Sobering Certainties

Very few things are guaranteed in life. But what is guaranteed by

God should be very sobering for us to consider.

Introduction

• World and time are fleeting, and many things are uncertain and failing.

• Hebrew Writer shows us four things which God has made real, things that are sure (SOBERING CERTAINTIES) - Heb 9:27-28.

• “In as much as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin to those who eagerly await Him.”

Everyone Will Die DEATH IS REAL - VERSE 27a.

• We don’t like to talk about it.• The “Intellectuals” dismiss sin with a wave of the hand;

But God recognizes it, and He holds humanity accountable - Ezekiel 18:20.

• Sin is personal transgression of God’s law - 1John 3:4; cf James 4:17.

• The CERTAIN result of Adam’s sin: Physical death comes swiftly, and without respect of persons - Rom 5:12 James 4:14; Ecclesiastes 9:2.

• And the CERTAIN result of our own sin: Spiritual death; Again, there is no respect of persons - 2Thessalonians 1:7-9.

THE JUDGMENT IS COMING - VERSE 27b

There is no reason for anyone not to know that justice demands (and reveals) a day of final reckoning - John 5:28-29; Romans 14:10-12.

• The guilty and the wicked may escape their dues here (Ecclesiastes 7:15; 8:11-12); BUT a conclusion is coming - Romans 2:5-9.

• The Unchanging Word will be The Standard - John 12:48; Revelation 20:12.

• Thus there is the certainty of exposure - Numbers 32:23; Ecclesiastes 12:14.

The Judgment Is ComingVerse 27b

• No mistakes will be made in reference to words - Matthew 12:36.

• Every thought will be considered - Romans 2:16. • Even motives will be known - 1Corinthians 4:5. • Are you and I ready for that day to come? - 2Peter 3:10-14.• The appointment is certain; We will not call and change the

appointment -- Not postpone / cancel / or miss this one – • For the lost: It will be the end of opportunity - cf Jeremiah

8:20. • For the saved: It will be the door to eternal glory -

2Corinthians 5:1. • Those who are prepared are not afraid - Philippians 1:21-

23; Revelation 14:13.

CHRIST DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE - VERSE 28a.

• The Father paid the price by giving His Only Son - 1Thessalonians 5:9-10.

• The Son gave Himself - Isaiah 53:5; Romans 5:6.• Because He thus justified us, He arose - Romans 4:25 -

5:2.• Then commissioned His ambassadors to preach the

Good News to all the world - Mark 16:15-16; 2Corinthians 5:19-21.

• They taught the world how to accept salvation - 2Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30; 8:37; 2:38; Romans 6:4.

• The CERTAIN result, if we accept His grace - Acts 2:47; 1Timothy 6:12.

• If we are right with God, we can look forward to the 4th CERTAINTY:

CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN - VERSE 28b

History has an appointed end - 2Peter 3:10; Acts 17:31.

• When -- We do not know; But we know it is CERTAIN - Acts 1:9.

• To unbelievers and to the disobedient, His Return provides no comfort, but holds forth only eternal anguish - 2Thessalonians 1:8-9.

• But for believers, there is held before us an indescribable HOPE, which results in changed lifestyles - Titus 2:11-14.

Conclusion

• Not very many things in life we can depend on, but rest assured that God is faithful to His Word; So In view of the insecurity of this physical existence, we should take the Lord into account in all our plans.

• Death is CERTAIN -- Are you prepared?• Judgment is CERTAIN -- You and I will be there!• Salvation is CERTAIN -- Have you benefited by His

death?• His coming is CERTAIN -- Are you ready if He should

come today?• These are SOBERING CERTAINTIES.