Sermon 040797

2Ki. 20:1-7                                           Face to Face With Death                                       4/7/97

Myrtle Robinson’s Funeral                                                                       Austin Layne Mortuary

I.    Introduction                                                                                                                      568

This is certainly a sad occasion & a time of grief.  8 days ago there was life & breath in this body that belonged to Mrs. Robinson.  8 days ago there was hope for her recovery.  In the weeks, months & years prior to her serious illness, we enjoyed her company, laughter & times of fellowship; and we even prayed for her before she went to the hospital.  But now there’s nothing more that medicine, prayer or relatives can do for her.  Her soul is in the hands of her Maker - the Almighty God.  However for those who loved & knew her, I would like to share with you!

·        Birth & death define a span of time on this earth (Eccl. 3:1-2)

·        Each individual has a predetermined span of time to live (Job 14:1-5) - exercise, diet & even the best of medicine cannot overrule God when our life span has come to an end!

·        Our span of time on earth is filled with pleasures & troubles (Job 14:1)

·        Each individual must give an account to God for this life (2Co. 5:10)

For many people, the thought of death is dreadful - most people don’t want to think about it.  But we must think about it because it is a natural part of the complete cycle of life!  What do you think about death?  Do you dread it; is it a terrifying thought or do you KNOW that a glorious life awaits you in eternity where you will enjoy the presence of Christ for ever and ever!  Can you say with the song writer “I’ve got a new home over in glory”.

Face to Face with Death, pg. 2

II.  Face to Face with Death (2Ki. 20:1-7)

Þ     How would you handle this situation if receive word from God to “Set your house in order, for you shall die”? (v. 1)

Þ     Set your house in order - beginning with your own soul, your family, business affairs.  How would you handle this?

Þ     Hezekiah was the king of Judah; he had wealth & power - physicians & religion were at his disposal.  But they couldn’t help him now.  Facing death has a way of putting things into perspective!

     A. Hezekiah turned to the Lord & prayed seriously (v. 2-3) - no time to impress people with prayer

           when your life hangs in the balance.  If you were to pray today, what would you ask the Lord to remember as you

           pleaded with Him to spare you life?

     B. The Lord answered his prayer & spared his life (v. 4-6)

            If the Lord spares you life & gives you 15 years, 10, 5, 1 or 6 months - what are you going to do with your life?

     C. Hezekiah’s deliverance had to be done God’s way (v. 7)

Not everyone gets a warning - for many, it come by surprise.  Mrs. Robinson came face to face with death - we prayed & pleaded with God, she received the best of medicine and you gave her all of your love, yet we could not overrule God.  What about you, can you hear the voice of Christ showing you the way of deliverance “I am the way…”  “Come to Me all who are weary…”  “…I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.  So choose life…”  “…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him for the dead, you shall be saved”