Heaven or Hell: the Choice Is Yours

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Eternal Realities

Heaven or Hell: the Choice Is Yours By Rick Warren — Mar 14, 2015 “What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12a GNT) Recently, I was leaning back in a dentist’s chair. My mouth was wide open, and there were all kinds of dental tools in my mouth. The technician leaned over and asked, “So, what happens after I die?” I said, “It all depends on how much you hurt me!” Then I said, “I know this: We won’t need dentists in Heaven. They may be needed in Hell, but we won’t need them in Heaven.” The Bible teaches that everything you see right now is temporary. Your body will not last — and that includes your teeth. Your house and office won’t last. The trees and the rivers and even the mountains won’t last forever. All the things you see right now are temporary. The things you don’t see right now are eternal realities. The truth is, the things that are going to last forever are things we can’t see. We can’t see God, the Holy Spirit, the angels, or Heaven. According to the Bible, those things are going to last forever. The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face” (GNT). Here’s the really good news: God created you to last forever, and you get to choose where you spend eternity. One day your heart’s going to stop, and that’s going to be the end of your body — but it’s not going to be the end of you. The Bible says God wants you to spend eternity with him. These are the realities of life: First, God made you to love you, and he wants your love back. Second, God created you to last forever. Third, God has prepared two places where you can spend eternity: Heaven and Hell. Fourth, you get to choose where you’ll spend eternity. You can choose to live forever in Heaven with God. And, finally, there is no second chance after you die. There will be no second chance. Today is the day to settle where you will spend eternity. Open your life to Jesus Christ, and accept his gift of eternal life with him in Heaven. The choice is yours! Talk It Over What makes it easier sometimes to focus on temporary things rather than eternal things? Why do you think God gives us a choice of where we spend eternity? When did you make the choice to live forever with God in Heaven? How has it changed the way you live? Praise No Matter What TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12, ESV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria We can learn so much from the apostle Paul. He was deliriously happy and joyful because of what Christ had done in his life. Even when he was chained and shackled in a dark prison because of his faith, Paul praised God and counted it a privilege to deliver the message of the gospel. He had His eyes focused on the prize of eternity! He didn’t let a bad day throw him off course. He didn’t get depressed when people didn’t like him. No, He stood confident in Christ knowing that praise prepares the way for victory! One thing we know is that you can’t defeat a person who is always happy and praising God. If you are in a battle today, if you need a miracle in your circumstances, follow Paul’s example and open your mouth and begin to praise to Him! Develop an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep your eyes focused on eternity because when you praise God no matter what, you’ll be victorious no matter what and embrace the good things He has for your future! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, today I set my eyes on You and thank You for ordering my steps. I will praise You because You are good and I trust that no matter what, You are working in my life! In Jesus’ name. Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61U-LSlnE0k