"The Day Before Eternity"

Subject: Eternal Life

Scripture: Luke 12.13-21

Sermon: “The Day Before Eternity”

Scope: This sermon should challenge every listener to examine their relationship with Christ.

Summary: In light of the fact that we may be living in the day before eternity we should use our time, talents, and treasures to glorify God.

Segue: I want to share some truths with you that will prepare you for life and eternal life.

Introduction: John was born in 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He attended school at Harvard University. He was the author of two books. One was his thesis at Harvard, which was entitled Why England Slept. The other was Profiles in Courage, which won him a Pulitzer Price.

He was the Captain of a PT boat in World War II, and was decorated for his heroic rescue of the crew of his PT – 109 after it was sunk. He was sunk. He was nominated for the Presidency with Lyndon Johnson as his running mate in 1960. His platform was formed from this statement: “We stand today on the edge of a new frontier.”

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was elected as the 35th President of the United States. JFK was 43 years old when he became president making him the youngest man to ever be elected president. We all know the rest of the story. While traveling through Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 President Kennedy was assassinated.

I didn’t know John F. Kennedy. I was not even born when he was assassinated. All I have to go by is what history has recorded for us. However, there is one thing I am pretty sure about this man. I am pretty sure he never intended for November 22, 1963 to be the day before eternity.

Robert Green was born June 5th, 1935. After high school he joined the US Navy from which he retired. He was a good husband, a wonderful father of two children, and the best uncle a boy could have ever had. After retiring from the Navy, Uncle Bobby settled his family in Panama City Florida where he worked as a Cable Television Technician. On September 16th, 1982, at the age of 47, Uncle Bobby fell dead from a heart attack while at work. I knew my Uncle Bobby very well. He was a man who rarely got sick. I know that he never expected September 16th, 1982 to be his day before eternity.

Lester Lecroy was one of 12 children. He grew up in a home of very meager means. He was a rambunctious, but dependable young man. While cooling off after a hard days work in a creek at a little place we called the Iron Bridge on Cotton Hill Road in Eufaula, Alabama Lester Lecroy lost his life at age 16. I knew Lester Lecroy. I know that he never thought that dreadful day would be his day before eternity.

Whether well known or unknown we are no different than any of the three men mentioned earlier. God’s Word tells us that no one of us is promised tomorrow. In fact we do not know what the next breath may bring. Only God knows whether or not today will be your day before eternity. In light of that unpleasant thought I would like to share with you some truths from a man who lived in the day before eternity.

Here in our text today we find a man who by the world’s standard was on top of the world. He had it all. He stood at the top of the world unaware of the fact that he was about to step into eternity. In fact he had not given any thought to the notion that there may be more to life than what we see before us today. Little did he know that all of his worldly asserts would not be sufficient for his eternal security. From this tragic story we can learn several truths that will help us as we realize we may be living in the day before eternity.

I. Some Sobering Revelations (17.20).

a. A God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart – “he thought within himself.”

b. We are “trustees” not “title holders” – “whose will those things be.”

II. A Short Sighted view of Reality breads false Security (17.19).

a. The accumulation of stuff brings security and peace – “many goods, many years.”

b. This is all there is make the most of it – “eat, drink, and be merry.”

III. A Sure Requirement (Luke.20).

a. Life is short – “this day”.

b. Death is certain – “this day your soul will be required”.

c. Time is precious; don’t waste it.

IV. A Sad State Of Affaire – “rich toward the world, poor toward God” (17.21).

Conclusion: How about you? Are you ready to meet your maker if today should be the day before eternity?