Bible: Hebrews 9:27-28 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the.

Bible: Hebrews 9:27-28Bible: Hebrews 9:27-28

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (ESV)

DecisionDecision for Eternity

Kwing Hung

Bible: Romans 1:21-22Bible: Romans 1:21-22

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.”

Atheists are “fools with darkened hearts.”PROOFS:

• Objective facts (creation)• Subjective reasoning

〔〔 11 〕〕 An unalterable eventAn unalterable event

Movie ProductionMovie Production

Pandora’s

Box

A Greek LegendA Greek Legend

Question: Question: How are the two stories related?How are the two stories related?

Some events can be repeated until it is perfect

Some events can be tried only once. Mistakes cannot be corrected.

• Example: life and death

〔〔 22 〕〕 An unavoidable decisionAn unavoidable decision

Chinese: good and badChinese: good and bad

The good: one quarter of gifted classes

Casino

3% of Canada’s population

The bad: one quarter of those in _______

Is gambling a sin?Is gambling a sin?

Gambling money is greed.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”

(1 Timothy 6:10)

Greed is idolatry.

（ Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5 ）

Why do Chinese like to gamble?Why do Chinese like to gamble?

Many Chinese have no religion.

Money is their religion, their god.

Illustration: Number “8” on licence plates.

A gamble/wagerA gamble/wager

Choice 1

Choice 2

WinningOdds

0%

Sure Loss

100%

Sure Win

Who is the wisest person?Who is the wisest person?

King Solomon

God said, “Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.”

(1 Kings 3:12, ESV)

Pascal: 17th century French

Physicist, Mathematician, Philosopher, Theologian

Pensées (Thoughts):

Every person has to face an unavoidable decision -- the biggest decision in life

Pascal’s Wager:Pascal’s Wager: Wager of One’s LifeWager of One’s Life

Wager:No

God

Wager:God

exists

2 Choices:

Wager and OutcomeWager and Outcome

Wager:No

God

Wager:God exists

Outcome:No God WINOutcome:

God exists

WIN

Winnings & LossesWinnings & Losses

Wager: No God Wager: God exists

Outcome: No God

Outcome:God exists

Win: win the argument, but no chance to brag (Win Nothing)

Loss: lose the eternal life

Win: win a present life of peace and joyLoss: nothing happens after

death (Lose Nothing)

Win: win a present life of peace and joy

Win: eternal life

Winning

Odds0% (Sure Loss) 100% (Sure Win)

Hebrews Hebrews 9:279:27

“And just as it is appointed for man

to die once…”

Death happens only once

How do you wager?

〔〔 33 〕〕 An unending lifeAn unending life

Response: Accept God’s salvationResponse: Accept God’s salvation

God created man to share His glory.

Man rebelled and comes under judgment.

Bible: Hebrews Bible: Hebrews 9:27-289:27-28

“And just as it is appointed for man to die

once, and after that comes judgment...”

“so Christ, having been offered once to bear

the sins of many, will appear a second time,

not to deal with sin but to save those who are

eagerly waiting for him.”

A future unending eternal life

A present life of peace and joy

God’s free gift for everyoneGod’s free gift for everyone

Response: Hold onto your faithResponse: Hold onto your faith

Influence of atheist professors and

atheist friends

Many church kids will stop attending

church at age 17 to 22

Debating atheistsDebating atheists

Antony Flew

British philosopher, leader of atheists

Publicly changed his position in 2004

Now believes in God’s existence

Weapon: “Flew”

Build up your faith foundationBuild up your faith foundation

Remember Pascal’s Wager:

Belief in God is the only wise decision

Conquer the spiritual storm with the help of the Holy Spirit