It Is Finished

Today my sweet brother died.
Hebrews 9:27
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
He had cancer but what really killed him was sin.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God created man in His own image.
His intent was for man to live in the garden with everything provided for him by God.
Ecc.3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Sin entered through one man and went to all men.
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-

People often ask "how could God do this" when someone dies, or a tragedy occurs.
The simple truth is, we sinned against God!
We alone, brought the wrath of God on ourselves!
Romans 8:6
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:1-4
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

As I watched my brother die a little each day, I was very aware that sin has a cost!
What God meant for joy in His creation was marred by sin.

Satan is the author of lies, the tempter who entices man to rebel against holy God!
1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

God's beautiful creation dies and decays and his soul returns to his Maker.
Ecc. 12:7
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

You will die, you are accountable before God, He will judge you and your soul will live for eternity in heaven or hell!
Romans 3:10-12
10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."

God, who is rich in mercy, made an acceptable sacrifice through the blood of Christ for all who believe. Christ was wholly man and wholly God and by the power of God, He alone saves man from hell!
This last Sunday my pastor preached on weaving threads.
He told of how each little word or verse about Christ is used to weave the gospel message in the unbeliever's heart.
It is our command to preach the gospel and God alone will bring in the harvest of souls.
I pray that each and every one of you will listen to the gospel and be convicted by your sinful rebellion.

There is not one lust of this world that can compare with the hope and joy Christ brings to you when the burden of sin has been washed away from your soul.
Romans 8:22-25
22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

God is holy....
Is.43:15
I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King." 

Man rebelled....
Romans 3:12
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." 

We are separated from God....
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Just....
Prov.17:15
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

We are dead....
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gracious God....
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

Life in Christ....
1 John 3:5
You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

Christ death....
1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Christ has risen....
Rev.1:18
and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Turn from sin....
Mark 1:15
and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Trust....
Romans 10:9
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Eternity
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Hell, a dreadful reality who deny Christ....
2 Thess.1:8-9
8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

Heaven, a glorious reality for those trusting Christ....
Phil.3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Lord, without repentance, there will no forgiveness. Open hearts to the good news of the gospel. Amen