Faith, hope, love and shed labor return to the Lord!
Main scriptures for this study:
1. 1 Cor.13:13--> And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
2. Rev.14:13--> Then I heard a voice from heaven say:
Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.
The Spirit says: Yes, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.
A. May the world beware! There is life after death of the flesh!
Jesus told this story! Luke 16:22-31
1. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. Luke 16:22 2
2. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment.... Luke 16:22-23
3. Reasons were given: Luke 16:25
Abraham replied: Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things,
while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
4. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed,
so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' Luke 16:26
If you do not believe this is truth! You are making Jesus a liar! Be ready for the consequence!
B. We all believe this is truth!
1. This is why when there is a death in our family or friends.
We all hope the dead had shed their labor in this world and had gone to be with the Lord!
We love even just to think about it! We believe and hope this is truth for the dead!
2. If we do not believe this is truth and we give this comforting words that says-->
Mr. so and so, shed labor and return to the Lord! We lied to ourselves and to all others!
Then, we would all be children of the devil! John 8:44 All suffer in hell with the devil together forever and ever!
3. We all know one who shed labor and return to the Lord has to love the Lord while living!
Apostle Paul said: 1 Cor.8:3 But the man who loves God is known by God.
God knows who are welcome to rest in His bosom!
1 Cor.16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord-- a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!
C. We all love to believe and hope these following scriptures are truth!
1. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--
those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:28-29
2. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:
“It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Romans 12:19
3. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12
The best advises in connection to this are these-->
a. Each one should test his own actions.
Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
for each one should carry his own load. Gal.6:4-5
b. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Gal.6:7
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction;
the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Gal.6:8
4. 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. Rev.20:12
5. Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God,
that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. 2 Thes.1:5
6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you. 1:6
D. Conclusion:
As we all say--> Recompense good with good. Recompense bad with bad!
If not yet recompensed, it is because the time has not yet come!
We can live in peace with the bad and the wicked because of our faith, hope and love in the Lord!
We look forward to this day when the Lord will say this to those who made us suffer!
Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things?
While my people received bad things? But now they are being comforted here and you are in agony.
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on February 9, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KY2ao4HcAI