(David Kidd gave his testimony before the service, how he came back after 18 years of going astray like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), and what God taught him these days from Philippians 3:7-8 )
Hebrews 9
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Let’s look at each of these two important certainties separately.
Each one of us will meet with death, but we don’t know when. It doesn’t matter what nationality you’re from. We don’t like to talk about death but we must face it.
If someone had the cure for death people would flock to that person and pay whatever price to get that cure.
Your life is not in your own hand but in the hand of God.
A certain man in America claimed to had the secret of perennial youth, but after he gave a speech on TV about his special diet he collapsed and died.
Another man was extremely fit and told everyone how important it was to be top fit and jog regularly, yet he died while jogging and left behind small children. I had to conduct his funeral.
A certain medical doctor questioned why Christians who claim to be saved are so afraid to die.
There’s a Zulu proverb that says that one must speak the truth like a dying person. At death a person doesn’t pretend anymore or beat about the bush, but calls a spade a spade.
Remember Asaph who said he almost slipped when he saw the prosperity of the wicked (Ps 73:2-3). But when he considered their end and went into the sanctuary of God his eyes were opened and he regained his footing (Ps 73:17).
Are you prepared for death? Whether you’re from Japan or Korea or whatever nationality your’e from, you will die. Number your days as Moses did, that you might gain a heart of wisdom (Ps 90:12).
Eccl 11
9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
God made you in His image. Do what you want but remember God will judge you for those things and you will have to give account for everything you’ve done.
2Cor 5
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
The Bible says that the one who says he has no sin is a liar, but the one who confesses and forsakes his sin will find mercy (1John 1:8-9; Prov 28:13).
Think of Daniel and his three friends who were upright and honest and did not defile themselves with the polluted food (Dan 1:8). The government at that time made many evil laws but they remained upright and honest. They lived through the reigns of many kings and government, yet they stood.
No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, the Lord can keep you.
Even though they were threatened with the fire yet they never compromised to worship the image of the king, and the fire only burned their shackles but did not touch them. Not even the smell of the fire was found on their clothes (Dan 3:27).
Go and read of the heroes of heaven who stood and overcame ( Hebrews 11:32-38 ). Is your life like theirs to overcome as they overcame?
Winston Churchill was a great statesman and could make great speeches, but on his deathbed he said, ‘what a fool I’ve been! ‘
Stalin’s daughter cried for the terrible death her father died, pointing upwards and asking forgiveness.
The communist Lenin said that he was dying in a sea of blood. He murdered millions in the name of communism.
Remember the Anglican minister who woke up terrified and his wife asked him if something was wrong. He shared with her his dream regarding all the congregations he presided over. He saw all of them lined up, falling into the bottomless pit. He saw his wife and children in that line too. The screams were terrible as they fell. Then he heard God say to him to join the line. As he said this to his wife, he fell over backwards in his bed and died.
Just like the Samaritan woman asked for the Living Water, and Jesus told her everything she had done – have you met Him and has he told you everything you had done? (John 4:29)