I know I’m not as diligent as so many others in keeping up with the blogging thing. My posts average about once a week, sometimes more, but sometimes even less. I’m just grateful that anyone takes the time to visit this little corner of the blogosphere from time to time to see what my rants and raves are about. But this may be the last time I’ll post here.
Knowing my average is only once a week, if I post today, that means I may not get around to posting anything else for several days. And as we all know, the world is ending on Saturday evening. More accurately, Christ is returning at 6pm on Saturday, May 21st. (I’m not sure if that’s Eastern, Central, Mountain or Pacific. It may be Jerusalem time which would make it….oh, never mind)
In case you haven’t heard, well known prophetic preacher Harold Camping says he has it absolutely accurate this time. “This time” of course referring to “last time” when he predicted the end of the world in 1994. But this time he has it right. Absolutely, without a doubt, as clear as a bell in Scripture, accurate prediction of Christ’s return on May 21, 2011 at 6pm.
So, since I don’t plan on blogging from heaven, this will be my last chance. Seriously, though (as if you thought I was being serious up to this point), I don’t want to spend all of my time here knocking a heretic like Camping. Instead, it has brought to my mind the very serious subject of “what if this really was my last chance to share a message with anyone.”
If I truly knew that this was my last chance to say anything, my final breath so to speak, what would I say? I’ve always liked John Newton’s last words: “My memory is almost gone, but I remember two things; I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” Not a bad summation of things.
I’ve also admired the strength and persistence of George Whitefield. Before preaching his last sermon on Sept. 29, 1770 he prayed “Lord Jesus, I am weary in thy work, but not of thy work. If I have not yet finished my course, let me go and speak for thee once more in the fields, seal thy truth, and come home and die.” Before going to bed that night, a group that had gathered where he was staying asked for one short message. With his all but dying breaths, he gave them that message, speaking until the candle went out.
Reminds me of the words to a song I’ve quote here before, from the O. C. Supertones: “I will keep preaching till I'm took out, Till I'm in Heaven en route, No sell out. Last breath before the candle flickers out, I’ll speak the name of Jesus.”
So if this was my last breathe, I’d want to speak the name of Jesus. If this was my last post, I would want you to know that there is salvation in on one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
My plan for this Sunday is to preach from Luke 11:24-26 about what true conversion is. I say “my plan” because the truth is, heretic prophecy or not, I don’t know for sure I’ll be here Sunday. None of us are promised another breath. Christ may return or I may die; we don’t know, only the Father does. But my plan is to share a few thoughts about genuine conversion.
It’s not about morality. It’s not about religion. It’s not about joining a church. It’s about regeneration. It’s about justification. It’s about the name of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, the finished work of Christ on the cross and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. And there are real evidences that should accompany that true conversion. Not just a cleaned up life, not just religious ritual, not just church attendance. Genuine change.
J.C. Ryle said “There is no safety except in conversion… We must not only be reformed, but born again… Conversion is more than mere external, moral renovation. It is a heart which has been changed and transformed and softened and given new and eternal life by the work of the Gospel by Jesus Christ.”
If this were my last message, I would say this: Have you experienced that transformation? Has Jesus truly changed you life? Are you truly born again? Has His Spirit produced a genuine conversion in your life? Have you come to Christ in faith, turning from your sin in true repentance, trusting fully in His saving work?
If not, come to Christ. Turn from your sin and trust in Christ alone. The truth is, the world will end one day. You will die. You will draw your last breath, as will I. Come to Christ now, before it’s too late. Glorify Him with every breath you have now, or glorify Him by your own judgment in the Day to come. So if this is my last post, so be it. To God Be The Gory!
In case you haven’t heard, well known prophetic preacher Harold Camping says he has it absolutely accurate this time. “This time” of course referring to “last time” when he predicted the end of the world in 1994. But this time he has it right. Absolutely, without a doubt, as clear as a bell in Scripture, accurate prediction of Christ’s return on May 21, 2011 at 6pm.
So, since I don’t plan on blogging from heaven, this will be my last chance. Seriously, though (as if you thought I was being serious up to this point), I don’t want to spend all of my time here knocking a heretic like Camping. Instead, it has brought to my mind the very serious subject of “what if this really was my last chance to share a message with anyone.”
If I truly knew that this was my last chance to say anything, my final breath so to speak, what would I say? I’ve always liked John Newton’s last words: “My memory is almost gone, but I remember two things; I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” Not a bad summation of things.
I’ve also admired the strength and persistence of George Whitefield. Before preaching his last sermon on Sept. 29, 1770 he prayed “Lord Jesus, I am weary in thy work, but not of thy work. If I have not yet finished my course, let me go and speak for thee once more in the fields, seal thy truth, and come home and die.” Before going to bed that night, a group that had gathered where he was staying asked for one short message. With his all but dying breaths, he gave them that message, speaking until the candle went out.
Reminds me of the words to a song I’ve quote here before, from the O. C. Supertones: “I will keep preaching till I'm took out, Till I'm in Heaven en route, No sell out. Last breath before the candle flickers out, I’ll speak the name of Jesus.”
So if this was my last breathe, I’d want to speak the name of Jesus. If this was my last post, I would want you to know that there is salvation in on one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
My plan for this Sunday is to preach from Luke 11:24-26 about what true conversion is. I say “my plan” because the truth is, heretic prophecy or not, I don’t know for sure I’ll be here Sunday. None of us are promised another breath. Christ may return or I may die; we don’t know, only the Father does. But my plan is to share a few thoughts about genuine conversion.
It’s not about morality. It’s not about religion. It’s not about joining a church. It’s about regeneration. It’s about justification. It’s about the name of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, the finished work of Christ on the cross and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. And there are real evidences that should accompany that true conversion. Not just a cleaned up life, not just religious ritual, not just church attendance. Genuine change.
J.C. Ryle said “There is no safety except in conversion… We must not only be reformed, but born again… Conversion is more than mere external, moral renovation. It is a heart which has been changed and transformed and softened and given new and eternal life by the work of the Gospel by Jesus Christ.”
If this were my last message, I would say this: Have you experienced that transformation? Has Jesus truly changed you life? Are you truly born again? Has His Spirit produced a genuine conversion in your life? Have you come to Christ in faith, turning from your sin in true repentance, trusting fully in His saving work?
If not, come to Christ. Turn from your sin and trust in Christ alone. The truth is, the world will end one day. You will die. You will draw your last breath, as will I. Come to Christ now, before it’s too late. Glorify Him with every breath you have now, or glorify Him by your own judgment in the Day to come. So if this is my last post, so be it. To God Be The Gory!
3 comments:
Amen. A dash of humor and something to think about.
Knocked it out the park, another home-run brother.
Thanks. And thanks, Gregg. I only wish I had time and talent to provide quality content on a daily basis as you and others do. Keep up the good work.
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