If I Should Die Before I Wake... James 4:13-17

A Child’s Prayer Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. -Child's Prayer

Need For Security  In marriage Can you trust your wife? (Proverbs 31:11) Can you trust your wife? (Proverbs 31:11) Can your wife trust you? (Job 31:1, 9) Can your wife trust you? (Job 31:1, 9)  On the job Work there until retirement? Work there until retirement? We don’t know about tomorrow (Esther 5:9-14) We don’t know about tomorrow (Esther 5:9-14)

Need For Security  We buy insurance Protection for our health and possessions Protection for our health and possessions Job lost it suddenly (Job 1:13-19; 2:7) Job lost it suddenly (Job 1:13-19; 2:7)  What about your relationship with God? Many do not believe we can know Many do not believe we can know John said we can know (1 John 2:3, 5, 25; 3:18, 19; 24; 4:13; 5:13, 19) John said we can know (1 John 2:3, 5, 25; 3:18, 19; 24; 4:13; 5:13, 19)

Security in Possessions  Prevailing philosophy of the world Turns people away from God Turns people away from God Still not satisfied (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11) Still not satisfied (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)  Consider the rich farmer (Luke 12:13-21) Fight over inheritance (v. 13) Fight over inheritance (v. 13) Stored up his goods (v ) Stored up his goods (v ) Too many in the “barn building” business Too many in the “barn building” business The Lord called him a fool (v. 20) The Lord called him a fool (v. 20)

Security in Possessions  Where is the Lord in your life? Are you storing up goods? Are you storing up goods? What if you died tonight? What if you died tonight? Someone will read our obituary and attend our funeral Someone will read our obituary and attend our funeral

Challenging Question #1  Have your sins been washed away in the blood of Jesus? Salvation is in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:3, 7; Hebrews 9:22; 10:19-22; Revelation 1:5) Salvation is in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:3, 7; Hebrews 9:22; 10:19-22; Revelation 1:5) Jesus is the only way (John 14:6) Jesus is the only way (John 14:6) Have you been baptized into Christ? (Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26, 27) Have you been baptized into Christ? (Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26, 27)

Challenging Question #2  Have you lived a faithful, dedicated life? We must stop “playing church” We must stop “playing church” Only those who endure will be saved (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10) Only those who endure will be saved (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10) Have you really come out of the world? (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:11, 12) Have you really come out of the world? (Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:11, 12)

Challenging Question #3  Do you have the hope and promise of eternal life? Such a hope is real (Acts 26:6, 7; Romans 8:24; 1 John 2:24, 25) Such a hope is real (Acts 26:6, 7; Romans 8:24; 1 John 2:24, 25) We can know that heaven will be our home We can know that heaven will be our home We have the forgiveness we need as Christians (James 5:16; 1 John 1:7-9) We have the forgiveness we need as Christians (James 5:16; 1 John 1:7-9) Torment will never end (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) Torment will never end (Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)

Conclusion  What if you die before you wake tomorrow?  Why not make your eternal future secure?