ALWAYS READY (2 OF 7)
Scripture: Philippians 1:21-28
This content is part of a series.
Always Ready (2 of 7)
Series: Joy Ride
James Merritt
Philippians 1:21-23
Introduction
1. There are two things that every human being has to face from the moment they are born. That is life and death. There are certain moments in your life that are unforgettable when you come face-to-face with that reality in a very extreme heightened way. It came a few years ago in an airplane at 10,000 feet. I had signed up to go sky-diving with my oldest son. You jump in tandem with a certified skydiving instructor. Basically, the only instruction I got was to sign a waiver form that I wouldn't sue the company in case I got killed.
2. I will remember what happened until I am a hundred and twenty. It was a blistering hot day in august. When they opened the door of that plane a cold blast of air hit me in the face and the noise was so loud you couldn't even hear yourself talk. You are sitting on the floor of that plane and your instructor is literally pushing you and forcing you out that door. I was shaking terribly and I don't know whether it was from the cold of the wind or the fear in my heart. To calm my nerves, I tried to think of a bible verse and the only one that came to my mind was,
''God said to him, 'you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.''' (Luke 12:20, niv)
3. It became literally a battle to see whose legs were the strongest mine or his, but he had the leverage and he was slowly winning. Just before we got to the edge of the plane he yelled into my ear, ''are you ready!'' I looked back at him with my eyes as wide as saucers and violently shook my head no. With a wicked grin, he pushed me out the door. At that moment I knew one thing was true. This would be the one, the only and the last skydive I would ever make, because I was either going home or I was going to heaven.
4. I thought about that last question he asked me just before we jumped out of a plane almost two miles in the air, ''are you ready?'' it is a great quest ...
Series: Joy Ride
James Merritt
Philippians 1:21-23
Introduction
1. There are two things that every human being has to face from the moment they are born. That is life and death. There are certain moments in your life that are unforgettable when you come face-to-face with that reality in a very extreme heightened way. It came a few years ago in an airplane at 10,000 feet. I had signed up to go sky-diving with my oldest son. You jump in tandem with a certified skydiving instructor. Basically, the only instruction I got was to sign a waiver form that I wouldn't sue the company in case I got killed.
2. I will remember what happened until I am a hundred and twenty. It was a blistering hot day in august. When they opened the door of that plane a cold blast of air hit me in the face and the noise was so loud you couldn't even hear yourself talk. You are sitting on the floor of that plane and your instructor is literally pushing you and forcing you out that door. I was shaking terribly and I don't know whether it was from the cold of the wind or the fear in my heart. To calm my nerves, I tried to think of a bible verse and the only one that came to my mind was,
''God said to him, 'you fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.''' (Luke 12:20, niv)
3. It became literally a battle to see whose legs were the strongest mine or his, but he had the leverage and he was slowly winning. Just before we got to the edge of the plane he yelled into my ear, ''are you ready!'' I looked back at him with my eyes as wide as saucers and violently shook my head no. With a wicked grin, he pushed me out the door. At that moment I knew one thing was true. This would be the one, the only and the last skydive I would ever make, because I was either going home or I was going to heaven.
4. I thought about that last question he asked me just before we jumped out of a plane almost two miles in the air, ''are you ready?'' it is a great quest ...
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