THREE TRUTHS (Hebrews 9:27-9:27)

THREE TRUTHS

Hebrews 9:27-9:27

Introduction:

Hebrews 9:27 (READ).
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

As I look at this passage of Scripture, I am reminded of three truths:

1. Death is a Certainty
2. Final Judgment is a Reality
3. God’s Eternal Salvation is a Possibility

I. DEATH IS A CERTAINTY

“Just as man is destined to die once…” Death is a certainty. In Ecclesiastes 7:2 the Word of God tells us that, “Death is the destiny of every man.”

It doesn’t matter how well you feel or how in shape you might be. No one can escape the certainty of death. That’s why it’s so important that we live each day to the fullest. We need to live each day as if it’s our last. How are you living out your life? Are you living each day as if it could be your last or are you taking this life for granted? My friend, I hope you take advantage of everyday God gives you and that you use each day to make an eternal difference in someone’s life.


II. FINAL JUDGMENT IS A REALITY

The Word of God tells us that after death each of us will certainly face judgment. God’s Word speaks of two different types of Judgment. First, there’s the Judgment Seat of Christ which we read of in

2 Corinthians 5:10. It’s important that you understand that this Judgment is for Christians. Here we read, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Paul was not saying that Christians should not enjoy certain wholesome, earthly things, but that they should glorify God in them and spend most of their energy and time with what has eternal value.

Speaking of the Judgment Seat of Christ, look at what Paul said beginning in 1 Corinthians 3:13 concerning the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Word of God says, “Our work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.”


Which brings us to the second type of judgment the Word of God speaks of and that is the Great White Throne Judgment and we read about in Revelation 20:11-15. As you turn there, please, understand that this judgment is for those who never committed their lives to Christ. For those of you that are here this morning or maybe watching by television and you have never asked Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart—if you die without Christ, you will stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment.

In Revelation 20:11 we read these words, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Wow! What a terrible day that will be for those who stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment. You see, on that day it will be too late to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Matthew 25:41 tells us that if you stand before God on that day you will hear the words, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” He did not prepare it for you but because you were ashamed of Him, He’ll be ashamed of you.

III. GOD’S ETERNAL SALVATION IS A POSSIBILITY

28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

Did you notice that God’s Word says, “Christ was sacrificed once (that He died once) to take away the sins of many. Underline that word many. You see Christ’s death doesn’t take away the sins of all. Not everyone receives salvation through Christ’s death because not everyone believes in Him. That’s why eternal salvation is only a possibility.

If I could receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior for you I would, but the reality of the matter is that each person must decide for themselves to either accept Christ or reject Him.

In Romans 10:9 the Word of God says, “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him form the dead, you will be saved.” Not you might be but that you will be saved!

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;

Please don’t put Christ off any longer. Heed the words of
James 4:14, which tells us that our life is like a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.