A GOOD OLD AGE, John Haverland, 10-01-1

(A sermon for the New Year)

Text: Genesis 25:7-11

Readings: Gal 3:6-18; Heb 11:8-16, Gen 25:1-11

Theme: Abraham died at a good old age after a long life of faith in God and his promises.

Purpose: To use Abraham’s death to help you reflect on your own life of faith and on your hope in Christ.

This past week I joined with some other members of our church to have a look at some grave-plaques that had been recently installed. We went around the different plots to inspect the ‘artwork’ and to reminisce about life with our now-deceased partners. It was good to reflect on the past, face the reality of the present and look forward with hope to the future. We were able to join together in a time of thanksgiving before we headed back home or back to work.

In this same week I spent some time with one of our members to discuss what plans and preparations had been made for that inevitable moment when life ends. We talked about funeral arrangements and the thanksgiving service. Again it was good to conclude with a prayer of thanks for the knowledge that in life and in death we have this comfort that we belong to Jesus, body and soul.

It’s good when Christians be can be frank and open about death, even their own death. But that is not always the case. I still recall the elderly gentleman who had been diagnosed with cancer some weeks earlier and whose doctor had suggested he might only have about six-months to live.

Death.
It will come to every one of us (unless Jesus returns first). But no one knows the day of his encounter with that Enemy. Whether it come sooner or later, it is absolutely crucial to be ready for that day. If you haven't come to terms with your death, you haven't really come to terms with life. When that day comes, it will be no sooner or later than God has ordained: "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Ps.139:16).
What happens after you die?
After death, believers enter the 'intermediate state.' Here's how the Westminster Shorter Catechism answer the question, "What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?" (Q.37):  "The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection."

The Pillar and Support

of the Truth

Sermon by Rev J Rogers

on 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Scripture Reading:

1 Peter 2:1-10

Congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We all know that the Church is not really a building. The Church is the people of God themselves. Together they are the temple of the Holy Spirit where Christ lives in this world. As we read in 1 Peter 2:5, "You (plural), as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house, for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." So it is believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who are the real Church of God in this world.