Series 5 - What God Wants for You
Hi, friends! Welcome to the inspiring conclusion of this series on "What
God Wants for You." Here we will examine some of the most incredible,
mind-boggling scriptures about the great love and amazing destiny God
has in store for us! This tiny glimpse into our incredible potential can
help motivate and encourage us through the trials and challenges of this
temporary existence.
We pray this lesson will be an inspiration and encouragement
to you. And remember, we would love to hear from you and serve you in
any way we can
Lesson 7: Eternal Life as God's Sons and Daughters!
The plans, promises and prophecies of the Bible all lead to one thing—a potential almost beyond human comprehension! What does God have in store for you?
The story of Abraham, father of the faithful, is an inspiring one.
As he wandered the dusty roads of Canaan with no place to call his own,
he envisioned a beautiful city, which gave him hope and motivation to
go on.
"It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home
and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He
went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the
land God promised to him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a
foreigner, living in a tent. And so did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God
gave the same promise.
"Abraham did this because he was confidently looking forward to a city
with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God" (Hebrews
11:8-10, New Living Translation).
The apostle John gives us a description of this city in Revelation
21 and 22.
"The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear
as glass. The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid
with twelve gems...
"And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear
as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing
down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a
tree of life" (Revelation 21:18-19; 22:1-2, NLT).
We, too, can be inspired by this faithful vision that motivated Abraham,
John and many others.
"All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised
them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises
of God...
"That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared
a heavenly city for them" (Hebrews 11:13, 16, NLT).
Share Your Story
What Does the Bible Say About Our Awesome Potential?
What is the good news this world so desperately needs?
Mark 1:14-15
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Acts 28:30-31
Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received
all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things
which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding
him.
2 Peter 1:10-11
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election
sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance
will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
"Gospel" means good news, and the news that Jesus Christ will return
as King of an everlasting Kingdom is the best news ever! No only will
He save humanity from self-destruction, He will bring peace and show us
the way of life that will produce true happiness and fulfillment without
end. Christ preached the Kingdom of God, and so did Peter and so did Paul
and all those who follow Christ.
Will faithful followers of Christ be given eternal life?
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Daniel 7:18
"‘But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and
possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.'"
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life."
Our human lifespan of 70 or 80 years is full of labor and sorrow (Psalm
90:10). But God has planned for us to live forever in peace and joy! The
phrase "eternal life" occurs 32 times in the New King James Version, the
word "forever" appears 382 times and the word "everlasting," 93 times.
The incredible promise of eternal life is emphasized throughout the Scriptures.
Is the incredible future God has prepared for us beyond normal
human comprehension?
1 Corinthians 2:9
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
Humanity's wildest dreams are only a shadow compared to God's great plan
for us.
What wonderful relationship does God have planned for us? What
will we be like then?
1 John 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should
be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because
it did not know Him.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed
what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like
Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is
pure.
As incredible as it may seem, we are to be like God! He wants to add
us to His divine family as His own beloved children!
What part will the vast universe play in our awesome potential?
Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the
stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of
him, and the son of man that You visit him?
Hebrews 2:7-8, New Living Translation
"For a little while you made him lower than the angels, and you crowned
him with glory and honor. You gave him authority over all things." Now
when it says "all things," it means nothing is left out. But
we have not yet seen all of this happen.
King David was pondering our place in the universe now, and recognized
how insignificant we are. Yet, as the commentary on this passage by the
writer of Hebrews shows, God has planned to put the entire universe under
us!
Why did God do all this?
Hebrews 2:10-11
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all
things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their
salvation perfect through sufferings.
For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all
of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren...
2 Corinthians 6:18
"I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty."
God intends to literally bring "many sons to glory," and we will actually
be our Father's "sons and daughters"! God is expanding His family and
wants to welcome us into His realm to share "all things" with us!
What does Jesus Christ tell us at the end of the Bible?
Revelation 22:12, 20
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to
give to every one according to his work... Surely I am coming quickly."
After exploring this incredible vision of the world beyond today, we
can reply with John, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (verse 20).
Apply Now
Our minds boggle at concepts like eternity and infinity, much less the
limitless power and great glory God wants to share. The spiritual realm
is described in physical language or we could not comprehend it at all.
Read the apostle John's magnificent visions of the New Jerusalem, the
new heavens and the new earth in Revelation 21 and 22. Take time to imagine
the beauty of this awesome future and long for its fulfillment.
Next Lesson: Congratulations! You have completed Series
5: "What God Wants for You." Feel free to study any other lessons from the Bible
Study Guideshome page, and visit the United
Church of God literature library for a wealth of other biblical materials.
Please stay in touch and let us know any way our caring ministers and staff
can serve you.
Questions about this lesson? Feedback about
this lesson?
Related Resources:
What Is Your Destiny?
The Gospel of the Kingdom
Staying the Course from
the booklet The Road to Eternal
Life
The Everlasting
Kingdom of God from the booklet The
Book of Revelation Unveiled
Beyond the
Millennium from the booklet You
Can Understand Bible Prophecy
Partaking
of the Divine Nature from the booklet Who
Is God?
The Wonderful World Beyond Today... The
Universe and Beyond
A
Glimpse Into Your Eternal Future
What's My Purpose
Here?
God's
Vision for You!
God's
Family: The Reason You Were Born
Does
Life Have Greater Meaning and Purpose?
Do
We Want to Live Forever?
Peeking Into Eternity