested and imprisoned; Then a mob came against the prison to kill him, in which Joe Smith killed two before dying
      
      
      • Now how can a murderer like that dictate who can enter Heaven?
    
    
  • Christianity is the only religion that dictates a way to eternal life regardless of your sins
    
    
    • While other religions dictate rigid consequences and punishments for disobedience, Christianity preaches love and forgiveness as having the great importance
      
      
    • John 15:13: And Jesus personally demonstrated his claim that "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." by allowing Himself to be crucified so the world may be able to receive the free gift of eternal life
  
  
  
  CLOSER

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• 1 John 5:12: If Jesus is not in you (if you're not saved) then you will not have eternal life in Heaven
  
  
  • 2 Corinthians 6:2: Many put church off "until they can find time" or to enjoy life just a little more but the Bible says to find Jesus today because when it's too late, there's no second chance
    
    
    • Acts 26:28: Some people (in this case, King Agrippa) come so close to being convinced, yet are not saved
      
      
    • Acts 24:24-25: And others (in this case, Governor Felix) are afraid to talk about death and thus are not saved
  
  
• Some people's life focus is to make the most of their earthly existence while maintaining the best health possible; Rather, focus on Jesus Christ and practice His teachings and He'll ensure you enjoy life even more than you could imagine it on this earth (John 10:10)