One Thing

I’m curious if there is a particular theme that God has put on your heart for 2022. Of course, God can impress us at any time and for any period or season of time he deems fit. … read more

No Kenosis, No Christmas

As Christmas approaches, I have been enjoying Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, God in the Manger. Bonhoeffer was a leader in Germany’s Confessing Church, believers who stood in opposition to Hitler and his policies. He was eventually imprisoned and was executed mere weeks before the Allied troops overtook and defeated the Nazis to end WWII in Europe. … read more

When Christmas Put a War on Hold

A pastor friend just contacted me and let me know he was going to be sharing some thoughts on a few of the Christmas Carols in their Sunday service and asked if I had any thoughts. My heart was immediately gladdened because many of the songs about Christ’s birth carry such rich and profound meaning. … read more

Who Are “the Lapsed” and Why Do They Matter?

In the early centuries of the church, those who denied their faith in times of persecution were said to have “lapsed.” Those who persevered in their faith and refused to recant or to compromise were called “confessors.” In other words, they truly held fast the confession of their faith despite imprisonment and torture, sometimes unto death. … read more

Prophecies for 2022?

Every time January rolls around, countless prophecies from every corner are given about what God is going to do and about what Christians should expect in the New Year. … read more

Seven Questions Every Potential Servant of God Should Ask

Here are seven questions each of us can ask ourselves to help us begin serving God and working more effectively for Him. … read more

What Child is This?

Of all the people who know that Christmas marks the birthday of Jesus Christ, I wonder how many of them know—I mean, really know—who Jesus actually is. … read more

Medicine and Miracles

This is Andrew’s story… his testimony about his journey through some serious mental health challenges and substance abuse issues. We hear a lot about “mental health” these days, and we are proud of our son for wanting to share his journey. Andrew is preparing to receive training in peer support to better help others struggling with some of life’s great challenges. … read more

Developing a Lay Ministry Team in Your Church

We often hear talk about the need to enlist others for ministry, to raise up leaders, to delegate, etc. I was just at John Nuzzo’s church (Victory Family Church) in Cranberry Township, PA, and saw these principles being implemented tremendously well. … read more

The Real Saint Nicholas

Those in the USA know all about Santa Claus… North Pole, Reindeer, Chimneys, Gifts, Jolly, etc. But way behind all of the myth and lore, there really was a Saint Nicholas. … read more

Do the Seven Churches Represent Seven “Ages” of the Church?

The question I receive most frequently about the Seven Churches of Revelation is this: Do the Seven Churches Represent Seven “Ages” of the Church? If so, what age of the church are we in now?  … read more

Visiting D.L. Moody Sites in Massachusetts

I was recently privileged to minister in Seekonk, MA, and Lisa and I were able to visit some of the historic sites in Boston on the Saturday prior (thank you Pastor John and Anita Pfeffer).… read more

Support Resources for Hurting People

I recently attended a breakfast for Tulsa area ministers hosted by a local Psychiatric clinic and hospital. The presentation that morning was done by Tim Peterson, an outstanding brother who has deep Christian roots and excellent professional training. … read more

Four Punctuation Marks and a Funeral

Note: This message is somewhat designed for the passing of a non-elderly believer but can be modified for other situations.

You might think it strange that we would be talking about punctuation marks at a time like this, but the four symbols you see on the screen actually represent the four points of my message today.

  1. The first symbol you see is a QUESTION MARK (?)
    I am leading with this because people have questions when they are confronted with death.

    The reality is that we live in a fallen world, and we ultimately must recognize that (a) life is full of challenges and that (b) we don’t understand everything.
     
    It can be challenging sometimes to navigate the paradox that (a) life throws all kinds of crazy, unexpected things our way, (b) but that God is still Good!
     
    I would never tell you not to ask questions at a time like this… people are curious about life, death, and eternity.

    I would encourage you to look to God’s Word, and the wonderful things it teaches us about God’s love and His amazing plan for our lives.
     
    Yet, among the great things the Bible teaches is this statement: “We know in part and we prophesy in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9 NKJV).
     
    We don’t know everything.
     
    Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV)
    29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
     
    Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)
    5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
    And lean not on your own understanding…
     
    Sometimes faith means acknowledging that we don’t know everything and then moving beyond the question marks.
     
    2. The Second Symbol is a Period (.) 
    A period marks the end of a sentence. That phrase is complete—it is over.
     
    Some people look at death that way. That death speaks of finality. Just like a sentence comes to an end (with a period), so death puts an end to a person’s life.
     
    In a very limited sense that is true, but only in the sense of a person’s life on this earth.
     
    In terms of ultimate reality—in terms of the big picture—death is not really a termination, but a transition.
     
    That’s why I like this third symbol better.
     
    3. The Third Symbol is a Comma (,) 
    A comma says this sentence is not over… there is a slight pause, a bit of a break, but the sentence is not over. There is more to come.
     
    Examples:
     
  1. We understand that ______________’s earthly life has ended, (comma) but ______________ will live on for eternity.

 
For the Christian, it is not a mere cliché when we say of the departed, “They are in a better place.”
 

  1. Those who loved ________________ will miss him/her deeply, (comma) but those who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will see _______________ again

 
The comma means the sentence is not yet finished.
 
Right before Jesus proclaimed that He was the way, the truth, and the life, He said:
 
John 14:1-3 (NKJV)
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
 
Beyond our lives here, and beyond the comma, there is another part of the sentence. Jesus really has prepared a place for us.
 
One final punctuation mark, and this is what we really believe for _________________.
 
4. The Fourth and Final Symbol is an Exclamation Point (!) 
An exclamation point is something you include when you really want to emphasize something.
 
If you wrote a friend telling them you had been given a million dollars, you would probably end that sentence with an exclamation point.
 
Though the Greek of the New Testament did not utilize exclamation points (or other punctuation marks), I think the following types of statements could merit bold emphasis in our language today:
 
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)
8 …to be absent from the body… [is] …to be present with the Lord.
 
Philippians 1:23 (NKJV)
23 …to depart and be with Christ… is far better.
 
Revelation 1:18 (NKJV)
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.
 
John 14:19 (NKJV)
Because I live, you will live also.
 
These can all be read with the exclamation of faith!
 
Dwight L. Moody said, “Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of Northfield is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone higher, that is all — out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that sin cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned into His glorious body. I was born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever.”
 
A few hours before entering the ‘Homeland,’ Dwight L. Moody caught a glimpse of the glory awaiting him. Awakening from sleep, he said “Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.” His son was standing by his bedside and said, “No, no, father, you are dreaming.” “No,” said Mr. Moody, “I am not dreaming. I have been within the gates. I have seen the children’s faces.” A short time elapsed…and he spoke again, “This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!”
 
Conclusion: 
I hope you’ll remember…
 
(Question Mark) It’s OK to have questions, and it’s OK not to know everything. We can trust God anyway.
 
(Period) Death may be the end of our earthly life, but that’s not the full picture. There is more to life than our earthly existence.
 
(Comma) Death is more of a transition than it is a termination. There is more to come…
 
(Exclamation Point) When our faith is in the Lord, there can be a joyous declaration that life is greater than death and the hope is greater than despair.

Não Sejamos Pedras de Tropeço

Anos atrás, recebi uma ligação de uma enfermeira de uma escola primária local. Ela me pedia ajuda com relação a uma determinada situação. Quando perguntados a respeito do médico que cuidava da família, os pais de um aluno novato preencheram “Doutor Jesus” no formulário. … read more

Harshness in the Pulpit?

Here is a question for every minister to consider: How does a minister operate in boldness and authority without being harsh or abusive? How does a pastor balance being a strong leader and still walking in love toward the flock?… read more

When Worldviews Collide

When I attended my first few years of university in Indiana, my faith was not shaken when some professors made certain denigrating statements toward the Bible as God’s word, but I was concerned about other impressionable students who may have been weak or shallow in their faith.… read more

When Yonggi Cho met Kenneth Hagin

As you have likely heard, David Yonggi Cho, pastor emeritus of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea, passed away just a few days ago (September 14, 2021). The church Cho pastored was frequently referred to as the largest in the world, and at its peak in 2007, had a membership of 800,000 people. … read more

Our People Die Well

Charles Wesley wrote his brother, John, and related that a doctor had told him, “Most people die for fear of dying, but I never met with such people as yours. … read more

What does Faithfulness look like to You today, Lord? By Lisa Cooke

This question rose from my heart the first day of June this year. I meant it from a personal position as opposed to the general definition of faithfulness. I meant it as “what does me being faithful to You, look like to You, for today?” … read more

Praying in the Spirit by Stephanie Trayers

Our prayer language is a direct line of communication to God. This is a tremendous truth that we should view with the same awe and honor we strive to give to Him in every other area of worship and prayer. … read more

The Church in These Days – by Marvin Yoder

Many Christians are living in fear of what may happen in the near future. Some have gotten angry and bitter over what has happened in the last several years. Some have given up in despair, resigning themselves for the worst. Others have developed a bunker mentality, some buying survival kits to hide out until bad times are over. … read more

Lessons from an Epic Failure

He had the right idea, but he had the wrong timing and the wrong method.” I made this statement about Moses during a course I taught on Ministerial Excellence beginning in 1983. … read more

What About the Martyrs? (Part 2)

Many of us who have grown up in the United States have never experienced significant persecution first-hand, and it may be hard to relate to the hostile environment in which the early church emerged, or the types of persecution that believers in many other parts of the world experience yet today. … read more

What About the Martyrs?

Good-hearted people have been grieved and repulsed these last several days about the prospects of what Christians and other groups (women and girls in particular) have already begun facing at the hands of the Taliban and associated groups in Afghanistan. Regrettably, Christians being targeted for torture and death is not entirely new news. In 2015, the world was horrified as they saw pictures of twenty-one Coptic Christians in orange jumpsuits kneeling on a beach in Libya before members of ISIS beheaded them. … read more