Before I die

"Before I die"

March 22, 2009

Introduction

Last Wednesday evening, I mentioned a television show, or movie, that I saw when I was a senior at ACC. The show was called, “Before I die.” The story was about a man who was to be executed at midnight. There was a woman who was dying who was thought to be with him the night of the murder, and she could have proved his innocence, but for reasons I didn’t see or hear explained, she would not tell that. Finally at about 11:00 o’clock, she said, “Weaver, Weaver, I was with him.” People around her went into frantic action as authorities including the governor and warden were notified that he had now confessed that he was with her the night of the murder, and he was innocent. Before she died, she spared the life of an innocent man.

Wednesday evening, some suggested that I go on line and see if I could find the movie. I found “Before I die,” and various things that people wanted to do before they died, but I did not find that movie.

Body

I. “Before I die” is all of life.

A. Jesus called the time before we die, the day.

(John 9:4 NKJV) "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

1. “Before I die” is all I have. “the night is coming when no one can work.”

2. Am I right with the Lord?

3. Am I right with others?

4. Are there those I need to talk to “Before I die?”

B. Paul spoke of how to live before we die.

(Rom 13:11-14 NKJV) And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. {12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. {13} Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. {14} But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

II. “Before I die,” have I made my life right?

A. As a child, I prayed this little prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

B. But what about when we are older and are responsible for our sins?

1. Those on Pentecost asked what to do.

(Acts 2:37-38 NKJV) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" {38} Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. We need to remain faithful till death.

(Mat 10:22 NKJV) "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

C. How would you answer the question, “If You Were to Die Tonight, Where Would You Spend Eternity?”

1. I would go to hell.

2. I would spend eternity with God.

3. I think, I hope, I would go to heaven.

Fanny Crosby wrote,

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine,

Oh what a fore taste of glory divine.

4. Do we have a blessed assurance?

(Hebrews 10:19-24 NKJV) ) Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and having a High Priest over the house of God, (22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,"

5. We should have an assurance.

(Hebrews 6:19 NKJV), we have these words, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,"

6. Paul had an assurance.

(2 Tim 1:12 NKJV) For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

III. “Before I die,” is there someone I need to talk to about their salvation?

A. The woman in our story saved Weaver from execution.

B. Will we do what we can to turn others to the Lord?

(James 5:19-20 NKJV) Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, {20} let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Conclusion

“Before I die.”

I. Is there something I need to do to have that assurance of my salvation?

II. Is there something I need to do to help someone else to know the Lord and the joy of salvation?

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