When we get stung by a hornet, what do we do?                                                        

1. FIRST, we slap it to the ground and stomp it for its infliction of pain (just as Jesus came to do  (Genesis 3:15).                                                                                                                                  

2. SECOND we pull out the, still pulsating, stinger (Galatians 2:20-21).                                                                             

3. THIRD we apply a soothing ointment (Galatians 3:13 & I Peter 1:18-19)

 

We all know the following things are for certain:                                                                                                     

1. The death ratio is one to one and everything dies (Hebrews 9:27).                                                                                                             

2. We brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out (I Timothy 6:7).                                                                                                                                      

3. If we gain all this world has to offer and yet are uncertain of our connection with our Maker, all else becomes meaningless (Matthew 16:26):                                                                                                     

 

LOSS OF LIFE - Jesus said fear not, storms, sickness (viruses), or even murder for they can only destroy your flesh, but not your (eternal) soul!”  (Matthew 10:28).                                                                                                                   

LOSS OF MATERIAL THINGS, Jesus said, “Lay not up treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19-20).                                                                                                                                     

LOSS OF SOUL, “Jesus said, “the accuser of mankind,” has been disarmed.  The Destroyer can’t destroy us (John 19:30 & I Corinthians 15:20)

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The STING of death is the LAW, not the law of men, but the law of God.   What most people don’t know is, “God has decreed all mankind serious offenders of His law and therein under the penalty of death” (Romans 3:10-20). For the Sovereign Almighty know even the thoughts of the mind as well as registers the deeds of the flesh and has declared that no one is able to stand in His court of justice (Matthew 12:36). But Christ has dealt with the entirety of man’s sin debt at Calvary (Galatians 3:13). That is why the church (the people, not the building) is commissioned to preach this message, even if it gets us sent home early (think of the missionaries who put their lives in harm’s way daily for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ).             

                                                              

This world needs to know Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus rose, and Jesus lives to intercede for all who need a Savior. That we all need to repent and trust Jesus to cleanse us from ALL our unrighteousness (I Timothy 1:15 & I John 1:9).

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Solomon, the richest and wisest man ever, drew this conclusion for us Ecclesiastes 12 (NKJV)

12 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”:
2 While the sun and the light,
The moon and the stars,
Are not darkened,
And the clouds do not return after the rain;
3 In the day when the keepers of the house tremble,
And the strong men bow down;
When the grinders cease because they are few,
And those that look through the windows grow dim;
4 When the doors are shut in the streets,
And the sound of grinding is low;
When one rises up at the sound of a bird,
And all the daughters of music are brought low.
5 Also they are afraid of height,
And of terrors in the way;
When the almond tree blossoms,
The grasshopper is a burden,
And desire fails.
For man goes to his eternal home,
And the mourners go about the streets.

6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,
Or the golden bowl is broken,
Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain,
Or the wheel broken at the well.
7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

8 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
“All is vanity.”

9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find [d]acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

 

Pray this prayer; “My Father in Heaven, thank You that death can’t hurt me, for I know in whom I have believed and that He is able to keep me in the day of Your righteous judgment upon sinful mankind. Thank You for letting Jesus Christ take the punishment I deserve. My heart and life will be driven for Your glory and His honor” (read Romans 8:1, 33-39, II Timothy 1:12 & Jude).

 

Hope you have a Blessed Passover on this, and every, Resurrection Sunday.

Pastor Rick