CALAMITY VERSUS HOPE
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CALAMITY VERSUS HOPE
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32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: But the righteous hath hope in his death.
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: But that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
A. WHY THIS TEXT?
1. A very sad occasion to all present at this service:
a. A youthful and promising life cut off by the hand of death.
b. A question seems to force itself upon our grief- stricken minds, "Why did this happen?"
2. Does the word of God hold the answer?
a. Why was a god-fearing and useful life cut off so suddenly and so unexpectantly?
b. Why do careless and sinful people live on in seeming security to good old age?
3. Eternity alone will give the answer for some of the unexplained happenings:
a. Job complained about the imminent death -
25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, And that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
b. The Psalmist, too, feels the pain of unexplainable sorrows -
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, And horror hath overwhelmed me.
B. FOR THE WICKED OR UNGODLY DEATH IS A CALAMITY
1. Death voids all his plans: ; . How many laid plans for tomorrow and never saw them
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.
materialize?
2. Death seals his destiny:
a. Paul's strong testimony in
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
b. The story of the rich man in our Lord's parable -
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
3. Death paves the way for the coming judgment: ;
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
4. God's message to the wicked: "Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall
be given him." -
11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: For the reward of his hands shall be given him.
C. BUT ABOUT THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS THE STORY IS DIFFERENT
1. "Say unto the righteous that it shall be well with him":
10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: For they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
2. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." -
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of his saints.
3. "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness." -
15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
17:15
4. Hear the testimonies of some of the saints:
Job - ;
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
Hezekiah -
17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: But thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
Paul - ; ,
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
5. Why? What gives them such confidence?
a. No reproaches from their conscience - ;
6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
b. Have the forgiveness of their sins -
(1) The thief on the cross -
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
(2) The Psalmist -
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old Through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
(3) The Prophet Isaiah -
24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
6. What a contrast!
a. "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
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34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
b. But to the wicked he will say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil
and his angels." -
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: