WEBVTT 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:04.719 Welcome to this week's message from the Church at Chelsea Westover. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:10.800 Our core values are vibrant worship, intimate fellowship, fulfilling service, and clear biblical truth. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:13.359 We pray that this message changes your life. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.519 Let's tune in to today's message and see what God has in store for you. 00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:20.719 Ecclesiastes chapter 9. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:23.359 Ecclesiastes chapter 9. 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:30.879 We are coming kind of to the end of the book. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:34.399 I hope y'all have enjoyed this as much as I have. 00:00:34.560 --> 00:00:37.520 It has just been life-changing for me. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:38.479 It really has. 00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:39.280 And I mean that. 00:00:39.359 --> 00:00:41.759 He said, but you've been preaching all these years. 00:00:41.920 --> 00:00:44.719 I have, but I've never gone through the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:53.439 And one of the reasons I never wanted to go through the book of Ecclesiastes, that I knew Solomon had written the Song of Solomon in his early days. 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:55.600 We call it the book of Romance. 00:00:55.920 --> 00:01:03.520 We knew that he wrote Proverbs in his middle ages in his prime, and we call it the book of rules. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:20.400 And then I'd always studied, always been taught that he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes as he's getting older, thinking about death, what he has done, what he's lived, how he lived, and then really trying to figure out life in general. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:28.560 So that always bothered me because he wrote the book of Proverbs, which spells it out what not to do and what to do. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:30.400 And if you do it, God blesses it. 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:31.120 Amen. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:36.560 So I just really never wanted to dive into that because I didn't want to understand. 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:44.159 I mean, he blew it quite well at the end, but now he did repent, praise God, before he died and came back. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:59.519 But because of that wavering time, and I have come to the conclusion of this in my own heart, you know, his son, Jeroboam, then took over after he died and just wrecked the kingdom. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:05.920 So I am convinced that that he saw his dad on fire, but then he saw his dad waver. 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:14.479 And because of that, he didn't have that sound foundation that Solomon had that brought him back, like the prodigal son. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:15.360 Amen. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:18.000 Very similar. 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:24.719 It really cost Solomon maybe his kingdom. 00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:27.039 That's sad. 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:30.080 So that's some of the reasons I really never wanted to. 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:35.439 You know, I'm having a hard enough time just staying straight without seeing how Solomon messed up. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:36.240 Amen. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:38.080 But I'm glad I did. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:38.800 Pardon? 00:02:39.039 --> 00:02:46.080 All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:46.560 I know. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:49.280 And so that's why I'm, but I'm so glad I did. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:53.120 Because it has put us right where America is today. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:54.560 No doubt in my mind. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:03:00.240 We're living where Solomon is talking and explaining, and really where Solomon was. 00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:06.960 We are living where Solomon had just got through living and experiencing it all that we're living in right now. 00:03:07.199 --> 00:03:09.759 The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life. 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:10.800 And he had lived it all. 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:11.599 He had done it all. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:12.719 He had it all. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:15.919 And he finally came up and said, Whoa, that's not it. 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:20.719 Living life under the sun without God is meaningless. 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:22.800 It's useless. 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:26.080 Trust me, don't do it. 00:03:28.639 --> 00:03:32.800 So now he's making the change as we come to chapter 9. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:35.599 He's kind of crossed over the Jordan. 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:45.439 He's realized that everything he's done worldly, everything he's thought and analyzed worldly, is of no good. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:46.960 Nothing. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:48.719 Listen to me. 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:51.360 You can live for the world, but it's useless. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:54.000 It's useless, folks. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:55.120 It's useless. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:55.680 Why? 00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:57.599 Because of chapter 9. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:03:58.639 You know what? 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:00.080 You're gonna die. 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:03.919 You're going to die. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:09.680 And after that, you're going to face judgment. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:17.120 And as it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this, the judgment. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:18.879 Hebrews 9 27. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:24.720 So as we look, how many of you listen to Tim McGraw? 00:04:25.839 --> 00:04:27.279 You remember that song? 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:34.240 As I've finished, I read through this chapter several times, and I always ask God to give me a title for me. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:37.360 Hey, and remember what it was? 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:40.800 Live like you're dying. 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:49.920 If I had it to do over again, he said I'd go skydiving and I'd do all those things that are really a life and death situation. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:53.360 You know, if your shoot doesn't come out, you're going home. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:54.639 You're dead. 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:57.600 He'd go mountain climbing. 00:04:57.920 --> 00:05:03.439 But one part in there I love, he said, and if, hey, I'd read the old good book more. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:05.360 I'd read the good book more. 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:07.360 Live the good book more. 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:11.360 I had it up to all two again. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:12.720 I'd go. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:15.600 I'd live like I'm dying. 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:20.000 But reality, that is exactly what we all need to do. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:24.079 Live like we're dying for Jesus. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:25.920 That's it. 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:27.839 That's the whole proposition. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:29.600 Chapter 9. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.040 Live like we're dying for Jesus. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:35.839 And I'm going to use Rosemarie and I will. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:38.000 They really understand what I just said. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:38.959 Both of them. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:40.720 They really understand that. 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:47.600 But so today I want us to look at really two basic things about living like you're dying. 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:48.560 And you know what? 00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:49.759 Where is my outline? 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:51.600 Did I leave it back there with you? 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:53.439 Jeremy? 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:55.680 No, I got it. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:56.319 I got it. 00:05:56.639 --> 00:05:57.600 Live like you're dying. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:58.560 Here we go. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:00.560 Thank you, Darren. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:02.399 Two things. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:17.120 The first ten verses, we see that Solomon starts up the conversation and he basically says in these first ten verses, number one, death is unavoidable. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:21.120 Death is unavoidable. 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:31.279 In fact, I remember the comedian as I was doing all my research and studying and reading, the comedian Woody Allen made this statement. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:33.759 He says, I'm not afraid to die. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:37.439 I just don't want to be there when it happens. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:40.240 Think about that. 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:41.759 I'm not afraid to die. 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:44.319 I just don't want to be there when it happens. 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:48.079 But I'm here to tell you he's going to be there. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:52.480 He will be there when it happens, as must every human being. 00:06:52.800 --> 00:06:58.639 Because there is no escaping death when your time comes. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:00.000 Can I get an amen? 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:10.879 In fact, we see in Ecclesiastes, if you remember last couple of weeks ago in chapter 8, verse 8, that no man controls the time of his death. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:16.319 No one controls the time of his death. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:18.879 Death is not an accident. 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:26.399 Now I know sometimes deaths happen in accidents, but death is not an accident. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:27.519 Listen to me. 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:29.680 Death is an appointment. 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:32.079 Now, how do you know that? 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:32.560 Remember? 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:33.519 Chapter 3? 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:34.879 What did Solomon say? 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:36.560 There's a time to be what? 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:40.240 Born, and there's a time to die. 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:44.639 So death is not an accident, it's an appointment. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:51.120 It's a destiny that nobody but God can counsel or change. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:55.920 This is not the first time that Solomon talked about death. 00:07:56.160 --> 00:08:00.000 He talked about it in all of the previous chapters almost. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:10.240 Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 8, now chapter 9, and then he talks about it again in chapter 12, verses 1 through 7. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:23.199 So really, he's comparing life and he's telling us that we're all going to die, and if we live for the world, it's useless, but if we live for God, it's rewarding. 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:25.600 That's the basic answer. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:28.399 That's what he's really has come to the conclusion to. 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:35.840 Because when we get to chapter 12, he says, hear the conclusion of the whole matter, fear God and keep his commandments, for this is a whole duty of man. 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:36.799 That's what he said. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.799 That's the end of the book. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:41.360 That's what he had come to the conclusion. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:44.480 So, death is a fact of life. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:50.720 And hey, after all, the only way we can prepare to live. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.440 Now get this. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:52.720 God, this is so good. 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:56.960 The only way we can really prepare to live is to be prepared to die. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:08:58.720 Amen. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:08:59.600 Let me say that again. 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:01.360 That's worth writing down. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:06.320 Hey, the only way we can really live is to be prepared to die. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:08.080 Amen. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:09.840 Then you're gonna live. 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:12.639 Then you really are going to live. 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:13.440 Robert E. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:16.240 Lee was a fantastic general for the South. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:20.480 I'm a Civil War history nut. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:21.360 I love it. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:21.919 I love it. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.080 Got all kinds of books, read all books. 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:29.840 And General Lee, when he was getting ready to die, he made this profound statement. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:34.720 His last words were, let the tent be struck. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:38.799 Now you've got to realize that most of the armies lived in tents. 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:40.000 And we're going to see that. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:46.080 Paul uses that same analogy in 1 Corinthians 5 about our tents, and we'll look at that maybe in a minute. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:52.960 But what we've got to realize right here, he's basically saying that death is unavoidable. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:09:57.919 And then in verses 11 through 18, he says, life, I meant, excuse me. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:02.639 Yeah, death is unavoidable, but life is unpredictable. 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:04.320 And this is good. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:07.919 This is going to be one of the probably, I think, one of the best chapters. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:08.879 So let's look at it. 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:09.759 Here we go. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.600 Under death is unavoidable. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:12.879 Man, this is awesome. 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:19.679 He says, A, life and death, look at verse 1, are in the hand of God. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.120 Look at what he says. 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:25.279 For I consider all this my heart so that I could declare it all. 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:29.679 In other words, I'm giving you, I have come to the conclusion, this is my heart. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:30.879 This is real. 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:38.639 That the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:47.360 People know neither, hey, people know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:48.559 Wow. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:49.759 Notice. 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:52.480 He brings the future before us. 00:10:52.639 --> 00:11:09.840 And he says in verse 1, and only he, God, knows our future, whether it will bring watch, whether it will bring blessings, which is love, or whether it will bring, look what else he says, it could bring, and this is the toughie, it could bring sorrow. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:12.000 Blessings are sorrow, hatred. 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:15.440 Only God knows what we're going to be going through. 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:22.399 Whether it's going to be a blessing, whether we're going to have great success, or whether, hey, it's not going to be so successful. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:31.200 There's going to be adversity, there's going to be trying times, there's going to be tough times, there are going to be good times, but only God really knows that. 00:11:31.519 --> 00:11:32.559 Would you not agree? 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:34.720 He's omniscient. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.919 He knows everything. 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:37.679 He knows what's in man. 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:39.279 John 16, 30. 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:40.399 So we see that. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:45.440 But only God knows what the future holds for us and what will happen tomorrow. 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:46.879 Now, watch this. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:12:00.480 Only God holds the future and knows what's going to happen to us tomorrow because of our decisions made today. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:05.440 The decisions you make today do matter. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.720 Can I get an amen? 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:10.000 And they matter greatly. 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:12.799 But only God knows that. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.240 He knows it all. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.840 In fact, I love when we say we're in the hands of God. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:19.360 Proverbs 21, verse 1. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.720 Listen to what he says. 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:23.600 The king's heart is in what? 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:26.320 The hands of the Lord as the rivers of water. 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:29.440 He turns it withersoever he wills. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:40.399 I have prayed that, used that, and you'll hear this when we in a couple of weeks bring before the church what we need to do so you could vote with us on that. 00:12:40.559 --> 00:12:53.440 Is that those for that verse right there, I've used it in several situations throughout my whole ministry of my life, knowing that there's a situation we can't do this unless God intervenes and turns the king's heart. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:13:02.639 And you'll see that when it comes to the price of this land, how God stepped in and answered exactly what we asked him to do a year and a half ago. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.240 He did it now. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.279 Wow. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:05.840 Amen. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:06.960 Wow. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:09.600 He controls the king's heart. 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:12.159 I like, I like it, I like it, I like it. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:14.960 That's what we know to be true. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:17.120 And then I know the security. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:18.639 Look at John 10, 28. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.600 You're gonna love this. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:21.600 Talking about the security of the believer. 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:24.720 Talking about why we can live like we die. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:28.480 Hey, live like we're dying here, and I give unto them eternal life. 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:31.600 If you are a born-again child of God, you have eternal life. 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:34.399 And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish. 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:37.039 Neither shall any man pluck them out of my what? 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:37.679 Hand. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:44.080 My father which gave them me is greater than all, and no man's able to pluck them out of my father's hand. 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:49.279 Woo! You can live like you're dying because God's got you. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:55.600 And nothing's gonna happen to you that God does not allow it to happen. 00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:58.159 Man, that's good. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.080 That's good, preacher. 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.639 That is so good. 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.919 But look at B. 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:09.039 Not only is life and death are in the hand of God. 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.039 But what's this? 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:15.200 As it is with the good man, so it is with the sinner. 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.559 Look at verse 2. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:22.720 And all things come alike to all, to all, that's the good and the bad, that's the saved and the lost. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:36.399 One event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good, the clean, and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice, as is the good, so is the sinner. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:40.159 He who takes an oath, and as he who fears an oath. 00:14:40.320 --> 00:14:42.799 In other words, what is he saying here? 00:14:43.519 --> 00:15:10.960 In fact, the question I kind of ask myself, if if we all, if, you know, if it doesn't make any difference that I live right, and you know, I don't have some kind of special privilege for, you know, denying my flesh, living for God, not living for the world, then then and then the world, you know, they they seem to have the big parties and the big success, and then we just both die. 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:12.720 Why? 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.759 What's in it for me? 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:16.639 Yeah, why should I why should I sacrifice? 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:18.799 Well, first of all, I don't even like that. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:22.000 Because you're not sacrificing, you're living an abundant life. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.840 John 10, 10. 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.159 Come on. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.919 But now listen to me, listen to me. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.799 Here's the secret. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:30.879 But that's a good question, especially for the lost. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.639 And this is the way they think. 00:15:32.799 --> 00:15:34.159 Well, you know, I'm gonna die. 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:37.679 Everybody dies, and hey, I'm going back to dust. 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:42.960 So I'm just gonna, hey, eat, live, and be happy and be merry. 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:45.120 Eat, drink, and be merry. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:47.600 But here's the problem, and I wrote this down. 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.480 Here it is. 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:58.080 Yes, we do, according to the scripture, all, hey, experience the same, hey, are you ready? 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:02.000 The same destiny on earth. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:05.759 We all experience the same destiny on earth. 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.559 What is that? 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.480 We're both going to die. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:09.440 Amen. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:14.720 But let me remind you, haha, and I put a star by this one. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.480 Yes, death and the grave. 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:19.919 That is a common destiny for all of us. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.679 Death and the grave. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:24.000 We're all going to be put in that grave. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.120 All of us. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.399 All of us. 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:35.679 But let me remind you, but we do not share the same common destiny for eternity. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.519 Amen. 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.039 We do not. 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.159 We do not. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:44.000 To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:47.039 2 Corinthians 5, 8. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:50.480 In fact, this is where I wanted you to see this about Robert E. 00:16:50.639 --> 00:16:56.000 Lee and what Paul says in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. 00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:59.120 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verses 1 through 8. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.000 This is powerful. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.440 You got to see it. 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:08.960 And he said, Paul, he's talking about to the Corinthians the assurance of the resurrection. 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:11.279 Because a lot of the believers were saying, wait a minute. 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:15.200 Hey, we're saved, we live with the Lord, but we still die. 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:21.680 Yes, we have a common destiny where everybody does, death and the grave. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:26.079 But he says, our destiny for eternity is so different. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:30.480 Let me remind you, and then Paul uses this great illustration. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:35.279 For we know, 2 Corinthians 5, verses 1 through 8. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:40.799 For we know that if our earthly house, now watch, here's where Robert E. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:44.400 Lee got the word tent, this tent is destroyed. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:51.519 We have a building from God, a house not made with his hands, eternal in the heavens, for in this we groan. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:53.839 In other words, whoo, we can't wait. 00:17:54.319 --> 00:18:00.559 We're eager to be with him, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation, which is from heaven. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:04.000 If indeed having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:08.240 In other words, we're going to have that perfect immortality. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.839 We're going to have that perfect body. 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:12.079 We're going to, hey, that new body. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:21.200 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, the mortality may be swallowed up by light. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.640 In other words, we're eager. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.640 We're glad we're here and we're living. 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:27.200 But we know that this body is just temporal. 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:30.960 We're going to have an unbelievable body, a new body. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.039 Man. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:41.359 And then he goes on and he says, Oh, verse 5, now he who has prepared us for this very thing, what? 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:43.920 This time when we die is God. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:47.359 And who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:53.359 When you got saved, the Holy Spirit, for one, for by one Spirit, hey, we've been all baptized into one body. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:55.039 1 Corinthians 12, 13. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:19:04.319 When the Holy Spirit came into your heart, it came as a guarantee, a seal that now, it's like my wedding ring for Susan. 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.440 I'm hers. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:09.759 I'm his through the power of the Holy Spirit of God who lives in me. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:14.319 He's, hey, he's not only saved me, he's in the process of sanctifying me. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:18.480 And one day he is guaranteed for me that I will be glorified. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.359 Amen. 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:26.480 And then he goes on and he says, so we are always, watch, confident. 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.319 Live like you're dying. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:34.559 Knowing that while we are at home in this body, we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:38.799 Now he's not taking saying that we don't communicate with God, no, through prayer and the word. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:41.839 But he says we're not in his physical presence yet. 00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:43.359 But hang on, church. 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.960 Buckle up, church. 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:52.799 Buckle up, Christian, because then he goes on, he says, For we walk by faith, not by sight, but verse 8, for we are confident. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.440 Yes. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:20:00.400 Well, please, rather to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:02.000 Wow. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.720 Yes, one day we're gonna strike this tent. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:10.559 What we put on is so uncomparing. 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:14.079 What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:18.559 When he takes me by the hand and leads me into the promised land. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.920 What a day. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:22.799 Glorious day that will be. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.880 So that's what he's saying. 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:28.160 As it is with the good man, so it is with the sinner. 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:32.400 For that reason, everybody must honestly face the last enemy. 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.640 We've got one last enemy to face. 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:36.240 One last enemy. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:38.480 1 Corinthians 15. 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:39.680 I think it's on there. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:42.000 1 Corinthians 15, 26. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.920 Yes, listen to what he said. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:48.799 He said that this, Paul said that this last enemy, what is that last enemy? 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.680 Death. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:53.680 But for the Christian, we have overcome that death. 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:55.039 How do we deal with it? 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:59.200 Christians have trusted Jesus Christ to save them from their sin and death. 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:04.960 So as far as we Christians are concerned, the last enemy has been defeated. 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:07.759 For the lost person, it has not been defeated. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.920 But for the Christian, it's been defeated. 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.359 Can I get an amen? 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:14.160 For the wages of sin is death. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:20.160 But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.839 Romans 6 23. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:26.960 John 11, 25 and 26, Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:30.960 He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:35.039 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me, listen, shall never die. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:39.759 Shall say that with me, shall never die, shall never die. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.279 Wow, wow. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.039 Believeth in me, shall never die. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:44.079 Believeth thou this? 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:47.359 In other words, he said, believe it, it's true. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.359 Aren't you glad you're saved this morning? 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.079 Hallelujah. 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.200 Amen. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:59.359 Hey, hey, if I die physically before you and you come by my casket, all you gotta just say is, He's not here. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:02.000 He's not here. 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:04.480 Hey, I'm not there. 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:07.839 I'm up there saying, Woo! Wish you were here. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.880 Wish you were here. 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.839 I guarantee it. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.279 Amen. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:19.440 If I can convince my wife, I'm gonna preach my own funeral. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.680 She said, I'm not gonna do that. 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.759 I was sure, well, we'll see. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.720 You're not pushing the play button? 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.880 Clay, you can push it. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.000 Jeremy, you can push it. 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:37.200 But listen, listen, that's the first thing I'm gonna say. 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:39.359 Hey, I'm not there. 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:45.200 Then I'm gonna say, I wish you were here, and I'm gonna get him to play the song by the kingsman. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:47.039 There's a song, Wish You Were Here. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.079 Southern Gospel. 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.279 Oh, it's powerful. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.400 Oh, it's unreal. 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:51.359 Wish you were here. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:56.000 Then I'm gonna get Susan to sing that uh flying to Jesus song. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.279 What is that song? 00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:59.119 What? 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.599 Chris Rice song. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.440 About I'm flying away. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.119 Amen. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.559 You say, man, huh? 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:09.279 Oh, uh preacher's talking like he's fishing to die. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.720 Well, you never know. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.599 Live like you're dying. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:23.519 What I don't understand is why we don't have the same eagerness and earnestness that Paul's always saying, Hey, I'm fighting right now. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.799 I'm ready to go. 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:26.160 I want to go be with Jesus. 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:27.920 In fact, I'm ready, let's go. 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:32.960 But no, it's undoubtedly the Lord wants me to still stay here and help these churches right now. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.000 So that's what I got to do. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.920