Read Online
Theme: Tomorrow Is Not Promised—Come to Jesus Today.
Main Text: Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Supporting Scriptures: John 3:16–17; Isaiah 55:6–7; Luke 15:11–24; Romans 10:9–13; 2 Corinthians
6:2; Revelation 3:20.
Preacher's Aim: To lead sinners to genuine repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and the assurance of
salvation through God's grace.
INTRODUCTION: THE DAY THE WORLD STOOD STILL
Beloved, I want you to imagine something.
Imagine a mother who woke up this morning, prepared breakfast, and watched her child leave the house.
Perhaps she said, “My child, take care of yourself.”
Perhaps she reminded him to call when he arrived.
Perhaps she prayed, “God, protect my child today.”
The child smiled, picked up his belongings, and walked away.
The mother returned to her daily activities, believing there would be another opportunity to talk, another
opportunity to laugh, another opportunity to embrace her child.
But what if that expected phone call never came?
What if the next voice she heard was not the familiar voice of her child but the devastating announcement
that her beloved child was gone?
What if the person who left home with plans for tomorrow never returned?
How does a mother explain that kind of pain to her heart?
How does a father accept that the child he struggled to raise will no longer walk through his door?
How does a wife continue living in a home where her husband's voice once brought comfort?
How does a child understand that the father who promised to return will never come home again?
These are not merely questions for a sermon. They are the painful realities faced by grieving families
around the world.
Recently, Nigeria was thrown into mourning following the tragic military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo
State. Families lost loved ones, and a nation grieved with them.
Behind every name reported in the news was a human being.
Someone's child.
Someone's husband or wife.
Someone's brother or sister.
Someone whose absence has left a painful emptiness in another person's life.
And while we mourn those who have died, we must also reflect honestly on our own lives.
If death can interrupt the plans of people who expected to live another day, why do we behave as
though we have unlimited time to make peace with God?
My beloved listener, this is not a message of condemnation against those who have died. We do not know
the complete story of another person's relationship with God, and we must not presume to judge their
eternal destiny.
This is a message to those of us who are still alive.
It is a call to examine our hearts while we still have the opportunity.
It is a call to return to God.
It is a call to receive Jesus Christ.
It is a call to stop postponing the most important decision of our lives.
The question is not simply whether you are ready to die. The question is whether you are ready to
meet your Creator.
And the beautiful news is this: while you are still alive, God's invitation of grace is open to you.
1. THE NEWS THAT BREAKS OUR HEARTS SHOULD AWAKEN
OUR SOULS
Scripture: Psalm 90:12
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Have you noticed how quickly life can change?
A person can wake up healthy and face an unexpected medical emergency.
A family can begin the day with laughter and end it with tears.
A journey that was expected to be ordinary can become a moment that changes many lives forever.
A person can spend years planning a future without knowing what the next day will bring.
We see these realities in reports of road accidents, plane crashes, flooding, violent attacks, illness, and
other tragedies.
Every time painful news reaches us, something happens inside us.
For a moment, we become quiet.
We remember our families.
We remember our children.
We remember the people we have neglected.
We remember the apologies we have refused to offer.
We remember the prayers we have postponed.
We remember the God we have pushed to the corner of our lives.
But sadly, when the shock passes, many return to the same old habits.
The person who promised to change yesterday returns to sin today.
The person who wept while watching a funeral returns to a life without God.
The person who said, “Life is too short,” continues living as though eternity does not exist.
Beloved, why must it take the death of another person to remind us that our own lives are fragile?
Why must we wait until a family is crying before we think about the condition of our souls?
Why must we wait until a funeral before we remember that earthly possessions cannot accompany us
beyond the grave?
Listen carefully.
Your house is important, but it cannot save your soul.
Your money is useful, but it cannot purchase eternal life.
Your professional achievements may earn you recognition, but they cannot reconcile you to God.
Your social media followers may celebrate you, but they cannot take your place before the judgment seat
of Christ.
Your church position may impress people, but it cannot replace a genuine relationship with Jesus.
The Bible does not teach us to live in constant terror of death. It teaches us to live wisely, faithfully, and
with eternity in view.
The purpose of remembering death is not to surrender to fear. It is to discover the life that God
offers through Jesus Christ.
Do not merely cry when you hear tragic news.
Let the experience teach you compassion.
Let it teach you to forgive.
Let it teach you to love your family.
And let it awaken your desire to walk with God.
2. SIN IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN MANY PEOPLE REALISE
Scripture: Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
My beloved, let us speak honestly.
One of the greatest problems in our generation is that many people are more concerned about their public
image than the condition of their hearts.
People are afraid of losing their reputation.
They are afraid of losing their money.
They are afraid of losing their relationships.
They are afraid of losing their position.
But they are not afraid of living in rebellion against the God who gave them life.
Some people have become comfortable with sin.
They lie without feeling guilty.
They cheat others and call it wisdom.
They destroy relationships and call it freedom.
They practise sexual immorality without considering God's instructions.
They harbour bitterness for years.
They use their positions to oppress the weak.
They exploit the poor.
They secretly engage in practices they would never want their families or church members to discover.
Others have become so accustomed to sin that they no longer recognise their need for repentance.
They say:
“I am not as bad as other people.”
“I give to charity.”
“I help the poor.”
“I attend church.”
“I was born into a Christian family.”
“I know how to pray.”
But my beloved, the question is not whether you can identify somebody who is worse than you.
The question is whether your life is right with God.
Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned.
That includes the wealthy and the poor.
The educated and the uneducated.
The celebrated and the unknown.
The person standing behind the pulpit and the person sitting at the back of the church.
We all need the mercy of God.
The Bible says in Isaiah 59:2 that our iniquities separate us from God.
Sin is not merely a mistake that damages our reputation. It is a spiritual problem that requires God's
forgiveness and transformation.
And there is something particularly dangerous about a person who knows that a path is wrong but
continually tells himself that he has enough time to change.
Perhaps you have said:
“I will repent when I am older.”
“I will stop this habit when I get married.”
“I will surrender to God when I have finished making money.”
“I will return to church when my life becomes stable.”
“I will settle things with God later.”
But who promised you that later?
You may have plans for the next twenty years, but you do not control every circumstance of tomorrow.
That does not mean you should live carelessly or fearfully.
It means you should stop treating repentance as an appointment you can endlessly postpone.
Do not allow a temporary pleasure to endanger your eternal destiny.
The sin you are defending today may be the very thing preventing you from enjoying the freedom God
desires for you.
Jesus is not calling you to a life of emptiness.
He is calling you out of bondage into freedom.
He is calling you out of darkness into light.
He is calling you away from the destructive power of sin into a life of righteousness.
And His invitation is still open.
3. YOU CAN BE CLOSE TO RELIGION AND STILL NEED
SALVATION
Scripture: Matthew 7:21
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven...”
This is one of the most serious warnings in the Bible.
It is possible to know religious language without knowing the Lord.
It is possible to attend church regularly without surrendering your heart to Jesus.
It is possible to sing worship songs while secretly refusing to obey God.
It is possible to preach about holiness while refusing to abandon personal sin.
It is possible to carry a Bible without allowing the Word of God to transform your character.
Beloved, church attendance is valuable. Prayer is valuable. Reading the Bible is valuable. Serving in
ministry is valuable.
But none of these should become a substitute for genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
You may know every popular Christian song.
You may be familiar with the names of great preachers.
You may know how to pray in public.
You may even have served in church for many years.
But have you surrendered your heart to Christ?
Do you trust Him for salvation?
Are you willing to turn away from sin?
Are you allowing Him to transform your conduct, your relationships, your decisions, and your private life?
Consider the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.
He had a father, but he chose to leave his father's house.
He demanded his inheritance and went into a distant country.
He wasted his resources.
He experienced the consequences of his choices.
Eventually, he found himself in a place of deep need.
But something beautiful happened.
He came to himself.
He recognised his condition.
He decided to return home.
And when he returned, his father welcomed him with compassion.
That is a picture of the invitation God extends to repentant sinners.
Perhaps you once walked closely with God.
Perhaps you once prayed with sincerity.
Perhaps you once loved the things of God.
But somewhere along the road, you became distracted.
You became disappointed.
You became entangled in sin.
You became bitter because of something that happened to you.
You slowly stopped praying.
You stopped reading the Word.
You stopped listening to the voice of conviction.
And now you feel far away from God.
Listen to me.
You do not have to remain far away.
The Father is calling you to return.
Do not let shame convince you that your past has disqualified you from seeking His mercy.
Do not let the voice of condemnation persuade you that you are beyond forgiveness.
Come back to God.
Come with your brokenness.
Come with your failures.
Come with your tears.
Come with your questions.
Come with your sincere desire to change.
The Father in the parable welcomed his returning son.
And through Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness and reconciliation to those who turn to Him in faith.
You may have wandered far, but you can still turn around and come home.
4. JESUS CHRIST UNDERSTANDS THE PAIN OF A BROKEN
WORLD
Scripture: John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
What a powerful verse!
The Son of God stood before the tomb of Lazarus and wept.
He knew that He had the power to raise Lazarus from the dead.
Yet He did not stand before the grieving family as an emotionless observer.
He entered into their sorrow.
He saw the tears.
He witnessed the pain.
He understood the grief of those who had lost someone they loved.
This reminds us of something important.
God is not indifferent to human suffering.
The Christian message is not that we should pretend tragedies do not hurt.
It is not that we should tell grieving families to stop crying.
It is not that we should accuse those who suffer of having insufficient faith.
Jesus wept.
And when we look at the suffering of families who have lost loved ones through accidents, illness,
violence, or other tragedies, we should respond with compassion.
We should pray for them.
We should support them.
We should listen to them.
We should help where we can.
We should avoid spreading rumours about their loved ones.
We should never use another person's tragedy as an opportunity to boast about our own righteousness.
But there is another lesson in the story of Lazarus.
Jesus did not only weep.
He also spoke about life and resurrection.
In John 11:25, Jesus declared:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
Christianity offers hope beyond the grave.
Our hope is not based on the belief that believers will never experience pain or loss.
Our hope rests in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again.
Because of His resurrection, death does not have the final word over those who belong to Him.
First Corinthians 15 speaks of the resurrection of the dead and the victory God gives through Jesus Christ.
This is why the Gospel is such good news.
The world can offer temporary comfort.
Money can provide temporary relief.
Human companionship can provide encouragement.
But only Jesus offers reconciliation with God and the promise of eternal life.
My beloved listener, perhaps you are watching this message with tears in your eyes.
Perhaps you recently buried someone you loved.
Perhaps you are afraid of losing another person.
Perhaps you have been asking questions you cannot answer.
I will not pretend to know everything you are feeling.
But I want you to know that you can bring your grief to Jesus.
You can cry before Him.
You can ask Him your difficult questions.
You can seek His comfort.
And in the middle of your sorrow, you can discover the hope of the Gospel.
Jesus is not asking you to deny your pain. He is inviting you to discover His presence in the
middle of it.
5. WHAT IF TODAY WERE YOUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO
RESPOND TO GOD?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Imagine a man who has spent his life postponing his relationship with God.
Whenever someone speaks to him about salvation, he laughs.
He says, “There is still time.”
Whenever he hears a sermon about repentance, he becomes uncomfortable.
He tells himself, “I will take God seriously one day.”
Whenever the Holy Spirit convicts him of sin, he finds another distraction.
He makes promises.
He breaks them.
He feels guilty.
He returns to the same habits.
And year after year, he postpones the decision that matters most.
My beloved, the tragedy is not that he does not know that salvation matters.
The tragedy is that he knows it matters but continues to postpone it.
We must understand something.
No preacher can tell you the date of your death.
No human being can predict every event that will happen tomorrow.
And we should never claim that every tragedy is God's punishment for a particular sin.
Jesus Himself rejected the assumption that those who suffered certain tragedies were necessarily more
sinful than others. See Luke 13:1–5.
Instead, He used the moment to call people to repentance.
The lesson is not that tragedy proves someone was wicked.
The lesson is that none of us should assume we have unlimited time.
Perhaps you will live to a good old age.
Perhaps you will see your grandchildren grow.
Perhaps you will fulfil many dreams.
I pray that God grants you long life, good health, and opportunities to serve Him.
But whether your life is long or short, you need to be reconciled to God.
Do not wait until you are lying in a hospital bed.
Do not wait until your strength is gone.
Do not wait until the consequences of your choices overwhelm you.
Do not wait until you have lost everything you once valued.
Come to Jesus now.
Not because a preacher has frightened you.
Not because you have seen a tragic headline.
Not because you want to escape an uncomfortable feeling.
Come because you recognise your need for God's mercy.
Come because Jesus Christ died for sinners.
Come because His resurrection gives hope.
Come because God has extended His grace to you.
The best time to begin walking with Jesus is not some imaginary day in the future. It is today.
6. THE CROSS REVEALS HOW MUCH GOD LOVES YOU
Scripture: John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Now, beloved, we have reached the heart of this message.
We have talked about death.
We have talked about sorrow.
We have talked about sin.
We have talked about the uncertainty of tomorrow.
But if this sermon ended here, it would be incomplete.
Because the Gospel is not merely a warning about death.
The Gospel is the good news of what God has done to save sinners through Jesus Christ.
God did not leave humanity without hope.
He sent His Son.
Jesus came into this world.
He lived without sin.
He revealed the character of God.
He healed the sick.
He showed compassion to the rejected.
He welcomed repentant sinners.
He confronted hypocrisy.
He taught the truth.
And He willingly went to the cross.
Why?
First Corinthians 15:3 tells us that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Our sin was a real problem, and we could not save ourselves through our own righteousness.
We needed a Saviour.
Jesus took the path of suffering.
He was betrayed.
He was rejected.
He was mocked.
He was crucified.
And He died.
But the grave could not hold Him.
On the third day, He rose again.
His resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope.
The cross tells us that God takes sin seriously.
The cross also reveals the extraordinary depth of His love.
Romans 5:8 declares that God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.
Think about those words.
While we were still sinners.
Not after we had become perfect.
Not after we had corrected every mistake.
Not after we had earned the right to be loved.
While we were still sinners.
God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you think you have gone too far.
Perhaps your past is filled with mistakes.
Perhaps you have hurt people who trusted you.
Perhaps you have destroyed relationships.
Perhaps you have struggled with an addiction.
Perhaps you have lived a double life.
Perhaps you have committed sins that you are ashamed to confess.
Hear the good news.
You do not have to clean yourself up before you come to Jesus.
Come to Him in repentance and faith.
He forgives those who sincerely turn to Him.
He gives new life.
He begins the work of transformation in the human heart.
His grace is not permission to continue in sin.
His grace is the gift that makes forgiveness and a changed life possible.
The cross is God's invitation to come out of darkness and into His marvellous light.
My beloved, do not spend another day believing that your past is greater than the mercy God offers
through Christ.
Your sin is serious, but the invitation of the Saviour is real. Come to Jesus.
7. WHAT MUST YOU DO TO BE SAVED?
Scripture: Romans 10:9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Salvation is not something you purchase.
You cannot buy it with money.
You cannot earn it by performing enough religious activities.
You cannot inherit it simply because your parents are Christians.
You cannot receive it merely by attending a particular church.
Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works.
So, how should you respond?
First: Acknowledge your sin.
Stop pretending that you do not need God.
Recognise that you have sinned and fallen short of His glory.
Be honest with Him.
You do not need to defend what He is calling you to surrender.
Second: Repent.
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God.
It is more than feeling bad because you have been caught.
It is more than crying during a powerful sermon.
It is a genuine change of heart and direction.
You may still face struggles as you grow, but you must be willing to surrender your life to Christ and follow
Him.
Third: Believe in Jesus Christ.
Believe that He died for your sins and rose again.
Trust Him as your Saviour and Lord.
Your hope is not in your personal goodness.
Your hope is in what Jesus has accomplished for you.
Fourth: Confess Him as Lord.
Do not be ashamed to identify with Jesus.
Let your faith become visible in your choices, your relationships, your speech, and your conduct.
Fifth: Begin a life of discipleship.
Read the Bible.
Pray.
Join a sound Christian fellowship.
Learn from mature believers.
Seek accountability.
Make restitution where appropriate and safe.
When you fall, do not make peace with sin. Return to God, receive His forgiveness, and continue growing
in obedience.
Remember this: no prayer formula saves you. Jesus Christ saves.
A prayer can help you express your repentance and faith, but salvation rests on God's grace through
Christ, not on repeating particular words.
8. AN INVITATION TO THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN RUNNING
FROM GOD
My beloved listener, I want you to imagine standing before the Lord with nothing to hide.
No titles.
No bank accounts.
No public reputation.
No social media followers.
No excuses.
Just you and the truth about your life.
What would matter most?
Would it be the number of people who praised you?
Would it be the size of your house?
Would it be the number of achievements attached to your name?
Or would it be the question of whether you received the salvation God offers through Jesus Christ?
Perhaps you are a successful businessman.
You have worked hard.
You have built a reputation.
You have acquired property.
People respect you.
But deep inside, you know that you have not surrendered your life to God.
Perhaps you are a young person who has become trapped in destructive habits.
You laugh with your friends, but you feel empty when you are alone.
You know what is right, yet you struggle to walk in it.
Perhaps you are a woman carrying the burden of secret regret.
You have made decisions that you wish you could reverse.
You wonder whether God could ever receive someone like you.
Perhaps you are a church worker who has become spiritually cold.
You still perform your duties, but your heart has drifted away from the Lord.
Perhaps you are someone who once loved God but became bitter after losing a loved one.
You asked God for help.
You prayed for healing.
You prayed for protection.
And when tragedy came, you found yourself angry, confused, and distant from Him.
If that is your story, you do not have to pretend.
Bring your questions to God.
Bring your sorrow to Him.
Bring your guilt to Him.
Bring your fears to Him.
You do not need to manufacture an emotion.
You do not need to wait until you feel worthy.
You need to respond to His invitation in faith.
Jesus said in John 6:37 that whoever comes to Him, He will never cast out.
What a promise!
Come to Him.
Come as you are, but be willing to let Him change you.
Come with your past, but do not insist on remaining in the sins from which He is calling you.
Come with your wounds, but let Him teach you how to walk in forgiveness.
Come with your questions, but be willing to trust Him.
Come with your weakness, but receive His grace.
The door of mercy is open to those who turn to Him.
You are not beyond the reach of God's grace.
9. A CALL TO REPENTANCE: DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART
Scripture: Hebrews 3:15
“Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...”
My brother, my sister, let us bring this message close to home.
You have heard the stories.
You have seen families mourn.
You have watched the news.
You have seen how quickly circumstances can change.
You have heard the Word of God.
Now the question is personal.
What will you do with Jesus?
Will you continue postponing repentance?
Will you continue defending the sin that is destroying your peace?
Will you continue allowing pride to keep you from seeking forgiveness?
Will you continue living as though this world is all there is?
Or will you humble yourself before God?
I am not asking you to become religious merely for the sake of appearances.
I am inviting you to be reconciled to your Creator through Jesus Christ.
If you have never received Him as your Saviour, today is an opportunity to respond.
If you once walked with Him but have wandered away, return to Him.
If you have been living a double life, stop pretending and begin walking in the light.
If you have hurt people, seek to make things right where possible.
If you are carrying bitterness, ask God to help you forgive.
If you are struggling with destructive habits, seek spiritual guidance and appropriate practical support.
Do not confuse a public display of emotion with genuine repentance.
The evidence of a changed heart will increasingly appear in the way you live.
And if you are grieving, do not believe that you must first resolve every question about death before you
can come to Jesus.
You can seek Him in the middle of your sorrow.
You can trust Him while still mourning.
You can receive His comfort while continuing to ask difficult questions.
The Gospel does not promise a life without tears.
It promises forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
10. SALVATION PRAYER: A PERSONAL RESPONSE TO
JESUS
If you recognise your need for salvation and sincerely desire to turn to Jesus Christ, you may express your
response to Him in prayer.
Do not rush through these words merely because other people are praying.
Speak honestly to God.
Prayer of Repentance and Faith
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today with a humble heart.
I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself through my own righteousness.
I confess that I have sinned against You in my thoughts, my words, my actions, and the choices I have
made.
Please forgive me.
I am sorry for the ways I have disobeyed Your Word and lived according to my own desires.
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that You died for my sins and rose again from the dead.
I place my trust in You as my Saviour and Lord.
Please cleanse me from my sins and reconcile me to God.
Give me a new heart.
Teach me to love what is right and turn away from what is evil.
Help me to forgive those who have hurt me, seek forgiveness from those I have wronged, and walk in truth
and humility.
When I am tempted, strengthen me.
When I am weak, help me.
When I fall, teach me to return to You in genuine repentance.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me grow in Your Word.
I surrender my life to You.
Let my life bring honour to Your name.
Thank You for Your love, Your mercy, and the salvation You offer through Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen.
Pastoral note: These words are not a magical formula. What matters is genuine repentance and faith in
Jesus Christ. If you have prayed sincerely, take the next step by reading the Bible, seeking a trustworthy
Christian fellowship, and learning to follow Jesus.
11. A FINAL WORD TO THE GRIEVING AND THE LIVING
Before I conclude, I want to speak to two groups of people.
To those who have lost loved ones
To every family mourning the loss of a husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend,
or colleague, may God grant you comfort and strength.
Your grief matters.
Your tears matter.
The love you shared with those who have died matters.
You do not have to pretend to be strong every moment.
Please allow trusted people to support you.
And remember that the Christian hope of resurrection is grounded in Jesus Christ, who died and rose
again.
We should not presume to know the eternal destiny of a person based on the circumstances of their death.
We entrust the departed to the righteous judgment of God, who knows every heart perfectly.
We mourn with those who mourn, and we pray that God will sustain those left behind.
To those who are still alive
My beloved, do not wait for another tragedy before you think about your soul.
Do not wait until you lose your health before you begin seeking God.
Do not wait until your family gathers around a hospital bed before you decide that your life must change.
Do not wait until you have lost the people who love you before you learn to value them.
Forgive while you have the opportunity.
Love while you have the opportunity.
Serve God while you have the opportunity.
Make peace where it is possible.
Seek help where it is needed.
And above everything else, receive the salvation God offers through Jesus Christ.
One day, each of us will reach the end of our earthly journey.
The question is not whether we can escape every hardship.
The question is whether we will place our trust in the One who has conquered sin and death.
Jesus Christ is the hope of the sinner.
He is the Saviour of the lost.
He is the comfort of the brokenhearted.
He is the resurrection and the life.
And His invitation is still being proclaimed.
CONCLUSION: BEFORE THE NEXT GOODBYE
Beloved, there are goodbyes we expect.
A traveller leaves home, and we expect to welcome that person back.
A child goes to school, and a parent expects to see that child again.
A friend relocates, and we promise to stay in touch.
But life sometimes brings goodbyes for which we were not prepared.
That is why we must never treat the people we love as though we have unlimited opportunities to show
them kindness.
And we must never treat our relationship with God as though repentance can be postponed forever.
The recent tragedies that have shaken families and communities remind us of our shared humanity.
They remind us to pray for the bereaved.
They remind us to value life.
They remind us that our earthly plans are fragile.
But above all, the message of the Gospel reminds us that God has provided a way for sinners to be
reconciled to Him.
Jesus Christ died.
Jesus Christ rose again.
And salvation is offered through Him.
My brother, do not let pride keep you away.
My sister, do not let shame keep you away.
Young person, do not let temporary pleasures keep you away.
Church member, do not allow familiarity with religion to replace genuine faith.
To the person who believes that your past is too dark, come to Jesus.
To the person who has wandered away, return to Jesus.
To the person who is weary of sin, surrender to Jesus.
To the person who is searching for hope, look to Jesus.
And to the person who has never taken the message of salvation seriously, listen to the invitation of the
Gospel.
God is not asking you to earn His love through perfection.
He is calling you to receive His grace through faith and to follow Him in a transformed life.
Before the next goodbye, make peace with God.
Before another day passes, respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ.
Before you spend another year running from the One who loves you, turn around and come home.
May the Lord help us to live wisely, love sincerely, comfort the grieving, and walk faithfully with Him.
May our lives reflect the love of Christ.
May the hope of the resurrection strengthen us.
And may many souls come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' mighty name.
Amen.
CLOSING DECLARATION
Life is a gift. Eternity is real. Sin is serious. God's grace is available. Jesus Christ is the Saviour.
Do not merely mourn the dead.
Comfort the grieving.
Pray for the suffering.
Love the living.
And while you have the opportunity, surrender your life to Jesus Christ.
Come to Jesus today.
Main Text: Hebrews 9:27
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Supporting Scriptures: John 3:16–17; Isaiah 55:6–7; Luke 15:11–24; Romans 10:9–13; 2 Corinthians
6:2; Revelation 3:20.
Preacher's Aim: To lead sinners to genuine repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and the assurance of
salvation through God's grace.
INTRODUCTION: THE DAY THE WORLD STOOD STILL
Beloved, I want you to imagine something.
Imagine a mother who woke up this morning, prepared breakfast, and watched her child leave the house.
Perhaps she said, “My child, take care of yourself.”
Perhaps she reminded him to call when he arrived.
Perhaps she prayed, “God, protect my child today.”
The child smiled, picked up his belongings, and walked away.
The mother returned to her daily activities, believing there would be another opportunity to talk, another
opportunity to laugh, another opportunity to embrace her child.
But what if that expected phone call never came?
What if the next voice she heard was not the familiar voice of her child but the devastating announcement
that her beloved child was gone?
What if the person who left home with plans for tomorrow never returned?
How does a mother explain that kind of pain to her heart?
How does a father accept that the child he struggled to raise will no longer walk through his door?
How does a wife continue living in a home where her husband's voice once brought comfort?
How does a child understand that the father who promised to return will never come home again?
These are not merely questions for a sermon. They are the painful realities faced by grieving families
around the world.
Recently, Nigeria was thrown into mourning following the tragic military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo
State. Families lost loved ones, and a nation grieved with them.
Behind every name reported in the news was a human being.
Someone's child.
Someone's husband or wife.
Someone's brother or sister.
Someone whose absence has left a painful emptiness in another person's life.
And while we mourn those who have died, we must also reflect honestly on our own lives.
If death can interrupt the plans of people who expected to live another day, why do we behave as
though we have unlimited time to make peace with God?
My beloved listener, this is not a message of condemnation against those who have died. We do not know
the complete story of another person's relationship with God, and we must not presume to judge their
eternal destiny.
This is a message to those of us who are still alive.
It is a call to examine our hearts while we still have the opportunity.
It is a call to return to God.
It is a call to receive Jesus Christ.
It is a call to stop postponing the most important decision of our lives.
The question is not simply whether you are ready to die. The question is whether you are ready to
meet your Creator.
And the beautiful news is this: while you are still alive, God's invitation of grace is open to you.
1. THE NEWS THAT BREAKS OUR HEARTS SHOULD AWAKEN
OUR SOULS
Scripture: Psalm 90:12
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Have you noticed how quickly life can change?
A person can wake up healthy and face an unexpected medical emergency.
A family can begin the day with laughter and end it with tears.
A journey that was expected to be ordinary can become a moment that changes many lives forever.
A person can spend years planning a future without knowing what the next day will bring.
We see these realities in reports of road accidents, plane crashes, flooding, violent attacks, illness, and
other tragedies.
Every time painful news reaches us, something happens inside us.
For a moment, we become quiet.
We remember our families.
We remember our children.
We remember the people we have neglected.
We remember the apologies we have refused to offer.
We remember the prayers we have postponed.
We remember the God we have pushed to the corner of our lives.
But sadly, when the shock passes, many return to the same old habits.
The person who promised to change yesterday returns to sin today.
The person who wept while watching a funeral returns to a life without God.
The person who said, “Life is too short,” continues living as though eternity does not exist.
Beloved, why must it take the death of another person to remind us that our own lives are fragile?
Why must we wait until a family is crying before we think about the condition of our souls?
Why must we wait until a funeral before we remember that earthly possessions cannot accompany us
beyond the grave?
Listen carefully.
Your house is important, but it cannot save your soul.
Your money is useful, but it cannot purchase eternal life.
Your professional achievements may earn you recognition, but they cannot reconcile you to God.
Your social media followers may celebrate you, but they cannot take your place before the judgment seat
of Christ.
Your church position may impress people, but it cannot replace a genuine relationship with Jesus.
The Bible does not teach us to live in constant terror of death. It teaches us to live wisely, faithfully, and
with eternity in view.
The purpose of remembering death is not to surrender to fear. It is to discover the life that God
offers through Jesus Christ.
Do not merely cry when you hear tragic news.
Let the experience teach you compassion.
Let it teach you to forgive.
Let it teach you to love your family.
And let it awaken your desire to walk with God.
2. SIN IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN MANY PEOPLE REALISE
Scripture: Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
My beloved, let us speak honestly.
One of the greatest problems in our generation is that many people are more concerned about their public
image than the condition of their hearts.
People are afraid of losing their reputation.
They are afraid of losing their money.
They are afraid of losing their relationships.
They are afraid of losing their position.
But they are not afraid of living in rebellion against the God who gave them life.
Some people have become comfortable with sin.
They lie without feeling guilty.
They cheat others and call it wisdom.
They destroy relationships and call it freedom.
They practise sexual immorality without considering God's instructions.
They harbour bitterness for years.
They use their positions to oppress the weak.
They exploit the poor.
They secretly engage in practices they would never want their families or church members to discover.
Others have become so accustomed to sin that they no longer recognise their need for repentance.
They say:
“I am not as bad as other people.”
“I give to charity.”
“I help the poor.”
“I attend church.”
“I was born into a Christian family.”
“I know how to pray.”
But my beloved, the question is not whether you can identify somebody who is worse than you.
The question is whether your life is right with God.
Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned.
That includes the wealthy and the poor.
The educated and the uneducated.
The celebrated and the unknown.
The person standing behind the pulpit and the person sitting at the back of the church.
We all need the mercy of God.
The Bible says in Isaiah 59:2 that our iniquities separate us from God.
Sin is not merely a mistake that damages our reputation. It is a spiritual problem that requires God's
forgiveness and transformation.
And there is something particularly dangerous about a person who knows that a path is wrong but
continually tells himself that he has enough time to change.
Perhaps you have said:
“I will repent when I am older.”
“I will stop this habit when I get married.”
“I will surrender to God when I have finished making money.”
“I will return to church when my life becomes stable.”
“I will settle things with God later.”
But who promised you that later?
You may have plans for the next twenty years, but you do not control every circumstance of tomorrow.
That does not mean you should live carelessly or fearfully.
It means you should stop treating repentance as an appointment you can endlessly postpone.
Do not allow a temporary pleasure to endanger your eternal destiny.
The sin you are defending today may be the very thing preventing you from enjoying the freedom God
desires for you.
Jesus is not calling you to a life of emptiness.
He is calling you out of bondage into freedom.
He is calling you out of darkness into light.
He is calling you away from the destructive power of sin into a life of righteousness.
And His invitation is still open.
3. YOU CAN BE CLOSE TO RELIGION AND STILL NEED
SALVATION
Scripture: Matthew 7:21
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven...”
This is one of the most serious warnings in the Bible.
It is possible to know religious language without knowing the Lord.
It is possible to attend church regularly without surrendering your heart to Jesus.
It is possible to sing worship songs while secretly refusing to obey God.
It is possible to preach about holiness while refusing to abandon personal sin.
It is possible to carry a Bible without allowing the Word of God to transform your character.
Beloved, church attendance is valuable. Prayer is valuable. Reading the Bible is valuable. Serving in
ministry is valuable.
But none of these should become a substitute for genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
You may know every popular Christian song.
You may be familiar with the names of great preachers.
You may know how to pray in public.
You may even have served in church for many years.
But have you surrendered your heart to Christ?
Do you trust Him for salvation?
Are you willing to turn away from sin?
Are you allowing Him to transform your conduct, your relationships, your decisions, and your private life?
Consider the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.
He had a father, but he chose to leave his father's house.
He demanded his inheritance and went into a distant country.
He wasted his resources.
He experienced the consequences of his choices.
Eventually, he found himself in a place of deep need.
But something beautiful happened.
He came to himself.
He recognised his condition.
He decided to return home.
And when he returned, his father welcomed him with compassion.
That is a picture of the invitation God extends to repentant sinners.
Perhaps you once walked closely with God.
Perhaps you once prayed with sincerity.
Perhaps you once loved the things of God.
But somewhere along the road, you became distracted.
You became disappointed.
You became entangled in sin.
You became bitter because of something that happened to you.
You slowly stopped praying.
You stopped reading the Word.
You stopped listening to the voice of conviction.
And now you feel far away from God.
Listen to me.
You do not have to remain far away.
The Father is calling you to return.
Do not let shame convince you that your past has disqualified you from seeking His mercy.
Do not let the voice of condemnation persuade you that you are beyond forgiveness.
Come back to God.
Come with your brokenness.
Come with your failures.
Come with your tears.
Come with your questions.
Come with your sincere desire to change.
The Father in the parable welcomed his returning son.
And through Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness and reconciliation to those who turn to Him in faith.
You may have wandered far, but you can still turn around and come home.
4. JESUS CHRIST UNDERSTANDS THE PAIN OF A BROKEN
WORLD
Scripture: John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
What a powerful verse!
The Son of God stood before the tomb of Lazarus and wept.
He knew that He had the power to raise Lazarus from the dead.
Yet He did not stand before the grieving family as an emotionless observer.
He entered into their sorrow.
He saw the tears.
He witnessed the pain.
He understood the grief of those who had lost someone they loved.
This reminds us of something important.
God is not indifferent to human suffering.
The Christian message is not that we should pretend tragedies do not hurt.
It is not that we should tell grieving families to stop crying.
It is not that we should accuse those who suffer of having insufficient faith.
Jesus wept.
And when we look at the suffering of families who have lost loved ones through accidents, illness,
violence, or other tragedies, we should respond with compassion.
We should pray for them.
We should support them.
We should listen to them.
We should help where we can.
We should avoid spreading rumours about their loved ones.
We should never use another person's tragedy as an opportunity to boast about our own righteousness.
But there is another lesson in the story of Lazarus.
Jesus did not only weep.
He also spoke about life and resurrection.
In John 11:25, Jesus declared:
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
Christianity offers hope beyond the grave.
Our hope is not based on the belief that believers will never experience pain or loss.
Our hope rests in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again.
Because of His resurrection, death does not have the final word over those who belong to Him.
First Corinthians 15 speaks of the resurrection of the dead and the victory God gives through Jesus Christ.
This is why the Gospel is such good news.
The world can offer temporary comfort.
Money can provide temporary relief.
Human companionship can provide encouragement.
But only Jesus offers reconciliation with God and the promise of eternal life.
My beloved listener, perhaps you are watching this message with tears in your eyes.
Perhaps you recently buried someone you loved.
Perhaps you are afraid of losing another person.
Perhaps you have been asking questions you cannot answer.
I will not pretend to know everything you are feeling.
But I want you to know that you can bring your grief to Jesus.
You can cry before Him.
You can ask Him your difficult questions.
You can seek His comfort.
And in the middle of your sorrow, you can discover the hope of the Gospel.
Jesus is not asking you to deny your pain. He is inviting you to discover His presence in the
middle of it.
5. WHAT IF TODAY WERE YOUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO
RESPOND TO GOD?
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Imagine a man who has spent his life postponing his relationship with God.
Whenever someone speaks to him about salvation, he laughs.
He says, “There is still time.”
Whenever he hears a sermon about repentance, he becomes uncomfortable.
He tells himself, “I will take God seriously one day.”
Whenever the Holy Spirit convicts him of sin, he finds another distraction.
He makes promises.
He breaks them.
He feels guilty.
He returns to the same habits.
And year after year, he postpones the decision that matters most.
My beloved, the tragedy is not that he does not know that salvation matters.
The tragedy is that he knows it matters but continues to postpone it.
We must understand something.
No preacher can tell you the date of your death.
No human being can predict every event that will happen tomorrow.
And we should never claim that every tragedy is God's punishment for a particular sin.
Jesus Himself rejected the assumption that those who suffered certain tragedies were necessarily more
sinful than others. See Luke 13:1–5.
Instead, He used the moment to call people to repentance.
The lesson is not that tragedy proves someone was wicked.
The lesson is that none of us should assume we have unlimited time.
Perhaps you will live to a good old age.
Perhaps you will see your grandchildren grow.
Perhaps you will fulfil many dreams.
I pray that God grants you long life, good health, and opportunities to serve Him.
But whether your life is long or short, you need to be reconciled to God.
Do not wait until you are lying in a hospital bed.
Do not wait until your strength is gone.
Do not wait until the consequences of your choices overwhelm you.
Do not wait until you have lost everything you once valued.
Come to Jesus now.
Not because a preacher has frightened you.
Not because you have seen a tragic headline.
Not because you want to escape an uncomfortable feeling.
Come because you recognise your need for God's mercy.
Come because Jesus Christ died for sinners.
Come because His resurrection gives hope.
Come because God has extended His grace to you.
The best time to begin walking with Jesus is not some imaginary day in the future. It is today.
6. THE CROSS REVEALS HOW MUCH GOD LOVES YOU
Scripture: John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Now, beloved, we have reached the heart of this message.
We have talked about death.
We have talked about sorrow.
We have talked about sin.
We have talked about the uncertainty of tomorrow.
But if this sermon ended here, it would be incomplete.
Because the Gospel is not merely a warning about death.
The Gospel is the good news of what God has done to save sinners through Jesus Christ.
God did not leave humanity without hope.
He sent His Son.
Jesus came into this world.
He lived without sin.
He revealed the character of God.
He healed the sick.
He showed compassion to the rejected.
He welcomed repentant sinners.
He confronted hypocrisy.
He taught the truth.
And He willingly went to the cross.
Why?
First Corinthians 15:3 tells us that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Our sin was a real problem, and we could not save ourselves through our own righteousness.
We needed a Saviour.
Jesus took the path of suffering.
He was betrayed.
He was rejected.
He was mocked.
He was crucified.
And He died.
But the grave could not hold Him.
On the third day, He rose again.
His resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope.
The cross tells us that God takes sin seriously.
The cross also reveals the extraordinary depth of His love.
Romans 5:8 declares that God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.
Think about those words.
While we were still sinners.
Not after we had become perfect.
Not after we had corrected every mistake.
Not after we had earned the right to be loved.
While we were still sinners.
God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ.
Perhaps you think you have gone too far.
Perhaps your past is filled with mistakes.
Perhaps you have hurt people who trusted you.
Perhaps you have destroyed relationships.
Perhaps you have struggled with an addiction.
Perhaps you have lived a double life.
Perhaps you have committed sins that you are ashamed to confess.
Hear the good news.
You do not have to clean yourself up before you come to Jesus.
Come to Him in repentance and faith.
He forgives those who sincerely turn to Him.
He gives new life.
He begins the work of transformation in the human heart.
His grace is not permission to continue in sin.
His grace is the gift that makes forgiveness and a changed life possible.
The cross is God's invitation to come out of darkness and into His marvellous light.
My beloved, do not spend another day believing that your past is greater than the mercy God offers
through Christ.
Your sin is serious, but the invitation of the Saviour is real. Come to Jesus.
7. WHAT MUST YOU DO TO BE SAVED?
Scripture: Romans 10:9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Salvation is not something you purchase.
You cannot buy it with money.
You cannot earn it by performing enough religious activities.
You cannot inherit it simply because your parents are Christians.
You cannot receive it merely by attending a particular church.
Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works.
So, how should you respond?
First: Acknowledge your sin.
Stop pretending that you do not need God.
Recognise that you have sinned and fallen short of His glory.
Be honest with Him.
You do not need to defend what He is calling you to surrender.
Second: Repent.
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God.
It is more than feeling bad because you have been caught.
It is more than crying during a powerful sermon.
It is a genuine change of heart and direction.
You may still face struggles as you grow, but you must be willing to surrender your life to Christ and follow
Him.
Third: Believe in Jesus Christ.
Believe that He died for your sins and rose again.
Trust Him as your Saviour and Lord.
Your hope is not in your personal goodness.
Your hope is in what Jesus has accomplished for you.
Fourth: Confess Him as Lord.
Do not be ashamed to identify with Jesus.
Let your faith become visible in your choices, your relationships, your speech, and your conduct.
Fifth: Begin a life of discipleship.
Read the Bible.
Pray.
Join a sound Christian fellowship.
Learn from mature believers.
Seek accountability.
Make restitution where appropriate and safe.
When you fall, do not make peace with sin. Return to God, receive His forgiveness, and continue growing
in obedience.
Remember this: no prayer formula saves you. Jesus Christ saves.
A prayer can help you express your repentance and faith, but salvation rests on God's grace through
Christ, not on repeating particular words.
8. AN INVITATION TO THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN RUNNING
FROM GOD
My beloved listener, I want you to imagine standing before the Lord with nothing to hide.
No titles.
No bank accounts.
No public reputation.
No social media followers.
No excuses.
Just you and the truth about your life.
What would matter most?
Would it be the number of people who praised you?
Would it be the size of your house?
Would it be the number of achievements attached to your name?
Or would it be the question of whether you received the salvation God offers through Jesus Christ?
Perhaps you are a successful businessman.
You have worked hard.
You have built a reputation.
You have acquired property.
People respect you.
But deep inside, you know that you have not surrendered your life to God.
Perhaps you are a young person who has become trapped in destructive habits.
You laugh with your friends, but you feel empty when you are alone.
You know what is right, yet you struggle to walk in it.
Perhaps you are a woman carrying the burden of secret regret.
You have made decisions that you wish you could reverse.
You wonder whether God could ever receive someone like you.
Perhaps you are a church worker who has become spiritually cold.
You still perform your duties, but your heart has drifted away from the Lord.
Perhaps you are someone who once loved God but became bitter after losing a loved one.
You asked God for help.
You prayed for healing.
You prayed for protection.
And when tragedy came, you found yourself angry, confused, and distant from Him.
If that is your story, you do not have to pretend.
Bring your questions to God.
Bring your sorrow to Him.
Bring your guilt to Him.
Bring your fears to Him.
You do not need to manufacture an emotion.
You do not need to wait until you feel worthy.
You need to respond to His invitation in faith.
Jesus said in John 6:37 that whoever comes to Him, He will never cast out.
What a promise!
Come to Him.
Come as you are, but be willing to let Him change you.
Come with your past, but do not insist on remaining in the sins from which He is calling you.
Come with your wounds, but let Him teach you how to walk in forgiveness.
Come with your questions, but be willing to trust Him.
Come with your weakness, but receive His grace.
The door of mercy is open to those who turn to Him.
You are not beyond the reach of God's grace.
9. A CALL TO REPENTANCE: DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART
Scripture: Hebrews 3:15
“Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...”
My brother, my sister, let us bring this message close to home.
You have heard the stories.
You have seen families mourn.
You have watched the news.
You have seen how quickly circumstances can change.
You have heard the Word of God.
Now the question is personal.
What will you do with Jesus?
Will you continue postponing repentance?
Will you continue defending the sin that is destroying your peace?
Will you continue allowing pride to keep you from seeking forgiveness?
Will you continue living as though this world is all there is?
Or will you humble yourself before God?
I am not asking you to become religious merely for the sake of appearances.
I am inviting you to be reconciled to your Creator through Jesus Christ.
If you have never received Him as your Saviour, today is an opportunity to respond.
If you once walked with Him but have wandered away, return to Him.
If you have been living a double life, stop pretending and begin walking in the light.
If you have hurt people, seek to make things right where possible.
If you are carrying bitterness, ask God to help you forgive.
If you are struggling with destructive habits, seek spiritual guidance and appropriate practical support.
Do not confuse a public display of emotion with genuine repentance.
The evidence of a changed heart will increasingly appear in the way you live.
And if you are grieving, do not believe that you must first resolve every question about death before you
can come to Jesus.
You can seek Him in the middle of your sorrow.
You can trust Him while still mourning.
You can receive His comfort while continuing to ask difficult questions.
The Gospel does not promise a life without tears.
It promises forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
10. SALVATION PRAYER: A PERSONAL RESPONSE TO
JESUS
If you recognise your need for salvation and sincerely desire to turn to Jesus Christ, you may express your
response to Him in prayer.
Do not rush through these words merely because other people are praying.
Speak honestly to God.
Prayer of Repentance and Faith
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today with a humble heart.
I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself through my own righteousness.
I confess that I have sinned against You in my thoughts, my words, my actions, and the choices I have
made.
Please forgive me.
I am sorry for the ways I have disobeyed Your Word and lived according to my own desires.
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that You died for my sins and rose again from the dead.
I place my trust in You as my Saviour and Lord.
Please cleanse me from my sins and reconcile me to God.
Give me a new heart.
Teach me to love what is right and turn away from what is evil.
Help me to forgive those who have hurt me, seek forgiveness from those I have wronged, and walk in truth
and humility.
When I am tempted, strengthen me.
When I am weak, help me.
When I fall, teach me to return to You in genuine repentance.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me grow in Your Word.
I surrender my life to You.
Let my life bring honour to Your name.
Thank You for Your love, Your mercy, and the salvation You offer through Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen.
Pastoral note: These words are not a magical formula. What matters is genuine repentance and faith in
Jesus Christ. If you have prayed sincerely, take the next step by reading the Bible, seeking a trustworthy
Christian fellowship, and learning to follow Jesus.
11. A FINAL WORD TO THE GRIEVING AND THE LIVING
Before I conclude, I want to speak to two groups of people.
To those who have lost loved ones
To every family mourning the loss of a husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend,
or colleague, may God grant you comfort and strength.
Your grief matters.
Your tears matter.
The love you shared with those who have died matters.
You do not have to pretend to be strong every moment.
Please allow trusted people to support you.
And remember that the Christian hope of resurrection is grounded in Jesus Christ, who died and rose
again.
We should not presume to know the eternal destiny of a person based on the circumstances of their death.
We entrust the departed to the righteous judgment of God, who knows every heart perfectly.
We mourn with those who mourn, and we pray that God will sustain those left behind.
To those who are still alive
My beloved, do not wait for another tragedy before you think about your soul.
Do not wait until you lose your health before you begin seeking God.
Do not wait until your family gathers around a hospital bed before you decide that your life must change.
Do not wait until you have lost the people who love you before you learn to value them.
Forgive while you have the opportunity.
Love while you have the opportunity.
Serve God while you have the opportunity.
Make peace where it is possible.
Seek help where it is needed.
And above everything else, receive the salvation God offers through Jesus Christ.
One day, each of us will reach the end of our earthly journey.
The question is not whether we can escape every hardship.
The question is whether we will place our trust in the One who has conquered sin and death.
Jesus Christ is the hope of the sinner.
He is the Saviour of the lost.
He is the comfort of the brokenhearted.
He is the resurrection and the life.
And His invitation is still being proclaimed.
CONCLUSION: BEFORE THE NEXT GOODBYE
Beloved, there are goodbyes we expect.
A traveller leaves home, and we expect to welcome that person back.
A child goes to school, and a parent expects to see that child again.
A friend relocates, and we promise to stay in touch.
But life sometimes brings goodbyes for which we were not prepared.
That is why we must never treat the people we love as though we have unlimited opportunities to show
them kindness.
And we must never treat our relationship with God as though repentance can be postponed forever.
The recent tragedies that have shaken families and communities remind us of our shared humanity.
They remind us to pray for the bereaved.
They remind us to value life.
They remind us that our earthly plans are fragile.
But above all, the message of the Gospel reminds us that God has provided a way for sinners to be
reconciled to Him.
Jesus Christ died.
Jesus Christ rose again.
And salvation is offered through Him.
My brother, do not let pride keep you away.
My sister, do not let shame keep you away.
Young person, do not let temporary pleasures keep you away.
Church member, do not allow familiarity with religion to replace genuine faith.
To the person who believes that your past is too dark, come to Jesus.
To the person who has wandered away, return to Jesus.
To the person who is weary of sin, surrender to Jesus.
To the person who is searching for hope, look to Jesus.
And to the person who has never taken the message of salvation seriously, listen to the invitation of the
Gospel.
God is not asking you to earn His love through perfection.
He is calling you to receive His grace through faith and to follow Him in a transformed life.
Before the next goodbye, make peace with God.
Before another day passes, respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ.
Before you spend another year running from the One who loves you, turn around and come home.
May the Lord help us to live wisely, love sincerely, comfort the grieving, and walk faithfully with Him.
May our lives reflect the love of Christ.
May the hope of the resurrection strengthen us.
And may many souls come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' mighty name.
Amen.
CLOSING DECLARATION
Life is a gift. Eternity is real. Sin is serious. God's grace is available. Jesus Christ is the Saviour.
Do not merely mourn the dead.
Comfort the grieving.
Pray for the suffering.
Love the living.
And while you have the opportunity, surrender your life to Jesus Christ.
Come to Jesus today.
