Building Blocks: Foundations of the Faith: Week 8

Hebrews 6:1-2 (NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

1.  Repentance from dead works 

2.  Faith toward God 

3.  Baptisms  

4.  Laying on of hands  

5.  Resurrection of the dead  

6.  Eternal Judgment 

Why would the Holy Spirit lay out these subjects in such an obvious order?  

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) Enter by the narrow gate.  For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to [eternal] life, and those who find it are few.

• Good works can’t get anyone to heaven — only having a genuine born again experience where Jesus Christ becomes the Lord and Savior of your life can.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 

1.  The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

2.  The Parable of the Talents

Settle accounts — “to compare what was given…TO what the person actually did with what was given.” 

3.  The Parable of the Sheep and Goats

• Jesus wants us to be prepared to meet Him face to face.  

• Heaven is the eternal home of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (NLT) Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words. 

Hope — "an eager anticipation of what is to come." 

Seven Characteristics of Heaven:

1.  Prepared Place

Matthew 25:34 (NKJV) Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

2.  Personal Place

John 14:1-3 (NKJV) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

3.  Permanent Place

4.  Place of Presence

Revelation 21:3 (NKJV) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, God Himself will be with them and be their God."

Revelation 21:23 (NKJV) The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.  The Lamb is its light. 

5.  Place of Joy and Peace

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) In Your presence [face] is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore!

Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

6.  Place of Rest

Revelation 14:13 (NKJV) Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write:  'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"  "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

Rest — “refreshment and to cease from labor in order to recover strength." 

7.  Place of Praise

Revelation 7:9-12 (NKJV) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, 12 saying:  "Amen!  Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever.”

Revelation 19:7 (NKJV) Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.