Uncertain
James 4:13-17
Intro.
Have you been following the news of the building that
collapsed in Miami this week?
It has weighed heavily on my mind and heart all week.
Details.
- At about 1:30 AM on Wednesday morning a 12 story
condo just crumbled to the ground in Surfside near Miami
Beach.
- At last report there are 4 confirmed dead, over 120 who
are accounted for, 159 that are not accounted for.
- Rescue operations are continuing around the clock.
It has really made me think of several things.
I. Life is uncertain. James 4:14
A. No one really knows how much time we have on this earth.
1. Every person is that building had plans for Wednesday
when they woke up.
2. Some were excited about the prospects of the day.
3. Then is the middle of the night everything changed.
4. At this point they really don’t know how many might be
lying dead (or alive) under all the rubble.
5. I’m sure they all thought they had another day.
B. Only God knows when our time on this earth is up.
Psa. 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Job 24:22 He draweth also the mighty with his power: he
riseth up, and no man is sure of life.
C. We sometimes live like we’ll live forever.
Luke 12:16-21
D. We just don’t know when our time will come.
So many just didn’t know that their live would end on June
24th at 1:30 in the morning.
II. Death is certain
A. Often quoted “only two things are certain – death and taxes.
B. Death is even more certain than taxes…
C. We have an appointment with death.
Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment:
1. Appointments on this earth are uncertain, either
canceled, changed, or delayed
(Pet peeve – Doctors who cannot keep appointments)
2. We all have an appointment with God.
a. You won’t miss it.
b. You can’t change it
c. You can’t cancel it.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
D. The only alternative is if Jesus should come before you die.
1Cor. 15:51 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
- In the rapture the “dead in Christ shall rise first”
1Th. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Heaven is Jesus Certain
Conclusion
The question that remains is “Will you be ready?”
The people who died in that building collapse did not have
time to get saved at the last moment.
Don’t even think, “Well, at the end I’ll get saved”, you won’t
have time
You MUST be prepared NOW
2Cor. 6:2 (…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is
the day of salvation.)
You can’t change God’s appointment,
As I said before
a. You won’t miss it.
b. You can’t change it
c. You can’t cancel it.
But you can prepare for it.
How?
By repenting of your sin and receiving Christ at your
Savior today.
John 1:11-12
Romans 10:9-10, 13
Is. 49:8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee:
