The Scriptural Comparisons

Relating To Coming Into The World & Going Out Of The World

*Special Note. Among the Care Facilities he visits in North Dakota, the following Sermons constitute the first Series of Sermons that Dr. Spence has both written and preached in this State. Dr. Spence has thought about the content of these Sermons for many years. May THE LORD equally bless this reproduction of the Sermons, as He did the actual preaching of them earlier this year.

Sermon I.

Question. How can I go through the difficult trials associated with old age?

IN TODAY'S Sermon, the Text I take up into consideration is Psalm 23.1. The Words read: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” The Doctrine I intend to advance from these Words is that the best way to go through the difficult trials associated with old age is by looking to JESUS as your Shepherd. In this Doctrine, there are three things. I. There is a symbol of a shepherd. II. Who the shepherd is. III. What is said about the Shepherd.

I begin. I. There is the symbol. The Church Father Augustine said: “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” Which speaks, for one thing, that there is a certain sense in which different parts of Scripture speak different things. The Old Testament's Truth is more concealed. The New Testament's Truth is more clear. In regard to Psalm 23, it pleased THE LORD to place this Scripture in the Old Testament. Which puts Psalm 23 in a part of Scripture that is more concealed. Keeping this one Fact in mind will significantly aid in the understanding, not only of the First Verse, but of the entire Psalm. In Hebrews 10.1, the Apostle Paul says that in the Old Testament THE LORD gave “a shadow.” THE LORD did not give the substance. THE LORD gave “a shadow.” Yet this “shadow” was precious. This “shadow” was enough to save and direct the people who lived in those days. For the Apostle further says it was “a shadow of good things to come.” In the Old Testament, when THE LORD sent prophets, He thereby testified that very soon JESUS, THE GREATER PROPHET, would come and give out His Light. When THE LORD sent priests, He spoke in the act that not too distantly JESUS would come, be the real Priest, and take away the sins of those who trust Him. When THE LORD sent kings, THE LORD signified that JESUS THE KING OF KINGS was even then in the wings and waited for THE FATHER'S nod. Among these Old Testament Scriptures, Psalm 23 comes along, walks in these steps, and speaks right along these lines. So that when this “Shepherd” is spoken of, this is much more than just a shepherd. This, too, like the others, pointed upward and straight toward the “good things to come.”

II. Who the Shepherd is. “The Lord is my Shepherd.” As for Who this SHEPHERD is, there is no question. It is abundantly plain that this Shepherd is JESUS. To prove this, I would bring to your mind not one or two but four express statements in the New Testament. In John 10.11,14, JESUS said two times that He is “the good shepherd.” In Hebrews 13.20, the Apostle Paul called JESUS “that great shepherd.” In I Peter 5.4, the Apostle Peter called JESUS “the chief Shepherd.” Therefore in all these Verses (including Psalm 23.1), it is not only spoken that JESUS is the “Shepherd,” but it is specially spoken that JESUS is GOD. For look. In Psalm 23.1, JESUS is expressly called “the Lord.” Who is the Shepherd? Psalm 23.1 says: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Which sets the crown of Deity on the head of JESUS. In John, when JESUS called Himself “the good Shepherd” twice, He spoke that He was “good.” I Peter 2.22 says this Shepherd was so good that He was Sinless. The Apostles Paul and Peter called JESUS “that great Shepherd” and “the chief Shepherd.” Which speaks that for the Christian, the Word of JESUS is the final authority in spiritual things. His Word is the settler of all questions pertaining to GOD.

III. What is said about the Shepherd. Now that I have showed that the Word “Shepherd” is but a “shadow” and that it is JESUS Who is really pointed to, the meaning, the idea, and the beauty of the Verse begins to shine. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” In the Words, there are Three Truths. 1. The First Truth is what type of a Shepherd JESUS is. What type of a Shepherd is JESUS? The Scripture does not say that He is a physical shepherd, as we commonly think of that word. For when JESUS was here, He showed clearly what type of Shepherd He is. In John 3.34, JESUS said that the Words He spoke were “the Words of God.” In I Peter 1.18, the Apostle Peter said that it is JESUS that brings the soul back to GOD. In Matthew 28.18, JESUS Himself said: “All Power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” If JESUS spoke “the Words of God,” brings the soul back to GOD, and has “All Power in heaven and earth,” then this has written on its face that JESUS is a spiritual SHEPHERD. Romans 5.1 says that this SHEPHERD guides the soul into “Peace with God.” 2. The Second Truth is you must take JESUS as your Shepherd. In regard to water, it is fair to say that just because THE LORD has given water to the world does not therefore mean your thirst is quenched. You must take His water and drink it for yourself. And when it comes to JESUS, it is true that He is THE SHEPHERD Whom GOD has given to bring back repenting sinners to Himself. Yet although GOD has given THIS SHEPHERD, this does not therefore mean the whole world is guided by JESUS and shall be saved. The Truth is you must take JESUS as your personal SHEPHERD. You must give up yourself to be led and guided by Him. This is taught by the small but powerful Word “my.” “The Lord is my Shepherd.” 3. The Third Truth is JESUS is an all-sufficient SHEPHERD. In many respects, these are cheap days. You go to the store and buy something. Once you've had it for awhile, you quickly learn it's not as good as it seemed. It's cheap. This is sometimes true of Salvation. People try different means of Salvation. But what is man-made is doomed for failure. But when it comes to JESUS, the soul has no cause for fear. It is not scary to trust in Him. Taking up JESUS as SHEPHERD is the safest thing you could ever do. For JESUS does not fail. JESUS cannot fail. Think about what the 23rd Psalm says. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” The old Word “want” is an ancient Word that intends the idea of lack. The Verse might as well read: “I shall not lack.” And why? Because when you take up JESUS as your Shepherd, He is all you need. He alone all by Himself is gloriously sufficient to bring your soul to Glory. For was there anyone there to help Him when He died for our sins? No. In Hebrews 1.3, the Apostle Paul said: “He by Himself purged our sins.” And if He did this Greater Work, surely He can do this comparatively smaller Work in bringing one soul into Eternal Life.

Before I conclude, I would like to apply to your circumstances the things I have spoken of today. During the 30 years I have had the pleasure to preach the Scripture in Care Facilities, there have always been those who now feel there is a mountain before them. They are pinched with infirmity. They feel that death is near. Well, you know what JESUS can do for the soul in a circumstance like this? I grant, Psalm 23 speaks sweetly of “green pastures” and “still waters.” Yet there is more. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” These Words hint by themselves that when JESUS is taken as SHEPHERD to bring the soul to Glory, He is such a SHEPHERD as that the soul will not lack even in “the valley of the shadow of death.” JESUS will be there. “For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” JESUS is a real SAVIOUR for a real world. When the darkness comes, JESUS can be completely trusted. When the soul takes its final step to leave this world, JESUS is well able to bear it on His shoulders and carry it Home. Amen.

Sermon II.

Question. But in what sense is JESUS a Shepherd?

THE FIRST WORDS in PSALM 23.1 are: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” In today's Sermon, I aim to consider in what sense JESUS is a Shepherd. To spell this out in your hearing, there are three things. I. The first sense in which the Scripture calls JESUS a Shepherd has to do with right and wrong. II. The second regards circumstances. III. The third and the primary sense concerns Salvation.

I. JESUS is a Shepherd in regard to right and wrong. In this world, sometimes the matter of right and wrong is complicated. There are times in which it is hard to find the way. Yet in this matter, JESUS has expressed the tenderest care. When JESUS was here, He spoke about right and wrong constantly. In John 6.39, JESUS showed what is right. JESUS said: “This is the Father's Will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” In John 7.21, JESUS warned against going the wrong way. JESUS said: “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but He that doeth the Will of my Father which is in heaven.” According to this division of right and wrong, the whole of Scripture is laid out. This was the continued emphasis of the Prophets and the Apostles. From which I deduce this useful Instruction. It is important to know right from wrong. If JESUS constantly spoke about right and wrong, this means, on our side, that it is important to know right from wrong. After the fall of mankind into sin, JESUS waited about 4,000 years before He came into the world. When He finally arrived and lived inside a very short Lifetime, He went straight to it. He frequently spoke about right and wrong. He encouraged the doing of right. He gave strong discouragement about doing wrong. If this is what JESUS said, then it is wisdom to learn right from wrong.

II. The second sense in which the Scripture calls JESUS a Shepherd regards the circumstances of life. In the Hebrew, the Word for “Shepherd” in Psalm 23.1 means “to tend to a flock.” Which does not take in the skimmings of a Shepherd; this approximates the real work of what a Shepherd does. A Shepherd tends to the flock. Concerning this Hebrew Word for “Shepherd,” I think it is commonly conceived that a Shepherd “tends to a flock” and specifically that he tends to a flock with particular respect to guidance. This is what JESUS does for those who trust in Him. In the circumstances of life, JESUS guides them along. In Matthew 17.24, when the taxes were due, JESUS told Peter to go afishing. Inside a fish, JESUS said Peter would find a piece of money. This money was sufficient to pay for the taxes. In Mark 4.39, when JESUS and the Disciples were in a ship during a deadly storm, the Disciples came to JESUS and asked Him to save them. He arose and calmed the storm. All from whence I infer this Instruction. In the circumstances of life, JESUS is a Shepherd. I just recited two Scriptures that plainly declare JESUS is a Shepherd in life's circumstances. This speaks to us that JESUS desires to be prayed to pertaining to the circumstances of life. Proverbs 3.6 says: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Yet some are sleepy. They think circumstances will go as they will, if they pray or not. There are others who keep their circumstances to themselves. They worry. They fret. Their cares reduce their spirits. But instead of all this, the best way is to bring your circumstances to JESUS. JESUS is a Shepherd Who can guide your affairs. I Peter 5.7 says: “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

III. The main sense in which the Scripture calls JESUS a Shepherd concerns the soul. Psalm 23 starts off with a symbol of a Shepherd. This Shepherd brings the sheep to the green pastures. The Shepherd leads the sheep beside the still waters. Then, suddenly, the Psalm ascends into the spiritual. “He restoreth my soul.” “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” All in all, when the Psalm is considered in its entirety, it appears that the whole thing speaks specially about JESUS as a Shepherd with respect to the soul. The Psalm says that JESUS can restore the soul from sin into Grace. “Goodness and mercy can follow you all the days of your life.” When this life is finished, JESUS can bring you to the House of THE LORD “forever.”

Perhaps someone will ask: “But how may I take JESUS to be the Shepherd of my soul?” Before I solve the question, I would address the process of seeking. The process of seeking is vital. If Salvation is prized, Salvation will be sought. If Salvation is not sought, Salvation will never be found. It has pleased THE LORD to tie Salvation to seeking. The Scripture says that those who seek it are those who find it. In Scripture, the people asked how to be saved six times. Mark 10.17, Luke 3.10-14, Acts 9.6, & Acts 16.30. Five of these six got through and were saved. Which is encouraging. For while many heard about Salvation and were not saved, by far the majority of those who sought Salvation found it.

But I now face the great question. How may I be saved? The Scripture says four things. 1. The confession of sin. No one can just slip into a relationship with GOD and put on as if all is well. This is not Salvation. This is pretending. The first real step toward Salvation is the confession of sin. For sin is where the human race has departed from GOD; and it is sin that must be dealt with first. I grant, GOD is inclined to forgive sin. But not even GOD will forgive sin without the confession of sin. It is the confession of sin that brings sin to GOD, GOD forgives, and GOD casts the sin into the depths of the sea. I John 1.9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” 2. Faith. JESUS joined Salvation to faith. John 3.36 says: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” In John 6.40, JESUS said: “This is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on Him may have everlasting life.” Nowhere does the Scripture say you are to trust in yourself. When the Scripture speaks of trusting in yourself, it protests against it in no uncertain terms. Jeremiah 17.5. But faith must be focused on JESUS. JESUS' Work takes away sin. JESUS' Person is able to bring the soul to Glory. 3. Prayer. The confession of sin and faith take place in Prayer. For Romans 10.13 says: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 4. A holy life. A holy life is a subsequent mark of Salvation. James 2.26 says this is what separates true from false faith. Hebrews 12.14 says that without holiness, no one shall see THE LORD.

From today's Sermon, take with you Four Instructions. 1. JESUS is a Shepherd. This is not just a sweet sentiment. One of the greatest Chapters in all of Scripture says so. Whatever men may think of JESUS, GOD says, the Truth is: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” 2. JESUS is a well-rounded Shepherd. Look at all that JESUS can do. He can guide you as to right and wrong. He can guide your circumstances. He can guide your soul. 3. In taking JESUS as a Shepherd, do not take JESUS in a way that satisfies you but in a way that satisfies GOD. Perhaps someone will say: “I'll take JESUS as Shepherd of my circumstances. But this thing of JESUS as a Shepherd of the soul, I care not for it.” Yet what does GOD think of this? Did He not give JESUS as a Shepherd of the soul too? And is not this the greatest way you need Him? 4. Specially take JESUS as THE SHEPHERD of your soul. The way to Glory is difficult. It requires the Wisdom of GOD. The way to Glory is dangerous. It requires the Power of GOD. Yet all this Wisdom and Power is present in the Person of JESUS. Which makes JESUS peculiarly suited to be THE SHEPHERD of the soul. Amen.

Sermon III.

The First Scriptural Comparison. In coming into the world and going out of the world, very often, singular care is experienced.

IN TODAY'S SERMON, I would seek to draw your minds to The Scripture's Comparisons Of Coming Into The World & Going Out Of The World. In this my first Sermon, there is one thing I would hold out to you. The Doctrine I would preach is in coming into the world and going out of the world, very often, singular care is experienced. In the consideration of this Doctrine, there are three things. I. What care is received coming into the world. II. What care is received going out. III. The Instructions that may be learned.

I. What care is received coming into the world. If I would correctly present the care that is received upon coming into the world, then I must say this care is not a meager care. This care does not skip across the surface of things. But this is a deep care. For this is a double care. As for coming into the world, first, there is a singular care showed by GOD. Psalm 139.14-18 goes far in describing some of this care. The Psalmist says: “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy Works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” In these Words, the Psalmist traces the singular care of GOD toward him back to the beginning. And where did this singular care begin? The Psalmist says that this singular care began before he was born. He says that even when he was in the womb, GOD cared for him. He says: “My substance was not hid from Thee.” “I was made in secret.” “I was curiously wrought in the lowest parts.” “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written.” At the same time, the care that is received upon coming into the world includes man. Man, too, often joins in with GOD and gives singular care. When John the Baptist was born, Luke 1.14 says there was rejoicing at his birth. And was this not true of many of us? When we were born, we entered into circles where there was rejoicing about us. We were desired. Our Parents were hoping to have us. Singular care was given to us by family and friends. In these days, we were fed, cleaned, dressed, and tenderly cared for.

II. What care is received going out of the world. At birth, all is new. We never lived life before. But at old age, things are different. By this time, we have lived life. We frequently come from a large experience. And there is usually this. Just before going out of the world, in the process of time, in one form or another, some infirmity comes to us. We might not be able to think like we used to. We might not be able to live like we used to. There is new pain and difficulty. All which, in a sense, at least to some degree, returns us to something not entirely unlike the beginning. Once more, we stand in need of care. And look what GOD does for not a few of us. Psalm 41.3 says: “The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.” These Words provide a surprise for some. For in terms of sickness, some can only think of healing. If GOD is going to do something for a man in sickness, their idea is that GOD must heal him. But look well into these Words. The Words do not say: “The Lord will bring him out of the bed of languishing.” The Words say: “The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing.” The idea in the Words is that THE LORD will care and help the man to go through his sickness. And the Verse continues. This second part of the Verse does not say: “The Lord will take him off the bed of sickness.” The Words read: “The Lord will make all his bed in his sickness.” The idea portrays a tender nurse, who takes care of a patient during his sickness and makes his bed. This is what THE LORD says He will do. Which casts some reflection on what GOD does for a great many during their old age and weakness. In a time when they come into a serious need of care, THE LORD sees this need, comes along, and takes care of them. He sends spouses, sisters, brothers, children, or friends to assist them in different ways. Sometimes, doctors, nurses, and care-attendants are right there, get involved, and give them help.

III. The Instructions. From today's Sermon, there are Three Instructions. 1. The First Instruction is do not live as if you have been uncared for. When trouble comes, it sometimes comes like an earthquake. It shakes our world. It shakes our minds. So that it is not hard to turn aside into dark thoughts and think no one who cares. But, Friends, the Scriptures I preached from today are not my words. They are GOD'S Words. It shines through the Words I read to you that GOD has cared for you and man has cared from you too. You have received double Blessings. Therefore do not live as if you have been uncared for. It's not the Truth. The Truth is that none of us would be here today, if we had not been cared for. 2. The Second Instruction: We have been cared for when we needed it the most. Suppose we came into the world on our own, could care for ourselves right at the start, were completely rich, and completely healthy. We could say to our Friends: “Thank you kindly, but I can take care of myself.” Yet in today's Sermon, I spoke of two very specific times in our lives when our needs were the greatest. We were either cared for or we died. And look what happened. When we were born and could not care for ourselves, GOD was there. Man was there. Then when we begin to go out of the world, we cannot care for ourselves like we used to. Yet in the times of deepest need, GOD often sends His Greatest Care. 3. The Third Instruction: What this says about GOD. Is it true that we have been so cared for as we have lived? Then does not this say something about GOD? It certainly says something about Satan. Satan brings you to places, deserts you, and laughs. Is not this what Satan did to Eve? In Genesis 3, Satan told Eve that if she ate of the forbidden fruit, she would be as gods. But when poor Eve partook of the forbidden fruit, she quickly found out that she did not become any god. She became a sinner. But GOD is not like that. GOD does not bring you to places and desert you. For look. In today's Sermon, I showed from the Scripture today that at two times in your lives when you needed care the most, here GOD comes right on time with unfailing Care. And, Friends, if GOD so cares, will He turn His back on the needs of the soul? I mean, if GOD saw you there in your two hardest times, provided for you, and took care of you, does He sit by as He hears the whispers of your soul when you feel guilt, thirst for Forgiveness, want to be at Peace with Him, have a desire to obey Him, and desire to go to Eternal Life when all is done? I do not stretch the Truth when I say, what GOD has done for your soul is far greater than what He has done for your body. Springing up high out of GOD'S unfailing Care, GOD sent JESUS. JESUS died for your sins. So that when you come to Him and trust in Him, He brings you into GOD'S Favor. Amen.

Sermon IV.

The Second Scriptural Comparison. In coming into the world and going out of the world, GOD is sovereign.

IN THE SCRIPTURE, when you look into those Verses having to do with coming into the world and going out of the world, one Truth that stands tall among the Words is Absolute Sovereignty. The Truth learned is that GOD is sovereign among all His creatures and all their actions. To lay out this impressive Truth before you today, there are two things. I. How GOD is sovereign as it relates to our coming into the world. II. How GOD is sovereign in our going out.

I. How GOD is sovereign as it relates to our coming into the world. In regard to GOD'S Sovereignty in our coming into the world, Ecclesiastes 3.1 says: “To every thing there is a season.” As the Words go on, it becomes plain that these Words are not to be taken in a very general and therefore in a very vague sense. But these Words specifically point straight toward the different stages and aspects of human life. So that it is as if the Words read: “To every thing there is a season.” That is to say, human life consists of different seasons. Just as there is a Springtime or a Falltime in the world, just so there are similar seasons when it comes to us. In Verse 2, the first season in human life that King Solomon mentions is the first season we experience. The King says: “To every thing there is a season. A time to be born.” Which strikes deep thought. The Words show that when we came into the world, our Parents were not just there thinking of us with a new crib and a freshly painted room, but GOD was there thinking about us and caring for us. GOD created us. GOD created this season. In John 16.21, JESUS said that when a woman is in travail, “her hour” is come.” That is, the appointed time of birth arrives. In Psalm 22.9, when JESUS thought of His own Birth, He thought along these same lines. For JESUS there says: “Thou art He that took me out of the womb.”

II. How GOD is sovereign upon our going out of the world. As for GOD'S Sovereignty pertaining to our going out of the world, I have observed down through the years that this is a common belief. As I have visited the Care Facilities, I have met a long list of people who have often alluded to the Fact that they firmly believed GOD was in charge as to when they die. Nor should this be looked upon as a mere “common belief.” This Belief deserves faith. In the Scripture, GOD Himself has spelled out this Truth in clear characters. In Ecclesiastes 3.1,2, GOD says: “To every thing there is a season. A time to be born, and a time to die.” When JESUS was here, He, too, referred to the Fact that He believed the hour of His Death was arranged by GOD. In John 12.27, the night before He died, JESUS said: “Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.” Which puts in front of us the mind of JESUS. In JESUS' mind, He thought that His Death was “this hour.” It's the Phrase He called it. Which spoke that JESUS was convinced that His going out of the world was an event planned by GOD. GOD had already fixed that hour. And as for us, Hebrews 9.27 could not be clearer. The Verse puts the matter beyond all doubt. The Words read: “It is appointed unto men once to die.”

From today's Sermon, there are Five Instructions. 1. The First Instruction is GOD is a Sovereign GOD. That is to say, GOD is high. He is above all. Isaiah 40.22 says that He sits upon the circle of the earth. He rules among the affairs of men. This is the very view of GOD that JESUS taught us to think. And if you yourself would not dare create and concoct GOD to be what you want Him to be—if you believe GOD just the way He is—then you must believe that GOD is and that He lives as a GREAT SOVEREIGN GOD Who brings every soul into and out of the world as it pleases Him. 2. The Second Instruction: Your Life is the Gift of GOD. If it is GOD Who brought you into this world and one day will bring you out, then it therefore follows that your life is GOD'S Gift. Your life is more GOD'S than it is yours. Your life is more GOD'S than it is your Parents. You live on His time. The Scriptural Expressions are precious. In Psalm 66.9, the Psalmist said that GOD “holds our soul in life.” Daniel 5.23 says that our “breath” is in His hands. As you go through life, seek to live in the sweet sense of these things. This is the way it is. Your life is not yours. Your life is His. He holds your soul in life. Your breath is in His hands. 3. The Third Instruction: It is a sensible thing that you give yourself to GOD. Down through the years, I have met a large number of people in the Care Facilities who built their own houses. They were married. They built their houses. They raised their children in their houses. They themselves lived in them. Now what do you expect a house to do for you after you build or buy it? You expect your house to be yours. And is GOD a GREAT SOVEREIGN GOD? Did He bring you into this world? Has He planned the hour when you will leave? Then why would GOD do all this? Our godly Puritan Fathers believed that “man's chief end is to glorify GOD and to enjoy Him forever.” This is why. GOD wants you to be His. Which makes it a very sensible thing, it is not asking too much, that you give yourself to GOD. Romans 12.1,2. 4. The Fourth Instruction: Your life is not the product of chance. Years ago, in our Country, everywhere you went you met with GOD. You went to school, and you met GOD. You went Home, and you met GOD. You went to Church, and you met GOD. There were words and reflections about GOD almost everywhere you went. But sometimes in the world today, there is a way of thinking that is completely secular. A real part of this way of thinking is that you are not special. You are the product of chance. They would have you to think that this world was not created; there was “a big bang.” Your birth is not anything to talk of; it's all scientific. But might I say a word? Look at what Hebrews 12.9 calls GOD. The Verse calls Him “the Father of spirits.” I grant, mankind consists of flesh and blood. But, still, there is something about mankind that is more than flesh and blood. Mankind has a spirit or a soul. And where did the soul come from? While GOD created you in the womb, while your feet, toes, legs, hips, stomach, chest, hands, arms, and head were formed, it is correct to conceive that GOD breathed into this little body (just like He did Adam) the gift of the soul. This is where the soul came from. The soul came from GOD. 5. The Fifth Instruction: Death should be taken seriously. There are somethings in life that you must respect. If you do not respect them, you can harm yourself. You must take fire seriously. You must take cold seriously. And why not take death seriously, since it will be the hour when your soul will leave this world? The most serious thing you will ever do is die. In that hour, GOD Himself takes the soul out of the world. Just as GOD then takes the soul out of the world, the soul is thereby immediately summoned to Him to give an account. This is why it is only right to take death seriously. And besides this, when JESUS was here, He spoke about Death as His hour. JESUS kept His Death in mind. And should not you? You are going to need a SAVIOUR one day. Today, JESUS invites you to Himself. In Matthew 11.28, JESUS says: “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” When the floor of life is suddenly pulled out from under you, you can be found standing on THE ROCK OF AGES. Amen.

Sermon V.

The Third Scriptural Comparison. In coming into the world and going out of the world, the day of death is better than the day of birth.

I INVITE YOU today to consider The Scripture's Comparisons Of Coming Into The Word & Going Out. In today's Sermon, I've prepared four things for you. I. Two important comparisons. II. One extraordinary comparison. III. Something to be learned. IV. The question answered.

I. Two important comparisons. In the Scripture, GOD does not make one comparison concerning coming in and going out of the world. GOD speaks several. Among the Scriptural comparisons, there are these two. 1. The first comparison is that in coming into and going out of the world, GOD speaks that we receive singular care. Some of the greatest care we experience in our lives takes place during these times. This comparison is laid before us in Psalm 139.14-18, Luke 1.14, Psalm 41.3, & John 19.26,27. 2. The second comparison is that in coming into and going out of the world, GOD says that He is sovereign. He is in control. It is GOD Who brings us into the world. It is GOD one day Who will bring us out. This comparison is found in Ecclesiastes 3.1,2, John 16.21, Psalm 22.9, John 12.27, & Hebrews 9.27.

II. One extraordinary comparison. Yet among the Scriptural comparisons of coming into and going out of the world, there is one comparison that might be correctly said to be extraordinary. This comparison is Ecclesiastes 7.1. The Words read: “The day of death is better than the day of one's birth.” This comparison is not extraordinary because the other comparisons are not important. GOD spoke them too. But this comparison is truly extraordinary in the sense that GOD so spoke this comparison as that He Himself made it stand out from the rest. First: It stands alone. The other comparisons have a troop of Scriptures supporting them. This extraordinary comparison is by itself. The comparison is only spoken one time in Scripture. Second: This comparison is further extraordinary in that it is spoken with striking language. Look at how the extraordinary comparison is spoken. The extraordinary comparison speaks of “the day of one's birth.” Which we often think about and celebrate. It goes on to speak of “the day of death.” Which tends to be a gloomy thought for many. Then it makes this stunning remark. “The day of death is better than the day of one's birth.”

III. Something to be learned. Before I proceed, I judge it to be suitable here to somewhat pause in the Sermon and speak an Instruction. For it is right here in these considerations where there appears a valuable Instruction. The valuable Instruction is see the fashion in which GOD speaks in the Scripture. All speakers have their own styles. Great speakers have great styles. Yet there is none who speaks like GOD. GOD is incomparable. In today's Sermon, I showed that in the Scripture, GOD speaks several comparisons concerning our coming into and our going out of the world. For one thing, He shows that as we come into the world and go out, very often, we experience singular care. And again: GOD says that He is sovereign in these events. And yet again: GOD speaks distinctly that the day of death is better than the day of birth. When the way in which GOD spoke these Scriptures is weighed, it becomes apparent that GOD has much to say about the singular care and His own Sovereignty. He speaks Verse upon Verse. Yet in the matter of the day of death and the day of birth, the Scripture I spoke from today is the only place where GOD speaks such a short comparison. These things demonstrate the fashion in which GOD speaks. On some points, GOD has much to say. He even repeats Himself. But there are instances in which GOD says something only once or twice; and yet He says them in such a way as that they are instantly impressive and tend to stick in the heart. This is how GOD frequently speaks to us in His Word. And if we would do well, it is our wisdom not confine GOD to how we want Him to speak; but we should let Him speak in the way He thinks best. There is no speaker like GOD.

IV. The question answered. But our sharp extraordinary comparison has a real implied question in it. The question is if the day of death is better than the day of birth, how is this so? There are two things I would say today. 1. The first is GOD said the Words. This begins to solve the question. If Satan said the Words, he would be up to something. If man said the Words, sometimes he is true and sometimes he is false. But when GOD says Words, they are true and faithful. There is no doubt about what GOD says. Titus 1.2 says: “God cannot lie.” And the Words I read to you today were from the Scripture. Down through the years, it has been the constant belief of Christians that the Scripture is the Word of GOD. Which has in it that GOD spoke the Words and the Words are true. And mark the reflection GOD makes in the Words. The Words import that as GOD sits on His Throne and considers human life—as He particularly compares our coming into the world and our going out—GOD says: “The day of death is better than the day of one's birth.” 2. Yet it finally depends on where you are going. In this extraordinary comparison, when you keep reading the Chapter, things become clear. The Context specifically speaks about the godly. In Verse 1, the Verse says that the people here spoken of have “a good name” and character. In Verse 2, it is said that there are times these people go into “the house of morning.” Yet in the end, they are not harmed by it. It works for their good. Romans 8.28. Therefore when the Verse says that “the day of death is better than the day of one's birth,” the Words expressly refer to the godly. Which ought to inspire us to make it our business to be godly and to enter into Eternal Life. For there is reward in following GOD. GOD will not forget those who obey Him. Those who tenderly walk with GOD in this life, GOD will make the day of their death better than the day of their birth and bring them to the happy shores of Eternal Life. In conclusion, just the other day, I spoke with a sharp Gentleman in a Care Facility who was explaining to me the difficulties he is experiencing in old age. He said that when he was young, he had all these things he looked forward to. He looked forward to growing up, driving a car, going to college, starting a job, and having a wife. But now, he said, he does not have anything substantial to look forward to. And yet do you remember the Story of the dying thief? At the Cross, in Luke 23.42,43, the dying thief turned to the dying SAVIOUR JESUS and said: “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” Look at what the dying thief had to look forward to. Here he was on “the day of death.” Yet he had the Hope of Eternal Life. It was right in front of him. In less than a day, he would be there. JESUS said: “Today.” This points toward the Glory of JESUS. JESUS on purpose took what we tend to fear the most; in I Corinthians 15.26, the Apostle Paul calls it “the last enemy;” I say, JESUS took death and transformed it into the door of Eternal Life. So that Cloudless Glory now waits for the Christian. Hebrews 6.19 says this “Hope” is “an anchor of the soul.” Amen.

Sermon VI.

The Fourth Scriptural Comparison. In coming into the world and going out of the world, there is weakness.

IN THE SCRIPTURE, GOD routinely speaks comparisons of our coming into the world and going out. In today's Sermon, I would like to show from Scripture that it has pleased GOD that in coming into the world and going out, it is common that we are weak. In the consideration of this comparison, there are three things. I. The uniqueness of this comparison. II. The Scriptures that speak this comparison. III. The question as to why.

I begin. I. The uniqueness of this Scriptural comparison. There are two things that make this comparison unique. The first is the Fact that this comparison is in the Scripture, as I shall soon show. GOD Himself has spoken this comparison. This above all sets apart this comparison and makes it unique. Therefore if we dare to think of these things, GOD is likely to meet us and do good to our souls. The second is the Fact that not a few people in the Care Facilities have spoken about it. In the first years of my work in the Care Facilities, I remember a number of people who spoke of this. In these more recent years, remarks along these lines are still spoken. Through all these thirty years, as I have had the pleasure of informally talking with the people in the Care Facilities, I have observed that a sizable amount of them have been frequently and keenly aware that, comparatively, they have come into a new stage of their lives which involves some sort of physical weakness and that this new state is astonishingly similar to the first years of their lives. And if I might say in passing, that its in these things, you see something of the honesty of the people in the Care Facilities. They tend not to play games. At this point in life, they have not the time to pretend as if everything is “peaches and cream.” With courage, I have observed many of them face up the realities of old age. And where this feature has existed, my Chaplain Services have flourished.

II. The Scriptures that speak this comparison. I would particularly speak of two Scriptures. The first is Job 1.21. In Job 1.21, Job said: “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither.” The Hebrew Word for “naked” in this Verse comes from a Hebrew root that means “to make bear.” The idea is that we come into the world and go out bare and unclothed. The second Scripture is I Timothy 6.7. In I Timothy 6.7, the Apostle Paul said: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” In this world, during our more extended trips, we tend to pack first. We pack up some clothes. We include the things we think we will need. We bring them to the place we are going to. Yet the Apostle says that in our more serious trip of going out of the world, this cannot be done. We cannot carry one thing with us. Before I leave this point, I would say two things about these two Scriptures. 1. The contrast. In the two Scriptures, there is an obvious contrast. Job fixes our minds on our bodies. He says that naked we come into the world, and we will go out the same way. The Apostle Paul fixes our minds on our things. During our lifetimes, we usually acquire certain material things. We worked for them. Some of them have considerable material value. Yet all these things, the Apostle says, must be left behind when we go. In both of these Scriptures—when Job refers to our bodies and the Apostle refers to our things—there is present an idea of weakness. The bare body brings us face to face with how weak we are. This idea that we cannot take anything when we go shows a further aspect of weakness. 2. The second thing is that these two Scriptures are both well-known and oft-quoted. In my work in the Care Facilities, I have conducted many funerals. I have observed in the funerals that among the informal conversations of the people attending, it is not odd or strange that one or both of these Scriptures are quoted. So that there is a real sense in which that GOD has not only written these Words in the Scripture, but He has inwardly moved a great deal of people to be aware of these reflections in the privacy of their thoughts.

III. The question. Yet all these things raise a question. The question is why would GOD allow us to be weak when we come into the world and go out? This is a question that I have often reflected upon. I have consulted the Scripture about this question. There have been occasions when I have been asked the question. In the answer of the question, I see much of the Goodness of GOD in this thing. Here, when we come into the world, we are weak. We don't really don't know it at the time. The state of need is all we knew. We must be fed, clothed, and cleaned. Our very lives then hang on the care we are given. Then it is no rare occurrence in this world, that just before very many of us go out, we come into a stage of weakness again. This weakness is not like the weaknesses we felt throughout our lives. This weakness is singular. It will not leave. It comes to stay. It alters the very manner of life. Yet as we go through weakness this time, we know it. In Fact, I would have you to think of this peculiar circumstance. Here you are after you have lived life. You may have acquired achievements. You gathered some wisdom. And yet in this accomplished and wise state (the best part of your lives, from one point of view), there is the need of increased care.

I doubt not that one intention of GOD in these things is to bring us close to Himself. In these days, THE LORD “softly and tenderly” calls out to us. In the Scripture, we read the Gospel. Yet specially in this final weakness, just before we leave, we see a striking symbol of the Gospel in our bodies. For just as we are now physically weak, just so are we spiritually weak. Romans 5.6 says: “For when we were yet without strength.” Yet may I speak of the great things JESUS did for us “when we were without strength?” The Verse goes on to say: “When we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the godly.” Which speaks that when we were spiritually weak—when we had sinned, come short of the Glory of GOD, and had no strength to return—CHRIST died for us. And just as during our second weakness we largely depend on the care of another, just so when it comes to the Salvation of our souls, we must entirely look to and depend upon the meritorious Doing and Dying of JESUS for the full discharge of the guilt of our sins. When death comes for us, no man can walk to Glory on his own. I Kings 19.7 says: “The journey is too great for thee.” Which is to say, we are too weak. But JESUS is THE SHEPHERD. He laid down His Life for us to bring our souls back to GOD. If you climb up on His strong shoulders, put no trust in yourself, but in His Divine Grace and Strength, JESUS is well able to carry you to Glory. In John 6.39&40, JESUS says: “This is the Father's Will.” Is it truly “this?” He said it is. You can believe it. JESUS says: “This is the Father's Will which hath sent Me, that every one (even old, weak people!) which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life; and I shall lose none; but I will raise him up at the last day.” Amen.

Sermon VII.

The Character Of JESUS.

IN TODAY'S SERMON, I come to finish my Sermons to you respecting Scriptural Comparisons About Coming Into The World & Going Out. In this my last Sermon, it seems fitting to conclude with The Character Of JESUS. Through the course of the Sermon, I plan to speak of three things. I. Who JESUS is. II. What JESUS did. III. There is no one in history who was like this or who did these things.

I. Who JESUS is. As for Who JESUS is, the Scripture has much to say. John 5.39 says that Who JESUS is key part of the Scripture's central theme. In the Old Testament, JESUS is spoken of as THE MESSIAH Who was yet to come. He was the Prophet, the Priest, the King, the Lamb, and the Sacrifice. In the New Testament, JESUS is given the most exalted Names. He is the Light of the world, the Bread of Life, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Yet in today's Sermon, I would seek to get to the root of the matter. How could JESUS bear such illustrious Names as THE MESSIAH Who was to come and the Light of the world? The only way JESUS could be one of these or all of these at once is because of His Divine Person. In a Word, JESUS is GOD. Since JESUS is GOD, GOD calls Him in Scripture a long list of the most sublime Names. And if you read the old Hymns (or is it the best Hymns?), they say this. If you read the old Creeds and Confessions, they say this. In the Scripture, you read this Truth in the clearest and in the dearest terms. Yea, the old Hymns, Creeds, and Confessions borrowed their Light from the Scripture. For the Scripture delightfully, plentifully, and variously declares the Deity of JESUS. If the Scripture is simply read and taken as the Words are, this is the only conclusion that may be reached respecting the Person of JESUS. John 1.1 says: “The Word [that is, Jesus] was God.” Hebrews 1.8 says: “But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever.” In John 20.28, when the Apostle Thomas saw JESUS when JESUS rose again from the dead, his first Words were: “My Lord and my God.” In Titus 2.13, the Apostle Paul concisely and conclusively calls JESUS “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

II. What JESUS did. As to what JESUS did, the Scripture flows with a vast abundance. John 21.25 says: “There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” In the Scripture, it is said that JESUS was Virgin Born. He healed the sick with a Word. He called Disciples who followed Him to the death. He raised the dead from the grave. He was Sinless in His deportment. He rose again from the dead on the third day. Yet there is one thing JESUS did concerning which the Scripture specially speaks. John 12.27 & I Timothy 1.15 says it is the main reason He came into the world. This Truth is although JESUS did Good Works like no one else did and all the Books could not relate all that He did, I Corinthians 15.3 says that the Principal Work of JESUS' Life was to die for our sins according to the Scriptures. Which is to say, that a leading theme of Scripture—that which GOD speaks about again and again, in different degrees of speaking—is JESUS “died for our sins.” Therefore this is the Grandest Accomplishment of JESUS' Life. In His Death, JESUS demolished death. He opened up the Way to GOD. In John 14.6, JESUS said: “I am the Way; no man cometh to the Father but by Me.” I Peter 1.12 says that the Angels “desire” to look into these things. Yet Hebrews 2.14 says that this Work chiefly was meant for the benefit of those in this world who trust in Him. In Revelation 1.5, this is the Subject that Christians sing in Heaven.

III. There is no one in history who was like this or who did these things. With respect to there is no one in history who was like this, John 5.18 says JESUS claimed to be GOD. Acts 1.3 says that JESUS gave “many infallible proofs.” Which is to say, for one thing, that JESUS verified His claims with deeds that had in them the Power of GOD. There is no one who walked on the stage of time in such steps. Nor was there anyone who did the Works that JESUS did. John 15.24 explicitly says that JESUS did the Works that no other man had ever done. All of which singles out JESUS. It puts Him in a class of His Own. Song of Solomon 5.10 says: “He is the chiefest among ten thousand.” Song of Solomon 5.16 says: “He is altogether lovely.” Psalm 86.8 says “there is none like unto Him.”

In conclusion, in the application of JESUS' Person and Works to the good of your souls, the use I would make of these Truths today is not only say that JESUS may be trusted; but JESUS may be trusted with complete confidence. JESUS may be safely, entirely, and on all occasions looked to as SAVIOUR. For if it is really true that JESUS' Person is GOD—that JESUS' Works had in them the Uncreated Power of GOD—then it certainly follows that JESUS has such a bright, sincere, golden, dependable, and unfailing Character as that He may be joyfully believed in. For His Person and Work not only woo and win faith, but create, strengthen, and give faith the strongest foundation.

I remember today a Lady who formerly resided in one of the Care Facilities. She is not with us anymore. She is gone. But I think of her still. In the Care Facility where she lived, in those days, my Son and I conducted Church Services there from Sunday to Sunday. As this Lady came and went from Church, I observed she always had something in her hands. On into her attendance, one day this Lady came early. I spoke with her more extensively. I said: “It's been nice having you for the Church Services. I appreciate the spirit with which you have come. As you have attended, I have observed that you always have something in your hands.” She started quietly crying. She said: “I carry this photo of my Parents. When they were here, I did not appreciate them. I rebelled. But now that they are gone, I repent. I'm sorry for the way I treated them. I now see what good and wise Parents they were.” And, Friends, as this Lady finally treasured the gift of her Parents, might we not treasure the more superlative Gift of JESUS? In Matthew 4.17, JESUS preached that there should be repentance of sin. Should His Voice not be heard? Repenting of sin is the only good thing you can do with sin. It might be years ago, some did rebel. They did not care for JESUS. But now in new circumstances, concern has been raised. Desire has been stirred. If this is your case, I would say to you that as long as you are in this world, it's a good time to turn to JESUS. In John 6.47, JESUS said that if you believe in Him, He will give Eternal Life. Is this not dear? It is more than is deserved. And should He not be believed in? Is it really that hard? I have met some who have said it is a fearful thing to trust in JESUS. And I grant, you do take a chance when you trust someone as your SAVIOUR. But this is the best reason to trust in JESUS. For I showed in your hearing today that JESUS Himself is GOD. The Works JESUS did no one has done before or since. All which speaks that the Character of JESUS is sound, unshakable, and can hold the full weight of your soul. The hardest part has been done. JESUS did it. You have but to come, read His Word, see Who He is, what He did, and find your rest in Him. Amen.