LIFE OR DEATH

Life truly begins when you die to self.

1 John 5:12, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Death is not a finality; it is a separation from everything that is living. The plants, fish, birds, dogs, cats, and everything that has a living cell will never be within your reach again if you die without Jesus Christ as Saviour. But friend, the very moment you trust Jesus Christ as Saviour—your life truly begins! It will never be the same again. You will never die. You may lay this old body down and be raised incorruptible one day but you will never die like the sinner without Christ will. There’s a song that says, “I’m gonna live forever. I’m gonna die no never.” Can you sing that song and mean it? If not, you can. You’ll never regret it!

DIE FOR JESUS

When we read, we fancy we could be martyrs; when we come to act, we cannot bear a provoking word. -More

Acts 15:25-26, It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many people claim to be Christians. They go to church, dress the part, say the right things, and can probably even quote Scripture. They may be a Sunday school teacher, a Deacon, a song leader, pianist, or even a pastor. However, when the rubber meets the road and they have to choose between rejecting Christ or becoming a martyr, they choose to reject Him, making up excuses why they did.

Hey friend, if you won’t come to church for Jesus. If you won’t read His Word. If you won’t tell someone else about what Jesus has done for you, what makes you think you’re saved and you will die for Jesus? Want to prove your love for Him? Want to prove you’re saved and on your way to Heaven? start by telling others about what Jesus means to you. Tell them what He has done for you. It gets real when you start doing what He has said to do! You may even have to die for Jesus! are you ready and willing?

SWEET DEATH

Some die without having really lived, while others continue to live, in spite of the fact that they have died. -Anonymous

Proverbs 14:32, The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Yesterday, we honored the life of a man who had a great impact on many. For some, it was an eternal impact. Benny Aldridge was a friend, father, and faithful servant of the Lord who gave His life for the cause of Christ. He directed me personally when I felt the call to preach from the Lord. Unlike others, Benny directed me to Scripture. He pointed me to prayer. Even though I was stubborn eventually, the counsel He gave directed me to surrender to God’s call.

As I reflect on his life this morning, what made Benny so great was not a what but a Who. Jesus made the difference in Benny. Jesus saved Benny, sanctified Benny, and used Benny to impact a lost, dying, and hurting generation for the cause of Christ.

Will you and I leave behind that type of testimony? Will we give it all for Christ? Will we have a sweet death? We can and will IF we keep our eyes on Christ; never wavering from His will!

DEATH A MUST

Jesus died so we wouldn’t have to.

Matthew 12:40, For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Throughout the Old Testament we see prophecies and types of the necessity of the Messiah’s death for the redemption of mankind. I often wonder, since the Sadducees and Pharisees had parchments of these prophecies, why didn’t they see Jesus as the Messiah? Why is it that only those wise men from afar sought to worship Jesus? Why didn’t more people understand what needed to happen in order for man to have hope?

Death was a must for Jesus. It was in His death that he became the sacrifice for man’s sin. Praise God He didn’t stay dead! Three days later He arose from the dead; conquering death, hell, and the grave! Good news friend, He’s coming back to take us to be with Him forever and ever!

DESPISE WISDOM

The hatred of wisdom is leading a multitude to Hell.

Proverbs 8:36, But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

            Throughout the Bible, we have several characters we can look to that I believe despised wisdom. Those who had counsel from God, His Prophets, or even the Scriptures, yet they rejected the Truth and wisdom given to them and they suffered for it with their life. Here’s a few to look at:

            Noah’s generation denied Noah’s wisdom- they were swallowed up in the flood.

            Pharaoh denied Moses’ wisdom- he was swallowed up in the Red Sea.

            Korah denied Moses’ wisdom - The ground opened and he was swallowed up in the depths of earth.

            There is one that stood with, walked with, talked with, and served with wisdom in the flesh—Judas. Judas was with wisdom, person to person. He followed Jesus and saw Him do many miracles, yet he denied the Truth given to him. This denial of revealed Truth led Judas to sell Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver leading to His scourging, mocking, crucifixion, death, and burial. Swallowed up in grief for what he had done, Judas went out and hung himself.

            Have you had the privilege of hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the Truth? Have you responded in faith, repenting of your sins and trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour? If not, be careful! I don’t want you to be swallowed up in your pride that will ultimately lead you to death!

HIS LIFE FOR MINE

I must die or get somebody to die for me. If the Bible doesn't teach that, it doesn't teach anything. And that is where the atonement of Jesus Christ comes in. -Moody

2 Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

When Jesus Christ came to earth, he came with a purpose in mind, to redeem lost sinners. He said this when He was at the temple, “I must be about my Father’s business.” He said it when speaking to His disciples, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He said it when He was on the Cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” What you have to do is decide whether Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or if you will repent of your sins and trust Him as Saviour. He gave His life for mine and yours! Don’t die without His blood being put to your account!

LIFE

Death to the Christian is the funeral of all his sorrows and evils, and the resurrection of all his joys. –Aughey

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

You ever have a dream that you were back home with your Mom or Dad that has graduated into Heaven? I often wake up thinking about them and what it’s going to be like when I see them again. This is not some fairytale, folklore or fable. This is a precious promise from the Word of God that we can count on! Butterflies fill my stomach just thinking about the reunion we will have one day.

Do you have that promise, the promise of eternal security; the promise that you are in the hand of God and nothing can separate you from His love; the promise in knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you were to die today—you would wake up in Heaven? If not, you can today just ask!

JESUS DIED FOR ME AND YOU!

I must die or get somebody to die for me.  If the Bible doesn't teach that, it doesn't teach anything.  And that is where the atonement of Jesus Christ comes in. –Moody

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:21-24

Jesus came for you-

Jesus lived for you-

Jesus died for you-

Jesus arose again for you-

Jesus is coming again- If you have repented and confessed your sin, He’s coming for you!

IN DEATH I LIVE!

I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to him. –Spurgeon

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31

Many men think living is having fast cars, big houses, and women. Many women think living is having a closet full of clothes, a man with a lot of money, and going out to eat at fancy restaurants. While they may live it up large on this side of eternity, I believe I’ll just trust in Jesus and live it up large for eternity!

            Paul said, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul had an insight to living many Christians may never understand. He said, “If I die, I gain Heaven! I gain peace, joy, no tears, no sickness, and no death! I gain Jesus!” So Paul seeing how important it was to live for Christ said, “I die daily.”

            Are you and I dying daily to self; Exalting the Saviour, Edifying the Saints, and Evangelizing the Sin Sick Sinner? If not… then we are missing what Paul meant by, Living for Jesus!

IT’S STILL FINISHED

Jesus’ death was a blow to Satan that he could not come back from!

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30

Sure it’s June, but I can rejoice in God’s only begotten Son giving His life for mine any time of the year! It’s not just an Easter celebration; it’s a year after year celebration of God’s gift to me! But not to me alone, the gift of salvation is to all who repents!

Have you repented? Have you asked Jesus to save you from your sin? Have you asked Him to be Lord of your life? If not, do it today, for the Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation!”

PAYING A HIGH PRICE FOR LOW LIVING

SIN WILL ALWAYS TAKE YOU FARTHER THAN YOU WANTED TO GO.

SIN WILL ALWAYS KEEP YOU LONGER THAN YOU WANTED TO STAY.

SIN WILL ALWAYS COST YOU MORE THAN YOU INTENDED TO PAY.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

I know a few men that have lived this low life and paid a high price doing it! A father sexually abusing his children, a missionary running off with a choir member, a pastor having an adulterous relationship with a young lady he was counseling; all these men, succumbed to low living and paid a high price doing so. Each one losing what they had invested in. Each one losing what God had given. Each one sacrificed God’s best for Satan’s counterfeit. But do not think you’re above it friend because each one of us can and will fall if we do not recognize the dangers of sin.

What are we do? Turn to Jesus; confessing and forsaking sin. Then we shall have mercy!

JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

Either you’re growing closer to the Lord or you have grown stagnant.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

            Here are three ways to have a closer walk with the Lord; consider the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:11-14), crave the Blessed Book (2 Timothy 2:15), and call upon the Blessed Saviour (Hebrews 4:16).  Don’t starve yourself of the Word of God, saturate yourself with it!

VICTORY IN DEATH

Satan thought Jesus was defeated but God had other plans!

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? Luke 24:5

Many in this world are staggering around just like those women the first Easter morning; they are hopeless. Hopeless because they have never heard the Good News of the Gospel or they have rejected what they have heard because of pride. Many would rather stay right where they are at, in misery, rather than humble themselves. Many “live” defeated even though God has other plans for them, all they have to do is humble themselves.

Are you one of those people? Are you hanging on to a prayer prayed when you were young but there was never a change in your heart? Humble yourself! Do you feel unworthy of God’s salvation? He came seeking the mightiest of sinners so humble yourself!

Satan surely thinks you are defeated today just like He thought Jesus was but God has other plans for you! Would you like to remain defeated or would you like to have victory? All you have to do is humble yourself, asking God to forgive you of your sins, and trusting Jesus as Saviour!

YES, HELL IS REAL!

   It is shocking to reflect that a change in the weather has more effect on some men's lives than the dread alternative of heaven or hell. –Spurgeon

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:23

    One question that lingers in everyone’s mind is, “What’s after this life?” But those same people don’t believe it when you tell them about Heaven or Hell. They don’t believe God would send someone to a place of everlasting punishment. They don’t believe there is only One way to Heaven. Well, when the rich man lifted his eyes in Hell…he began to believe. Don’t be like the rich man—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

YOU CAN’T GET BLOOD OUT OF A TURNIP

Trust Christ and you shall live. The bloody sacrifice of Calvary is the only hope of sinners. –Spurgeon

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22

Cain attempted to bypass the blood sacrifice for sin. If you leave Jesus and the Crucifixion out, you have missed the whole point of Him coming. (John 10:10) Cain was intentionally trying to deal with his sin his own way instead of how God said to deal with it. Many people today are trying to do the same thing. But just as Cain’s sacrifice was denied, one day, theirs will be also. The Lord will say, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

How are you getting to Heaven? Is it by good works? Is it by lineage? Is it by social status? Friend, if you haven’t received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour…your turnip is going to fail you!

Life or Death…

Death to the Christian is the funeral of all his sorrows and evils, and the resurrection of all his joys. –Aughey

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Almost fifteen years ago my parents went home to be with the Lord. At each of their funerals we had the song “I’m a Winner Either Way” played. I can remember sitting there listening to that song thinking about how much truth it contains. If I stay here, I’m living for Christ= winner! If I die, I’ll be in His presence= winner! Friend it doesn’t get much better than that!

If this was your last day on Earth, would you be a winner or loser? If you don’t know Jesus as your Saviour—you lose!

CREATION OR EVOLUTION

One should look at creation seeing The Architect, The Designer, and The Creator!

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 1:25

Many in our world have twisted the truth of creation into a lie. The lie is “Evolution”. The Evolution theory in a nut shell is “Everything came from nothing and will return to nothing.” With this type of belief, comes many repercussions in which we are reaping right now in this world. When a society proclaims there is no God, that He did not create us, that we came from nothing, turned into something, and then evolving into an animal which would one day become a human, it will not be long before that society begins acting like animals; animals that kill its own, animals that change the natural use of what it was created for (procreation) into something unnatural, animals that worship themselves instead of The Creator.

Have you believed this lie of Evolution? The outlook of life for an Evolutionist is pretty dim; death and decay! But with a Creationist, with Jesus as Saviour; Life and Life eternal!

AVOID COVETOUSNESS

Just suppose the Lord should have everyone stoned to death for covetousness as was Achan.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

There are so many things men and women covet after; money, fancy cars, big houses, etc. One thing about all of it though, one day you won’t take it with you. One day you will either have spent it all, given it to family, or it will be worn out.

Child of God, be happy with whatever God has blessed you with. Quit trying to keep up with the Jones’. Paul told Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6”  So in order to have that “great gain” we better start….”seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness….”

Do Not Enter Wrong Way!

Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything. --Peter Marshall

 "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25,

I was watching the news some time ago and an elderly man went down the wrong way on the Jersey Turnpike. The poor man was in a jam! They had to stop traffic going in both ways and guide the man to safety! He was in immediate danger and needed help right then!

Child of God, there may be times when you go down the wrong road of life. STOP! Do not make a move! Let the Lord guide you to safety! If you don’t, you may find yourself in an early grave!

Tick-Toc, Tick-Toc

Do not believe that you are standing still; you are not. Your pulses each moment beat the funeral marches to the tomb. You are chained to the chariot of rolling time. There is no bridling of the steeds or leaping from the chariot. –Spurgeon

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Many sit and watch their life tick away second by second, minute by minute, and some even hour by hour. They gaze looking at a phone, a tablet, a computer screen, or even the TV as their fleeting life passes by. Why is this done? What good comes out of this waste of time? Is it for pleasure? Is it for education? Why? Why? Why?

I don’t know if you can really nail down one reason. However, what we can agree on is we are wasting a lot of time! Time we could be investing in those nearest to hell. Time we can be invest in our Christian walk. Time we can be investing in the weary of heart.

Where will you invest the next 86,400 seconds?