Slides: Ready to Die

Ready to Die

Psalm 39

¹ I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” ² So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; ³ my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴ "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. ⁵ You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.

⁶ Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

 ⁷ "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. ⁸ Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. ⁹ I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. ¹⁰ Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. ¹¹ You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth—each man is but a breath.

 ¹² "Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were. ¹³ Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more."

Ready to die

• Face reality of death
• Prepare for eternity
• Arrange to bless heirs
• Love and reconcile
• Make your time count

Face reality of death

Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:4-5)

Our days may come to 70 years, or 80, if our strength endures… Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:10-12)

Put your house in order, because you are going to die. (Isaiah 38:1)

Prepare for eternity

Fool! This night your soul is required of you. (Luke 12:20)

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37)

Make arrangements to bless heirs

Children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. (2 Corinthians 12:14)

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. (Prov 13:22)

If a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household…  But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:4, 8)

Make arrangements to bless heirs

• Buy life insurance for dependents
• Grow assets for old age, inheritance
• Make will: executor, guardian for kids
• Bypass probate: set beneficiaries for each asset, or create a living trust
• Directives for healthcare, finance
• Instructions for organs, body, funeral

Love and reconcile

Do not let the sun go down on your anger. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:13)

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all. (Romans 12:18)

Make time count

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might… However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all… Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see.” (Ecclesiastes 9:9: 11:8-9)

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. (Philippians 1:21-22)

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Total fitness

• Spiritual
• Physical
• Financial
• Intellectual
• Emotional
• Relational
• Vocational

Ready to die

• Face reality of death
• Prepare for eternity
• Arrange to bless heirs
• Love and reconcile
• Make your time count