Living with Purpose in Life's Fragility

Now it was by knowing his danger that David escaped had he remained as ignorant of his own Peril as his friend Jonathan had been he would have walked into the lion's mouth and he would have fallen by the hand of Saul but to be forewarned is to be forearmed he was therefore able to save his life because he perceived his danger. [00:01:02]

It is kindness to speak to those who are carelessly at ease and tell them salutary truth it will not put them in danger but it may God blessing it be the means of their escaping from Eternal ruin so I pray you while I talk upon this theme which may seem to be a sad one ask God to make it a great blessing to those who hitherto have been sporting upon the brink of Fate without thinking of the solemnities of Eternity. [00:02:23]

Life is long to look forward to but I appeal to every aged person whether it is not very short to look back upon I confess to my own experience that a week is now a hardly appreciable space of time to me there seems to be very little Breathing Room between one Sunday and another one has scarcely preached before one has to prepare again some other words word with which to address you as we grow older time very sensibly quickens its Pace. [00:06:00]

How unexpectedly it ends strong and Hearty men if I might make a judgment from observation seem to be among the first to fall how often have I seen the invalid who might almost long for death draw out a long existence of continuous pain while the man who shook your hand with a powerful grip and stood upright like a column of iron is laid low of a sudden and is gone. [00:09:38]

There is no safety from Death in the Pulpit nor in your own house Dr Gil who was noted for always being in his study said One Day to a friend well at least if a man is in his study he is safe someone had been killed in the street through a falling chimney pot or tile and this gave emphasis to the doctor's pleasantry but it so happened that soon after the doctor went to visit a member of his church and while while he was away a stormy wind blew and blew down a stack of chimneys into his study into the very place where he would have been sitting if he had not been called away. [00:11:02]

I do beseech you not to imitate her Folly but rather say to yourself there is but a step between me and death therefore now God help me I will lay hold upon on eternal life and seek and find in Christ The Salvation that shall fit me to live and fit me to die and fit me to rise again and fit me for the Judgment Day and fit me for eternal glory there is but a step between me and death there shall not be a step between me and Christ. [00:14:44]

I should like you to attain to such a state that you could feel as Dr Watts did he said to a friend when he was an old man I go to my bed each night with perfect indifference as to whether I shall wake up in this world or the next that is a beautiful state of mind to be in or as the old scotch Minister said when someone asked him is this disease of yours fatal and he replied I do not know and I do not wish to know for I do not think that it can make much difference to me for if I go to heaven I shall be with God and if I stop here God will be with me. [00:17:47]

I would say to you who hope to live a hundred years say your prayers in fine weather the young man was so impressed with those words that he went to hear the gospel was converted and became a minister of Christ one Sunday morning when he was preaching in one of the most notable pulpits in New York that Captain came into the chapel and the preacher looked him in the face and said say your prayers in fine weather the captain was astonished as he perceived that the very man who he had addressed as a coward was now preaching from the pulpit and giving at the commencement of his sermon the advice which he had given him. [00:23:59]

I remember the Striking words of Philip Henry the father of the famous Matthew Henry when he was dying his friends stood round found his bed and he said what a blessing it is Matthew that I have not to make my peace with God now my body is full of pain and my mind is greatly disturbed by reason of it oh said he if that were undone and had now to be done how could it be done what a mercy when that great transaction is complete now come pain or weakness come long sleep come broken down Spirit what does it matter it is all well it is all well. [00:25:05]

Suppose that it is so and suppose as yet that you have no Good Hope dear friends there is a word that I would like to drop into your ear if there is but a step between you and death yet there is only a step between you and Jesus there is only a step between you and salvation God help you to take that step tonight you know the description of the way to heaven take the first on the right by the cross and keep straight on May you take that step tonight it is not a step even it is a look there is life in a look at the crucified one. [00:28:53]

I shall never forget one summer afternoon when I was preaching in a Village Chapel about the joys of Heaven that an elderly lady sitting on my right kept looking to me with intent Delight some people's eyes greatly help the preacher a telegraph goes on between us she seemed to say to me bless God for that how I am enjoying it she kept drinking in the truth and I poured out more and more precious things about the Eternal Kingdom and the sight of the wellbeloved till I saw what I thought was a strange light pass over her faith. [00:32:33]

Well well it will soon be my turn good night poor World it will soon be your turn and then you shall say good night let us meet in glory let us meet in glory for Jesus Christ's sake amen. [00:34:36]