TWO INEVITABLE APPOINTMENTS


A. "AND AS IT IS APPOINTED UNTO ME ONCE TO DIE; BUT AFTER THAT THE JUDGMENT" - HEB. 9:27
  1. The words of our text:
    1. Are a most solemn and true pronouncement affecting all of us
    2. Said Job, "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?" - Job 7:1
  2. The two inevitable appointments are:
    1. Once to die - regardless of our life - good or bad - Rom. 5:12
    2. But after that the judgment, regardless or our life - good or bad - 2 Cor. 5:10
  3. This memorial service is just another confirmation of the verity of our opening text:
    1. Could our sleeping friend speak to us, he would say, "Where you are, I was; and where I am you will be"
    2. It is very proper, therefore, that we consider, prayerfully, the implication of the words of Paul B. TWO INEVITABLES
  4. "It is appointed unto man once to die"
    1. That makes death inevitable to all, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Rom. 5:12
    2. This appointment is inevitable by man's own choosing to begin with - Gen. 2:16-17; 3:6, 17-22
    3. The appointment with death is a part of human nature - to be born is to die - Job 5:7
  5. Note a number of different but meaningful renderings of our opening text:
    1. "And inasmuch as it is in store for men - once for all to die" - Rhm
    2. "And as it is the lot of men to die once" - NEB
    3. "And just as men are destined to die once" - Gspd.
  6. "But after that the judgment":
    1. This involves the life we have lived before the two inevitable appointments
    2. This involves sin, the reason for the two inevitable appointments - Rom. 5:12; Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22
    3. The three related facts make the two inevitable appointments most solemn to all men - 2 Cor. 5:10 C. LIGHT FOR THE APPOINTEES
  7. Christ, the light of the world, enters into the picture:
    1. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many" - Heb. 9:28
    2. Here is light that will dispel the darkness of the shadows of death - said the Psalmist, "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. Christ makes the difference both of death and the judgment to come; He turns death into a peaceful rest - "asleep in Jesus" to those who have Christ as their living and dying hope
  8. Note, please, what Christ did to bring hope to the dying and assurance to the judgment bound:
    1. He moved the cause of death and judgment, namely - sin - 2 Cor. 5:21; Matt. 1:21
    2. He broke the power of death by His resurrection - John 11:25-41; Heb. 2:9- 17
  9. What are the two great central truths of our opening text?
    1. That two inevitable appointments are in store to all of us - regardless of race, color or creed - death and judgment
    2. But this knowledge makes my life a most serious business - 2 Cor. 5:10
    3. It brings sin and the results of sin into sharp focus - Gal. 6:7-8
  10. But no one needs to despair:
    1. Christ enters into the picture, and how dark and hopeless the portals to death and judgment are without the Lord Jesus Christ; can you, please picture a Christless grave
    2. Christ makes the difference in dying - facing the judgment to come - Rom. 8:1, 31-39
    3. The death and the resurrection of the Son of God have taken away the sting of death and have removed condemnation for all who live and die in Jesus Christ - I Cor. 15:57
    4. What then is our hope as we face the two inevetables - death and judgment to come?
    5. Christ and Christ alone is the basis for light and hope in death and also the judgment to come - Acts 4:12; Rom. 8:31-39
    6. Sorrowing friends, does Christ make the difference in your outlook?


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