Too Late Now
E.A. Johnston warns that delaying repentance and ignoring the gospel leads to a lost eternity, emphasizing the urgency of turning to Christ before it is too late.
In this urgent evangelistic message, E.A. Johnston shares a poignant story about Muhammad Ali to illustrate the critical importance of responding to the gospel without delay. He reminds listeners that life is fleeting and judgment is certain, urging all to repent and place their faith in Christ before it is too late. Johnston's clear call to salvation emphasizes the narrow way to heaven and the necessity of being covered by the blood of Jesus.
Full Transcript
Years ago, my friend Adrian Rogers had the chance of a lifetime to witness to Muhammad Ali. He knew a man close to the champ and it was while the fight, the rumble in the jungle was going on that this man raised the money to fly Adrian Rogers down into the jungle to visit Muhammad Ali in his rented cottage to share the gospel with him. This preacher told me that when he entered the fighter's room he found the heavyweight champ of the world sitting on his bed eating a bowl of ice cream watching TV.
Adrian Rogers told me that all the while he was witnessing to Ali and telling him about Jesus, that the champ never once took his eyes off the TV and never stopped eating his ice cream. Soon there was a knock on the door and it was time for Adrian Rogers to go. Muhammad Ali never once acknowledged that he was even in his room and he just kept gobbling his ice cream and watching TV.
I bet now that Muhammad Ali has entered eternity. He wishes he'd paid more attention to my friend who was sharing the gospel with him but it's too late now and that's the title of my message. Too late now.
It's appointed man wants to die and after that the judgment. How many folks today friends treat the gospel casually and the savior of the gospel indifferently? Most folks today think they have all the time in the world to make a decision for Jesus and to make a choice in eternity but listen to me friends the way is narrow and few there be that find it. Soon the curtain will come down on your own life friend and if you die in your sins you will drop into hell no matter what mark you left on this world while you were in it.
Repent now and turn to Christ Jesus for he is the only remedy for sin and if you want to go to heaven when you die then you must get under the blood of Christ. Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Illustration of Muhammad Ali's missed gospel opportunity
- The danger of ignoring the gospel message
- The reality of eternity and judgment
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II
- The appointed time of death and judgment
- The narrow way to salvation
- The consequences of dying in sin
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III
- The call to repentance
- Christ as the only remedy for sin
- The necessity of being covered by Christ's blood
Key Quotes
“I bet now that Muhammad Ali has entered eternity, he wishes he'd paid more attention to my friend who was sharing the gospel with him but it's too late now.” — E.A. Johnston
“It's appointed man wants to die and after that the judgment.” — E.A. Johnston
“Repent now and turn to Christ Jesus for he is the only remedy for sin.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Do not delay in responding to the gospel message; make a decision for Christ today.
- Recognize the reality of judgment and prepare your heart accordingly.
- Trust fully in Jesus' sacrifice as the only way to be saved and enter heaven.