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Bibleline Bibleline, here God’s word on Bibleline, here God’s truth on Bibleline. Welcome to Bibleline with Dr. Ralph Yankee Arnold, pastor of Calvary Community Church in Tampa, Florida, clearly declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the radio and the internet. Your regular prayers and monthly support make it possible for Bibleline to continue on the air. You can reach us toll free at 1-800-576-3771. Online donations may be made by clicking on the donations link on the BibleLineMinistries.org homepage. We pray that you will enjoy our commitment to the clear gospel of Jesus Christ and that today’s concluding message of this teaching will be a blessing to you and your family.

Look at letter A there. Death is a stubborn fact. Now you may not know this. Now these are some great statistics. out of every one will die. 10 out of 10 will die. What does that look like? 100%. It looks almost like 100% don’t it? That means every person in this room, whether we like it or whether we don’t. This is why we trust Christ as our Savior because death is on its way. We are going to die. And this is why we usually open a question with a lost man.

Do you know where you’re going when you die and most people don’t talk about death but I’ve bet most people in this room have some kind of life insurance why because you’re going to die and you prepare a little bit for it some of you just can’t wait to die so you can get all that insurance money. The only problem is it’s the other person that gets it. Well, 10 out of 10 will die. One exception is if the raptor takes place.

Look at the next statement, death is an uncertain fact in timing. What do I mean by that? Death is a step away, just one step between me and death. Not if, but when. If the Lord should It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when will I die? And the thing is that you and I ought to be ready for that day by making sure that we’re right with the Lord. Now you may have trusted Christ as your Savior, and you say, well, I’m ready to go, but you do not want to be ashamed before Him at His coming or when you’re going.

That is coming or when you’re going. Have you ever heard people say, I’m looking for the upper taker, not the undertaker? Well, because they don’t want to be taken under, they want to be taken up. And that’s the reason. But it’s uncertain how much time you have. Every one of us are to run our race and run in our race, as he says in 1 Corinthians in chapter 9, we all do run. But we don’t know where the finish line is.

So in the book of Hebrews in chapter 12, it also talks about as you run the race, lay aside every weight that does so easily be said as that we may run the race that is set before us. And Paul says that I may finish my course with joy, the race that God has set before him. Because when Paul got to the place where he was going to die, he made the statement. He says, I have kept the faith.

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. He finished the race. If he finishes the race, then what does he mean? To finish the race. Now he’s going to retire for the next 15 years. Is that what is? No, he’s going to die. And he knew he was going to die. God had already told Peter that he was going and he was going to be killed where he didn’t want to go. He was going to be crucified.

And history says he was crucified upside down. I don’t know. I wasn’t there. But I don’t care if history was right or wrong. He died and that’s the thing. Look at the next statement. Death is just a step away. Old men, young men, children and baby. They’re all dying. They had another bombing. I don’t forget how many people just died and how many just… 159 I think wounded and… and I don’t know if it’s 780 or so people got killed.

Over in Afghanistan. You never know when something is going to do something. You don’t know how you’re going to go. Or when Nicotine go. But sooner or later you know you’re going. So the best thing to do is prepare ahead of time. Stay close to the Lord. So when the time comes you can say I fought a good fight. That time is now upon me. And I know that I’m going to be seeing Jesus pretty soon. Because it will happen.

Look at the next statement. Death is a personal fact. Yay though I, I, that’s me, that’s you. We know that everybody else in the world is gonna die, but we’re not planning on it ourselves, right? We know the rapture could take place in a moment, and so it’s not gonna happen. I’m not gonna die. I’m gonna be alive when the rapture comes. Why? Because I said so. That ought to have some weight, right? I don’t think so. Yay though I, it’s aiary personal thing.

And when you die, nobody can do this in your play. You’re going to die. You can’t get a substitute. Hey, I’m fishing to die. Warren, would you take my place? Would that be neat? I would go through each one in here. It’ll let y’all die in my place. So I’m gonna have to go. Lord, I don’t wanna go right now. Would you take Tom? Tom, take Tom. I don’t think it’s gonna be like that. Look at number two. Acknowledge death as a defeated foe.

In other words, if it was a boxed in canyon, then you could fear death. Means there’s no way out. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead means that death is not a boxed in canyon where there’s no way out. His resurrection means that’s not the end of it. It’s just the beginning of a new life on the other side of this world in which we live. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.

We must accept what we cannot change. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Christ defeated death and that he was able to come back from the dead. had no hold upon him and he had the power to come back from it. And that power that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power, the Holy Spirit, that lives within each and every one of us. And we are going to be redeemed from this earth physically by our body.

It’s going to be changed in a moment of twinkling of an eye. And you’re indw up by the Holy Spirit of God, sealed until the day of redemption of this physical body. The next thing underneath this, there can be no valley without a mountain. Now you’ve heard me before talk about Psalms 22, Psalms 23, Psalms 24. I’ve done it for communion services. When we talk about Psalms 22, we talk about the good shepherd. We talk about Psalms 23, we talk about the great shepherd.

We talk about Psalms 24, we talk about the chief shepherd. And in every one of these, He is the shepherd. And the shepherd came in chapter 22 and gave his life for the sheep. And when He’s coming back to the earth and powering great glory in chapter 24, that’s Mount Zion. So you You’ve got Mount Calvary on one side and you’ve got Mount Zion on the other side. So the only one and the only way you can get the Son of God who died on Mount Calvary to come back on Mount Zion is that he had to come back from the dead.

And so he is coming back. So between two mountains you have a valley. And yay, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I know that I have already accepted the one that died on Mount Calvary. I’m looking for the one who’s going to come back on Mount Zion. And in this life that we live, we’re walking through the valley of the shadow of death. And of course, the shadow can’t hurt you. Have you ever seen a shadow?

Does it hurt you? Nobody sure scares me to death. I used to see shadows, the shadow knows. And by ever listening to the radio years ago, the shadow knows. Anybody here ever heard that? And there’s the real old folks. I used to sit there and listen to that scary, the shadow knows. Oh, and scare you to death. You’d be so scared you couldn’t go to bed at night. And we’ll just be little kids who we listen to. But the shadow doesn’t hurt you.

And if there’s going to be a shadow that you see, that means there has to be light somewhere that’s casting the shadow. And so there’s light on the other side of the shadow. Now, the next statement down here, The good shepherd died for me in Psalms 22. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. The great shepherd is living for me. That’s Psalms 22. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead are Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep to the blood of the everlasting covenant.

I remember Dr. Cameron would always close his prayer, quoting that verse in the book of Hebrews. And the chief shepherd is coming, and when the chief shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. So we know that yes, there’s going to be death. When Christ died on Mount Calvary, there was death, but He came back again from the dead, sent it into heaven, and He’s coming back again. You and I are not supposed to live our lives in the fear of death.

When you can accept the fact that you may die, and you settle with that, you don’t have to worry about it. Okay, I’m going to die. That’s an accepted fact. Now go ahead and live your life and not fear death. Because the fear of death will keep you from doing a lot of things for the Lord that you probably wouldn’t do if you didn’t have fear. We’re afraid of failure. We’re afraid of growing old. We’re afraid of not having enough money.

We’re afraid that we’re going to run out of life before we run out of money. Having too much money left at the end of the money. You’ve heard that before, right? So there’s all kinds of fears that we have, but most of our fears come because we’re afraid to die. just plain afraid to die. Accept it. You’re going to die. And I don’t mind if I have to do your funeral. I just want to live long enough to bury everybody up and then I’ll be ready to go.

I’ve often wondered if I died, who’s going to do my funeral? I could let my wife do it. I often wondered. I just settled it. I’ll just have to live until the rapture. If Guess what God wants, I’ll do it. Look at the top of the page, letter B, there can be no shadows without a line. Death is just a shadow for the believer. A shadow may frighten you, but it cannot hurt you. Jesus took the sting out of death, the gloom out of the grave and the dread out of dying.

Because Jesus knew what was before him, and he says for the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross. because he was looking on the other side of the grave. You and I are beyond the grave, beyond death. We’re all in a race and we’re running our race. We’re finishing our course that God has for us. And we don’t know where the finish line is. But if you’re always running with your joy that you have between you and the Lord and you know that day is coming, then you’ll face it and not have to worry about it.

Let it come, just let it come. Now, look at the next statement. There is no evil. Let her see. There is no evil without a greater good. I love this statement. I love this statement. Now, this is also in Psalms 23, where it says, I will fear no evil. That’s bad. And here’s the reason why. There’s a greater good. Thou art with me. In other words, the fear of evil, there’s something better. I’ve got the presence of God. I will fear no evil for thou art with me.

David compares the evil with the greater good. Who is the thou art? That’s the Lord. That’s the Lord. Thou art with me. Therefore, I will fear no evil. So you don’t have to be afraid. Look at number three. death as a door to the future, a death as a door to the future. You’ve got to go through that door. In 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 22, I want you to see these verses, there’s two verses here. And I think it’d be good to look at 1 Corinthians in chapter 3, 1 Corinthians chapter 3.

In verse 22, look what he says, whether there’s people or things, he says all things are yours. Now in this life that we live, he says this life, write these three words down. After these verses, for my benefit, for my benefit. So when you read verse 22 and 23, it’s from my benefit. He says, whether Paul or Paulos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come, all are yours for your benefit.

You see, this life was designed for my benefit. God thought about me. But He didn’t put me in this world just to make it happen. be a nothing, a nobody to do nothing to account for nothing, but He did everything for my benefit. The beauty of this world, the beauty of a flower was for my benefit. He has given us all things freely to enjoy from my benefit. So it’s whether it’s people, I can look around and I can say, well, these three guys over here, They’re here for my benefit and they are benefiting me.

You might there? Mr. Yeah, always called me. Mr. As he doesn’t know my last name. But Steve, yet he’s here for my benefit. Jesse and his wife, they’re for my benefit. Look at everybody, they’re benefiting me. I’m prospering. I’m getting something. I’m being blessed because of my benefit. That air goes for my benefit. When I go to bed at night, this is for my benefit. When you eat that meal, that’s for my benefit. Look how much God has given to you for your benefit.

Each other. Do you know that all the problems you have, the temptations in life, everything is for your benefit? Because God is going to reward you for every victory you have. Just like I mentioned a long time ago, when I first came here, I told you, well, what if I gave my wife a thousand dollars and told her to go buy anything she wants? And there was no stores. Here she says with a thousand dollars to spend, and there’s no stores.

What is a store without a person with some money? It doesn’t serve a purpose then. So you gotta have somebody that’s got some money, so you need a store that’s got something to sell. Well, if there was no place to spend it, her money has no purpose. And see, when God puts you in this life, you are valuable to the Lord, and He gave you life to live. And your life that you live has value to it. So as you spend this day, you need to be buying something with that time, redeeming the time for the days are evil.

Buying up every opportunity like, you know, 150 years ago when they had the land grab, everybody’s getting this proper in this land, getting you a quarter section in blah, blah, blah, get as much as you can. As you were going through this life, all things are for your benefit, but isn’t it a shame that some Christians will live their whole Christian life and not enjoy the benefits. Your heavenly Father has given you the Holy Spirit for your benefit. He has given you this book for your benefit.

Your very life is for your benefit and then he also says something else is for your benefit. Look what he says. When he says there, whether Paul or Paul or Sir Sifas of the world or life or what’s the next word. Death. Death is for your benefit because it ends the suffering of this life. If you know the Lord, death is a wonderful thing. Do you know the Bible also makes a statement? It says, precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Precious in the side of the Lord is the death of his saints. Because God knows you’ve got to leave here to get there. And so we should not be afraid when you stop and think about it. That’s in the 116th Psalm by the way then, verse 15. Now in the book of Philippians in chapter 1, verse 21 Paul makes this statement for me to live is Christ and to die is as gain. To die is gain. Now Paul as he lived his life did all that he did by all means possible that he might gain the more that he may win more souls.

And he says, when I die, I gain. I want to live and gain and I want to die and gain. Look what I gain when I die. One of these days we’re going to be with the Lord. Here’s a few things that you’ll gain. You’re going to gain physically, right? Because the body you have right now is not designed to last too long. And for some of us, it might not last very long at all. Some of us may be moving out pretty soon.

one of these days. It could happen at any time. So physically, you’re going to get a new body fashioned like Christ’s body. Intellectually, do you think you understand everything now? The day will come when you will really understand. Intellectually, I shall know even as I am known. Emotionally, do you think when we get to heaven we’re going to be emotionally shocked and shamed feared and you know despair and we’re going to go through all these emotions. I don’t think so.

There will be continually joy in heaven and as it says in the 16th Psalm, pleasures forevermore, that’s going to be good socially. You realize the kind of people you’re going to be around when you get to heaven. Just think about the person who dies and goes to hell. And And if they could see and know everybody that’s in hell, would you want to be there? Think about it. Let me give you a couple names, though I’m just mean as a joke.

You and Nancy Pelosi, Rosie O’Donnell. I mean wouldn’t you like to be there with some of these people? Now I’m just been humorous. I don’t know who’s going to heaven, who’s not. But think of all the wicked people that will be in hell and then you would be there and That’s who your company is going to be, but I don’t know as you’ll ever see them, but you might hear them because the Bible says there’s no light there. They’re like wandering stars in the midst of darkness forever.

Socially, we are going to be with those who are perfect. Every one of us who trusted Christ as Savior, all of us, all the saints will be perfect and a perfect place for all eternity. So look what you’re gaining by dying. Now, this message tonight is not designed for you to go home and take your life. Don’t you blame that on me. I just want you to be glad that you’re going to go to heaven when you die, but I’m not encouraging anybody to go against the will of God.

Let God take you when you’re ready. The next thing, spiritually remember, there will be no sinful nature. There will be no sin and have no more temptations. Norah battles like that. Letter A down at the bottom. I will fear no evil of why. Thou art with me, and this is the presence of the shepherd. This shepherd is always gonna be present with you. Is he present with you right now? Yes he is. He indwells you and he says, I’ll never leave you and never forsake you.

So you’ll never have to worry about that. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. It means he has the power that regardless of what the world fires at you, delivers to you. He has greater power. He has the rod, the staff to defend you. That’s what a shepherd used to defend the sheep. When the wolves, the bears, whatever one lion, whatever would attack, he can comfort you. He has the power over everything else in this world. So you have the power of the shepherd.

purpose of the shepherd, the reason for walking in this valley of the shadow of death is because it’s not a dead end. He wants to walk through the valley of the shadow through it. We can’t go around it. We can’t go over. We can’t go under it unless the rapture takes place. But if the rapture doesn’t take place, we’ve got to go through the valley of the shadow of death through the valley, through it. And I believe that God will not fail us.

He will do what he says he will do. And his resurrection is the proof that death is not a boxed in canyon from which there is no return. There is life after death. There’s victory after death. And whenever we leave this world, we’ll be present with the Lord for all eternity. Look up here. Letting this hand represent you and me, the wallet represent sin. We all have sin upon us because The Bible says God loves us, but we have a sinful nature.

And because we all sin, the wages of sin is death. The soul that sin is shall die. We all die, be separated from God for all eternity, in a literal fire burning hell. But God loves us. Wants us to go to heaven, and to go to heaven, we have to be perfect as righteous as God. And so that’s why, because we cannot save ourselves. We need a Savior. That’s why Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came into the world, made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death.

That He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man by taking our sins, paying for them. That means He had to pay the sins of every man. Every man. It’s not a limited atonement. It’s every man. came back from the dead and says the only thing we had to do is believe he did it for us. And he puts this payment to our account and we go to heaven on what Christ did for us. When you trust Christ as your savior, maybe the idea of dying is far removed.

This is like, okay, I got me some insurance for that day whenever it comes. And then we think a little about it and just go ahead and live our lives. But as you get closer to the end, you’re gonna be so glad. That day you trusted Christ the Savior was a reality. And you’ll realize that was the greatest decision you ever made in your life. If trusting Christ was the greatest decision you ever made, then somebody witnessing to you was the greatest thing they ever did.

True? So should we be so winners? Yes. Because the day of our race is going to end. Let’s pray, shall we? with every head bowed and every eye closed and no one looking around. If you’re here tonight and you’ve never trusted Christ as your savior, or maybe you’ve heard it over and over and over again, but you just never like to think about dying, but we’re going to die. You’re going to die. If you’re watching by internet, same holds true for you.

You cannot escape it unless the Raptor takes place. But if you are to die today, are you ready? Are you prepared? If you have never trusted Christ as savior, you are not prepared for death. Would you trust the Lord? Would you believe that when Christ died, he died for you, he loved you so much, wants to give you as a free gift everlasting life? And if you’ll believe it, he’ll save you, give you eternal life and you can know that you’re going to heaven whenever you die.

Whether it’s today or 20 years from now, whenever you die, you can know I’m going to heaven because Christ died paid for my sins. Would you trust him? I pray that you will. With his bow nice clothes, no one looking around, If you have not trust in Christ as your Savior, would you trust Him? And if you have trusted Him, are you afraid? Are you living in fear? Did you know that not to take God at His Word is?

Well, as He said, and we talked about it this morning, the sin of unbelief, not taking God in believing what He said. That’s why you’ll find out over and over again in the script, He says, be not afraid, be not afraid, be not afraid. why? Because we’re afraid. And God wants us to learn to trust Him, believe Him. And I pray that some of the things that I’ve said will be of comfort to you. Follow me. Thank you again for your blessings.

Thank you for all you’ve done for us. And for the word that you’ve given us that is just a value of the shadow of death. But you are going to see us through it. You’ll never leave us and never forsake us. We’re not alone. Thank you for your word and for the comfort that it brings. In Christ’s name, we pray. Are you ready to learn how to live your life as a strong Christian, lead others to Christ, or excel as a church worker or ministry leader?

Then look no further, then Florida Bible College of Tampa, with traditional and online classes taught by instructors with years of experience. Florida Bible College of Tampa can help you grow in your Christian life, whether taking individual Global classes are working toward a one-year degree, Florida Bible College of Tampa is here for you. To learn more, visit online at floridabiblecollege.us or call the Registrar Bob Gilbert at 8502275325. That’s 8502275325. Thanks for joining us on Bibleline. If you are in the area, we welcome you to visit us.

The address for Calvary Community Church is 4811 George Road, Tampa, Florida, 33634. And now, a closing thought from Pastor Arnold. Friend, one day it will happen. The trumpet will sound. And we will be changed. Caught up to meet the Lord in the air. So live today and every day. Believing that the Lord is coming soon, just keep looking up.