The Vineyard- May 22, 2016

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Read Revelation 22:1-5

Eternal Life is God’s Gift

-          Many people believe in eternal life.  Christians are not alone in this belief.  The Greek philosophers believed that the soul was inherently eternal, and would one day be freed from our temporary bodies. 

-          While the Greeks were right about the possibility of eternal life, they neglected the source of that eternal life.

-          As the only truly eternal thing, the only being who is eternal by his own power, it is God who gives eternal life through Jesus.  Eternal life is a gift from God. 

-          Passage to Consider: Luke 18:28-30

Eternal Life is Quality of Life, not just Quantity

-          When we think about eternal life, we often stress the quantitative aspect, how long eternity is.  (Which of course can’t be defined, because it never end!)  But eternal life is about much more than simply living forever. 

-          What if someone offered you eternal life, but it was a life of suffering? 

-          Eternal life is something to look forward to not just because it is never-ending, but because of its quality as well. 

-          Eternal life is the best possible quality of life, because it is life with God. 

-          Passage to Consider: John 10:10

Eternal Life is Jesus

-          Jesus figures prominently in the Bible’s description of eternal life. 

-          Not only does it explicitly mention the blessing of Jesus’ presence, but it uses imagery which Jesus used in the gospel of John to refer to himself and the gifts he gives. 

-          When you talk about eternity and heaven, how do you speak of it?

-          How much does Jesus figure into your thinking about heaven?

-          There is no heaven without Jesus!

-          Passage to Consider: John 4:13-14; John 8:12

Praise God for the incomprehensible gift of eternal life. 

Thank God for the hope of a blessed existence with him, eternally! 

Pray for a deeper love for Christ, the source of our life and light!