Transcript Slide 1

Approaching the ‘end’ but
continuing to flourish
Planning to finish well
How can faith in Christ
transform the final days?
Journeying well from here to
eternity
Planning to Finish Well—(1)
• Some tips to see later life as a time of
opportunity and opening up rather than a
time of declining health and mobility
• Planning ahead—keeping positive—
standing on God’s promises—having a
close relationship with Jesus—thinking of
others—keeping active and healthy—
social network—serving the Lord with
gladness. (Any others?-discuss in pairs)
Planning to Finish Well—(2)
• “Maintain a positive attitude so that we
don’t become ‘grumpy’ old people”-(Anne
Jeater and Kate Weekes)
• “I read the Bible and attend a weekly Bible
study group learning about what the Bible
says about preparing for hard times, such
as St Paul who learnt to be happy in all
circumstances and the need to praise God
during trouble”—(Ann Wills)
How can Faith in Christ transform the final
days?—(1)
• By living in OMEGA LAND-Jesus Christ is the
Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the
end and He is in both. (Denise Critchell)
• ’I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and
the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed
are those who wash their robes, that they
may have the right to the tree of life and may
go through the gates into the city’
•
(Revelation 22 verses 13 and 14)
How can Faith in Christ transform the
final days?—(2)
• By having an ESCHATOLOGICAL
VISION, where this age meets the Age to
Come, where this world meets the
KINGDOM OF GOD
• By living the RESURRECTION LIFE
instead of following the world’s fear of old
age and death
How can Faith in Christ transform the
final days?—(3)
• “As a Christian comes towards the end of
their life surely it’s their faith that sustains
them. They know they will soon be entering
into the eternal presence of their Lord and
indeed often get to the stage when it’s what
they want more than anything and just long
for it to happen. It is comforting too for their
friends and family to know their loved one is
going to a place far better”-(Anne and Kate)
How can Faith in Christ transform the
final days?—(4)
• From ‘Faith in the Third Age’ by Dr Michael Lowis
(Christian Council on Ageing)
• The more one thinks about death the more one
feels anxious about it
• The higher the level of religious and/or spiritual
beliefs, then the lower the anxiety about death and
the afterlife-( a statistically significant result)
• Man of 72 said, “I fear the process of dying, but not
being dead.”
How can Faith in Christ transform
the final days?—(5)
• As the Gospel song says;
• ‘This world is not our home, we’re just a passing
through,
our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the
blue,
the angels beckon me to Heaven’s golden shore
and I ain’t gonna stay in this world anymore.’
(sent by Liz Stacey)—Does anyone know who
wrote this Gospel song?
Journeying well from here to eternity-(1)
• Tante Jans a powerful evangelist, had such
a dread of dying. Corrie ten Boom’s father
asked her just before she died, “are you
ready to make the great journey?”
• Tante Jan’s face lit up. “Jesus said, “I give
my sheep everlasting life.” “That’s good”
Tante said, “I can’t do anything more, I’m
safe in the Hands of the Good Shepherd
who gave His life for us. He prepared a
mansion in the House of the Father for me.”
Journeying well from here to eternity-(2)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Preparing ourselves for the journey
Leaving things in order for our loved ones
Preparing our funeral service of celebration(‘When I die’ compiled by the late Rodney Searle)
Being at peace with everyone
Making amends if needed
Forgiving and being forgiven
Expecting Jesus to come for you
(Compiled by Liz Stacey)
Journeying well from here to eternity-(3)
• Isaiah chapter 43 verses 1b to 4
• Revelation chapter 21 verses 1 to 7
• 1 Corinthians 15 verses 12 to 14, 17 and
19 to 20
Journeying well from here to eternity-(4)
• JOHN BUNYAN’S PILGRIM
REACHED THE CELESTIAL
CITY
• AND SO WILL EVERYONE
WHO PUTS THEIR FAITH
AND TRUST IN OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST