Eternal Beginnings: Insights on New Christian Life and Growth

1. 2017 The Three Beginnings

2. The Beginning of Our World • Something existed before our world began – John 1:1-3, 14; Genesis 1:2 • Ephesians 1:4 – Plan before foundation of the world • 1 Peter 1:19,20 – Christ to be a sacrificial lamb

3. The Beginning of Our World • There are things which came into existence ordained by God • All the world and the universe as we know it • All living things • Relationships, like the marriage relationship - Matthew 19:8

4. First Pentecost After the Resurrection • Acts 11:12-18 – “at the beginning” • The spiritual equivalent of a “new creation” • A New Kingdom foretold – Daniel 2:44 • New Kingdom Christ’s church – Matthew 16:16-18

5. First Pentecost After the Resurrection • Jesus promised it would come with power – Mark 9:1 • Time of beginning was pinpointed – Acts 1:4-8 • Those obedient to gospel “added to it” – Acts 2:41,47 • Such one described as “new creatures” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

6. New Birth of a Christian into Christ • Philippians 4:15 – beginning of the gospel • Philippians 1:5 – the first day • Acts 16:9-13 – Paul preached, some baptized • Acts 16:40 – brethren after they left • Romans 6:4-6 – new beginning for us

7. Things we Learn from New Beginnings • The all came from God – James 1:17,18 • They all started out GOOD – Genesis 1:3 • The doctrine that produced the early church was pure – John 16:7-14 • Acts 2:42 – Continued in it steadfastly

8. Things we Learn from New Beginnings • A new Christian is purified from all past sin – Romans 6:17,18 • They are freed from sin – 1 Peter 1:22 • They have purified their souls • Ephesians 2:10 – They are created in Christ for good works

9. They can all be marred by Sin Physical creation was – Genesis 6:5-7,13 • The church was disregarded by men • It was prophesied – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-6 • Perilous times – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 • Some would not endure sound doctrine – 2 Timothy 4:1-4

10. The Lives of Christians can be Marred by Sin Warning – Hebrews 3:12-14; 4:1,2 • Can be in need of restoration – Galatians 6:1 • We can be deceived – 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 • Hebrews 10:26-31 - We can sin willfully and be unable to return because of our inability to repent

11. Temporary vs. Eternal • The physical world is temporary – 2 Peter 3:9-12 • The church is eternal – Hebrews 12:25-29 • Our relationship to God is intended to be eternal – 1 Thessalonians 4:17 • But we can lose that relationship be disobedience to God – 1 John 1:4-6; 2 John 1:9-11 • The eternal plan is conditional upon our conduct here

12. What about this New Beginning – a New Year? • It came from God • It is a good gift • We can mar it be sin • Time is fleeting, truly temporary – James 4:14

13. What are you doing with the time you have here? Is it be used to God’s glory and in preparation for eternity?