Three Truths

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.