Death certificate Sermon for 4-12-26
Today I bring up what I see and have experienced as the hardest and most difficult teaching ever. At least one that I have given parts of - and its hated. Despised. People don’t like it and then as much as possible when I mention parts of it - they like me even less.
But it is biblical. In fact it was the top teaching of Jesus. In fact it is the purpose for life or at least new life and salvation.
Another problem is that because this teaching brings conviction - it is one that many other Pastors won’t give, at least deeply. Because conviction lessens the offering plate.
The teaching Pastor won’t give this matter full attention - because it it offends those in Church who give money - and if the message is not funny - or light - the people in the seating rows - won’t give money. That hurts the Pastors power and enjoyment.
So, because I care about you and not your money - nor increasing my Church size - I will share it.
So let’s begin and let me ask some questions:
Is it true that your whole life is crucified with Jesus?
When? When was that?
You see that is the most life changing event in your life - so what day was it?
Or do you think that you have done it is small steps?
Well I never have seen a wedding or death certificate take 20 steps - it takes 1.
What is stopping you?
Is it “you”? ____?
Let me read 2 key scriptures to you:
Mark 8:35 - “For whoever wants to save their life, will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…..”
Lose it. Gone. Dead. Crucified. Done & over. Fully owned by Jesus……..
Is your life and wants and choices and future alive only for Jesus.
Pull yourself up, take some time alone with God, and make this important decision,
saying, “Lord, help me to be a dead person. Crucify me onto your Cross and give me yourself and your new life.
Let me feel your warm blood cover me and wash me clean - and breath into me your Spirit.”
May it be that this scripture is your own wording -
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20).
The most important fact to consider - is that your physical life — is not as important as your spiritual life.
Do you recognize that?
Why? Because your physical life is temporary and comes to an end; but your spiritual life is eternal; it never ends.
What do you think about that?
Let me read it again: “I have been crucified with Christ”… —Galatians 2:20
Paul did not say, “I have made a determination to imitate Jesus Christ,” or,
“I will really make an effort to follow Him” or “He is a good teacher”, - but — “I have been crucified with Him in His death.” My life and plans - are done.
Is that true for you?
If not - then you’re not a CHRISTIAN. Maybe you’re a Church person ~ but not a CHRISTIAN.
Argue? Go ahead and get your argument with God ready. You’re going to have to tell Him that His Bibles Words are not true.
Yup - despite your Pastors words or the fun church band.
Look:
You can’t follow Jesus - unless you’re dead and living IN Him and He living IN you. That is blissful “Holy Unity.”
Do you have that?
I know my place in this world and the purpose of my life. It is to allow Jesus to have my life and to use my life for His Glory. Full end stop.
Is this true for you?
Here is a death certificate
- will you sign it? At least in your heart?
If not, how can you enter Heaven? When will you give Jesus 100% of your life?
Can you even imagine signing it?
I am not looking to help you identify your life by your occupation, your gender, your race, your nationality, your language, your politics, your marital status, your church address or your money.
If your really Saved, then your willing to admit that you are dead to your own life and that you are a person who has signed his death certificate - and you are dead to your life and now you live 100% only for Jesus.
Is that true for you?
If it is, then you are saved and signed over as dead by Jesus’s Cross, and your dipped into the blood of His crucifixion, and the aroma of his skin is in and upon you.
LOOK:
In 35 years if preaching and reading these Bible verses and telling people that Jesus said that you need to be Born Again - maybe to almost a Million people, either personally, from a Pulpit, on videos or on Facebook - and with that - I’d guess or at least have perceived- that maybe less than a small number - really accepted the scriptures (at least internally and spiritually). Maybe I’m wrong. I hope that I am. But this teaching gets no response when I give it. Amazing. Yet this unpopular message offers life.
Think about that rejection of this key message. The rejection of the key core message of God - makes me cry. It makes me afraid. It destroys me.
And I just don’t know how I can change that by being more funny or having a nicer or bigger Church or a better Worship Band. Or more fun clapping at Amy Grant music, or if I was more handsome or a better talker.
I don’t know. Honestly if I maybe cut off my arm and bled, I know it would be gross. But in truth it might lead to just only 1 or none of you - getting Saved to the point that you will sign that Death Certificate and commit 100% of your blood, air, thoughts, actions, private parts and every thing, every person, hobby, job, money, toys. - all to Jesus and have a surrendered life.
A surrendered life to the same Jesus that the rich young ruler met and was told to sell all and then come back to follow Jesus. The man would not, but will you?
Here is a copy of a Death Certificate over on that table, will you sign it? At least in your heart spiritually?
This sermon today may not be a funny one or light one of enjoyable one.
Is this ok with you?
If not, just being honest - what game are you playing?
In Mathew 15:9 and Luke 13:21-32 - Jesus told Church people- that they were not Saved. Jesus says that He doesn’t know them.
Will Jesus tell you soon - when you die, that He doesn’t know you?
Until your heart and fingers and life - sign that death certificate- at least spiritually- then maybe Jesus doesn’t know you.
Remember- The deal is that it is a life for a life.
On my judgement day as God reviews my life, He will look first at by heart. Then He will look at my life. Then He will look at my Gifts and then see if I was a surrendered Saint and true follower. He will look to see how I lived and shared the Gospel.
And today’s meeting with you here - will be in Gods books. So as it says in Gods book in Rev 20:12 as to what people are going to Heaven and which ones are not going to Heaven.
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had doneas recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Rev 20:12
So folks, that’s my message for today. Short, biblical, direct and one that is not popular with churches or people- but is popular with my God whom I serve with my life.
In Christ,
Pastor Andy