| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net Don’t Cry For Me! Ever known someone eager to pass on? I don’t mean frustrated and depressed, I just mean ready to go home. We preachers say things like: “Heaven is a far better place”, and “There will be no more suffering, pain or grief there”. These are true, and can be Scripturally backed, but what do we do in practice? At any given prayer meeting, we spend 90% of our time trying to keep our sick loved ones out of Heaven - don’t we? I have been doing a lot of funerals of late, and a big part of these is to “eulogize” or to speak well of. Some folks record themselves doing their own eulogy, or reciting their own will. Some will pay more attention to something someone says on their “death bed”. You can picture a skulking criminal investigator awaiting a death bed confession, or perhaps you have seen a loved one earnestly desiring to reconcile to another friend or family member before it’s too late. Let’s turn the Spiritual Switch. It occurs to me that Jesus preached His own eulogy in John 14:25-31. Most messages on this text have been devoted to the unselfishness of Christ as He tried to console His friends and encourage them that: “it is good for you that I leave. Cause then, the Holy Spirit will come and indwell you; He will teach you and remind you of My teachings, and enlighten you as to the meaning”. This is all true, but I will submit to you there is a portion of enthusiasm in Jesus message that is a little selfish, if you will, and a great encouragement to me. He begins with: “Shalom” or peace. You see, the world gets it’s peace from personal ability, things we hope for or work for, absence of trouble, and walking by sight – in short, Externals. The peace of God is Relationshipal, depending on Spiritual Adequacy, God’s wonderful gift, is in spite of trouble or circumstance, and walks by Faith; depending on Eternals. “It is good for you that I go because I have completed my work”. Hebrews 2 17-18 = “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” “It is good for you that I go because - I have overcome the world and the devil”. Two of our greatest enemies. Nugget? Never seen the enemy? You aren’t on the front lines. And finally, the one that gives me chills: “You keep begging me to stay. You keep contradicting My plan and purpose, and selfishly desire Me to stay here? If you loved me, you would be glad that I go, because” ---- wait for it ----- “My Father is Greater than I”. The disciples had witnessed His power; they were amazed daily by His miracles and His teachings. But if it’s true (and it is cause it’s Scripture) that: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1st Cor. 2:9, - and - “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2nd Cor. 5:8, What should our attitude be about those we are satisfied had a Saving Relationship with Jesus, and have gone on to Glory? Glory not just in location, but in condition - 1st Cor. 15:52 and following. I’m getting excited. Are You? Jesus’ blood is sufficient for all the world, but is only Efficient for you if you come to Him on His terms. God Bless. |
 |