Kingston Springs Kingston Springs Church of ChristChurch of Christ

Gospel MeetingGospel MeetingSeptember 2014September 2014

Observance & Insight of the WorldlyObservance & Insight of the Worldly

One of them, One of them, a prophet of their owna prophet of their own, said, , said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." gluttons." This testimony is trueThis testimony is true. Therefore . Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, sound in the faith, (Titus 1:12-13)(Titus 1:12-13)

Observance & Insight of the WorldlyObservance & Insight of the Worldly

““… … For the sons of this world are more For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. light. (Luke 16:8)(Luke 16:8)

Live Like You Were DyingLive Like You Were Dying

"Thus says the LORD: 'Set your "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, house in order, for you shall die,

and not live.'" and not live.'" (2 Kings 20:1)(2 Kings 20:1)

Live Like You Were DyingLive Like You Were Dying

We are dying in the sense that we are We are dying in the sense that we are ““winding downwinding down”” toward death every day toward death every day (2Co.4:16)(2Co.4:16)

2 Corinthians 4:162 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though though our outward man is perishingour outward man is perishing……

Live Like You Were DyingLive Like You Were Dying

We are dying or We are dying or ““winding downwinding down”” toward toward death every day (2Co.4:16)death every day (2Co.4:16)

We all have an appointment with death and We all have an appointment with death and with the Judge of all men with the Judge of all men (He.9:27)(He.9:27)

Hebrews 9:27Hebrews 9:27

And as And as it is appointed for men to dieit is appointed for men to die once, once, but after this the judgment,but after this the judgment,

Live Like You Were DyingLive Like You Were Dying

We are dying or We are dying or ““winding downwinding down”” toward toward death every day (2Co.4:16)death every day (2Co.4:16)

We all have an appointment with death and We all have an appointment with death and with the Judge of all men (He.9:27)with the Judge of all men (He.9:27)

We do not know if it will be today, tomorrow We do not know if it will be today, tomorrow or some time later or some time later (Js.4:13-14)(Js.4:13-14)

James 4:13-14James 4:13-14

1313 Come now, you who say, "Today or Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";a profit";

1414 whereas you do not know what will whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.and then vanishes away.

Live Like You Were DyingLive Like You Were Dying

We are dying or We are dying or ““winding downwinding down”” toward toward death every day (2Co.4:16)death every day (2Co.4:16)

We all have an appointment with death and We all have an appointment with death and with the Judge of all men (He.9:27)with the Judge of all men (He.9:27)

We do not know if it will be today, tomorrow We do not know if it will be today, tomorrow or some time later (Js.4:13-14)or some time later (Js.4:13-14)

Thus we are taught to live each day as if it Thus we are taught to live each day as if it were our last were our last (Js.4:14,17)(Js.4:14,17)

James 4:14,17James 4:14,17

1414 whereas you do not know what will whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.and then vanishes away.

1717 Therefore, to him who knows to do good Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Live Like You Were DyingLive Like You Were Dying

We are dying or We are dying or ““winding downwinding down”” toward toward death every day (2Co.4:16)death every day (2Co.4:16)

We all have an appointment with death and We all have an appointment with death and with the Judge of all men (He.9:27)with the Judge of all men (He.9:27)

We do not know if it will be today, tomorrow We do not know if it will be today, tomorrow or some time later (Js.4:13-14)or some time later (Js.4:13-14)

Thus we are taught to live each day as if it Thus we are taught to live each day as if it were our last were our last (Js.4:14,17)(Js.4:14,17)

Live Like You Were DyingLive Like You Were Dying

Men have been helped to live by Men have been helped to live by remembering that they must die. remembering that they must die. -Spurgeon-Spurgeon

Psalms 39:4-6Psalms 39:4-6

44 "LORD, make me to know my end, And "LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.know how frail I am.

55 Indeed, You have made my days as Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selahstate is but vapor. Selah

Psalms 39:4-6Psalms 39:4-6

66 Surely every man walks about like a Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.know who will gather them.

Psalms 90:12Psalms 90:12

So teach us to number our days, That we So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.may gain a heart of wisdom.

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would repent of my sins – take them I would repent of my sins – take them seriouslyseriously

Colossians 3:5-6Colossians 3:5-6

55 Therefore put to death your members Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.covetousness, which is idolatry.

66 Because of these things the wrath of God Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

2 Peter 3:10-122 Peter 3:10-12

1010 But the day of the Lord will come as a But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.burned up.

1111 Therefore, since all these things will be Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, dissolved, what manner of persons ought what manner of persons ought you to beyou to be in holy conduct and godliness, in holy conduct and godliness,

2 Peter 3:10-122 Peter 3:10-12

1212 looking for and hastening the coming of looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?the elements will melt with fervent heat?

2 Peter 3:14-152 Peter 3:14-15

1414 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;in peace, without spot and blameless;

1515 and consider that the longsuffering of our and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…Lord is salvation…

Isaiah 59:1-2Isaiah 59:1-2

11 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.heavy, That it cannot hear.

22 But But your iniquities have separated you your iniquities have separated you from your Godfrom your God; And your sins have hidden ; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.His face from you, So that He will not hear.

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would repent of my sins – take them I would repent of my sins – take them seriouslyseriously

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would repent of my sins – take them I would repent of my sins – take them seriouslyseriously

I would let go of petty differences – forgive I would let go of petty differences – forgive my neighbor / brother, and pursue my neighbor / brother, and pursue reconciliationreconciliation

Genesis 13:8Genesis 13:8

So Abram said to Lot, "So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be Please let there be no strife between you and meno strife between you and me, and between , and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we for we are brethrenare brethren..

Matthew 5:21-24Matthew 5:21-24

2121 "You have heard that it was said to those "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'murders will be in danger of the judgment.'

2222 "But I say to you that "But I say to you that whoever is angry whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgmentdanger of the judgment. And whoever says . And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:21-24Matthew 5:21-24

2323 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,has something against you,

2424 "leave your gift there before the altar, "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Luke 17:3-4Luke 17:3-4

33 "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and sins against you, rebuke him; and if he if he repents, forgive himrepents, forgive him..

44 "And if he sins against you "And if he sins against you seven times in seven times in a daya day, and seven times in a day returns to , and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive himforgive him."."

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would repent of my sins – take them I would repent of my sins – take them seriouslyseriously

I would let go of petty differences – forgive I would let go of petty differences – forgive my neighbor / brother, and pursue my neighbor / brother, and pursue reconciliationreconciliation

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would repent of my sins – take them I would repent of my sins – take them seriouslyseriously

I would let go of petty differences – forgive I would let go of petty differences – forgive my neighbor / brother, and pursue my neighbor / brother, and pursue reconciliationreconciliation

I would be repulsed by things that are I would be repulsed by things that are worldly – see the danger in themworldly – see the danger in them

Proverbs 4:23Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.it spring the issues of life.

Proverbs 23:7Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…

Matthew 5:28Matthew 5:28

"But I say to you that whoever looks at a "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 18:6Matthew 18:6

"But whoever "But whoever causescauses one of these little one of these little ones who believe in Me ones who believe in Me to sinto sin, it would be , it would be better for him if a millstone were hung better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.the depth of the sea.

1 John 2:151 John 2:15

Do not love the world or the things in the Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.the Father is not in him.

Romans 12:9Romans 12:9

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.evil. Cling to what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:211 Thessalonians 5:21

Test all things; hold fast what is good.Test all things; hold fast what is good.

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would repent of my sins – take them I would repent of my sins – take them seriouslyseriously

I would let go of petty differences – forgive I would let go of petty differences – forgive my neighbor / brother, and pursue my neighbor / brother, and pursue reconciliationreconciliation

I would be repulsed by things that are I would be repulsed by things that are worldly – see the danger in themworldly – see the danger in them

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would see temporal pursuits as I would see temporal pursuits as insignificant as they really areinsignificant as they really are

Luke 12:15Luke 12:15

And He said to them, "Take heed and And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."he possesses."

Matthew 16:26Matthew 16:26

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his what will a man give in exchange for his soul?soul?

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would see temporal pursuits as I would see temporal pursuits as insignificant as they really areinsignificant as they really are– Constantly think on things above Constantly think on things above (Col.3:2-4)(Col.3:2-4)

Colossians 3:2-4Colossians 3:2-4

22 Set your mind on things aboveSet your mind on things above, not on , not on things on the earth.things on the earth.

33 For you died, and your life is hidden with For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.Christ in God.

44 When Christ who is our life appears, then When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.you also will appear with Him in glory.

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would see temporal pursuits as I would see temporal pursuits as insignificant as they really areinsignificant as they really are– Constantly think on things aboveConstantly think on things above– Find time for things that really matterFind time for things that really matter

ChurchChurch FamilyFamily Sharing with others rather than spending on selfSharing with others rather than spending on self HospitalityHospitality

How Would I Live If I Were Dying?How Would I Live If I Were Dying?

I would see temporal pursuits as I would see temporal pursuits as insignificant as they really areinsignificant as they really are

Be prepared – have joy and confidence that Be prepared – have joy and confidence that God intendedGod intended

Matthew 24:42-44Matthew 24:42-44

4242 "Watch therefore, for you do not know "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.what hour your Lord is coming.

4343 "But know this, that if the master of the "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.allowed his house to be broken into.

4444 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.expect.

Philippians 1:21-23Philippians 1:21-23

2121 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.gain.

2222 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.cannot tell.

2323 For I am hard pressed between the two, For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.which is far better.

Revelation 22:20Revelation 22:20

He who testifies to these things says, He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!so, come, Lord Jesus!

Are You Living Like You Were Are You Living Like You Were Dying?Dying?

whereas you do not know what will happen whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. vanishes away. (James 4:14)(James 4:14)

““He who would teach men to die would He who would teach men to die would teach them to live.teach them to live.”” –Montaigne–Montaigne