"THERE IS BUT ONE STEP BETWEEN ME AND DEATH"

1 SAMUEL 20:1

A. PROPHETIC STATEMENT FOR THIS OCCASION
  1. David the object of king Saul's wrath:
    1. Saul resolved to kill David because he was fully aware that David would take the kingdom.
    2. David lived constantly in danger of being killed by Saul.
  2. But he had a close friend in Saul's family:
    1. Jonathan loved David - 1 Sam. 18:1
    2. It was to him that David made known his fear of being killed by Saul.
B. "THERE IS BUT ONE STEP BETWEEN ME AND DEATH"
  1. This service today is vivid evidence of the truth spoken by David:
    1. The words of David find special application in our day -
      1. A step out of the car.
      2. Another step away from the house.
      3. A short walk across the street.
    2. One never knows when that step will be our last one in this world - Prov. 27:1
  2. It is the one step we all must take, sooner or later:
    1. "It is appointed unto man once to die" - Heb. 9:27
    2. "Death passed upon all men, for all have sinned" - Rom. 5:12
  3. It is the most important step in this life:
    1. Because it takes us out of this world.
    2. Away from our loved ones. We must leave behind those whose love and care we shared.
    3. It is a step away from life's opportunities. What a step that takes us away from family worship, away from doing good to others, away from preparing to meet our Maker!
    4. It is that one step that takes us into eternity. There will be no return to the life we now live.
    5. This step, dear friends, comes to all sinners and saints, rich and poor, young and old, willing and unwilling, prepared and unprepared.
    6. Are we ready for that step? Paul was - 2 Tim. 4:6- 8; Simeon was - Luke 2:25-30
C. THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE IN HOW WE WILL TAKE THIS STEP
  1. With Christ:
    1. "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" - Matt. 28:20
    2. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" - Ps. 23:4
    3. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." - Phil. 1:21
  2. Without Christ:
    1. It is a step away from light unto utter darkness.
    2. "He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night." - John 13:30
    3. It is a step of utter hopelessness - 1 Thess. 4:13
    4. It is a step that leaves the dying in their sins, unchanged and facing eternal damnation.
  3. What we must make sure of before we take this last step:
    1. That our sins are forgiven and covered with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
    2. To die in sin is the greatest calamity that can overtake the dying.
    3. What makes such an experience so terrible is the fact that there is no need for anyone to have to take this terrible step.
    4. That is why we read in the Bible these thought provoking scriptures -
      1. "Why will ye die?" Ezek. 18:31; 33:11
      2. "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith) Today if ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts" - Heb. 3:7, 8
  4. Dear, sorrowing friends, I have chosen our opening text:
    1. Because it reminds us of the uncertainty of our life, demonstrated in this service.
    2. It warns us to be ready at all times to take this final step out of this present life prepared -- "Prepare to meet thy God" - Amos 4:12
    3. It gives assurance that if we are prepared, we have nothing to fear, for God is with us.


Design © John Bryant 2011