RIP

So you clicked the link and now you're here. 

As I prepare for this Sunday's gathering this thought came to my heart to share. It's not the first time I had these thoughts but every time I went to say it, the timing seemed off. This is directed to my Christian brothers and sisters. 

Let me preface by saying that I realize there are professing Christians who do not accept the divine authority of scripture and have form their own mixtures of thoughts... to them this may fall on deaf ears. Now that that is stated, let me move on to matter at hand. Social media has provide for each one of our "friends" a front row seat to each other's sermons. Yes that's right when you post certain things you are often declaring what you believe to be true (at least in your own minds). Our words carry weight, especially seeing the emotional brokenness of our world where people are searching for something to ease the pain. We seen this in full force before and after the election. My big issue isn't about political rants. As a matter of fact it's something that probably seems insignificant to most. This may actually be more painful for more people than founding out someone vote for the other person. Ok, ok I set it up enough.... It's professing Christians posting RIP or SIP etc... or declaring that someone is looking down on them from heaven. Could that person be in heaven? Sure they could! But it seems if we loved, liked or appreciated them we take out our RIP stamp and with a few clicks on our phone declare them saved. Let me state why this is so dangerous... this action appears and assumes that everyone that dies is a true Christian. If anyone would challenge you on the reason why you would say that someone is resting in peace what would you say? What are we basing our RIPs on? Their goodness, holiness, profession, church attendance, or knowledge of the Bible??? (This is when our view of the Word of God is very important). Words are very powerful even if untrue and I'm afraid we are consoling ourselves and others with our hopeful assumptions. What would you say if asked why you believe when YOU die you'll go to heaven and how can you know for sure, what would you say? 

Listen you can know for sure that you are a genuine believer. You will not find it in a prayer you said when you were 5 years old, your baptism certificate or church membership card. It won't be found in your feelings compartment ( feelings aren't trust worthy anyway). Don't be self deceived declaring RIP doesn't make it so. Let the world use RIP and SIP for there own purposes. If we are to use it let it be based on evidence backed by scripture and even then let us focus less on the person's eternal place and more on our own relationship with God. Listen for many there will be no rest. Scary? Yes, but what's scarier is you and I knowing the truth about the gospel and not sharing it. Scarier is trying to make someone feel temporarily better only to suffer forever in the end. I know this is a tough message for some but I'm willing to be misunderstood because unlike all the temporary things like kings and kingdoms (governments and politicians) that will pass away this reality has eternal consequences. It's a tough message because it challenges our self made comforts and calls us to search for truth. Unless we have peace with God on this side of we will not Rest In Peace on the other side of here. When people in the book of Luke 13 came to Jesus and told him about two groups of people who died wanting him to answer the question of which group were worse sinners, Jesus' response was "unless you repent, you too will all perish". 

For just a moment, imagine Jesus had a Facebook and when someone died he made a post... when you die what would his post say about you? That's what you should be focused on for yourself and others... Would Jesus RIP you? 

When I die don't RIP me unless you have personally seen biblical evidence in my life. But more important than that how about you remind your family and friends about the things you know for certain, that Mark (not Pastor Mark) had to stand before a holy and righteous God and one day they will too. SHARE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE! That's right I yelled. When someone dies people who love them have broken hearts, many search for answers about this life trying to make since of the painfulness of death and it's permanence. How about we refrain from comforting them with empty words and false promises. The scripture says to "comfort one another with these words" on the reality of them "believing" and those that died sleeping in Jesus. How did they sleep in Jesus? By believing in Jesus when they were alive. Believing in Jesus has a lot more realities than a mere acknowledgement of Jesus. Look if just simply saying something made it so than answering yes to the question "Are you a Christian?", would suffice.  But it doesn't. 

Many professing Christians continue to live a life of sin and still hold boldly to the claim of a gospel that changes us. God knows we will struggle and fall on the journey but many have deceived themselves. They us the excuse of everyone makes mistakes (which is true) as a cover up.  You can put all the make up on a dead body you want to make it look alive, but guess what they're still dead. Don't be deceived faith without works is dead. 

To the person who reads this and says what is written here makes no difference to them, then count it as garbage. But to the one who reads this and is stirred in their hearts then respond with repentance to God which is made possible because of what Jesus has done. 

This Sunday at Higher Hope I will be speaking about what it means to believe in Jesus and what the evidence of someone who believes looks like and lives like. Then you can be assured that you belong to Jesus. #James 2:14-26