Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas

Sermon Illustrations

In 2002 at Because of the Times, one of the concluding times of one of the services, Bro. Anthony Mangun asked for Sis. Kilgore to come and pray over the ministers that were there. Little did anyone realize that in just 3 ½ months, in the month of May, that Sis. Kilgore would be promoted to a great reward in Heaven.

Because of the tremendous impact that Bro. Kilgore has had on many men in the United Pentecostal Church, he has been honored and revered over the years. I think that this is a good thing that we honor men who have been faithful to the calling over the years. But at the graveside was when Bro. Kilgore’s faith came out in an incredible way.

Everything has been concluded and the family is waiting. Sometimes it is just hard to leave in situations like that. The last words had been spoken and the last prayer had been prayed. Out of a vacuum of silence and grief, the words of a hymn began to come from Bro. Kilgore. Tentatively at first but gaining steam with each word, he sang:

I will meet you in the morning,

Just inside the Eastern Gate;

Then be ready, faithful pilgrim,

Lest with you it be too late.

If you hasten off to glory,

Linger near the Eastern Gate,

For I’m coming in the morning,

So you’ll not have long to wait.

Keep your lamps all trimmed and burning,

For the Bridegroom watch and wait;

He’ll be with us at the meeting,

Just inside the Eastern Gate.

O, the joy of that glad meeting,

With the saints who for us wait!

What a blessed, happy meeting,

Just inside the Eastern Gate.

I will meet you in the morning

I will meet you in the morning

Just inside the Eastern Gate over there;

I will meet you in the morning

I will meet you in the morning

I will meet you in the morning over there.