All Things New

arrangements when this life is over. We will never need to search for a home in eternity. Jesus Christ has already taken care of our living arrangements for us, as he told his disciples in John 14.

John 14:2 In my Father¡¦s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

2. New Sight

Some time back I distinctly remember looking back toward the place where Brother and Sister Smith always sat together. The look upon their faces was one of intense longing as we sang the words, ¡§Oh I want to see Him, look upon His face! There to sing forever of His saving grace.¡¨

One thing I know today is that her wish is come true and God has truly given her new sight today. She sees with her own eyes now what she has only believed in faith in the years before. Paul describes this experience in 1 Corinthians 13 when he says:

1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Truly that day during worship I saw that Sister Smith¡¦s heart cry, like many of you here today, was to receive a glimpse of glory, a look at the face of the Savior. She has it now¡Kfor all of eternity. These words of Job might have been hers:

Job 19:25-27 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 26And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27I myself will see him with my own eyes ¡V I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

3. New Life

New living arrangements. That¡¦s exciting. New sight. That¡¦s thrilling. But new life, life with no end, that¡¦s amazing.

Revelation 21:4,6 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¡KI am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

For even the most blessed there will be some sorrow in this life. Sickness, pain, disappointment and death make it inevitable that tears will come our way from time to time. But this new life is perfect in every respect. ¡§No more death or mourning or crying or pain.¡¨

On Wednesday night as we knew that our friend¡¦s life was slowly slipping away, we stood here on this platform practicing with our worship band. My heart was heavy because I knew what the next hours and days would bring. But as we were singing, the Lord brought to life for me the words of the song and I envisioned those words made reality in her life:

Let these broken weary bones rise to dance again
Wet this dry and thirsty land with a river
Lord, our eyes are fixed on You, and we are waiting
For Your garland of grace, as we praise Your name

You and I can know with certainty that today our Sister Donna Smith dances and rejoices and worships in the presence of her Savior. She has waited and received new life in her body and in her spirit. God has surely made all things new in her, just as he will do in all of us who trust in him.

This afternoon my desire is to encourage you with the knowledge that, not only has your mother, your grandmother, your friend received all of these new things, you too can receive them, if you receive the forgiveness