Preparing for the Lord's Day
Kingdoms in Conflict
John Newton, the famous hymn writer, initially did not have much interest in the diary of Margaret Athens. She never accomplished anything of great worldly importance. She did not have a family of nobility. She did not have an intriguing life story. She was an English orphan of the 18th century who grew up to become a house servant. She came to know the Lord in her mid-twenties and was married relatively late in life, for her time, at thirty-one. Nevertheless, Newton was known for his interest in editing Christian diaries; therefore, friends of Margaret brought this woman's diary to Newton.
As he read through her work he was impressed by her faith and the way the Lord moved in her life. However, it was not until he reached the end of her journal that he decided he needed to publish her diary. More than a testimony of a great life, her diary was a testimony of a great death. It served as a witness to the art of dying well in the Lord. In her final entry, she wrote,
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord! I bless God, I have not one fear concerning dying. That Almighty Lord, who has so wonderfully preserved me to the present moment, will not forsake me in my last extremity. No, when flesh and heart fail, He will be the strength of my heart, and my portion forever!
In our passage for this Sunday, we come to the end of Elisha’s life. And here we find a witness to the art of dying well in the Lord. To prepare for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon 2 Kings 13:14-21, Psalm 90:12, Proverbs 13:22, Acts 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Westminster Shorter Catechism 37, 38.
This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “The God of Abraham Praise,” “Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven” and “I Am the Bread of Life.”
Text: 2 Kings 13:14-21
Title: The Art of Dying Well
Outline:
1. Every Christian Must Know that Death Will Come (v. 14a)
2. Every Christian Must Know that Death Is Not the End (vv. 14b – 19)
a. Disciple the Next Generation
b. Give to the Next Generation
c. Bless the Next Generation
d. Embolden the Next Generation
3. Every Christian Must Know that Death Will Be Defeated (vv. 20-21)