1 Peter 4:7-11


I Peter 4:7-11
(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)
October 24, 2013
                                                        
1.      I want to begin this study by asking you a question.  It is one of the most important questions you will ever answer.  The question is, “What is your basic philosophy of life?”...
--by what premise do you operate?...
--how do you make decisions?...
--what criteria do you use in determining how to spend your life?...
2.      When you reduce it to the lowest possible common denominator, there are, in reality, only two primary life philosophies...two opposing ways to view life...
--one view says,  "This life is all there is.  What you see is what you get and there is no higher power beyond ourselves...no ultimate purpose for our existence.  We might as well eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die and there is nothing beyond that."
--other view is much more optimistic…it says, "We are God's creation...have been placed here by Him...live in His world and everything in world, including us, ultimately belongs to Him...we are responsible to God for how we manage our lives..."
4.   Can't live by both those views at same time...we must live by one or the other, but really can't subscribe to both simultaneously...must believe either--
--that we are here as result of chance or we are here as result of choice of some higher being...
--that this life is all there is or there is an existence for us beyond our time in this world...
--responsible for how live in this world or we are not responsible...
And how we manage our lives depends on which of these two philosophies of life to which we subscribe...
5.   Of course, the Bible argues for the second philosophy...the one that asserts we are God's creation, we are destined for eternity, and we are responsible to God...in our study of I Peter, have come to a beautiful Scripture passage which says since we are God's creation and since we are destined for eternity, we should live a certain way in this world...look at I Peter 4:7‑11...
 
If you are even remotely familiar with professional football, you know what a two minute warning is...when only two minutes are left in the half, the official stops the game and warns both teams that only two minutes remain to be played...every team has in its play book what is called a “two minute drill” which allows it to get the very most from those last two minutes...in this passage Peter gives us sort of a two minute warning...
 


Notice v.7 begins with phrase "the end of all things is at hand..."...point of that statement is that time is running out...we must make the most of every moment we have...Christians should live in the awareness that this world is not all there is...there is an eternity awaiting us after our stay in this world, and that eternity could begin at any time...in light of that, Peter tells us we should do three specific things:
 
Be good stewards/managers of our lives
1.   Life is gift...not something deserved...earned...necessarily have right to...something God, in His grace, has chosen give to us...
2.   Life precious and life, in this world, certainly  limited...all know intellectually time in this world limited, but have difficulty accepting that fact emotionally...know only have short time in this world, but tend live as if have forever...
3.   Sobering thought that at end each day have one less day live that had 24 hours before...true for people of all ages...no guarantees about length life in this world...because of that should approach each day as if last and live best we can according to God's plan for us...
 
1.   Basically what Peter says last part v.7...there told to "be of sound judgment and sober spirit for purpose of prayer"...like way NEB translates...says, "so you must lead an ordered and sober life, given to prayer.."
·         The word translated "sound judgement" (NASB) and "ordered" (NEB) is sophronein, which means live life in proper perspective...to have right priorities...
·         The word translated “sober spirit” (NASB) and “sober life” (NEB) is nespsate, which means self-controlled…
2.      Other words, saying to manage your life well means determining those things really important and focusing on them...
 
Be characterized by genuine love for others


1.   While life is the greatest gift we've received, love is the greatest gift we have to give...in this passage Peter places special emphasis on our being characterized by love...notice how v.8 begins..."above  all"...look vv.8‑9 ‑ "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.  Be hospitable to one another without complaint."...

2.   If look carefully will notice these verses tell us several things about the way we are to love...

--We are to love fervently - Word translated "fervent" means sincere, earnest, and consistent...doesn't waver...never fails...always willing sacrifice for sake of one being loved...kind love that never dies...loving with every fiber of our beings...word was used to describe an athlete in a race stretching toward the finish line...there should be an energy, an enthusiasm about our love which is apparent to those who come into contact with us....

 

--We are to love graciously - Notice v.8 says "...love covers a multitude of sins"...that is, love is ready forgive time and time again...if really love someone, easy have forgiving spirit toward that person...not that love is blind to faults and shortcomings...but genuine love accepts people as they are, faults and all...how God loves us and how we're to love each other... There are several theories concerning this phrase: (1) it is an OT quote from Prov. 10:12 (from the MT not the LXX) where love does not remember wrongs done to it; (2) it is related to James 5:20 where love helps another believer reverse the spiritual consequences of back sliding; (3) it is related to Matt. 6:14–15 and Mark 11:25 where our forgiveness of others is an evidence of our being forgiven (i.e. Origen and Tertullian); or (4) it relates to the ability of love not to see the obvious weaknesses of fellow Christians under persecution (cf. I Cor. 13:7).[1]

 

--We are to love generously - Command to "be hospitable without complaint" in v.9 is command to share basic necessities life with those who need them...in 1st century church were two specific occasions when this was especially important--

--Christian missionaries who traveled across first century world to make gospel known needed shelter and support...

--Sometimes new Christians completely cut‑off from family/jobs and had no means support...these people needed help from other Christians...

Peter says love means sharing with such people without grumbling or complaint... Believers’ attitudes are crucial. Believers realize they are owners of nothing and stewards of everything.[2]

3.      Nothing says more about our relationship with Lord than how treat people...if abusive, manipulative, unforgiving, calloused toward people, indication not really disciple of the One who said, "A new commandment I give unto you, that  you love one another as I have loved you...by this all  men will know that you are my disciples, if you have  love for one another..." [John 13:34-35]

4.      And it’s not enough merely to profess love for others...we must demonstrate our love by what we do...as the Apostle John wrote, “...let us not love with word or tongue, but in deed and truth...” [I John 3:18]

 

Use gifts God has given us for the benefit of others

1.      Verse 10 makes point every Christian has received some gift from God...gift received to be used in ministry for good of others..."As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another..." The term gift (charisma) is from the root for “grace” (charis). These gifts are undeserved, unmerited love gifts for ministry. Every believer has a spiritual gift, given by God at salvation, for the purpose of ministry to and for the Church (cf. Rom. 12:6–8; I Cor. 12:7, 11, 18; Eph. 4:7). [3]

“in serving one another” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE PARTICIPLE used as an IMPERATIVE. It is from the Greek term for servant (diakonos). This later becomes the title for deacons (cf. Phil. 1:1). In Christianity leaders are servants, not bosses. Spiritual gifts are for others, not ourselves (cf. I Cor. 12:7). Spiritual gifts are not “merit badges” but “service towels.”

“as good stewards” This is literally “household managers.” The church is the household of God (cf. v. 17). Believers will give an account to God in Christ for their stewardship of spiritual gifts (cf. I Cor. 3:10–17; II Cor. 5:10).

“the manifold grace of God” This passage balances I Pet. 1:6. For every trial (cf. James 1:2) there is a commensurate grace of God and God has chosen to make it available through other believers. No believer is an island.

4:11 “whoever … whoever” These are two FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES. God’s gifted servants are expected to speak and serve through His power. If we speak it is His utterances. If we serve it is by His strength.

“which God supplies” This is a PRESENT ACTIVE INDICATIVE of a word used of one who financially supported a “chorus” (chorēgēo, which is a compound of choros and hēgeomai). God continues to richly supply His gifted ones (cf. II Cor. 9:10, the same word with epi prefixed, occurs in II Pet. 1:5, 11).

It is interesting that Paul seems to attribute spiritual gifts to the Spirit (cf. Rom. 12) or to Christ (cf. Eph. 4:11), but Peter attributes them to God the Father. This is another example of all the persons of the Godhead being involved in kingdom activities (cf. I Cor. 12:4–6).

“so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” This is a purpose (hina) clause. Spiritual gifts should glorify God, not the human agent. Our giftedness points to Him (cf. Matt. 5:16; I Cor. 10:31; I Pet. 2:12).

“to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever” This refers to Jesus in this context (cf. II Tim. 4:18; II Pet. 3:18; Rev. 1:6). In Rev. 5:13 it is used of both the Father and the Son. Usually this phrase refers to the Father (cf. I Pet. 5:11; Rom. 11:36; 16:27; Eph. 3:21; Phil 4:20; I Tim. 1:17; I Pet. 5:11; Jude 25; Rev. 7:12). For note on “glory” see 1:21.

Doxologies are common in the NT. The NT authors often break out in praise to God (cf. Rom. 11:33–36; Eph. 3:20–21; I Pet. 5:11).[4]

 

2.   What gift may have not really important...in this passage Peter mentions two broad categories of gifts...

--gifts of speaking which could include such things as preaching and teaching and encouraging...

--gifts of service which could include such things as practical kindness and helping someone in need and practicing hospitality...

And there are numerous other spiritual gifts mentioned in various parts of the Scripture...what is important is not what particular gift you may have...what is important is how you use your gift for benefit of others and glory of God...

 

CONCLUSION

1.   In Lawrencburg, TN there is a cemetery...in that cemetery are two tombstones, not very far apart, with contrasting inscriptions written on them...one of the tombstones says, "He made his life the best he could.  No fear of gods ... no thought of future punishment or reward controlled his life.  His mind was free from religious or other superstitions."...the other tombstone was inscribed with this simple Bible verse, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

2.   Which of those two inscriptions most accurately reflects your philosophy of life?...want to remind you today that we all live in the shadow of eternity...because of that we should--

--manage our lives well...

--be characterized by fervent, gracious, generous love...

--use the gifts God has given us for the benefit of others...



[1] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (256). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[2] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (256). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[3] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (256). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[4] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (256–257). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

1 Peter 4:1-6


I Peter 4:1-6
(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)
October 17, 2013
 
1.      The second amendment to the Constitution of the United States simply says:
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
2.      In this session we are going to focus on a passage which instructs us to “arm ourselves”...look in your Bibles to I Peter 4:1-6...notice the command in the very first part of this passage about “arming ourselves”...
3.      The Greek word translated “arm yourselves” in v.1 is used only here in the NT…the word was used to describe a soldier putting on his armor, taking up his weapons, and preparing for battle...
4.      We live in a rough and tumble world...life is often like a battle...and certainly believers are engaged in a great spiritual battle…just as a soldier needs weapons to help him in battle, so we need resources to deal with the difficulties/challenges we invariably will face in life...in this paragraph Peter reminds us of some of the resources with which we should arm ourselves...want you to see some of those resources today...
 
I.       We are to arm ourselves with the right priority in life


1.      When a person comes to faith in Christ, one of the first things which happens is that the priorities of that person’s life begin to change...Peter describes that change in the last part of v.1 with the phrase “ceased from sin”...the verb translated “ceased from” means “to be done with” or “to be released from”...doesn’t mean that a Christian never sins...it means that the desire of our heart, the priority of our lives, the thing for which we long is not disobedience to God but obedience to God... The whole point is that as believers follow Christ’s example of suffering, so too, His example of victory over sin. We are new creatures in Christ! We must live like it. Christlikeness is the will of God (cf. Rom. 8:29; Gal. 4:14; Eph. 1:4; 2:10). It reflects the fact that the image of God lost in the Fall (cf. Gen. 3) is fully restored in Christ. Christians have a choice again on how they will live. They are no longer slaves of sin! Walk in Him![1]
2.      In first part of v.2 Peter reminds us that we just have so much time in this world...during the time that we have, which Peter refers to as “the rest of the time in the flesh” we can choose to live for ourselves or to live for God...we can choose to live for what v.2 calls “the lusts of men” (which is further described in v.3) or we can choose to live for “the will of God...”
3.      But we can’t choose both at the same time...we either prioritize our lives in a way that reflects the way of the world or we prioritize our lives in a way that reflects the will of God...as Jesus said in Matthew 7:24 - “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”... and in the same passage He said, “...for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also...”...
4.      And this passage in I Peter reminds us that life is better when our hearts are focused not on self-gratification but the will of God...
 
1.      At 4:00 a.m. in the morning of May 1, 1873, David Livingstone, the famous missionary to and explorer of Africa, was found dead in a hut built for him by some natives in a small African village... he was kneeling beside his bed in prayer when he died...in accordance with the custom of the people living in that part of Africa, while Livingstone’s body was sent back to England for burial in Westminster Abbey, his heart was buried under a tree in his beloved Africa near the hut in which he died...
2.      If your heart were to be buried in the place you loved most during your time in this world, the place of your highest priority, where would that place be?....would it be in some physical pleasure?...would it be in material possessions?...would it be in some recreational activity?...would it be in some award or achievement?...
3.      Our ultimate priority, our highest purpose according to I Peter 4:2 should be living “for the will of God...”...not only should we arm ourselves with the right priority, but this part of God’s Word tells us to...
 
II.  We should arm ourselves with the right relationships


1.      When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, not only do that person’s priorities begin to change, but his/her relationships begin to change as well...new priorities result in new relationships...
2.      That’s the basic point of v.4...there Peter says that when a person becomes a Christian, at least some of the old relationships are broken...we no longer run with the same crowd...we no longer do the things which once dominated our lives...I like the way the v.4 is paraphrased in the Living Bible:  “Of course, your former friends will be very surprised when you don’t eagerly join them any more in the wicked things they do, and they will laugh at you in contempt and scorn.”...
3.      People who do not know Christ cannot understand the radical change which occurs in the lives of those who come to faith in Christ...
 
1.      And it is vitally important that we have in our lives people who do understand our spiritual commitments and who encourage us and support us and help us along the way...and that is one purpose of the Christian fellowship…in our relationships with fellow believers we find a support group to help us stay on track, to hold us accountable, to nurture us in the faith...
2.      The Christian life is a life of community, of fellowship with other believers...we need each other...we cannot be what God intends for us to be apart from healthy relationships with other believers...
3.      Tragically, many Christians try to live the Christian life apart from meaningful relationships with other Christians...no-one to watch out for them, to encourage them, to support them...


4.      And it should not be that way...this part of God’s Word instructs us to arm ourselves with right relationships...and in addition to arming ourselves with the right relationships and the right priority, this part of God’s Word instructs us to...

 

III.  Arm ourselves with the right perspective

1.      Verses 5-6 and this paragraph remind us that this world is not all there is...we are destined for eternity and we are destined for a time of judgment and accountability...remembering that helps us keep things in this life in proper perspective...

2.      Verse 6 has been the subject of much debate among biblical interpreters.  This has been interpreted as referring to (a) those who are spiritually “dead in sin,” (b) those who heard and believed the gospel but have since died, (c) those who died without hearing or believing the gospel. Barclay preferred the third interpretation, assuming that 3:19 refers to Christ’s preaching to the dead. Consequently he believed that here “was a breathtaking glimpse of a gospel of a second chance.” This interpretation has no scriptural support and is contrary to orthodox Christian doctrine (cf. v. 5).[2]

3.      In Milan, Italy there is a cathedral which at its main entrance has a large triple doorway...

--over the doorway to one side there is beautiful carving of roses and underneath the carving is the inscription, “All that which pleases is but for a moment.”

--over the doorway to the other side is a carving of a cross and underneath that carving is the inscription, “All that which troubles us is but for a moment.”

--and over the center doorway which leads to the main isle of the cathedral there is not carving but simply an inscription which reads, “That only is important which is eternal.”

4.      And remembering those three truths will help us keep the right perspective in life...focusing on that which is eternal will keep us from being—

--too caught up in pleasures...

--too overwhelmed by troubles...

5.      This part of God’s Word reminds us to arm ourselves with the right perspective...

CONCLUSION

1.      Willie Nelson, the aging country singer from the hill country around Austin, is well known not just for his music but also for his well publicized use of marijuana…he has been quoted as saying about marijuana, “...It’s good for stress which is the biggest killer on the planet.  If you need some temporary help in getting through the day, cannabis (another name for marijuana) is the best way.” [DMN, Oct.25, 2000]

2.      Of course there is a much better way to deal with the pressures and stresses of life than that...that better way is spelled out for us in this part of God’s Word...arm yourself, equip yourself with the right—

--priority...the priority of God’s will...

--right relationships...people who will nurture and encourage you

--right perspective...viewing life in terms of eternity...

That’s the best way to deal with the pressures we face in this world...

 



[1] Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 2: The Gospel according to Peter: Mark and I & II Peter. Study Guide Commentary Series (252). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.
[2] Raymer, R. M. (1985). 1 Peter. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (1 Pe 4:6). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

1 Peter 3:18-22


I Peter 3:18-22
(A Bible Study Led by Dr. Larry Reynolds)
October 10, 2013
 
1.      One of the disadvantages of teaching through books of the Bible as we do in this study I is that it is obvious to everyone if you skip over the difficult passages.  In our journey through I Peter we have come to the most difficult passage in this letter and one of the most difficult passages in the entire NT.  In this study we will focus on I Peter 3:18-22.  Verse 18 is one of the great statements in the Bible about the work of Jesus. I really wish 1 Peter 3 ended with that verse, but unfortunately there is more!  Verses 19-22 are obviously very difficult to interpret.
2.      In his commentary on I Peter Warren Wiersbe says, “Good and godly interpreters have wrestled with these verses, debated and disagreed, and have not always left behind a great deal of spiritual help.”  And we will certainly not solve all of the problems or answer all of our questions about this difficult passage in this session.
3.      However, there are a couple of things we can do:
·         We can focus on the main thing teaching, the big idea in these verses.
·         We can debunk some wrong conclusions that have been drawn by some from these verses.


 
The main teaching of this passage has to do with the nature of salvation.  This passage clearly teaches that our salvation is rooted in, tied to, accomplished by what Jesus has done for us
1.      One of the basic principles of interpreting a difficult Bible passage is to work from the obvious to the not-so-obvious...from the clear to the unclear...whatever else this part of God’s Word may or may not teach, the main message is clear...and that message is that our salvation is the result of what Jesus has done for us...
2.      Notice some of the things that these verses say to us about Jesus—
·         The first part of verse 18 speaks of the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.  This verse is one of the great statements in the Scripture about the redemptive death of Jesus.  It tells us: 
o   His death was “for sins”…that is, it was because of our sin that the cross was necessary…
o   His death was “once”…that is, the sacrifice was complete…it does not need to be repeated…
o   His death was “for all”...that is, every single person can potentially benefit from His death…
o   His death was “the just for the unjust”…that is, the One who did not deserve to die, died and the ones who deserved to die, lived…
o   His death was “in order (for the purpose of) that He might bring us to God”… that is, He died to restore our broken relationship with our Creator…
·         The last part of verse18 and last part of verse21 speak of the resurrection of Jesus...the cross makes sense, becomes an instrument of victory, only in light of the empty tomb...
·         The first part of verse 22 speaks of the ascension of Jesus to the “right hand of God” (the place of power and authority) in heaven...
·         The last part of verse 22 speaks of the exaltation of Jesus over all creation...
3.      The main theme of this passage is the redemptive work of Jesus—His death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.  Everything else in this passage is secondary...incidental to what is said about Jesus...and that is a strong reminder that He is where our focus should be...
 
1.      I remember hearing a story about a Sunday School teacher in a 8 year old class for boys who asked a the class a series of questions.  He asked
--”What is round and furry with little pink nose and cotton tail?”
--”What has strong legs and hops through the forest?”
--”What has long ears and likes to eat carrots?”


      And in response to each question the same boy raised hand and answered, “Jesus!”  The teacher thought the boy was trying to be disruptive, so he took him to his dad and explained what the boy had done.  When the dad asked the boy to explain his answers, the boy said, “Well, I knew he was talking about a rabbit, but he should have been talking about Jesus!”
 
1.      And if we learn nothing else from this difficult part of God’s word, we should learn that our focus should be on Jesus...we should be thinking about...talking about....looking to Him...as the writer of Hebrews so eloquently put it, we should be “...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of [our] faith...”...
2.      We must never forget that our eternal salvation is the result of what Jesus has done for us and specifically what Jesus has done for us through His sacrificial death on the cross...that is one thing clearly taught in this passage...also want you to see something this passage does not teach...
 
There are two things this passage does not teach that need to be debunked.
 
·         This passage does not teach that God gives us a second chance at salvation after death
1.      In my judgment some people read much more into verse 19 than they should...the verse says, “...in which [that is, in the spirit] He [Jesus[ went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison...”...
2.      Some people take that verse to mean that after His crucifixion and before His bodily resurrection Jesus went into hell and offered through preaching salvation to those who are there...however, there are several problems with that interpretation...
o   First, word translated “spirits” is not used in the NT to describe people...it is used to describe supernatural beings such as angels or demons...verse 20 seems to indicate that the “spirits” being referred to here were evil spirits who were in some way active in the world in the days of Noah...
o   Second, contrary to what some people think, the NT does not teach that Jesus visited hell between the crucifixion and resurrection...
--while Acts 2:31 speaks of Jesus being in “Hades” that word simply means the abode or the place of the dead...it is not the permanent place of judgment for the lost...
--and while Ephesians 4:9 speaks of Jesus “descending into the lower parts of the earth” it is clear from the context of that statement that it is a reference to His incarnation, His becoming flesh...
o   Third, the word translated “made proclamation” is not the word used elsewhere in I Peter to mean “preach the gospel”...this word merely means to announce...


3.      Putting all that together, I do not think this passage means that Jesus went into hell and offered salvation to people there.  I agree with Brian Harbour who writes this passage means that “Jesus proclaimed His victory to those evil spirits who opposed the work of God and who at different times in history held sway over the hearts of mankind, particularly in the days of Noah and the flood.” [Harbour, I Peter notes]

 

1.      However you interpret I Peter 3:19, you should not interpret that verse to mean that we will be given a second chance at salvation after death.  That would be contrary to everything the NT teaches about salvation.  Our eternal destiny is determined in this world by our response to what God has done for us in Christ.  We leave this world either saved or lost.  And the state in which we leave this world is the state in which we stay throughout eternity.

 

1.      There is a wonderful story about Lou Gehrig, the legendary for the NY Yankees.  The story says he was at bat in critical situation in important game.  He had two strikes on him.  The pitcher delivered a pitch at which Gehrig did not swing and the umpire said, “Strike three!”  Gehrig turned, said something to the umpire, and walked back to the dugout.  After the game a reporter asked Gehrig what he said and he replied, “I said I would give anything to have that pitch over again!” [Brian’s Lines]

2.      At the end of life, when they step out into eternity, many people are going to say, “I would give anything to have one more chance at salvation.”  But then it is too late.  The Scripture teaches that our eternal destiny is determined in this world and there are no second chances.

 

·         This passage does not teach that baptism is what saves us.

1.      On the surface, verse 21 would seem to teach that.  If you just lifted the phrase “baptism now saves you” from the verse, you would reach that conclusion.  However, it is important to read that phrase in the context of this passage. 

2.      Notice the phrase is prefaced by “And corresponding to that…”  That points back to the previous verse which refers to the flood in the days of Noah.  It was not water that saved the family of Noah, it was the ark.  They were brought safely through the water by the ark.  Correspondingly, it is not water baptism that saves us.  It is what is represented by the baptism--the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  This verse emphasizes the resurrection part of the Christ event.  Our being raised from the waters of baptism is a picture of our being raised to a new life in Christ.

CONCLUSION

1.      Whatever else you may see in this difficult part of God’s word, you certainly should see that Jesus is the way to salvation...

2.      In His own words, Jesus said His purpose in becoming flesh and coming to our world was “to seek and to save the lost.”...and if we fail to come to faith in Christ during our time in this world, no matter what else we may do, we have missed the most important thing in all eternity...

3.      The old chorus says it well:

“Without Him, I could be dying, Without Him, I’d be enslaved;

Without Him, life would be hopeless, but with Jesus, thank God,    I’m saved.”