An Inescapable Truth

Introduction

This morning we are going to begin a series of messages dealing with some biblical truths regarding salvation. Each passage of scripture we shall examine will help us to have a greater understanding of salvation and how we can show others how to be saved.

Each message will have a two-fold purpose- 1. For those who do not know Christ- that you may recognize your lost condition and trust Christ as savior. 2. For those who are born again- that you may have a deeper knowledge of biblical salvation so as to be equipped to lead others to Christ.

Each of these passage I have regularly used in conversations about salvation for a number of years and they are passages which communicate some vital truth that must be understood for a person to be saved.

We begin today in the book of Hebrews with a passage that confirms what for many is their greatest fear that they shall someday face death if the Lord Jesus Christ tarries in coming.

Contained in these two short verses are three great inescapable truths that we ought to consider with regard to salvation.

The first truth that we must consider is that there is an:

Appointment Every Man Shall Keep (Vs. 27a)

We live in a world of busyness where is seems we are constantly rushing here and there from one appointment to the next with hardly any time to spare.

There are times when we find ourselves running behind and ultimately realizing that we are going to be late for an appointment or sometimes even that we must cancel or reschedule and appointment.

Yet here we find an appointment that is made by almighty God (not the doctor or the dentist who seems to always run late).

Each of us must come to the realization this morning that right this very moment in the mind of God there is an appointment which every single one of us will keep.

That appointment is the moment of our death and even now God knows exactly when this appointment is for you!

The word appointed here has to do with something that is reserved- in other words our reservation has been made and we shall not miss the appointment.

This appointment cannot be postponed or rescheduled much less canceled or avoided. When our reservation arrives we will not live one moment longer that God has appointed.

There are some like Methuselah of whom we read about who lived 969 years Genesis 5:27- he died. There are others like Abraham who lived only 175 years and then died (Genesis 25:8) Many of us may have a relative a grandmother or great grandmother who live to see a century of time. Then there are those whose lives seem to be cut tragically short Josiah for instance lived only for 39 years before his life was lost in battle (II Chronicles 35:24). The one thing the entire human race has in common is that we shall someday die.

What we must recognize this morning is that not one of us will escape death. (I Corinthians 15:22a) The appointment is already made and our heart will not beat and our lungs will not draw breath one second beyond that appointment.

It is important that we recognize that death is a reality but more important still is the fact that death is not the end as some may assume. The scripture plainly reveals that there is an afterlife and it is there where there shall be a:

Judgment No Man Can Avoid (Vs. 27b)

In this passage we recognize that each of us shall someday die but death is not the end but is merely a doorway into eternity. The scriptures are clear that after our death there will be a judgment that no man shall escape.

This judgment will determine our eternal destiny. Each of us will either be pardoned or sentenced to death for all eternity.

Death in a sense seals our fate and all that remains is for the sentence to be handed down. Each and every one of us shall be judged.

There is no escaping this judgment, it cannot be postponed to a later date, and the judge is not susceptible to being bribed. When this day comes the judgment is final!

This judgment is not based upon our merits or our achievements. (Romans 3:20- no flesh justified by deeds of the law)

It will not matter the wealth we have laid up, the prominence and popularity we have achieved, the good deeds we have done or even the sins that we have committed. In that day it will not matter how faithfully we attended church, how much we gave, or how many time we have prayed.

No the determining factor of this judgment will be singular in its scope “What have you done with Jesus Christ?”

Let us look at two contrasting verses concerning eternity John 6:40- believeth have everlasting life/ John 8:24- believe not shall die in your sins.

Once our appointment has arrived it will be too late then to make a decision. Not one of us has the guarantee that we shall live to see the sun rise tomorrow, so we ought to prepare for death today! II Corinthians 6:2- “…behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation”

The wonderful news today is that Jesus Christ came to offer himself in our place to bear our sins and their penalty. The final truth revealed to us in this portion of scripture is that there is a:

Savior to Whom Every Man Must Come (vs. 28)

Each and every one of us were dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and yet while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

Jesus came to die for our sins so that we might we reconciled to God and saved from sin by faith in Him.

Jesus Christ’s death and subsequent resurrection made salvation available to all men but the fact remains not everyone is going to heaven.

Every man must make the choice to either believe on Christ as savior or to reject Him and face the judgment on their own merits.

Verse 28 speaks of Christ’s return and of those who look for him (who have believed on him as savior) shall find ultimate salvation.

The fact remains that many will not look unto Him for any number of reasons and thus instead of salvation they shall find condemnation.

There are some who refuse to come to Christ because they are convinced that they can earn their salvation. Titus 3:5- not by works

There are others who refuse to come to Christs because they are convinced that death is the end and that there is no God and that heaven and hell are myths. Psalm 14:1- fool there is no God

There are some who refuse to come to Christ because they are convinced that they have found some other way into eternal life. Acts 4:12- none other name

The only hope you and I have is in the Lord Jesus Christ. If we reject Him there is no other way that we can avoid eternal condemnation and separation from God.

Conclusion

Yes death is sure, yes we shall all be judged, but the wonderful news is that we do not have to face this judgment alone!

If we will but place our faith in Christ we can have an advocate with the father (I John 2:1). His own beloved son will plead our cause and we shall be saved!

Death and judgment do not have to provoke us to fear and anxiety, but can instead be a source of great peace and confidence. For those who know Christ death is but a doorway into eternal life. For those who have placed their faith in Him judgment is sure and their pardon has been secured!