Category: My Last Day

Pastor Tim Keller wrote, “Christianity is different. It doesn’t leave you to face death on your own, by holding up your life record and hoping it will suffice. Instead it gives you a champion who has defeated death, who pardons you and covers you with his love. You face death ‘in him’ and with his perfect record (Philippians 3:9). To the degree we believe, know, and embrace that, we are released from the power of death.” (On Death)

Today, may we embrace Christ our Champion and be set free in new measure as we proclaim and pray the following Scripture out loud several times:

Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT
“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”

1 Corinthians 15:55, 57 NRSVUE
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In worship, let’s sing “In Christ Alone” by Keith & Kristen Getty. (click here)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are our Champion. Thank you that we can confidently declare today, “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

-JL

Philippians 1:25 NLT
Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.

“Long before she became bedridden, [my wife, Ruth], was driving along a highway through a construction site. Carefully following the detours and mile-by-mile cautionary signs, she came to the last one that said, ‘End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.’ She arrived home, chuckling and telling the family about the posting. ‘When I die,’ she said, ‘I want that engraved on my stone.’ She was lighthearted but serious about her request…While we found the humor enlightening, we appreciated the truth she conveyed through those few words. Every human being is under construction from conception to death. Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent. At the end of construction—death—we have completed the process.” (Billy Graham, Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well)

Today, let’s pray for our fellow brothers and sisters, that together as a community we will grow and progress and experience the joy of our faith in ever-increasing measure until we see Jesus face-to-face. Let’s be filled with hopeful expectation for one another that we are never “over the hill” spiritually, rather we can surrender our lives with renewed devotion to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, we say yes to the greater “construction” the Spirit desires to do in us. By your grace, may we live well, grow well, and die well. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “More to Come” by Passion. (click here)

-JL

Philippians 1:21 NIV
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  

Ephesians 4:30b NIV
 (And do not grieve) the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

“Memories of those final months will remain with me the rest of my life: [my wife, Ruth’s,] growing frailty, her suffering, her expressions of love, our times of prayer, her certainty – and even joy – that soon she would be in the presence of the Lord she had loved and served for so many years. As I think back over those days, the familiar words of Psalm 23 come to me with new meaning, for they exemplify Ruth’s confidence as she sensed her time on earth was drawing to a close: ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever’ (vv. 4, 6 KJV).” (Billy Graham, Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well)

Today, let’s put our trust in Jesus once again and receive Spirit-given certainty and joy for the “gain” that awaits us in death – to be with Christ truly and perfectly.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that I belong to you and that to die is only gain. I look forward to being home with you forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “Lamb of God” by Matt Redman. (click here)

-JL

Philippians 1:21-24 NIV
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 

“Paul expected to live, but the totality of life in this world, he knew, was summed up in Christ. Nothing else mattered…The primary image in the Prison Letters (Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians) is that everything Paul was and did was ‘in Christ,’ depicting his union with Christ and his membership in the body of Christ, the church. Christ was the sphere of his life, and everything that had meaning or value was found for him ‘in Christ.’” (Grant Osborne, Philippians: Verse By Verse)

The same is true for us – we are united with Christ and the totality of our lives is summed up in Christ. Today, let’s confess “to live is Christ” and pray that our daily lives will be full of fruitful labor in our relationships, in our working and studying, and in loving God and loving others.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing to me that everything that has lasting meaning and value is found in Jesus Christ. Help me to spend my days living for your purposes, formed and shaped by the cross of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s sing “Let it be Jesus” by Christy Nockels. (click here)

-JL

Philippians 1:20 NIV
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

“Rather than living in fear of death, we should see it as spiritual smelling salts that will awaken us out of our false belief that we will live forever. When you are at a funeral, especially one for a friend or a loved one, listen to God speaking to you, telling you that everything in life is temporary except for His love. This is reality. Everything in this life is going to be taken away from us, except one thing: God’s love, which can go into death with us and take us through it and into His arms. It’s the one thing you can’t lose.” (Timothy Keller, On Death)

As we heard on Sunday, any day could be the “last day” for each of us. How is the reality of death and also God’s love to shape how we live and what we treasure right now? Today, let’s embrace this grace-filled wake-up call to listen to God and to spend our lives worthily and wisely through the Holy Spirit. Whether by life or by death, may Christ be exalted in us.

In confession, let’s sing “I Turn to Christ” by Matt Redman (click here)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your everlasting love that never lets me go and takes me into eternity. Today, I turn to Christ and live for him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

-JL