Week of Thursday, February 20, 2003
• MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
• BRIEFS
On death and dying
By REV. KEITH WORRELL
Forest Avenue Baptist
Church
Having preached six funerals
since Dec. 1, 2002, and three in the past 16 days, I would like to share
some thoughts from the scriptures on death and dying.
First of all, if one wants to
go to heaven when they die and most everybody does, then you must be "born
again."
Jesus told Nicodemus in John
3L:3, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be
born again." (Verse 7)
How is one born again so they
can enter heaven upon death?
Jesus gives the answer in verse
16.
"For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should
not perish, but have everlasting life."
Hallelujah! The way to heaven
is simply by faith in Jesus Christ, believing He died for your sins on the
cross, paid your penalty, and rose from the dead for your justification!
This is the good news of the gospel.
Secondly, once an individual is
born again, i.e., saved, then the fear of death is greatly decreased. For
the believer, joy and bliss awaits them in heaven. (Rev. 21:4)
Third, after an individual is
saved, they realize their body will simply "sleep" in the grave after death,
resting until Christ returns to the earth again to rapture the living saints
to heaven, while at the same time raising the bodies of believers who’ve
already died out of the graves to be changed into a glorified, eternal,
spirit body. (I Cor. 15:51-57; I Thess. 4:13-18)
Fourth, a new hope, the hope of
heaven, is instilled in every believer’s heart once they are saved.
Thus, as one advances in years,
they begin to actually (and this may sound strange to some of you) look
forward to "going home" to heaven, to be with Christ, as well as family and
friends who have gone before.
The apostle Paul declared that
to go to heaven is better than to stay on earth, but only after God is
finished with our service here. (Phlp. 1:210-24; II Tim. 4:6-8)
Lastly, for the saint of God,
the Bible teaches that this earthly life is, but for a moment compared to
eternity and our lives pass as a tale that is told, (Psalm 90:9,) and as a
vapor that appears momentarily, then vanishes. (James 4:14)
Therefore, remember dear
Christian friend, "precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His
saints." (Psalm II 6:15)
If one has Christ in their
heart, they need not fear death, for heaven awaits them, but…if you are
without Christ, when death comes, then hell awaits you. (Luke 16:22-23.)
The choice is yours. Are you
born again?
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY
The service-lesson, "Mind" will
be held at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 23 at Christian Science Society, 123 N.
Adams, followed by Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. for young people up to the
age of 20 years old. For information, call 483-3314.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor Randy Johnson of The
First Baptist Church, 1110 W. Cross, will preach at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 23,
followed by Sunday School at 11 a.m. An evening praise service meets at 6
p.m. Bible study begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and the Christian Women United
will meet at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the United Methodist Church. The women’s
Bible study meets at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 26. Get FED meets at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 and
the adult choir practices at 7 p.m. the same evening. The Men’s Bible study
meets at 7:30 a.m. March 1. For more information, call 482-7380.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
First United Methodist Church,
209 Washtenaw, will meet for worship at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 3 with the Rev.
Judith Mayo preaching. Sunday school meets at 10 a.m. For more information,
call 482-8374.
STONY CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Stony Creek United Methodist
Church, 8635 Stony Creek Road, will
hold its chicken dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. March 1. Adults are $8, children 76
to 10 years old, $4 and under 6 free. Delivery will be made to shut-ins
within five miles of the church. Phone orders for deliveries must be called
in by 4:30 p.m. to 482-0240. The building is barrier free.
NEW GETHSEMAN BAPTIST CHURCH
New Gethsemane Baptist Church,
600 E. Clark, will have the Rev. Johnny South and the Ypsilanti
Spiritualaries in a full musical concert at 5 p.m. Feb. 23. For more
information, call 481-1605 or 482-0032.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
Second Baptist Church,
301 S. Hamilton, is holding its 26th annual celestial choir
concert at 5 p.m. Feb. 23. For more information on this free concert, call
483-4342.
|
