God is a Righteous Judge

Imagine a life where everyone is allowed to do whatever they want--no rules, no laws, no consequences.  How would life change for us?

1) What impact would this have on our economy?

2) What about education?

3) Marriage and family?

4) Personal safety?

The answer to these questions seems obvious.  Life without rules or consequences would result in mass chaos.  It wouldn't take long for mankind's sinful instinct to take control leaving us in imminent peril.

None of us likes consequences. We normally do not rejoice over parking tickets, poor grades, or late fees.  However, these things are all a necessary part of life.  The same is true when it comes to the Kingdom of God.

Take a few moments to watch this movie clip:

Courageous Movie Scene: Gun Range Gospel

1) What were the consequences of the young father's actions?

2) What was he hoping would happen when he faced God on the day of judgement?

3) What is the main characteristic of a "good judge"?

The Bible is very clear about our eternal destination. There will be a day when we stand before God and are held accountable for our own actions.  Although God is gracious, He is also fair and righteous.  Those who have obediently followed Jesus Christ will
be given eternal life.  Those who have rejected God will be separated from Him for eternity.

How Can A Loving God Send People To Hell? - Lee Strobel

We believe in the resurrection of the dead, that the bodies both of the just and of the unjust shall be raised to life and united with their spirits-"they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

1) What will happen in the resurrection?

Daniel 12:2-3

John 5:25-29

1 Corinthians 15:12-58

2) What does the Bible say about judgement?

Matthew 25:31-46

Acts 17:30-31

Romans 2:6-11

2 Corinthians 5:10

Revelation 20:11-15 

Our Final Destiny

Here are two very sobering thoughts that we all must face.  Every person alive on this planet will someday pass from this life as we know it, and everyone who has ever lived will spend eternity in one of two places--either heaven or hell.

Through Scripture God has revealed many things about both of these places, but He has not told us everything.  Most people have many questions that cannot be answered until we are actually in eternity.  However, the Bible has made a few things perfectly clear.  As we endeavor to understand more about man's final destiny, it will be important for us to assert only those truths that the Bible has made plain.

Hell

 Hell is a very, very bad place. 

1) Hell is a place of fire. (Matthew 5:22, Revelation 20:14-15)

2) Hell is a place to serve God's sentence of judgement. (Matthew 5:29-30 , Mark 9:45, Luke 12:5) 

3) Hell is a place where we are separated from God.  (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

4) Hell is a place of torment. (Luke 16:19-31)

Heaven

Just as there is a hell to avoid, there is also a heaven to gain.  While there are only 13 references to hell in the Bible, there are over 466 references to heaven. People like to talk about heaven in terms of streets of gold, heavenly mansions, and many other wonderful ideas.  Yet, the most important part of what makes heaven glorious is this: Ultimately, heaven is being with God for all eternity.

1) Heaven is a place of great reward. (Matthew 5:11-12, Matthew 25:31-40)

2) Heaven is where God is. (Matthew 5:16, Revelation 22:1-5)

3) Heaven is a beautiful place where we will be with Jesus (John 14:1-3)