Sunday Worship - 10.01.2021

'Life Eternal!'

by Deacon Crimson

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First Reading: Ezekiel 18:32

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! 

Gospel Reading: John 11:25 -26.   

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

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Dear Brethren

Greetings to you in the life-giving name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our meditation reflects on

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Since time immemorial man has been seeking the 'elixir of life'. He has sought to live through time. But 'time' has a beginning and an end. Our life-time on earth has a beginning and an end. Birth; Living; Death.

Birth of life brings hope and joy. 'Live long and be happy'. But no one considers death. It is avoided in all conversations. For many the thought of death is fearful. So, man surrounds himself with vibrant life to avoid the reality of death. And to live a happy and healthy life, he seeks expert medical help and equips himself with medical and life insurances. Medical Doctors are respected as next to God.

COViD-19 pandemic took the medical profession by surprise. Before the doctors could understand the diagnosis and treatment, many millions died. The pandemic did not differentiate between the great and the small; the rich and the poor, the famous and the obscure. It has passed over millions and transported them on the gates of death.

Death has become the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. COViD-19 is uttered on everyone's lips, in every conversation and in every prayer. It has masked people, divided the families and the society. It still reigns and is seemingly invincible.

Here's the Good-news. our Lord has given us hope and healing and by His stripes we are healed. When the Lord created mankind, he blessed them with long life and perfect health. He wanted them to be in fellowship with Him all the time.  However, the fall of mankind by sinning against God, has resulted in death and mortality. This was against the plan  of God at the time of creation. 

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Ezekiel 18:32

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! 

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The word of God in Ezekiel says, that God does not take pleasure at the death of a person.  He is sad to see the wicked dying in his sins and being pushed into eternal condemnation.  In eternity terms, Sin is death.

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Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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However, there is promise and hope that we have in Jesus who said "I am the resurrection and life".  It is evident that one day, we shall close our eyes in death. If we have accepted and believed in Jesus we shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). The Bible further says,

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I Corinthians 2: 9

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived...the things God has prepared for those who love him..." 

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Therefore dear beloved,  for man life does not end on this earth. It is eternal. We must choose between 'eternal death or eternal life'. LIFE Or DEATH ?  Yes! we all desire for the long and eternal life which is offered free of cost by the Lord Jesus Christ.

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John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

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Prayer

Loving Lord heavenly Father,  you are source of our life and from you we receive all blessings and health.  We thank you for the abundance of grace that you offer us day by day and so we are still alive.  Help us, dear Lord, to abide in your love and receive eternal life.  We thank and praise you.  In Jesus' Name, we pray.  Amen.

Amen.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. O' Lord!

Amen!

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