Choose Life For You and Your Children | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, August 3
Key scriptures:
Matthew 18:1-6, Luke 16:19-31
Introduction
Today we’ll explore the message, The Weight of Eternity by Pastor Jentezen Franklin. In today’s Scripture Jesus teaches about heaven and hell with sobering clarity. In contrast to our culture that would suggest that Heaven and Hell are just concepts and states of mind, Pastor Franklin reminded us of the reality of Hell and heaven. Summed up with these truths:
· Hell is a place you do not want to go to. It is a place with the absence of God from it. Everything that is good will be gone and everything evil is all that will exist.
· Heaven is a place where you want to be. It is a place with the absence of evil. Everything evil will be gone and everything good is what remains.
Pastor Franklin identified that child-like humility is the gateway to heaven. He noted the context in which the illustration of ‘faith like a child’ was given was the result of the disciples’ argument among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. It is not by our efforts to control or dominate others, but by the act of simple faith that submits itself to God and others. This is critical because the result of this choice will be eternal.
Moreover, the way we treat, lead, and represent Christ to children matters eternally. What we do, or don’t do, provides direction for our children to follow. We may not be able to guarantee that our children will follow our lives of faithful submission to Christ, (those we should never stop pray and modeling for them). On the other hand, we can rest assured that God will hold us accountable if we lead children astray into damnation by our rebellion and pride.
This message encouraged us to evaluate our spiritual seriousness. The reason it is so serious is two-fold: the consequences are eternal, and the impact is felt by more than just you! Remember, there are no second chances after death. At death your choice becomes permanent, and it will not be for just a season. Your choice will be eternal. Additionally, what you do affects the children that are watching you. This is especially true for parents, but also for aunts, uncles, mentors, teachers, sport stars, and celebrities. Why? Because these children are watching you and they will take their cues for right and wrong from what they see you model. And we will be held accountable for what we model.
This week we will dig into:
· Whatever you do, don’t go to Hell
· The eternal impact of our influence
· The glory and beauty of Heaven
Reflection: What is one area of my life that I can improve my witness to my children to lead them toward Christ?
Whatever You Do, Don’t Go to Hell
Jesus spoke directly and vividly about the reality of hell—not to instill fear, but to lovingly warn us. In Matthew 18:8–9, He emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the eternal consequences it can bring. Jesus said it’s better to lose a hand, foot, or eye—anything that causes you to stumble—than to be thrown into eternal fire. He wasn't exaggerating. He was being clear: hell is real, it is eternal, and it is to be avoided at all cost.
In Luke 16:22–31, we see the sobering account of a rich man who ignored God in life and found himself in torment after death—separated from God, filled with regret, and without a second chance. His wealth couldn’t save him. His status didn’t matter. He was desperate for relief and full of sorrow, but it was too late.
That’s the heavy truth found again in Revelation 20:11–15. There will be a final judgment. Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life will be with God for eternity. Everyone else will face eternal separation from Him.
But here’s the good news: hell is avoidable—only through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not about being famous or successful. It’s about humbly surrendering our lives to Jesus, repenting from sin, and receiving His mercy. God doesn’t want anyone to perish. That’s why He warns us. That’s why He sent Jesus. He desires for our names to be written in the Book of Life.
- So today, while you still have breath, choose life. Choose Jesus. Hell is real and eternal—but so is God’s love, and He’s made a way out.
What areas of my life might be causing me to stumble or pull me away from fully surrendering to Jesus?
What is God asking me to cut off or walk away from for the sake of eternity?
- Do I truly believe in the reality of hell—and does that belief shape the way I live, speak, and share my faith?
- Have I placed my trust in Jesus alone for salvation, or am I still relying on status, success, or good behavior to make me right with God?
Train them up: The Eternal Impact of Our Influence
We may tell our children or grandchildren that we love God and that they should too—but does our day-to-day life truly testify to that belief?
Training a child in the ways of God is a deliberate act. It is a choice and a discipline. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
What we teach our children has eternal consequences. As Pastor Jentezen said, there is both Heaven and hell—and hell is just as real as Heaven. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man—having found himself in Hades—realized that hell is real, and he begged for his family to be warned. But it was too late.
Luke 16:27–28 (NKJV): “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’”
Jesus is the only way to the Father. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If we don’t lead our children and families toward the truth, how will they know it? The world certainly won’t teach them.
2 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV): “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
We are commanded to teach our children God’s Word and Kingdom principles. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NKJV): “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
But how can we do that all day? We do it through our words, our actions, and the heart motive behind them.
Loving God and having His Word in our hearts should be externally visible. Our lives should be a daily example. As we walk in obedience, God’s commands come alive—and our children and grandchildren receive instruction through our conduct.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Your actions speak so loudly that I can’t hear your words.”
- Are you actively training your children in the ways of the Lord? What about your grown children—does the Bible say it's ever too late to impart biblical wisdom?
- What are some successful ways you’ve found to get God’s Word into your children (young or grown)?
- Consider any areas in your life that are still not fully surrendered to Christ. Any areas of known habitual sin. For the sake of your children and family, can you say today that it’s time to let the blood of Jesus cleanse you and set you free in those areas ?
The Glory and Beauty of Heaven
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” — Revelation 21:3–5 (NIV)
“On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” — Revelation 21:25–27 (NIV)
As Christians, we hold fast to the perfect example of Jesus—who died and rose again—as our strength to endure trials here on Earth. And while it's true that we groan and toil through our days, how much greater is the delight in knowing that with every ache and sorrow, we are one step closer to eternal fullness! We will be with Him, and He with us—no longer separated by pain, loss, or death.
Pastor Jentezen reminded us that even the most advanced human eyes, capable of seeing over 100 million colors, have not seen anything close to the beauty that awaits us in Heaven. We, as believers, have something so glorious, so pure, and so radiant to look forward to: the gift of forever with Christ.
This hope of eternity fuels us to live each day as if we had never been hurt—praying always, overflowing with His love, joy, and peace.
Reflection Questions:
- What do you think Heaven will be like? What will it be lacking? Describe something beautiful you imagine will be there.
- What is holding you back from living like you truly believe our Savior has prepared an eternal home for you?
- Who should you share the beauty and reality of Heaven with this week? How can you introduce them to the hope of eternity with Christ?
Conclusion: A Godly Legacy- Leading Our Families to Heaven
Remember, You are not just choosing Jesus for yourself—you’re influencing future generations. What you do impacts those that are watching you. It starts with your family, but it includes everyone you interact with each day. These opportunities are ‘divine encounters’ orchestrated by God and His Holy Spirit to give us the chance to walk out our faith and give evidence of the depth to which you believe it.
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Revelation 21:27
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Live, love, and lead in a way that points your children and grandchildren toward Jesus. We are called to live intentionally. That means that with bathe our days and choices in prayer and we chose to be deliberate in our actions and not simply react to circumstances.
Lastly, it is essential to choose life repeatedly, especially in the face of failure. It isn’t advantageous for us to pretend that we have no faults, because we: “…all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Ro. 3:22) What is essential is the next verse, “…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Ro. 3:24) Let them see you return to God even after failure. They will fail too, but they need to see the opportunity of grace and the importance of not giving up.
Call To Action:
· Identify areas of your life where you have not taken the ‘eternity’ seriously,
· Commit to seek the Lord, especially in those places,
· Look for opportunities to actively and intentionally sow godly faith into the lives of your children, grandchildren, or others you can influence,
· Apply the power of God’s love to be wise and discerning and trust His power to make it effective,
· Pray and intercede on behalf of all of those who come under your God-given influence that they would respond to the call of God’s Spirit and receive eternal life in Heaven.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I cry out like David did: Psalm 51- “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” Give me eyes to see how my choices and decisions affect my eternal future and of those who are watching me. Let me be fruitful and spend eternity with my loved ones.
In Your Holy Name Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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