The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at New Georgia

Tim Johnson, editor

May 14, 2006

 
In This Issue:
One Last Sermon
by Johnny Ramsey

 

 

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One Last Sermon

   If you were given the chance to preach one last sermon to the world, what would you say? It would be great to preach one gospel sermon to the whole world at one time. Our modern communication marvels make that a real possibility some day. What would we choose to say to all of the accountable human beings if we were granted the opportunity to speak to the whole world?

   If Jesus were that preacher, what would He say? What would you want to hear if your soul's salvation was in the balance ? What if the lord preached your funeral - what would the honest message contain? What if God told every gospel preacher, "You have only one sermon left to proclaim?" What would we say as a dying man to a world lost in sin - in view of eternity?

   What a solemn thought! What an awesome challenge! Should we not preach every sermon as if it were the last one? Should we not listen intently to every message as though we would never hear another until we meet Jesus at the Judgment Day? As we ponder these very serious matters, I am confident that on that final occasion (Heb. 9:27), we shall be thankful for every moment we lived for the Savior in this life and saddened that we did not grasp more golden hours to honor His blessed cause. Someone has enriched us with:

    We cannot all be heroes,
    And thrill a hemisphere
    With some great, daring venture,
    Some deed that mocks at fear.
    But we all can fill a lifetime
    With kindly acts and true,
    There is always noble service
    For noble hearts to do.

   If I had only one last sermon to preach in this life, here are the major points I would use for that final sermon:

  1. God is Sovereign Ruler  (Psa. 66:7)

  2. The Bible is His Message  (John 15:3) 

  3. Jesus Christ is His Son  (John 20:31)

  4. Obedience is Necessary  (Luke 6:46)

  5. God's Love is Powerful    (Rom.5:8)

  6. Christianity Brings Joy  (Rom. 14:17)

  7. Heaven is too Great Miss  (Heb 9:24) 

  8. One Soul is of Great Value  (Mark 8:36)

   We must always emphasize personal response to the will of our Creator.  No one can go to heaven for us.  Individual reaction and response are essential in the religion of Jesus Christ.  Faithful preachers will always make this clear.  Someone has well stated this maxim: "The time to teach authority is in the play pen, instead of the state pen."  Notice the personal touch in the sentiment of the inspired psalmist, "Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?  Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid." (Psa. 27:1).

   If I had but one sermon left to preach, it would be necessary and wise to set forth some of the precious promises God sets forth in the Bible:

  1. Abundant blessings for the righteous (Matt. 6:33; Pas. 37:25; 124:8)

  2. Privilege and strength in prayer (I John 2:1; Heb. 7:25; 4:16; I John 5:14) 

  3. Help in times of trouble (I Pet. 5:7; II Cor.10:13; Mark 6:5). 

   The goodness of the Lord (Rom. 2:4; 11:33-36) is beyond comprehension and human logic.  It should enhance our deep regard for the spiritual blessings found in Christ (Eph. 1:3).  The message of Psa. 100:5 reminds us of a gracious Savior: "For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

   The final part of our last sermon to the world would set forth specific blessings which sinners should seriously consider.  Here they are:

  1. Spiritual values transcend earthly pomp (I Tim. 6:6-12).

  2. Christianity provides us with loyal friends (Psa. 119:63).

  3. The gospel of Christ gives us vibrant hope (I John 3:1-3).

  4. The challenge of Christianity is invigorating (Titus 2:11-14).

  5. Truth is more precious than all the world (Jer. 15:16).

   When we meet the Lord, at the end of all our earthly cares, it will certainly have been worth all the heartaches and foibles of this temporary sojourn.  Obeying the plan of salvation (Mark 16:16) and living the life of a Christian will pave the way for an eternity of joy and peace (II Pet. 1:10-11).  Some wit reminds us that happiness in this world cannot be measured by one's wealth, because a man with $8 million may not be a bit happier than another with only $7 million!  Sincere Christians, regardless of monetary value, can honestly sing:

    Thou my everlasting portion,
    More than friends or life to me,
    All along my pilgrim journey,
    Savior, let me walk with Thee.

   All this, and heaven, too, is the theme song of the saints of God!

-- Johnny Ramsey
Via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 55, No. 19, May 12, 2006