Leaving A Clear Testimony

Numbers 23:10 KJV 1900

10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, And the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!

There is something about knowing where your going that gives a sense of help and closure to the loss of a loved one.

I think of testimonies of those who left a clear indication of where they were headed.

I think of John Wesley:

We know him as the founder of the Methodist movement - but he was a theologian, scholar, and author

Wesley wrote extensively, including books on various non-religious topics. His output included 233 books,

Wesley’s journal is remarkable in recalling his last years.

At age seventy he declared he felt “refreshed with new wine.”

Seven years later he would proclaim that he felt the same as he did at age twenty-eight.

At age eighty he declared that he found no more infirmities in himself than when he was “in the flower of manhood.”

Two years later he would write, “It is now eleven years since have felt any such thing as weariness.”

At age eighty-five, he finally admitted to a decline in his agility and a weakening of his sight.

Then, at age eighty-six he said, “I now find I grow old.” And yet he was still preaching two sermons a day!

Then, near the end, a year later he said, “I am now an old man, decayed from head to foot.”

With death approaching, he said, “Blessed be God! I do not slack my labors! I can preach and write still.” And so he did. He preached his last sermon only a week before his death.

on February 23, 1791, John Wesley preached his final sermon in Kingston House in the village of Leatherhead. The text was “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near,” (Isa. 55:6, KJV).

A few days later, on March 2, 1791, John Wesley, closed his life with the immortal words, “Best of all, God is with us!” and passed into the presence of His dearly beloved Savior.

Sis Rosie was a quiet lady at Foley, she was solid, she loved Jesus her sisters Sister Mosier and Sister Gilbert might take the service - but you hardly ever heard anything from her.

But as a boy I remember when she got sick and went to the hospital. Bro. Sammey told us after her death, he went to visit her and she was intubated tubes running in and out of her all over she couldn’t talk, but Bro. Lorton said, “Sister Rosie, do you still love Jesus” she raised her wrinkle bony hand and moved her finger up and down indicating a resolute YES!!!

Sue’s birthday wasn’t too long ago and I thought about her how toward the end she was hearing the music from another world, she was going to heaven.

I know you have your family and your stories - but this is what I was thinking.

Dad Akard’s birthday is today he would have been 84.

The last testimony I heard from him was not on his deathbed but was one of the last times I was there and he was conscious - he started singing “I won’t walk without Jesus, and I won’t talk without Jesus, I refuse to live one day as before...”

As far as I know that was one of the last times I heard him say anything.

But I knew where he was headed. He couldn’t think like he used to, he couldn’t communicate clearly, his mind and body was controlled by dementia and parkinsons but his heart - his heart was still in the hands of the one who said, “no man shall pluck you out”

Oh I want to encourage you tonight - live so that the preacher won’t have to lie at your funeral

Live so that your family knows where you’re going.

Numbers 23:10 KJV 1900

10 ... Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my last end be like his!

John Newton in his great hymn The Lord Will Provide writes as his last verse:

When life sinks apace, and death is in view, The word of his grace shall comfort us through; Not fearing nor doubting with Christ on our side, We hope to die shouting, The Lord will provide.