AM Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5.1-8

This Morning’s Speaker: Brent T. Willey

If I Would Have Died Last Night

Introduction:

1. Consider this sobering question: “Suppose you had died last night – where would you spend eternity?”
2. Moses wrote: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom” (Psa. 90.12).
3. Though troubling to many, death is a necessary study…

I. “FOR WE SHALL SURELY DIE”

1. The woman of Tekoa reminded David, “For we shall surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again” (2 Sam. 14.14).

   1. The reality of death. (Gen. 3.19; Job 30.23; Psa. 89-48; Eccl. 12.7; Heb. 9.27)

   2. Generally speaking, we do not know the day of our death. (Job 24.22; Gen. 27.2; cf., 2 Kings 20.1)

2. In what state will you die?

   1. “In sin”? (John 8.21,24)

   2. “In the Lord”? (Rev. 14.13)

I.IF I WOULD HAVE DIED LAST NIGHT…

3. Would the angels have come for me? (Luke 16.19-23)

4. Would my family possess confidence and comfort because of my faithfulness? (John 11.17-27)

5. Would my death have a profound and lasting impact on the local congregation? (Acts 9.36-43)

6. Would I leave behind souls that were led to salvation because of my teaching and example? (1 Tim. 4.16)

7. Would I be pleased to be “absent from the body” because I would be “present with the Lord”? (2 Cor. 5.1-8)

Conclusion: Live in such a way that one day you will hear the Lord say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matt. 25.21).