Where Life is Found

In this talk, Ben Stuart shares on the topic of eternal life through the lens of Scripture and how we can be assured that we have it.

Currently, in our culture and worldwide, more and more people are taking Jesus seriously and looking into Christianity. Over 30 million adults have decided to follow Jesus in the last four years. There’s a clear indication of a spiritual renewal. Gen Z and Millennials are leading the way, especially the young men, who are usually the last to consider Jesus.

Our two greatest longings are belonging and mattering, two things that our modern world cannot provide. We want to be a part of a community that loves and knows us and is part of something bigger than ourselves. While society leaves us wanting, Jesus has been standing here with open arms, offering life.

Eternal life does signify duration. We see that in John 3:16, those who believe in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. John 11:25 tells us there is something beyond the grave. For those in Christ, death is not the end. John 10:27-28 is another offer of life. But it’s more than duration, it also means quality. Jesus offers a fullness of life. He describes it as a quenching of a thirst in John 4. He’s also the Bread of Life. He’s the Light of the World. John 17 tells us that He is also our intimacy. When we know Jesus, we know God. You were made to know your Maker.

Death takes everything. It takes your dreams, hopes, and people and gives nothing back. Jesus is the only person in history who squared off against death and won.

This is the flow of the text of 1 John 5:11-13. Give it. In it. Have it. God gave us eternal life, and that life is in His Son. So. If you have the Son, you have life. If you don’t have the Son, you do not have life. These things are written so you can know you have eternal life if you believe in Jesus.

God gives life because you can’t earn it. Love is like that. If you try to pay for love, you insult it. Love has to be freely given. That’s how life works, too. Intimacy with the Almighty is not something you can attain with community service. If you want the life you’re meant to have with joy and confidence, God has to give it. The beautiful thing is…He has. He’s given it in His Son, Jesus.

Jesus is not an ordinary man or a moral teacher. John 1:1-3 says He is the expression of God that generated life at the beginning. In Hebrews, it is said of Him that He upholds the universe by the word of His power. Jesus is the generator and sustainer of life; it emanates from Him.

We feel the pull of our depravity, and we can’t fix it, but God didn’t leave us to die. He stepped into our lives to give us His abundant life. We can know we have passed from death to life because the Giver of life gave up His life so we could have life. When death comes for the one He loves, God throws His arms open to protect you.

How do we know Jesus’s payment was sufficient? Because death couldn’t hold Jesus. He paid for our sins and then left the grave with us. More benefits are coming, but we get to live with the joy and assurance they’re coming. Jesus gives us eternal life, both in duration and quality. Do you know Him? Do you believe He is who He says He is?