23-1210a Transcript

Preacher: Tom Freed

(1:55) Good morning. Good to see everybody. I’d like to give a quick shout out to all the guys who have been preaching and teaching.

We don’t have a preacher and all the guys have stepped up and taken turns preaching. It’s not always easy. It takes a lot of work.

It takes a lot of effort. One sermon might be 10 to 20 hours. If you’re doing two a day, that’s like a full time job.

(2:26) It’s not easy to get up here and speak in public. We’ve got to encourage the guys that are preaching and teaching. We do it because we love it at the church here.

We want to keep it going, keep it around for a while. (2:45) My sermons, we fear not death. I’m preaching this because I didn’t know what to preach on, but there’s been a couple deaths lately we’ve had in the church.

I guess this was a good idea that came to mind. (3:03) We had Brenda pass away Friday, unfortunately. We had Vicki who recently passed away.

We had other people with health issues on the prayer list. We have a lot of sick and suffering. (3:27) You don’t know when your last day is going to be.

No matter how young or old you are, today could be your last day. Only God knows when you’re going to die. He has written down the number of days He has formed for us.

(3:45) Psalm 139, 16. Your eyes saw my unformed substance. In your book were written every one of them.

The days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (4:02) Before we were even formed or born, all the days were formed for us by God. That’s another reason against abortion.

Because God knew us before we were born. Before we were even formed in the womb, He had our days planned out for us. (4:24) You’re guaranteed two things in life.

That’s paying taxes and dying. We pay a lot of taxes. We pay too much, but you’re not going to get out of this life without dying.

We only know of two people that never died. That’s Enoch and Elijah. (4:44) There’s a chariot of fire and horses that came down from Elijah and took them up in a whirlwind.

It’d be a cool way to go, wouldn’t it? You wouldn’t have to face death. You could just be taken away by God. (5:00) Second Kings 2.11. As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them.

And Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. That was probably an amazing sight for whoever was walking with him. (5:20) I don’t think that will happen to any of us.

We have to die the old-fashioned way. Maybe from cancer or a heart attack. Or maybe you’ll even get hit by a bus.

Hopefully not. But you never know. You could get into an accident on the way home.

It doesn’t matter how old you are. Kids die of cancer. They’re one or two years old.

(5:45) People get into an accident all the time and die. So hopefully none of those happen to any of us. We die in a peaceful old age.

Jesus could come back any time too. He could come back today. We have to be prepared.

But we shouldn’t have to fear dying or facing death. (6:07) Some of the biggest fears in life are ourselves dying or having a loved one pass away. I think it was ranked the loved one pass away higher than ourselves dying.

But it’s a big fear that people have. (6:23) The good thing though if you’re a Christian, you can cross that fear of dying off your list. If you’re a faithful Christian and have done your best to follow God’s word, you can die in peace.

(6:37) Scott said when he and Gene visited Vicki when she was close to death, he said that she looked like she was in peace and ready to go. That’s how it should be for faithful Christians. (6:53) When we’re in our deathbed, we should be peaceful.

We should be happy. We’re going to see God. This is how it should be for us.

They say a lot of people on their deathbed regret certain things. (7:08) But the only thing you should regret is that you’re not a Christian. If you’re a Christian, you shouldn’t have any regrets.

That’s the most important thing in life. (7:18) We don’t have to mourn and weep. It should be a time to celebrate, a thing to look forward to.

It’s painful to see a loved one die. It’s only natural for us to grieve their loss. (7:31) The good news, those who are Christian, they’re going to be in a better place.

They’re going to be in paradise of Jesus. Luke 23, 43. (7:42) Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.

(7:49) As I was doing this, I recalled a story from Carol. I’ll probably butcher it, but it was just an example of it that fit well in here. (8:01) He told me a story of a young Christian man she knew who passed away.

He was a young man. He had everything going for him. He was well liked.

He was going to school. He had his whole life ahead of him. (8:15) Unfortunately, he ended up with cancer.

Even though they did everything in their power to cure him, he didn’t survive. (8:24) At his funeral, he recorded a video before he died that they played for everyone at his funeral. (8:32) In the video was him telling everyone that they shouldn’t be crying and weeping for him, but instead they should be filled with joy and celebrating.

(8:42) He left this world which is sad, but he’s in a better place now with God. There is no more suffering and tears. Revelation 21, 4. (8:52) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain. (9:02) For the former things have passed away.

It’s a good example. I thought it was a good story. (9:09) And a cool thing he did, because a lot of people are upset, especially if somebody young dies.

(9:15) If they’re a Christian, at a funeral you don’t have to be upset. It could be a time of celebration. (9:24) Because that person is in a better place.

(9:29) It’s hard to watch a loved one suffer and die from a disease or cancer as they get older. (9:37) Like I said, as long as they’re a Christian we should be happy. (9:42) We should celebrate the fact that they’re going to be in heaven.

(9:47) Life is short and filled with evil. Genesis 47, 9. (9:53) And Jacob said to Pharaoh, the days of my pilgrimage are 130 years. (10:00) Few and evil have been the days and years of my life.

(10:03) And they have not attained the days and years of the life of my fathers and the days of their pilgrimage. (10:11) But he lived 130 years. None of us will see that, except maybe Wally and Carol might, I don’t know.

(10:19) They’re the only ones that probably can make it that long. (10:23) But most of us will be lucky if we get to 80. (10:27) But he lived 130 and he said that his life and his years were few and filled with evil.

(10:39) Job felt the same way and said, man who is born a woman is few of days and full of trouble. Job 14, 1. (10:52) He was just like Jacob. He lived 140 years.

(10:57) And he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. (11:03) He’d be a great, great grandfather. He said the same thing.

(11:07) Life is short and full of trouble. So that’s what it can feel like sometimes. (11:13) When you get older it feels like there’s always something, there’s always some problem you have.

(11:20) Once one problem goes away another problem seems to come right around the corner. (11:26) Even though they lived 130, 140 years, they still felt like their life was short. (11:34) It’s kind of how it is.

We were talking about it last week. (11:39) When you’re young it feels like time takes forever. You want to be older.

(11:44) It feels like time is crawling by. But as you get older time flies by. (11:49) It seems like the older you get the faster time seems to go.

(11:54) One day you’re going to wake up and 20, 30 or 40 years of your life will have passed. (12:01) And you’ll wonder where did all the time go? (12:04) I look back and think what happened to the last 20 years of my life? I can’t even remember hardly anything. (12:10) It just ends up being like a blur.

(12:14) God even says life is but a vapor. (12:17) But it goes by quick. (12:20) We need to focus on preparing ourselves for the afterlife.

(12:24) And not just life on earth. (12:28) Jesus said the fool lays up treasure for himself on earth and forgets about God. (12:33) Luke 12, 20-21 (12:36) But God said to him, fool, this night your soul will be required of you.

(12:42) Then whose will those things be which you provided? (12:46) So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God. (12:53) But God says you’re a fool if all you do is worry about this life. (12:57) If all you do is build up treasures on this earth.

(13:03) Like that parable this verse is from. (13:05) He just built up barns to store all his things and built up bigger barns. (13:10) And then he died and all that stuff that he collected went to somebody else.

(13:14) That’s a foolish way to live. (13:16) We need to prepare ourselves for the afterlife. (13:22) Just like the Bible says build your treasures in heaven.

(13:26) And not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth. (13:30) For moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. (13:33) So lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.

(13:36) For neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (13:42) For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. (13:46) Matthew 16, 21 (13:49) But what if I told you you had a choice? (13:52) You could be rich and have everything you want.

(13:56) And live comfortable on your time on earth. (13:59) But spend eternity in hell. (14:02) Or be poor and homeless and have a miserable life on earth.

(14:05) And spend eternity in heaven. (14:08) But I think most of you would choose a second option here. (14:13) And rather not have a good life on earth.

(14:15) And spend eternity in heaven with God. (14:19) You know the world thinks differently though. (14:22) Most people sell their soul for fame, fortune or power.

(14:26) And some for a lot less. (14:28) They don’t think twice about where they’re going to go when they die. (14:32) You see a lot of these people in Hollywood are musicians.

(14:36) And a lot of them said they have to sell their soul. (14:40) To get the fame and power they have. (14:42) And that’s true in a way.

(14:44) A lot of them had to do things. (14:49) You know that requires them to give up a lot of themselves. (14:54) To do things they know they shouldn’t be doing.

(14:56) A lot of them might have made some kind of deal with the devil. (14:59) And a lot of these people, rich powerful people. (15:03) Even worship Satan.

(15:04) And you can see it in their videos. (15:06) You can see the hidden meanings they have. (15:12) So sometimes to be rich and powerful.

(15:14) You’ve got to do some evil things. (15:18) The devil controls a lot of this world. (15:22) The people, he takes care of his own.

(15:24) Somebody said to me before. (15:26) And that’s true. (15:28) Although we don’t have to be poor and homeless.

(15:32) We can still live a good life. (15:35) But the more money you have. (15:37) The more power and fame.

(15:38) The more difficult it is to be a Christian. (15:44) A lot of people don’t believe in God. (15:47) Or the devil.

(15:47) They just think it’s foolish to believe in an afterlife. (15:51) 1 Corinthians 1.18 (15:53) So the message of the cross is foolishness. (15:56) To those who are perishing.

(15:58) To those who are being saved is the power of God. (16:02) Some don’t even believe. (16:05) But whether you believe or not.

(16:07) One thing is guaranteed. (16:09) That you’re going to stand before Jesus. (16:11) One day.

(16:13) And be judged for everything you’ve done. (16:16) It doesn’t matter. (16:17) What people think or feel.

(16:20) The truth is you’re going to have to answer. (16:22) To God one day. (16:25) Like many people on the earth.

(16:26) The rich man. (16:28) In one of Jesus' parables. (16:30) Either didn’t believe in God.

(16:31) Or care about where he was going when he died. (16:36) I’m going to go over that parable. (16:37) If you want to follow along.

(16:40) Luke 16. (16:42) I want to start at. (16:49) I’m sure most of you.

(16:52) Read the parable before. (16:56) Luke 16. (16:58) Starting at verse 19.

(17:03) Luke 16. 19. (17:05) There’s a certain rich man who was.

(17:08) Clothed in purple and fine linen. (17:12) And fared sumptuously every day. (17:14) There was a certain beggar named Lazarus.

(17:17) Full of swords. (17:18) Who laid at his gate. (17:20) Desiring to be fed with crumbs.

(17:22) Which fell from the rich man’s table. (17:25) Moreover dogs came and licked his swords. (17:29) We could see that the rich man had a great life.

(17:31) Without a care in the world. (17:34) And Lazarus had a miserable life. (17:36) While he was begging at the gate.

(17:38) Just for crumbs from his table. (17:41) And the rich man probably didn’t even bother to. (17:43) Feed him or help him.

(17:47) You know. (17:49) But when they died. (17:50) Things completely are reversed.

(17:52) And it’s the rich man who is suffering. (17:55) We continue with Luke 16. 23.

(17:59) So was that the beggar died. (18:01) And was carried by the angels. (18:02) At Abraham’s bosom.

(18:04) The rich man also died and was buried. (18:06) And being in torment in Hades. (18:09) He lifted up his eyes.

(18:10) And saw Abraham afar off. (18:12) And Lazarus in his bosom. (18:15) And we can see that they’re not in heaven and hell yet.

(18:18) But a temporary holding place. (18:21) Where everybody goes before the day of judgment. (18:25) You can think of it as like a holding cell.

(18:28) You know where somebody might be. (18:30) Before they’re sentenced by a judge. (18:33) You know for what they’ve done.

(18:36) You know where you’re going to end up. (18:38) But you’re still waiting for your final day in court. (18:42) We want to immediately go to heaven.

(18:44) You know we’re in a holding place. (18:47) In Abraham’s bosom. (18:49) If you’re a Christian.

(18:50) Or in Hades in torment. (18:53) If you’re not. (18:56) So we’ll continue on.

(18:58) With Luke 16. 24 through 26. (19:02) And he cried and said.

(19:04) Father Abraham have mercy on me. (19:07) And send Lazarus that he may dip his finger. (19:10) In water and cool my tongue.

(19:13) For I am tormented in the flame. (19:14) But Abraham said. (19:17) Son remember that in your lifetime.

(19:19) You received good things. (19:20) And likewise Lazarus evil things. (19:24) But now he is comforted.

(19:25) And you are tormented. (19:26) And besides all this. (19:28) Between us and you there is a gulf fixed.

(19:31) So that those who want to pass. (19:33) From here to you cannot. (19:35) Nor can they.

(19:36) Those from there pass to us. (19:40) You can see you know. (19:42) The rich man over this gulf.

(19:43) And he just wants. (19:45) A little bit of water for his tongue. (19:47) Because he’s burning in flames.

(19:49) So the cruel twist of fate. (19:51) We see the rich man is suffering greatly now. (19:55) And Lazarus is comforted.

(19:58) Imagine if the rich man had helped Lazarus out. (20:01) Things might be different. (20:03) You know if he had brought him into his home.

(20:05) And taken care of him. (20:07) You know this is still under the law of Moses. (20:09) Maybe.

(20:11) Maybe God would have. (20:12) Maybe God would have changed his heart. (20:13) Maybe he would have been.

(20:15) You know if he had followed and obeyed God’s word. (20:18) He would have been having it along with him. (20:21) When you pass through this life.

(20:23) It is final. (20:24) There are no second chances. (20:27) The rich man was burning.

(20:28) And all he wanted was. (20:31) To cool his tongue. (20:33) Can you imagine being.

(20:35) Burned in flames for eternity. (20:38) That’s what it’s going to be like for everybody. (20:40) Who does not obey God’s word.

(20:43) Matthew 13 50. (20:45) And cast them into the furnace of fire. (20:48) There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

(20:52) Have you ever been in so much pain. (20:54) Where you gnash your teeth together. (20:57) You know have you had.

(20:58) Fallen and something happened. (21:00) Where you are just grinding your teeth. (21:02) In so much pain.

(21:04) You know it’s going to be like that for eternity. (21:07) An eternity of burning in flames. (21:10) And suffering.

(21:11) And separation from God. (21:14) If anyone really knew what hell was going to be like. (21:17) I guarantee they wouldn’t behave like they do on earth.

(21:23) Hell was made for the devil and his angels. (21:25) Not us. (21:26) Matthew 25 41.

(21:29) And he will also say to those on the left hand. (21:33) Apart from me you cursed. (21:34) And the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

(21:40) You know it was. (21:41) Originally prepared for them. (21:44) If you don’t obey God’s word.

(21:45) Then you’re going to end up with them in hell. (21:48) We’ll finish up the parable with Luke 16 27 to 31. (21:55) And he said I beg you therefore father.

(21:58) That you would send him to my father’s house. (22:01) For I have five brothers. (22:02) That they may testify to them.

(22:05) Lest they also come to a place of torment. (22:08) Abraham said to him. (22:10) They have Moses and the prophets.

(22:12) Let them hear them. (22:14) And he said no father Abraham. (22:16) But if one goes to them from the dead.

(22:19) They will repent. (22:20) But he said to him. (22:22) If they do not hear Moses and the prophets.

(22:25) Neither will they be persuaded. (22:27) Though one rises from the dead. (22:30) But since the rich man’s fate was sealed.

(22:32) He begged Abraham to send Lazarus back. (22:35) To the dead to talk to his brothers. (22:38) Might have been a bad example on his brothers.

(22:40) And led them astray. (22:43) You know he would even feel even more guilty. (22:45) If all his brothers ended up in hell with him.

(22:49) The old testament was still in place at this time. (22:52) That is why he told him. (22:54) That they had Moses and the prophets.

(22:58) Abraham knew that even if somebody rose from the dead. (23:01) They would still not believe. (23:03) Just like when Jesus.

(23:06) Who is God. (23:07) Came to earth himself. (23:08) And did miracles and rose from the dead.

(23:11) How many people did not believe in him. (23:14) You know look at the Pharisees. (23:16) Look at all the people that rejected him.

(23:19) How many people still today do not believe. (23:23) We have more written about Jesus than any man in history. (23:28) You cannot deny that he existed.

(23:30) You cannot deny that he rose from the grave. (23:33) There are even documents apart from the bible. (23:36) That legend those things.

(23:38) We have first hand testimony. (23:40) And fulfilled prophecy. (23:42) Over 300 fulfilled prophecies.

(23:45) About Jesus. (23:48) You know telling us all about all the things he had done. (23:50) That we could read and believe ourselves.

(23:53) There is overwhelming evidence. (23:56) That Jesus existed and that he was God. (24:00) And you know how many people do not accept it.

(24:02) How many people did not listen to Jesus. (24:06) You know when he did miracles right in front of them. (24:10) So it is going to be a rude awakening.

(24:11) For many people on earth. (24:13) When they die and have to stand before God in judgment. (24:17) There are no second chances.

(24:19) And there will be no coming back to help others. (24:22) If you do not obey God’s word. (24:24) You will spend eternity in hell.

(24:28) Nothing is worth it. (24:30) Nothing is worth losing your soul over. (24:33) Even if you gain the whole world.

(24:35) It is not worth it. (24:36) Mark 8 36. (24:39) For what profit.

(24:40) What will profit a man if he gains the whole world. (24:43) And loses his own soul. (24:48) But just like the rich man.

(24:49) There is going to be a lot of pain and suffering. (24:52) And regret on the day of judgment. (24:56) You know if he could do things all over again.

(24:58) I am sure he would. (24:59) You can see how he had a change of heart. (25:01) But it was too late.

(25:04) But God is merciful in long suffering. (25:06) He wants everybody to be saved. (25:09) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise.

(25:12) As some count slackness. (25:14) His long suffering toward us. (25:16) Not willing that any should perish.

(25:19) But all shall come to repentance. (25:22) 2 Peter 3 9. (25:25) Even though he is loving and merciful. (25:27) And wants everybody to repent.

(25:29) He will not force us to do anything. (25:33) He loves us so much. (25:35) He gave us free will to choose how we want to live life.

(25:38) And where we want to spend eternity. (25:42) If you want to become a Christian and spend eternity in it. (25:45) If you do not want to become a Christian.

(25:48) And spend eternity in heaven with God. (25:50) He will not force you to be with him. (25:54) You know if he forced you to be with him.

(25:56) When you did not want to be with him. (25:57) That would be like kidnapping somebody. (25:59) You know that is not a loving thing to do.

(26:02) If you choose to reject God. (26:05) If you choose to not follow his word. (26:07) Then you.

(26:09) He is not going to bring you to heaven with him. (26:13) How you live your life. (26:15) Is 100% on you.

(26:16) You are going to have to answer everything you have done. (26:20) On earth. (26:20) Whether good or bad.

(26:23) Those who have done good to the resurrection of life. (26:26) And those who have done evil to the resurrection. (26:29) Of condemnation.

(26:30) John 5 29. (26:33) You came into this world alone. (26:34) And you will stand alone before God.

(26:37) And answer for the things you have done. (26:40) You cannot buy your way into heaven. (26:42) And there is no excuse.

(26:44) That God is going to accept. (26:46) For not obeying you. (26:47) For not obeying his word.

(26:50) You know. (26:51) You cannot blame anybody else. (26:53) There is nothing you can say to God.

(26:55) He is not going to accept anything you tell him. (26:57) When you stand before him in judgment. (26:59) You either obey what he said.

(27:02) Became a Christian. (27:03) And had your sins forgiven. (27:05) Or you did not.

(27:08) It is going to be very scary for many people on earth. (27:10) When they have to stand and face God. (27:13) The dreadful thing that fall in the hands of a living God.

(27:16) Hebrews 10 31. (27:19) I am having to stand before God. (27:22) Is intimidating to anyone.

(27:24) But as a Christian. (27:25) We should not fear death. (27:28) But we should look forward to it.

(27:30) Just as Paul did. (27:32) Who knew it was far better. (27:34) Philippians 1. (27:35) 21-24.

(27:38) For to me. (27:39) To live is Christ. (27:40) And to die is gain.

(27:42) If I am. (27:43) To go on living in this body. (27:47) This will mean.

(27:48) Beautiful labor for me. (27:50) Yet what shall I choose. (27:52) I do not know.

(27:54) I am torn between the two. (27:56) I desire to be. (27:58) To depart and be with Christ.

(28:00) Which is better by far. (28:02) But is more necessary. (28:04) For you that I remain in the body.

(28:07) So. (28:08) We should have the same mentality. (28:11) While we live.

(28:12) Everything we should do. (28:13) Should focus on loving, serving and glorifying Christ. (28:17) And we pass from.

(28:20) To the new. (28:22) Stage in the progress. (28:24) Of union with Christ.

(28:27) We actually get to be with him. (28:29) For eternity. (28:30) When we pass away.

(28:32) Therefore we must make it our goal. (28:34) To please him. (28:35) Whether we are in the body on earth.

(28:36) Or away from it in heaven. (28:39) 2 Corinthians 5. (28:41) 6-10. (28:43) Therefore we are always confident.

(28:46) To know that as long as we are. (28:48) At home in the body. (28:49) We are away from the Lord.

(28:51) We live by faith. (28:53) Not by sight. (28:54) We are confident I say.

(28:56) We prefer to be away from the body. (28:59) And at home with the Lord. (29:01) We make it our goal to please him.

(29:03) Whether we are at home in the body. (29:05) Or away from it. (29:07) We all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

(29:10) That each one may receive what is due to him. (29:13) For the things. (29:14) Done while in the body.

(29:15) Whether good or bad. (29:18) Like it says. (29:19) You are all going to have to stand.

(29:20) Before Christ judgment seat. (29:22) And answer for how we live. (29:25) The sinner is going to hear on that day.

(29:27) I never knew you. (29:29) Depart from me you who practice lawlessness. (29:32) Matthew 7-23.

(29:36) That would be painful to hear. (29:37) Coming from Jesus. (29:39) Wouldn’t you much rather hear.

(29:41) Well done good and faithful servant. (29:44) You are faithful over a few things. (29:45) I will make you ruler over many things.

(29:48) Enter into the joy of the Lord. (29:51) Matthew 25-21. (29:53) That is what the Christian is going to hear.

(29:56) If you live a faithful life. (29:59) So the choice is yours. (30:00) How you want to live.

(30:02) And what you want to hear from God. (30:04) When you face him. (30:06) If you are not a Christian.

(30:07) You are only one step away. (30:09) Just like the Ethiopian eunuch said. (30:13) Look here is water.

(30:14) What can stand in the way of being baptized. (30:18) Philip taught him just one day. (30:20) He showed him the Bible.

(30:21) He answered his questions. (30:23) And he wanted to be baptized. (30:26) Nothing can stand in your way.

(30:28) Except your unbelief. (30:30) Don’t fail to do what is right in this life. (30:32) And regret it.

(30:34) When you stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (30:37) Like the rich man did. (30:38) Like I said you can see.

(30:41) His regret. (30:43) When he was in Hades. (30:45) And granted everybody is going to regret that.

(30:48) They are all going to wish they lived differently. (30:50) They did different things on earth. (30:52) But by that time it is too late.

(30:55) Your faith sealed at that point. (30:58) But God has made it easy for us. (31:00) Providing everything we need.

(31:02) Not even withholding his own son from us. (31:05) Romans 8-32. (31:07) He who did not spare his own son.

(31:10) But delivered him up for us all. (31:12) How shall he not be with us? (31:15) How shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (31:20) Jesus did it all. (31:22) God provided everything.

(31:25) He went to the cross for our sins. (31:28) He did all the hard work. (31:30) We thought to do our part.

(31:32) But God couldn’t have made it easy for us. (31:36) And if you reject him. (31:38) If you don’t follow his word.

(31:39) Or you fall away from the church. (31:41) That is 100% on you. (31:44) If you want to become a Christian today.

(31:48) Or if you are struggling and need our prayer. (31:50) Now is the time to come forward. (31:51)