The Pilgrim Path---II Corinthians 5: 1-5 

"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened---not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

We covered this text in our Sunday School Class, "Surprised By Suffering." The Christian moves from his tent (in this world), to a better prepared house in the next (remember, The Lord Jesus has prepared dwellings for us that are superior to any we've ever had on earth--John 14: 1-3). Our poor body is a tent that fades. We will fair better with that which is raised incorruptible (I Corinthians 15). Truly, the best is yet to come. Which is why we are exhorted to be "all in" for Christ and His Kingdom---because nothing we do for Him is in vain (I Cor. 15: 58). The Christian's death-bed, as Thomas Brooks put it, "is the mid-wife that births him into the presence of the Lord Jesus." I trust you have this resounding assurance. Having just watched our friend Becky Hall get ready for her departure---I am just reminded that departure is at hand. Perhaps closer for some than they might imagine?

A dear lady called the church office to speak with me many years ago. Her name was Jeanette. She had missed church the Sunday prior---she wanted me to know what was going on (she was a dear soul that took care of much older infirmed homebound individuals). She talked with me at around 9:30 in the morning. Imagine how moved I was when her son called me just after 1 PM---the same day, asking if I'd be ready to conduct her funeral service? Her son kept calling her---no answer. Went to her home. She had a heart attack, right in bed---where she had been reading---making some calls. The consolation: she belonged to The Savior...Lesson: You should be ready to leave this world...

A retired Naval Officer in my second church, was a weapon's specialist with a wall full of commendations and incredible pictures. Quite a few pictures of him with President John F. Kennedy. Now you are not close to people like that all the time. This Mr. Howard was that gentleman that that probably did not actually come to understand faith and repentance until much later in life---even though he had been a Church Member. But the Holy Spirit got hold of him. He was old school Mississippi. He didn't think much of Black people---so when he was dying of cancer, God made sure he was under the care of some very godly nurse's aides who genuinely loved Jesus Christ---and genuinely loved his cantankerous self. It broke the man---and was a beautiful picture to behold! When we had his graveside, it was over two hours north of Jackson. A cold, late day in December, with the wind howling. Then an honor guard and taps from a small hill. If that had been all---it would have been devastating. Thanks Be To God---that was not all, because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ...

If you ever come into my office, there is an unusual picture back behind my desk. It is a copy of an original work produced in 1993. A dear woman produced it in honor of her brother, Mr. Rob Williams. He was an ATF Agent. He was in the raid against the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas. He was killed in an overwhelming spray of automatic weapon gunfire in that raid Waco. His parents attended my church. I had met and talked to Rob many times. He was 26 years old. There were over 1,200 people at that service---one of the largest I've ever been a part of assisting with. The only consolation: He belonged to Jesus Christ the Lord.

A Mom and Dad came to see me in my second church. They had recently moved back to the area. Dad about 70, Mom around 59. Their only son was found dead in his apartment. Seems a hard word about an engagement that had come to an end---was too much for him. Their only son. They came to see me, because they had attended this church--- I was now pastoring---maybe 15 years before. "Would I do the graveside for them?" was the question. I will never forget asking, "Could you tell me anything about your son's spiritual condition? His walk with the Lord?" The Mother did not even wait. She responded this way, "He was not saved." Well, you just proceed from there. They cried---I cried. We arranged for the service. The service was late August ( in Mississippi, outside it's grueling). I would say easily well over 125 souls came up close to that open grave. We prayed and I said if "if Charles could say anything---he would say to You---I never thought This would have come so Quickly." That was one of the few times in my ministry where people actually shrieked and moaned out loud---big strong men. You see, Charles was only 29 years old...Many people never face the reality of death until it is too late to do anything about it. What I did at that service was present the Gospel of Jesus to those in attendance---and remind those parents that the Lord Jesus is close to all who come to Him---He understands….

Jesus Lover of my soul, let me to thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high;

Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide, O receive my soul at last!

Plenteous grace with thee is found; grace to cover all my sin;

Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within:

Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of thee;

Spring thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity.

Charles Wesley (1740)

Grace & Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason