The Joy of Death
David Johnston
May 29, 2008
Yes…there is joy in death. One of the great privileges of being a pastor is to stand by the side of God’s people at the most important moments in their lives, such as a wedding, a funeral or at death. This last week I had the privilege of being with a family when a 90 year old woman died. This woman was an amazing Believer who walked with God and served the church and God’s people all her life. Although there was a sense of grief because we will miss her shining countenance (yes shining even at age 90!) there was a tremendous sense of joy and wonder knowing that Eleanor was with Jesus the moment she passed away. In fact, right after her passing we were talking about what she must be doing and seeing right at that moment in the presence of God. The bible says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” Psalm 116:15.
I recently read the book, 90 Minutes in Heaven, by Don Piper. The book tells the story of the author who died in a horrific car accident in 1989. He was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics. God had a different plan and told a pastor, who happened to be driving by, to go and pray for the man. After being dead for 90 minutes he came back to life as a result of the pastor’s prayers. In his book Don Piper takes several chapters to describe his experience in heaven. Upon arriving in heaven he was filled with indescribable joy, he was met with loving embraces by family members and friends who had gone on before him, and he heard unimaginable music sung by a heavenly multitude that filled the heavens with praise and worship to God. Get the book and read it if you want to know more. The point of the book is this: heaven is a very real place! Are you ready to go? Are you certain that you will go to heaven when you die?
I was recently reading through I John. In chapters 4 and 5 John outlines seven tests to know for certain that you have eternal life. I have listed the seven steps below. You can look up the Scripture passages on your own. Ask yourself each question and answer either “yes”, “unsure”, or “no”. Be honest. This is only between you and God.
Yes Unsure No
___ ___ ___ 1) Do you believe that Jesus is God?
I John 4:2-3, 15
___ ___ ___ 2) Do you listen to the Spirit of truth as revealed through the Word of God?
I John 4:6; John 17:17
___ ___ ___ 3) Do you love as God loves you?
I John 4:7-12; 16-21; 5:1-2
___ ___ ___ 4) Do you have the Spirit of God in your life?
I John 4:13; Acts 1:8
___ ___ ___ 5) Do you obey God’s commandments?
I John 5:2-3; John 14:21
___ ___ ___ 6) Do you experience victory in your life over sin and the temptations of the world?
I John 5:4-5; John 15:8; I John 2:15-16
___ ___ ___ 7) Do you know for certain that you have eternal life?
I John 5:11-13; John 3:16-17
How did you do on the test? Did you pass or fail? There is no in between. Either you know for certain that you are going to heaven or you don’t know. I remember as a junior in high school when I surrendered my life to Jesus as my Savior and Lord and when I first knew for certain that I was going to heaven. The peace and joy of that certainty has been with me ever since that time many years ago. God wants you to KNOW for certain that your sins are forgiven and that you have eternal life. The Apostle John writes in I John 5:11-13, “And the witness is this that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God in order that you might KNOW that you have eternal life.” May you know for certain today that you have eternal life!