When God's Man Dies

When God’s Man Is Gone

I Samuel 25:1 And Samuel died; and all the Israelites wee gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.

Introduction:

Samuel was one of the great men of the Bible. He was conceived after fervent prayer by his mother Hannah, who asked for a son and promised to give him back to the Lord. He was a Nazarite from birth and given to the Lord as a young boy. He served the Lord even as a child under the high priest Eli. He was recognized as a prophet and started a school for the prophets, who would correspond today to a preacher. He was the last of the judges. He anointed King Saul and advised him. He also anointed David at the instructions of the Lord. He was the most outstanding man of his time.

We can come to several conclusions as we ponder the life of Samuel. As our pastor Clarence Sexton has said, when we die, our legacy is the influence we leave on others.

Death is Sure:

Hebrews 9:27 and as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Death is sure – not a question of “if” but of “when.” We should allow the fact of death to help us sort out our priorities. Only one life will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last. Some will go to heaven. We would pray that some of our legacy would be positive on earth.

Death is soon:

Dr. Sexton mentioned his good friend Dr. Lee Roberson, who died at age 97. When he found that he was dying, he said that he never expected it so soon. Moses died at age 120. Note what he wrote in Psalm 90:9 for all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10. The days of our years are three score years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.The evangelist Billy Graham was asked: “what do you think is most profound in life?” he answered: “Its brevity.”? Billy Graham died at age 99.

We should not put off living for the Lord. The time to live for Christ is now, while we have time. This is especially true for those who have never decided to follow Him in salvation. We should not presume on the future. Today is the only time we can actually effect change.

Death is sight:?

While we live on earth, we cannot see Christ or heaven with our eyes, but only with the eyes of faith. After death, we will see Christ with our sight and walk on the streets of gold in heaven. If what we believe is true, then let us serve God wholeheartedly while here on earth. If it is not true, then let us enjoy worldly pleasures and forget serving God, but I believe that it IS true, and that we will receive rewards for eternity.

?

Legacy:

?

One last thought. What legacy are we leaving? Moses’ sons did not follow their father; Joshua was the new leader. Samuel’s sons accepted bribes and did not follow their father. He anointed Saul as king at the direction of God. Saul proved to be a disaster. Samuel did leave a positive legacy in serving his country well for his lifetime, for anointing David as king, and for beginning the school of the prophets.

?

What about us? What will we leave behind us here on earth? What rewards will we send ahead of us to heaven? Let us do what we can to encourage those following behind us to serve the Lord.