D-Day Prepping Series
D-Day: Death
April 22, 2013
Chester FBC Dr. Mike Fogerson, Pastor
Introduction:
A In 2 Timothy 4, the Apostle Paul is certain of his upcoming execution at the hands of Nero.
1 He’s preparing to go home to be with the Lord.
a 2 Timothy 4. 6-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Tim 4:6-8 (NASB)
b He’s living out the promise of 2 Cor. 5.8,
“ we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” 2 Cor 5:8 (NASB)
c He’s preparing to leave this world, die.
2 When we give our hearts/receive Christ as savior, God creates a longing in our soul to go home.
a We have been called out from this world.
b We have nothing in common w/ a world filled with vulgarity, filth, pornography, blasphemy against God.
B It’s no secret where I stand on traditional marriage.
1 On-line I’ve been called a hate-monger, Pastor of Westboro Baptist, idiot (some of those are from former members.)
a Why? This world is not a friend of Christians; it’s not our home.
b Jesus’ prayer of intercession confirms this world will hate the believer (John 17.14)
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14 (NASB)
2 We as Christians are to prepare to go home.
I We need to be saved!
A “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 (NASB)
1 Are you saved? Are you sure your saved?
a I grew up in a small Southern Baptist church and one of the deacons, ss teachers, bus drivers was a man named “Bob.”
b A few years ago, Jamey Ragle was preaching a revival in Centralia that Bob attended. Something incrediable happened to Bob at that revival. . . He got saved!
aa Deacon, tither, S.S. teacher, etc. . . LOST.
bb There’s only one way home; personal faith in Jesus Christ.
2 It’s the most important decision you’ll ever make.
a “ . . . Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 Cor. 6:2 (NASB)
b IL. D.L. Moody invitation to give his listeners one week to think about their decision. The next night, the Great Chicago Fire. He said he’d never give another listener an opportunity to think about receiving Christ.
B You need Jesus so you can be prepared to go home, so don’t run from Him.
1 IL. A woman driving home from work noticed that an 18-wheeler was tailgating her car.
a She sped up, the truck did. She slowed down, the truck did.
aa Scared, took the next exit, truck followed her.
bb Speed through a yellow light, only for the truck to go through the red light.
cc She pulled into a filling station and the truck driver got out of his rig and ran to her car. Pulled out a would be attacker from the backseat!
b His pursuit wasn’t to harm her but to save her, even at the cost of his own safety, so she could escape harm.
2 Heaven is our great escape.
a Escape disease (receive a perfected bodies); Escape stress (receive God’s rest)
b Escape conflict (receive God’s peace); escape boredom (worship the holy, holy, holy God.)
3 When you run from God, you’re running from the only one who can save you, keep Satan from destroying your life.
TS: Once you’re saved, you must begin to live a Christian life.
II Be Separated.
A “ They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:16 (NASB)
1 Since we are not of the world we are not to live like the world does.
a for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light . . . Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; Eph. 5:8; 5:11 (NASB)
b As Christians we are to live a godly, separated life.
2 God is light and has no fellowship with darkness.
a Separation from darkness/wickedness is a natural consequence of our relationship with God.
b “17 " Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.2 Cor. 6.17 (NASB)
B Even lost people expect you & me to live differently.
1 Eph. 4.24, “ and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
a We can’t be what God wants us to be if . . .
aa talk like the world talks; dress like the world dresses;
bb listen to the same filth that the world listens too; loves the same things that the world loves.
b Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NASB)
2 IL
T.S.: As we prepare to go home, we have a duty to serve the Lord.
III Be Serving
A We are saved to serve the Kingdom.
1 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Gal 5:13 (NASB)
9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 1 Thess 1:9 (NASB)
a It should be our life’s satisfaction/delight to serve our King.
b We prepare to die/go home by faithfully serving the Lord.
2 One ol’pastor said, “No wonder the world is dying and going to hell. Nobody wants to work/serve anymore.”
a Truth be told, many Christians have opted out of serving until He comes to take them home & have chosen to sit until He comes.
b If you are ever gonna serve the Lord, now is the time
“But this I say, brethren, the time is short: . . .” 1 Cor 7:29 (KJV)
B IL
TS: Every Christian should want to take others home with them.
IV Be a Soul Winner
A It’s God plan that every one of us should lead people to Jesus.
1 Everyone of us can share our faith with someone who will be lost if we do not do our part.
a Ps. 126.6, “He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
b There is a joy when you have active part of bringing somebody to the Lord.
2 When we follow/obey Him, we will be witnesses for Him, able to sin others to Christ.
B Let’s suppose you spent an entire lifetime trying to win people to Christ, able only to lead one soul to Christ, would it be worth it?
1 D.L. Moody, “I would rather save one soul from death than to have a monument of solid gold reaching from my grave to the heavens.”
2 IL
TS: Be saved, be seperated, be serving, be soul winners, . . .
V Be Singing
A The world not only receives your witness by how holy your life is, but also by how you react to tragedy/suffering/disaster.
1 Paul/Silas had been beaten bloody, sang a jail cell song at midnight praising God.
a Acts. 16.25, “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; Acts 16:25 (NASB)
b A few months ago I had the same conversation with two different men (Conan & Jimmie)
aa Both men were approaching death & they approached it with as sure of their faith.
bb Even in sickness, troubles, trials, disaster, disease we can sing because God has put a song in our hearts that can not be interrupted by this life.
cc Ps. 40.3, He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. Psalms 40:3 (NASB)
2 I remember going to see a dying member of a church in Hammond, LA @ Lollie Kemp Hospital.
a Nurse said he’d been noisy all morning, as I got closer to his door I heard the noise, “Amazing Grace.”
b He was about to go home & he was going home singing a song!
B Another member had been afflicted with seizures his whole life, and had brain surgery. Before he had a surgery he was suffering with short term memory.
1 Every 15 minutes he’d ask me, “I’m saved, right?” I’d say, “Yes, you are.” PRAISE THE LORD.
a 15 minutes later he’d ask me the same question, “I’m saved right?” I’d say, “Yes, you are.” Praise the Lord!
b We all could use a bump on the head like that, that’s gonna make us happy, praise the Lord for our salvation.
2 We’ve got reason to sing all the way home!
Conclusion:
Notice to Sermon Central Users:
My name is Mike Fogerson, and I pastor a Southern Baptist Church in Chester, Illinois. I have been a long-time user of Sermon Central and truly appreciate its content and contributors. Some of the best sermons I’ve ever preached have been reworked material from this website. As you use the material from my sermon bank, understand that it is work that has been done from not just myself, but from hundreds of other pastors as well. If you see part of your message, or a bunch of your message with my name on it and this upsets you, please email me and I will quickly respond and cite you as the main source. My intent is not to claim someone’s work as my own. I am disclaiming up front that I use the resources from Sermon Central and appreciate the tool. I simply want all those who use my work to know that some of these messages were inspired by the Holy Spirit working through other pastors. Because I do use the messages of other pastors I waive all claims of originality or origin of creativity for the messages posted under my messages. I pray God blesses your preaching ministry for the glory of His Kingdom.
Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
