Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, August 04, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
A STEP BETWEEN ME AND DEATH
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 20:1-3
Text: 1 Samuel 20:3
1 Samuel 20:3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
Introduction: Jonathan did not know what David knew. David knew that his life was in danger. He knew that Saul could have him killed at any moment. If David had been slain, David would have been prepared, but his friend Jonathan would have been shocked.
There have been a number of sad, sudden deaths in the news recently. On September 11 of last year, thousands were killed by Islamic terrorists who attacked our country. Those people who went to work that day had no idea that they were only a step away from death.
I want us to think on David’s statement, “there is but a step between me and death.”
I. IT IS A SURE STEP
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
A. We need to be reminded of this
- We don’t like to be faced with death, but we really need to be reminded, because IT IS A FACT.
B. We need to be ready for this
- Most people die unprepared!
II. IT IS A SHORT STEP
Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
Life is brief! It is like
A. A flower that fades
B. A fume or vapor
C. A fast runner
D. A flickering flame
E. A fading wind and breeze
III. IT IS A SUDDEN STEP
Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
The rich man’s dreams were interrupted suddenly!
Death can stop you
A. In the middle of a conversation
- Herod – speaking to a crowd in a proud moment
B. In the middle of childbirth
- Rachel
C. In the middle of a church service
- Ananias and Sapphira – lied about their giving
D. In the middle of captivity
- Samson
E. In the middle of conflict
- Saul and Jonathan
- David actually outlived Jonathan by many years. Jonathan’s step was nearer than either of them thought
IV. IT IS A SOLEMN STEP
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
A. It is a step toward Jesus
B. It is a step toward judgment The next big event after death is the judgment!
- For the saved, it is the Judgment Seat of Christ
- For the lost, it is the Great White Throne Judgment
For the child of God, it CAN be:
V. A SWEET STEP
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.