A famous preacher said that he always wanted to preach as if he knew that he was dying and preaching as if he was preaching to a dying crowd. We never know when we will be called to face the Lord. We need to stay prepared as if we are going to die the next moment…and work like we have a long time to live. I dreamed I had to face the ancient of times and it is not a very comforting thought. No matter, we still have to face God. We read in Hebrews 9:27 “And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” I think this is the way we should live every day. The Psalmist tells us to number our days.
But what would I say if this was my last sermon? I have given this a lot of thought and I think maybe the following is the way I would preach:
The first thing I would do is talk to my family. And since you are all my family, I think I should assure you that I am ready to go if God calls me home. I remember the time and I can take you to the place where I surrendered my life to Him. It was the first Sunday in September of 1963. I have made many mistakes but God has always been there to pick me up when I fell. Many leave their loved ones wondering if they will ever see them again. I would like to say a special thanks to my mother and dad for showing me the way. I remember how our former pastor, that has already gone home, told me how I should live. He told me what John 6:37 said. “… him that cometh to me I will no wise cast out.”
The next thing I would talk about is my new home. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Jesus said He is going to prepare a place for me. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 are the most precious words to the Christian.
The last thing I would do is tell everyone that is reading this today that Jesus came to save you. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” I would tell you that God loved you so much that He gave His only Son and His Son was willing to die for you and me. I would tell you that there is nothing like the love of Jesus. I would tell you that Jesus paid the full price for your sins on the cross. (John 19:30, “It is finished.” The Greek translation means “Paid in full”).
We are not guaranteed another minute, let alone today. Today is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee; behold now is the day of salvation.”
I might not have another chance to preach to you. If you don’t know Him, why not come to Him now while there is still breath in your body? Ecclesiastes 11:3 says, “…if the tree fall to the south, or the north, where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” I say it this way, “As the tree falleth, so shall it be.” There will be no time to get saved after you are looking in the face of God that is demanding judgment.
This might be the only chance I have to preach to you. I challenge you to search your heart and prepare just in case this is the last opportunity you have to seek the Lord.
God loves you….Pastor Donnie Jackson