Your Obituary

Moses was an old man, looking back on his life when he wrote in Psalm 90, we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are three score years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Then Moses reflects on the brevity of life and the importance of living it for God and eternity.

In verse 12 he says, so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. You may think I'm morbid friends, but I like reading the obituary page of the newspaper. I take the time to read each one and contemplate on their life and how they lived it.

It confronts me with eternity. You can learn a lot about a person from their obituary. I often read, he was an avid golfer, he loved to ride motorcycles, he had a passion for bowling, and he was a deacon at such-and- such.

I tell them, do I read an obituary about a man that says he had a passion for God and was consumed with things of eternal worth, he lived to bring the lost in, and he loved Jesus with his whole heart. No, it's usually he loved his antique cars, or he loved his bass boat, and so on. I want you to take a moment, friend, and contemplate about your own life.

Think about your own obituary. What will they say about you and your obituary? Will it reflect your service for the Lord? Will it demonstrate your love for Christ Jesus? I want to read you an obituary from the 19th century of a Christian man, and I want you to compare it with our obituaries today that are ashamed of Jesus. Let me read you this man's obituary.

He was named Hecock, and he died in Buffalo, New York. Here now is this Christian's obituary. He was brought to Christ under the preaching of Reverend Mr. Finney in 1831, and throughout the rest of his life remained an earnest friend of revivals, always ready to engage in special efforts for the conversion of sinners.

The change wrought by his own conversion was marked and decided. He was ever ready and liberal with contributions to benevolent objects. He loved the Church of God, and amid multiplied business engagements never failed to be in his place at the prayer meeting.

He was an example in this respect, and may his life justly be held up for the imitation of Christian man of business. That's what it said. What would they say about you, friend? Listen to this.

Only one life will soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last.