Lesson 21 - The Way to Eternal Life

    Suggested Bible Reading: John Chapters 10 & 11

    Every person that is born into this world, has a God-given desire to try to find out what happens on the other side of death. Every culture in the world has developed their own ideas and traditions for dealing with the sad reality of death. Some believe that when a person dies, they simply cease to exist, and that there is nothing more than this physical life. Others believe that you will go to a temporary place like purgatory until you have paid for the sins you committed in this life, and then you will go to heaven. And others believe that after death, they will eventually be reincarnated and come back into the universe in some other form, depending on how they lived while on the earth. The Bible teaches that there is a real place called heaven and a real place called hell. Who is right? Is there a heaven and a hell? Who goes to heaven? Who will go to hell? Let’s find out what Jesus Christ taught people while He was here on the earth!

    Much of the land of Israel is dry and barren, and sometimes it is very hard to find grass for the sheep to eat. Shepherds often have to leave their homes and lead their sheep a long way in search of food. Many times, the shepherds would be so far from their homes at nightfall that they would sleep out in the fields with their sheep. It was dangerous to sleep out in the open because there were robbers who would try to steal the sheep, and there were wild animals which would kill them. So the shepherds would find a cave or make a sheep pen made of stones and thorn bushes. The shepherd would put his sheep in this protected area and lie down to sleep at the entrance. There was only one door into the sheepfold, and the shepherd was acting like the door or gate.

    Jesus Is the Good Shepherd.

    The Bible says in John 10:7-8, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.” Jesus meant that he was the only way into the place of safety and security. Outside, in this world, are Satan, his evil spirits, sin, and death. They are like the robbers and the wild animals which want to kill and eat the sheep. Satan wants to convince those "outside the sheepfold" that it is much safer in his territory. He offers many temptations and tells many lies to keep people from entering into the sheepfold of God.

    Satan doesn't want you to enter the safety and security of God's sheep fold. He will use your pride and fears to keep you from entering. As we have read in God's Word, Satan is a liar and a deceiver. He appeals to our sinful desires. Satan has been deceiving and destroying people for thousands of years. We are born under his control. His purpose is to destroy us so we will be separated from God forever. He does everything he can to make his way look best, but it is the way of death.

    Jesus Is the Only Door to Heaven.

    There is only one door into the sheepfold of God. Inside is the true place of safety, security, and eternal life. Jesus is God, and he is the only Savior. Jesus is the only door to eternal life. There is no other way to heaven. He wants to be your Savior from Satan, sin, and eternal separation from God.

    The Bible says in John 10:9-11, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

    Just as there was one door into the sheepfold, so Jesus is the only doorway into eternal life. Some people may say to you that what the Bible teaches is all right for Christians, but there are other religions that also lead people to God. That is a lie of Satan. There are not many ways or many doors to be accepted by God. There are not many ways to eternal life. There is only one door to God and to eternal life. Jesus is that door. He came to be the Savior of all people in every place, no matter what language they speak. Remember that, when God told Noah to build the ark, God commanded Noah to build only one boat and to build only one door in it. Only those who came through that one door into the ark were saved from God's judgment. The way to enter the door to everlasting life is to repent regarding your sin and trust only in Jesus the promised Savior. Jesus is the doorway to God, and there is no other way.

    Jesus said that he is not like Satan who only wants to destroy people. Jesus came into the world to give eternal life to all who believe him. One of Satan's lies is that his way is the most exciting and fun way to live. He gives people just enough pleasure to make them think that his way is better than the way offered by Jesus Christ. What a terrible lie! The Bible makes it very clear that all who refuse to repent and believe Jesus Christ will be separated from God and punished forever in the Lake of Fire. Jesus came to give eternal life to those who will believe him.

    Jesus already told his disciples that the Jewish leaders would not believe that he was the Savior and would therefore kill him. Jesus said that he was like a shepherd who loved his sheep so much that he would die for them in order to save them from the robbers and wild animals. The Bible says in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is the only way to God and everlasting life. All that Jesus said is truth. He is God and cannot lie. Jesus is the Savior of all who will choose to believe on Him alone. He is the only one who can save us from sin, death, and separation from God in the Lake of Fire.

    Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead.

    Very few people want to talk about death. We spend money trying to get well and stay well and trying to look young and stay young. Jesus talked about death, and what he had to say should change our thoughts forever about life and death.

    Jesus had a good friend near Jerusalem named Lazarus. At one time, Jesus received news that Lazarus was very sick and about to die. Jesus healed many people, and the messengers were sure Jesus would come right away and heal his good friend. Jesus was a long way from where Lazarus was living. Jesus knew Lazarus was going to die. He could have healed Lazarus without even going to where he was. Instead, Jesus waited two days because he knew that this situation was going to be an opportunity for him to show his mighty power as God. It may seem as though Jesus did not love Lazarus and his two sisters Mary and Martha, but that was not true. He loved them and was concerned for them. He had a good reason for allowing Lazarus to die. Through Lazarus' death, Jesus was going to show his power to give life to those who believe.

    The Bible says in John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Jesus was speaking to Lazarus' sister Martha. He wanted her to understand that he is the only one who can give life to the dead. Satan cannot give life to the dead. Only God can give life, for he is the almighty Creator who gave life to everyone. Jesus also told Martha that every person who believes Him as their Savior may still die physically, but they will never be separated from God and never be punished for their sins. They only leave this world to go to live with God in heaven.

    Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus, and there he wept. He was grieved because of the horrible results of sin. The result of sin is sickness and death. This was the very reason he came into the world: to deliver people from spiritual death and to give eternal life.

    The Bible says in John 11:41-44, “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said… with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” Jesus Christ spoke, and Lazarus was raised from the dead. Jesus Christ is God. He is all powerful. God created all things in the beginning by speaking. So it is no surprise that Jesus was able to bring life back into Lazarus by speaking. Jesus was again proving that He alone has the power to give eternal life to all that will believe on His name!

    There is really and truly life after death. According to the Bible, you will either go to heaven or to hell when you die. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” There is no such place as purgatory. There will be no second chance to get into heaven after you die. There is no such thing as reincarnation. You will live forever in heaven, or you will live forever in the fires of hell! You must choose in this life to believe on Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin!

    Study Questions

    1. The Bible teaches that after death, a person will …
    2. There are many other good religious teachers that are just as good as Jesus.
    3. What are some lies of Satan that people believe, that will keep them from making it to heaven?
    4. There is more than one door to enter into heaven.
    5. What must a person do to enter the door to heaven and everlasting life?
    6. Jesus could have healed Lazarus and prevented him from dying.
    7. Why did Jesus allow Lazarus to die?
    8. The reason that Jesus came into this world was to deliver people from spiritual and to give life.
    9. Who is the only One that has power to give you eternal life?
    10. When did you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to deliver you from your sin?

    After you have completed all questions and written any comments, please click on the button below to e-mail this lesson back to us for review and to receive lesson #22.

    Do you have any questions or comments about this twenty-first lesson?

    Please give us your name and e-mail address so we can send the next lesson to you.

    Please make certain your e-mail address is correct!

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Quick security check to minimize spam