Topic: Death
Subtopic: Preparation for
Index: 2162
Date: 7/1996.1634
Title: News Too Late
A man had a checkup and then went in to see his doctor to get the results. The doctor said he had bad news and worse news for him, which did he want to hear first? The man was a bit nonplussed and said he’d rather hear the bad news first. The doctor said, "The bad news is that you only have twenty-four hours to live."
At this the man jumped up, totally flabbergasted and distraught. He paced the doctor’s office and complained, "Twenty-four hours to live? I can’t possibly get my affairs in order that quickly. I can’t believe this, it is incredible! What could be worse news than this?"
The doctor said, "The worse news is that I was supposed to tell you this yesterday but I forgot."
--James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 477.
Other Topic/Subtopic/Index:
Time/Right Use of/3626
Read Phil. 1:21-27
What does death mean to you? Is it just part of a great plan or just a time to exist no more? Is death the beginning or the ending? If you would die today, what would happen to you? Do you believe that death is just a time that you simply to no longer exist? Or do you believe in life after death? Does the body turn back to dust and that is all there is to it or do you believe you will spend eternity somewhere to live in happiness or in misery? What will be your decision about death today?
If you are a Christian your decision has been made about death. You believe there is a life after death. If your Christian life depicts a haphazard walk, with one foot in the church and one foot in the world, you are treading on dangerous ground. If you are not a Christian and you would die today, your fate is sealed and to die would not be gain but loss.
Phil. 1:21-22 ….to live is Christ, to die is gain….
1. to live is Christ… When anyone looked at Paul they saw the image of Christ…
2. to die is gain…. (II Corin. 5:6-8) (Rev. 6:9-11)
Phil. 1:23-26
1. hard pressed between the two
2. to remain in the flesh is more needful for you
The apostle Paul knew there was life after death. He knew to die and go to be with the Lord was great gain. He also knew that there was and is still great work to be done if he stayed on or even if we stay on in life we can help someone to gain life.
Jude 20-23 ….pulling them out of the fire…
Phil. 1:27
1. let your conduct be worth of the gospel of Christ
2. Hear of your affairs
3. 1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
4. Stand fast in one mind
5. Striving together for the faith of the gospel
If you would die today where would you spend eternity? There is life after death. Death is the greatest part of living. When the good Lord decides to call His people home there is happiness in Heaven. But if death befriends one who is out side of Christ, to die is not gain but to die is loss. To die out side of Christ is a terrible, terrible event. If you are not a Christian you are gambling with your soul.
Won’t you come forward today, repenting of your sins, confessing of your faith in Jesus, and be baptized into Christ Jesus. Take no more chances, gamble no more, get ready to meet death even if it comes today!
