Introduction:
I’ve been looking forward to this day for a several weeks now. In fact, Friday after lunch I went over to Beck’s Place and got my haircut. And so I’ve got a fresh haircut and what I hope to be a fresh sermon! In all sincerity, I pray that today God will speak to your heart and meet you where you are in Him today. If you would, please bow your heads and lets go to the Lord in prayer before we go any further. Let’s pray…
It started out like an ordinary day. Moms and dads went through their morning routines of getting their children up and off to school. It was just like many other days. But, sadly, a tragedy took place that day and for some boys and girls their mommy or daddy didn’t come home after work that day. For one little boy whose mom set out his birthday cake before she left for work, his mommy didn’t return to light the candles on the cake.
On that day several children lost a parent. Many people lost their spouses. Parents lost their children. September 11, 2001 will forever be a day we’ll never forget. As I learned of the news that a plane had crashed into the WTC, I thought how could somebody make such a dumb mistake. As I was in that mind set, I rushed to a television and watched with disbelief what was unfolding in NY. In a matter of minutes a second jetliner crashed into the other tower and then at that moment I realized this wasn’t an accident.
That day I was reminded of the truth of God’s Word found in
Hebrews 9:27 (READ).
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
As I look at this passage of Scripture, I am reminded of three truths:
1. Death is a Certainty
2. Final Judgment is a Reality
3. God’s Eternal Salvation is a Possibility
I. DEATH IS A CERTAINTY
“Just as man is destined to die once…” Death is a certainty. In Ecclesiastes 7:2 the Word of God tells us that, “Death is the destiny of every man.”
The first church that called me as their Minister to Students was in Gulfport, MS. And in our church one of the members was a plastic surgeon. One day I was talking to Dan and I asked him what type of surgery do you perform the most and without hesitation he said, “Facelifts.” He said, “Matt I get paid to make people look young again, I believe that most of them think as long as they look young they’ll never die.” How silly that sounds, but unfortunately many people think like that.
Listen, death is no respecter of persons. It marches into the home of the rich just as it invades the streets of the homeless. Death calls the young man ready to graduate and run life’s race just as it takes the old man laying on his deathbed.
It doesn’t matter how well you feel or how in shape you might be. No one can escape the certainty of death. That’s why it’s so important that we live each day to the fullest. We need to live each day as if it’s our last. How are you living out your life? Are you living each day as if it could be your last or are you taking this life for granted? My friend, I hope you take advantage of everyday God gives you and that you use each day to make an eternal difference in someone’s life.
Yes, I’m reminded that death is a certainty but # 2 I’m also reminded that--
II. FINAL JUDGMENT IS A REALITY
Ilustration:
When I was in first or second grade I can remember playing a game that could have gotten me killed. And, men, for those of you who are my age or older you can probably remember playing a game similar to this. It was the game where you would hide behind a tree or trashcan and when a car came by you would run out in front of the car and try to make the car stop. And I remember hiding behind a small pine tree and watching a lady in my neighborhood, Mrs. Lee, turn on to my street and when she got closer to where I was I ran out in front of her, crossed the street, ran into my backyard and entered the house through the back door. I thought it was great—she slammed on brakes, honked the horn and I kept on running. I thought I was home free, sitting in our family room watching TV while I tried to catch my breath. And then the doorbell rang.
I want you to know something. When Mrs. Lee left my house, my mother called my name like no one else could (my full name) and that day she beat me like a yard dog! That day I faced, once again, my mama’s judgment!
The Word of God tells us that after death each of us will certainly face judgment. God’s Word speaks of two different types of Judgment. First, there’s the Judgment Seat of Christ which we read of in
2 Corinthians 5:10. It’s important that you understand that this Judgment is for Christians. Here we read, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Paul was not saying that Christians should not enjoy certain wholesome, earthly things, but that they should glorify God in them and spend most of their energy and time with what has eternal value.
Speaking of the Judgment Seat of Christ, look at what Paul said beginning in 1 Corinthians 3:13 concerning the Judgment Seat of Christ. The Word of God says, “Our work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.”
Paul is saying that the work we do for Christ, not for self or for others, will determine the reward we receive. I want to receive a crown that says, Matt, you served me well and the works you did for me while you lived on earth have made it through the test of fire. Oh, how I wish that everyone would appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. But sadly many, in fact, most will appear before the Great White Throne Judgment.
Which brings us to the second type of judgment the Word of God speaks of and that is the Great White Throne Judgment and we read about in Revelation 20:11-15. As you turn there, please, understand that this judgment is for those who never committed their lives to Christ. For those of you that are here this morning or maybe watching by television and you have never asked Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart—if you die without Christ, you will stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment.
In Revelation 20:11 we read these words, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Wow! What a terrible day that will be for those who stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment. You see, on that day it will be too late to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Matthew 25:41 tells us that if you stand before God on that day you will hear the words, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” He did not prepare it for you but because you were ashamed of Him, He’ll be ashamed of you.
As those who are not saved hear those words they’ll begin to cry out to God. God, I believe—I believe in you—please save me from this eternal damnation. But it will be too late. The time to make a decision for Christ is now. And the longer people wait the harder their hearts become.
Knowing that each of us will stand before God and give an account of the way we lived our lives ought to make a difference in the way we live.
I’m so glad this morning that I don’t have to just talk about death or judgment because as I continue reading in Hebrews 9:28 I’m reminded of #3 that…
III. GOD’S ETERNAL SALVATION IS A POSSIBILITY
28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Did you notice that God’s Word says, “Christ was sacrificed once (that He died once) to take away the sins of many. Underline that word many. You see Christ’s death doesn’t take away the sins of all. Not everyone receives salvation through Christ’s death because not everyone believes in Him. That’s why eternal salvation is only a possibility.
If I could receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior for you I would, but the reality of the matter is that each person must decide for themselves to either accept Christ or reject Him.
Listen, no one needs to face the Great White Throne Judgment because God through His Son, Jesus Christ has made a way for you to receive eternal salvation and the promise of heaven when you die.
In Romans 10:9 the Word of God says, “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him form the dead, you will be saved.” Not you might be but that you will be saved!
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;
Yes my friend:
DEATH IS A REALITY
FINAL JUDGMENT IS A CERTAINTY
But praise the Lord, Jesus Christ died on a cross at Calvary to bring eternal salvation to all who believe. And this morning if you’ll ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and place your faith in Him you’ll be assured for heaven as if you were already there. And one day, you can stand before God and hear the words, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
Illustration:
Thursday morning I was watching an interview of a firefighter who went into the 1st WTC tower that was hit. He said as he entered a hallway all he could see was smoke and so he turned on his flashlight and yelled as loud as he could, “If anyone can see this light follow it because I know a way out of here.” To his astonishment voices began calling out to him and he was able to lead six people to safety that morning. He shared that within three minutes of exiting the building, it collapsed.
My friend, some of you this morning are walking in darkness and once again, Jesus, just like that firefighter, is revealing His light and love to you and is saying, “Follow me.” Please, while there is still time to commit your life to Christ.
Please don’t put Christ off any longer. Heed the words of
James 4:14, which tells us that our life is like a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
In just a moment we are going to have an invitation. This is a time for you to respond to what you’ve heard today through God’s Word. 1If you’ve never asked Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart--to be your Lord and Savior you can do that today. I’ll be here at the front, and I can show you through God’s Word how you can know Jesus Christ. 2For those of you who are Christians maybe you just need to come and kneel here at this platform (making it your altar) and say God forgive me for not walking closer to you. 3 Finally, this invitation is for all who are Christians and want to unite with this church making this your church--a place where you can come to worship God with other Christians and a place where you can serve the Lord.
Let’s pray
Invitation
