One of the hardest things for people to comprehend is the idea of eternity.  Our lives are governed by time limits for everything we do.  Occasionally you will hear someone say "that seemed like an eternity", but whatever they were doing that seemed so long did come to an end.  When the Bible talks about eternity it means a time with NO end.  
Today, we want to discuss eternity and the two options where we will spend it.

1) IF WE DIED TODAY WOULD WE BE SAVED OR LOST?
    A.  It's a question we need to ask
    B.  Sin separates us from God - 
         1 John 3:4; James 4: 17 
    C.  The wages are terrible - Romans 3:23
    D.  ETERNAL separation - Romans 21:8
    E.  Just one sin - James 2: 10 - 11
    F.  Remedy? - more later 

2)  WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
    A.  Separation from God!
          1.  Matthew 7: 21-23
          2.  Matthew 25: 41-46, Ephesians 5:5
          3.  HELL - "GEENAH" - Gehenna-
               a.  "Valley of Hinnom" - explain
               b.  Mark 9: 43-48;  Mt. 5: 21-30   
               c.  Lake of Fire - Rev. 9:20
               d.  Rev 20: 10-10-15
               e.  Total separation!
                    1. hard to comprehend
                        a. total despair - Jesus(cross)
                            Mt 27: 46; Ps 22:1
               f.  "Second death" - Re 2:11; 20:14
                    1.  From God!
              g.  Destruction - 2 Th 1:9; Ph 3:19
              h.  "Weeping and gnashing of teeth" - 
                     1.  Mt 22:13; 24:51; 25:30
              i.   Fire - Mk 9: 43-48; Heb 10; 26-27
             J.   "Outer darkness" - Mt 25: 30
                    1.  2 Pet 2: 17; Jude 13
             k.  "Everlasting punishment" 
                    1. 2 Th 1:9; Mt 25: 36
    B.   Eternity with the Lord!
          1.  "Hope laid up" - Colossians 1:5
          2.  1 Pet 1: 3-4 - "reserved" for us
          3.  "Better and enduring" - Heb10:34
          4.  Heb 11: 10 - 16 - eternal city
          5   "Eternal abode" - 2 Pet 3: 7-13
          6.  Holy City - Re 21:2
          7.  Great city - Rev 21: 10
          8.  None of ...Re 21:4 
          9.  Fellowship with...Re 21;3;22-27
         10. Perpetual life, good health, service
               a.  Rev 22: 1-5

3)  THERE REALLY IS NO CHOICE!
         1.  tonite we will examoine God's grace and examine more of the state of the dead, the 
              resurrection, etc.
      
     Conc:  Everything about Heaven is the exact opposite of eternal punishment.   We need to constantly
                reflect on the fact that this life is short and eternity is forever.  Why would anyone do
                anything to spend eternity in torment!