THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIAN TRADITION

 

Chapter 22

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The Main Preaching Point of Christ's Apostles

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Text

Heb. 2:5-9 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honour, and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

 

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

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Memory Verse

2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV) So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

 

 

Introduction

What were the Apostles actually preaching?

 

The Apostles and Prophets are the foundation of our faith (Eph. 2:20-22). They did not just preach “be nice and get blessed now”.

 

Their main point was this: we are partakers of the world to come, not the present one. That means the Eden world before sin, or the new earth after sin is gone (2 Pet. 3:13). Everything they preached pointed to that.

 

Objectives

To remember why God sent Jesus: for eternal, spiritual blessings.

 

To be clear on what our number one priority should be as Christians.

 

To see how living for the world to come actually helps the people around you now.

 

Presentation

 

1. Jesus Brought Us Eternal Spiritual Blessings

(1) God’s call is to join Jesus “outside the camp” - outside the world’s system (Heb. 13:11-14).

 

(2) That means fixing your focus on Him, the invisible and eternal reality (Heb. 12:1-2, Col. 3:1-4).

 

(3) God’s gift is eternal life, and it comes through spiritual means (Rom. 6:23, 2 Cor. 5:16).

 

(4) When you live in this way, you walk in the same power that Jesus used to defeat Satan (John 10:17-18).

 

(5) Material blessings follow in this life, but they are not the goal (Matt. 6:33).

 

2. Our Divine Priority as Christians

(1) Becoming like our Father - holy, loving, perfect (Matt. 5:48, Rom. 8:28-30).

 

(2) Walking in the Spirit -  living by the Spirit, not by the flesh (Gal. 5:16, 24-26).

 

(3) Knowing that flesh and blood cannot enter God’s Kingdom (1 Cor. 15:50). So we live for what lasts.

 

3. A Believer Benefits the Neighbourhood

(1) If we expect to enter the world to come, our loyalty to God must show in how we serve (Luke 16:10-12).

 

(2) God made man to represent Him on earth. When you serve people for God’s sake, you are serving God (1 John 3:16-19, 4:20-21).

 

(3) Loving people practically is how we prove we love God.

 

Conclusion

Keep your mind on home.

 

The Apostles kept preaching one hope: resting in God’s Paradise after this life (Eph. 4:4-5). And that access comes only through Jesus, the Saviour of the world (Acts 4:12, 2 Cor. 5:18-20).

 

Our job is to train our minds on that eternal, blissful home more than on temporary, physical things. The more you are heavenly-minded, the more you are actually useful on earth.

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Evaluation Questions & Answers​

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1. Mention some demerits of preachers who point people to the present world.

   • It makes people materialistic and impatient with suffering (1 Tim. 6:9-10).

   • It reduces Christianity to “get blessed now” instead of holiness and eternity.

   • It leaves people unprepared for trials, persecution, and the coming judgment.

   • It distracts from the real goal: becoming like Christ and inheriting the world to come.

2. According to Eph. 2:20-22, how are the Apostles and Prophets our foundation?

   • They laid the foundation by preaching Christ as the fulfilment of all prophecy. We are built on that message, with Jesus as the cornerstone. Just as a building needs a solid base, our faith rests on their God-inspired teaching in Scripture.

3. What is a divine way of seeking material possessions?

   • Seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness first, and let material things be added (Matt. 6:33). That means prioritize holiness, obedience, and eternal things. When you do, God provides what you need without you chasing it as the main goal.

4. Ultimately, we will surely be what God predestined us to be. What is that?

   • Conformed into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29-30). God’s plan is that we become like Jesus - holy, glorified, and fully sons and daughters in His Kingdom.

5. Services in loyalty to the giver of our hope must exchange hand. Explain.

   • If you are hoping for God’s eternal Kingdom, your loyalty should show in how you serve Him by serving others. Faith without works is dead (Jam. 2:17). Loving and helping people is how we practically express loyalty to God.

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​​Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word that reminds me that this world is not my home. Give me grace to fix my eyes on the world to come, where righteousness dwells. Help me to live for what is eternal, to walk in the Spirit, and to serve others in a way that honours You. Make me more like Jesus every day. Amen.