THE APPOINTMENT IS MADE! ...
Sermon and lesson by Dean Roach and Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. ...Kyfingers@aol.com
TEXT:
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but then after this the
judgment.
1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
52. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead in Christ shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
54. So that when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on
immortality, THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN,
DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.
55. O, death, where is thy sting? O, grave where is thy victory.
56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
APPOINTMENT:
an arrangement for a meeting; to fix or set; to arrange a time and place.
STING:
TO PRICK PAINFULLY, TO PIERCE OR WOUND WITH AN IRRITATING PROCESS;
to affect with a quick, sharp pain; to cause to suffer;
I. WE WILL NEVER KNOW HOW TO LIVE RIGHT UNTIL WE UNDERSTAND HOW TO
DIE RIGHT! There is an appointment made for you!
Let us ponder death... Today, it seems we don’t want to think or talk about death?
Ponder why?
A. THREE WORDS GO AFTER EVERY NAME ---
LOOK AT GENESIS 5, THERE IS A CLEAR RECORD, --- and so in so lived ---?
blank years, but after every name but one is recorded -- AND HE DIED!
One of these days after your name will be written --- AND HE/SHE DIED.
B. Death and Funerals are very sad occasions -- the passing of a loved one is very
hard to understand.
C. I wish death would never come, and if it has to come it could be easier on one’s
family & friends, but when death, the unwelcomed visitor comes, and one we love
passes, it breaks our hearts and it hurts a lot.
D. We would wish for one more Christmas together, another birthday, another
aniversary, --- Please God just one more?
E. Death is a Great Paradox: passing away is never expected, but not too
surprising either, we know all shall pass this way.
Death is sure, sin is the cause, death is the curse, the cross is the cure.
II. IS LIFE AND DEATH CONTRADICTORY, YET TRUE?
A. DEATH IS COMMON, BUT DEATH IS ALSO RARE ---
Death happens all around us all the time, we read death in the obituaries,
but strangers deaths have little affect on our hearts.
Death visits only once to each person.
B. DEATH IS CERTAIN, YET DEATH IS SO UNCERTAIN ---
We all know death is sure, but what about how
and when?
C. DEATH IS SEPARATION, DEATH IS A GREAT REUNION OF
TOGETHERNESS
Separation from human existence as we have known
life, yet a great reunion
with those that have gone on before.
D. DEATH IS THE END! BUT WE KNOW DEATH IS JUST THE BEGINNING.
Death can appear to be the end of life as we know
it, but the beginning of life in the eternal
realm.
III.THERE IS GREAT COMFORT WHEN THINKING ABOUT DEATH!
As we think today about death, we know tears and tear stained faces, broken hearts, hurting spirits and a cold numbness, let us take comfort from the only real
source of true comfort--God’s holy word!
A. The uncertainty of life has been demonstrated once
again,
Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for
thou knoowest not what a day may bring forth.
James 4:13,14 To to now, ye that say, Today or
tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue
therre a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the
morrow, For what is your life?
It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little
time, and then vanisheth away.
B. God promises us, TO BE WITH WITH US IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH!
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe
in God, believe also in me,
2. In my Father’s house are many mansions --- I go
to prepare a place for you...
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I shall
come again and receive you unto my self ---
Psalm 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is
the death of His saints."
IV. LET US LOOK AT DEATH FROM A LITTLE SAINT’S PERSECTIVE.
There was a certain little lady named Dorcas.
Acts 9:36-42 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37: And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38: And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay
to come to them.
39: Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing
the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40: But Peteer put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise, And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41: And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42: And it was known through-out all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
A. DEATH QUIETLY ENTERS THE HOME OF A HARD WORKING LITTLE CHRISTIAN LADY.
B. Death visits the great and the small; the rich and the poor, the old and the young,
The death of a little Christian person will
remind us of the death of Dorcas
C. Death comes to, "a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas"
1. Dorcas two names are due to a derivation of
Greek and Aramaic.
2. "Dorcas" is translated Gazelle, which is an
Aramaic terms meaning beautiful.
3. Dorcas is listed as a "certain disciple."
a. She was a "creation" one of many, although
she was common, her love and actions made her an
uncommon servant girl of the cross.
b. Disciple, she followed Christ, disciplined
her life was accountable to others.
c. Dorcas was "full of good works"
B. Luke, guided by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, complimented Dorcas’ life.
a. "Good works" hospitable, charitable,
compassionate.
b. "Alms-deeds" she helped the widows, 9:39
V. HOW WILL THOSE THAT KNEW US RESPOND?
WILL THEY GIVE TOKENS OF LOVE?
a. Tears are a language that express beyond what
words can say.
b. Tears are natural responses to things which
effect our emotions, joy & sadness
c. Dorcas’ death will hurt the Preacher, the
church and her family.
d. Can you imagine someone dying and no one caring?
e. Those that knew the kindness of Dorcas had to
show their love and their affection
for her had to be demonstrated, their love shown
by tokens of love! Hugs, words, tears.
VI. NO ACT OF KINDNESS, NO MATTER HOW SMALL WILL EVER BE FORGOTTEN!
A. The Memorial erected to Dorcas was in words of
appreciation, tears, and hugs.
B. The mourning ladies gathered around the cold
body, then they sought help from the Preacher, who
was to pray and raise her to life again, Dorcas had
more sewing to do!
C. But again, these extra days added to her life,
this new life was temporary at best.
D. Death would again visit Dorcas’ home.
VII. MEMORIES ARE MORE THAN COLD, HARD TOMBSTONES!
A. We love to remember our loved ones and place a
tombstone as the sod becomes the blanket covering
our loved ones.
B. Somewhere, perhaps in the area of Joppa, Dorcas’
grave remains in tact today?
C. But her real memorial is written in the Bible,
Dorcas will be remembered as long as the church
exist.
D.Maybe the memorial stone has become dust, yet we
still remember her, we remember her works, and we
remember Dorcas’ friends tokens of love.
E. When the tombstone is gone, and the bones are but
dust, the memory still thrives of a loving, giving
person.
E. I saw this on a tombstone near Danville, KY.
WAS IN GOOD HEALTH WHEN STRUCK BY A TREE,
THREE DAYS LATER DEATH,
AS YOU ARE I ONCE WAS, AS I AM YOU WILL SOON BE!
SO PREPARE TO MEET YOUR MAKER.
VIII. WHAT KIND OF MEMORIES ARE YOU BUILDING?
WHAT KIND OF LOVE TOKENS ARE YOU LEAVING?
A. WILL YOU BECOME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS, just as Dorcas did, Acts 2:38
B. When you pass will you leave a tangible trail of good deeds and alms?
IX. WHAT IS IN YOUR DASH?
A. IT WILL BE THE DASH BETWEEN THE BIRTH YEAR AND THE DATE OF DEATH THAT WILL RECORD THE MOST ABOUT YOU!
B. Your tombstone will record a very brief message ... but the writing on stone can never declare what has been written in the hearts of those around you!
YOUR NAME ...
THE DATE OF YOUR BIRTH...
THE DATE OF YOUR DEATH...
MAYBE A FEW WORDS, OR A LITTLE VERSE...
BUT THE TOMBSTONE CAN NOT RECORD YOUR HISTORY, YOUR GIVING,
OR WHAT YOU DID WITH YOUR LIFE...
C. YOUR TOMBSTONE
1. Will be made by hands that didn’t know YOU,
it will be made to order --- someone will be told what to write...
2. What is written will be left to the interpretation of the reader a friend or family member will feel something different as they stand at your
tombstone.
3. But the greatest MEMORIAL of our life & death will be in the actions and the words of those who knew us.
X. WHAT WILL BE SAID ABOUT YOU?
I PONDER, WHO WILL SING MY LAST SONG?
I PONDER WHO WILL SPEAK, AND WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
A. IT MIGHT BE A GREAT TESTIMONY IF WE LIVED SO THAT THE PREACHER COULD TELL THE TRUTH AT OUR FUNERAL.
B. Will they say you were a real truth seeker, and not content until you found it?
C. We all have our battles, trials, and storms. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.
Despite our limitations and handicaps, will it be said you were a worker and a giver?
Will they remember that you worked harder to pull your weight?
D.Will you be remembered as a "meek and quite spirit" whose good works adorned your daily menial life?
E.WE CANNOT STOP THE SEPARATION THAT DEATH BRINGS.
Although we may be absent from those who knew us, you will always live in the memory in the minds of those that knew you.
XI. IF YOU ARE BLESSED AND WAS A PERSON THAT TOUCHED PEOPLE FOR THE CROSS, THOSE THAT KNEW YOU MIGHT TELL ANOTHER PERSON, AND SOW YOU AS A SEED IN OTHERS MINDS, AS DORCAS IS RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.
A. ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS BURIED IN OAK RIDGE CEMETERY IN SPRINGFIELD,ILLINOIS.
While they were preparing Abraham Lincoln’s permanent grave, some low life individuals plotted to steal his body and sell it as ransom.
So when they moved President Lincoln’s body to his grave, his family requested that they bury his body under 10 feet of solid concrete.
In the rotunda room of his grave, is written the words:
NOW HE BELONGS TO THE AGES.
What about us?
B. Will you be remembered as a Christian who died with the Christian’s hope?
C. John was told to write,
"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and theirWorks do follow them ..."
Revelation 14:13.
D. MUST ACTIVELY PURSUE THE BIBLE AND WHAT MATTERS TO GOD!
1. While we cannot raise those that we love from
the dead, as Peter did Dorcas, we are able to rest
in the great hope of the resurrection at the
second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. We exhort the living, "Let us so live that a
memorial of "good works" can be erected at our
death.
3. We must keep the main thing the main thing in
our daily walk.
By the way, what is the main thing?
4. We must establish a priority system and we must
live with the eternity’s values in view FOR THERE
IS TOO MUCH TO GAIN TO LOSE!
GOD HELP US TO LIVE LIKE EVERYDAY COULD BE OUR LAST DAY! You are headed toward death at 1440 minutes per day, be ready!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
I adapted the sermon from material prepared by Dean Roach, Columbia, KY.
