Eternal Facts About the Christian Faith :: By Donald Whitchard
Hebrews 9:12; 2 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 53:4-6, 64:6; Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 5:10; Hebrews 9:27; John 14:6; Revelation 20:11-15
Summary: Scripture alone defines and sets in place the essential facts about what it means to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ. Our opinions, preferences, and feelings have no place in what God has said in His Word.
Normally, I post detailed sermons or articles covering a variety of issues as part of my contribution to this site. I want to divert from that format and instead post a sermon outline dealing with some salient and eternal facts about the Christian faith that I hope will be of help and encouragement to pastors, Bible teachers, or anyone who loves God and His Word.
Eternal Facts of the Faith
Eternal Fact No. 1:
The eternal, inerrant, infallible Word of God is THE foundation upon which these facts are based. There is no human intervention or input for which the Sovereign LORD God Almighty has decreed and affirmed. Scripture is clear on this teaching (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). There is NO ROOM for compromise in this matter. The issue of our redemption has been predetermined and settled by God. We have NO business, nor do we dare to demand that He provides us any other means by which we must be saved (Isaiah 53:4-6; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9).
Eternal Fact No. 2:
God is eternal, having no beginning or end. He is outside time, space, and matter. He is all-powerful, all-wise, and present everywhere. He is the source of all things and has total and complete control over everything (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 15:18; Psalm 9:7, 33:6, 62:11, 65:6, 135:6, 13, 145:13; Isaiah 40:23, 44:25, 45:5-6; Acts 17:24; Romans 1:18-20; Colossians 2:3; 1 Timothy 1:17).
Eternal Fact No: 3:
The plan for our redemption has been established from eternity by God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled this plan once and for all. Salvation is of the LORD alone. We have no part in it except to admit that we cannot save ourselves and instead receive God’s offer of salvation by faith. To add or take away anything regarding what God has decreed concerning this matter is to teach a false gospel that leads to eternal death (Psalm 27:1, 37:39; Isaiah 12:2, 25:9; 53:1-12, 64:6; John 3:16, 10:9, 14:6, 19:30; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:10-11, 6:23, 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:21, 15:2; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:15; 2 Peter 3:9).
Eternal Fact No.4:
God’s greatest work is the eternality of our salvation. When He redeems us, it is for all time and is something that we cannot lose since He is the One who provides, sustains, and keeps us. This should make us thankful, grateful, humble, and devoted to Him. However, those who “profess faith in Christ” for a time and then walk away were not saved in the first place. We are commanded in Scripture to be certain that the faith we profess is genuine lest we find ourselves condemned by Christ on the day of judgment (Mathew 7:21-23,11:28-30; Mark 4:5, 16-17; Luke 8:4-8, 18:18, 28-30; John 3:14-16, 36, 5:24, 6:37, 10:28-30; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 3:10).
Eternal Fact No.5:
God’s richest gift is the promise and reality of eternal life. He could have left us alone in our rebellion and sin to face the eternal consequences. He sovereignly chose to redeem us with a love and compassion that we do not deserve. He graciously provides redemption that we could not in our own strength or means ever devise or enact that would please Him or meet His holy standards. He has made this plain all throughout Scripture. God’s work of salvation is His alone, and there is no place for opinions or demands to the contrary (Isaiah 43:25, 45:22; Romans 3:23, 5:6-11, 6:23, 10:9-10; 1John 1:6-10, 2:1-2, 3:1-3).
Eternal Fact No. 6:
Eternal inheritance is the promise made by the LORD God to His saints (redeemed ones). This applies to everyone throughout history who has turned to Him for grace, mercy, and salvation, and never be taken away. His promises are true and dependable, and we can take comfort in this matter (Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37, 10:28-30; Hebrews 13:5).
Eternal Fact No. 7
There is a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid. The Bible says that there are only two destinations that God made as it pertains to where we will spend eternity. Those who have truly repented of their sins and have placed their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are given the promise of eternal life and peace with God in heaven. Those who choose to reject the free offer of salvation in Jesus Christ condemn themselves to an eternity in a real, literal, and horrific hell with the devil and his angels and all who have followed him in their lives and deeds.
Today is the day of salvation. You have no guarantee of tomorrow. You can either embrace or reject what God has decreed, but time is running out to make a decision. Those are the facts (Matthew 25:41; Luke 16:19-31; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6:2; Hebrews 9:27; James 4:13-17 Revelation 20:11-15. 21:1-7), and they are not about to change.
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