The Last

By Ben F. Vick, Jr

(Adapted and Edited)

James says, "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:13-15).

There will come a time when I have preached my last sermon, and you will have heard your last sermon. Those present today could be gone tomorrow. We are told, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1). I heard brother Boone Douthitt's last sermon was "If This Were My Last Sermon." I should preach every sermon as if it were my last, for it could be. We should listen to the sermon as if it were our last one to hear, for it could be. We do not know when the Lord will return. However, we must be ready, Jesus said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36).

When will you attend your last worship service? ...We all know people who were at worship services on Sunday but went on to their reward before the following Sunday. If this were the last Lord's day on this earth, how would you participate in the services? Would you pray more fervently when the congregation is being led in prayer? Would you sing more ardently the praises to God? Would you listen more intently to the preaching of the Word? Would you focus more intently on the Lord's death in the communion? If the Lord returns at the conclusion of the services, would you have been liberal in your giving? It is not unheard of for one to die in the worship services. Of course, the young man, Eutycus fell out of the third story window during worship and died. However, Paul raised him from the dead (Acts 20:2-12). No one is able to do that today. I heard that brother Foy Smith, a faithful gospel preacher of the previous generation, died during a lectureship, either right before or after he spoke. Death can take one anytime or place. Life is so fragile. Each of us is but a heartbeat away from eternity.

Suppose this were your last week to live on this earth. What would you do any differently? Would you watch your language, knowing that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account for it? Jesus said, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). Would you try to get your family to church services? We are told that the rich man who died lifted his eyes in torment and had wanted just a drop of water that would have fallen from the tip of the finger of Lazarus. He also expressed great concern for his brethren back home. He did not want them to end up where he was. Too bad he did not have that kind of zeal before he left this earth (Luke 16:19-31). If this were your last week, would you try to visit the sick or shut-ins? Would you let your light shine for Jesus by living and upright life? (Matthew 5:13-16). Would you visit someone who is sick, or needs encouraging? In the judgment scene depicted in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus said to those on his right hand, "...inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." So, if this were your last week on earth, would you visit a shut-in or a sick person?

If this were your last day, how would you use it? There is coming a day which will be THE LAST DAY. Listen to the words of Jesus. Not the definite article, "the" which indicates only one. To the Jews, Jesus said, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:39-40). Again Jesus said, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me" (John 6:44-45). Once more we read, "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54).

If this were your last day on earth, would you be a little kinder to others? Would you tell your husband that you loved him, or your wife that you loved her? Would you say to your children that you loved them? If this were your last day, would you try to do more for others? Would you practice the golden rule?

...Today, you may hear your last sermon, or I may deliver my last sermon. Will we do our best? If this were your last worship service, how will you participate? If this were the last Lord's day, would you be at services? Suppose this were your last week, how will you spend it? Will you read your Bible and pray? What if this were your last day?