May 17, 2015

LOOKING BACK

You Believe What? Forever Yours

1 John 5:11-13

The term Forever Yours takes on a whole new meaning when we contemplate entering into an unending perfect relationship with the living God. Eternal life is more than an infinite stretch of time. It is a restored relationship with our Creator. And it all begins with a personal choice to receive the gift of salvation that God offers.

Thinking It Through (agree/disagree/consider/contemplate)

I lost my daughter in 2005 of an overdose. I found her dead in my bed. Please tell me I will see her someday, thank you.

~ Sally

To die, to sleep - To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub, For in this sleep of death

what dreams may come...

~William Shakespeare, Hamlet

I don't think I'll ever see Carl again. But I saw him. We saw each other. We found each other in

the cosmos, and that was wonderful.

~Ann Druyan, wife of Carl Sagan

When you die, you don't.

~Fakeer Ishavardas

Working It Out

1. Write down what YOU believe about each of these:

Eternal Life

Savior

Personal Faith

Eternal Death

2. If you disagree with the biblical revelation about eternal life, what do you believe will

happen when you die? What influenced you to reach this conclusion?

3. Are there any of these terms in our faith-statement that are unclear to you or with

which you disagree? Free gift, immediately, permanently, faith, Christ alone.

LOOKING AHEAD

You Believe What? Forgotten God

1 Samuel 31 2 Samuel 1

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spiritthe Helperso that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, todays church has admired the gift but neglected to open it. (Francis Chan). For many of us, weve practically (and functionally) forgotten about the Holy Spirit. This week, we take a look at who the Holy Spirit is and what He does and how that changes everything.

1. What are some things that God is teaching you through this series?

2. Have you ever studied the person and role of the Holy Spirit?

3. Why do you think this is such a neglected topic today?