Epitaph

A Walk in the Spirit

Revelation 3:1–2 ESV

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

Every single one of us has a date with death.

When you leave this world what will your headstone read?

Epitaph: Many headstones feature a short, meaningful phrase or quote called an epitaph, which can reflect the person's personality, values, or life experiences. 

What is your’s going to say?

Here lies a man or woman who Loved God? A man or woman who walked with God?

Can you imagine if some where truthful.

Here lies a complete heathen?

Here lies a man or woman that said they loved God but chased the World!

Revelation 3:15–19 ESV

15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

What if we lived faithful to Philippians 2 or Romans 12?

What might our Epitaph say then?

Philippians 2:1–11 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

According to the Word we would live like Jesus if we lived according to the Word!

I imagine if Christ had a tombstone it would say …..

Faithful and Servant to All!

If we where to write your Epitaph at the end of your life based off the fruit we ate of your life what wold we write?

Romans 12:9–17 ESV

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

In these two partial chapters we see a man or a woman can live in such away that no one would have to lie at their funeral!

Colossians 3:23–24 ESV

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

If you were rewarded off what was wrote on your Headstone.

I mean the gut wrenching honest truth, what would be your reward?

You know the good thing about your life; is no one and I mean no one can determine that but you !

Story of Alford Nobel

He was deeply affected by an obituary that referred to him as a "merchant of death" due to his invention of dynamite, and he wanted to be remembered for his contributions to progress rather than destruction. 

When his dynamite began to be used in warfare, Nobel was overcome with guilt. The idea of his invention being used to kill drove him to start a trust fund to promote the peaceful use of science. Upon his death, the bulk of his fortune created the Nobel Prize.

Alfred Nobel established the Nobel Prizes to recognize and reward individuals who have made significant contributions to humanity in various fields. He specifically wanted to honor those who had conferred the "greatest benefit to mankind" in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. This vision stemmed from his belief in the power of knowledge, science, and humanism to improve society. 

You may have been known up to this point as many things but today just like Alford Nobel you can re-write your obituary and Epitaph!

Here lies Jeff Green A Servant to Self or A servant to ALL

Revelation 3:1–2 AMP

1 AND TO the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Sardis write: These are the words of Him Who has the seven Spirits of God [the sevenfold Holy Spirit] and the seven stars: I know your record and what you are doing; you are supposed to be alive, but [in reality] you are dead. 2 Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight.

It is not what we say but what the Lord says that matters.

Here lies Servant Saint or Self Serving Heathen??

Maybe today is a good day to rewrite your Obituary ! So that your Epitaph reflects your destination!