FROM THE PULPIT: PREPARING FOR MAN'S GREATEST DEADLINE

Deadlines, they come and go everyday. Homework, research papers, bills to pay, appointments and April 15th.

Some tax (no pun intended) our strength, our physical well-being, emotions and spiritual lives.

Yet, of all the deadlines man faces, none is more demanding, nor has more eternal importance than the decision to accept Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

God places the responsibility for this decision solely upon the individual.

No other person, or group can decide for you. The choice is clear cut!

Either decide for Christ (accept His free gift of salvation), or decide against Him (reject Him and life eternal).

John 3:16 is a verse of scripture most people know, or have seen displayed on walls or at ball games.

It speaks of the glorious love of God given to us through His Son, Jesus, that by His sacrifice on the cross, eternal salvation would be offered to all of mankind--"whosoever."

Yet, the "offer," no matter how divine it is, does not save a person from the penalty of sin.

It takes our belief in His holy gift as our only way to salvation, and our confession of our sinfulness before God.

Read John 3:18-19 to get the whole picture. If you BELIEVE you ARE condemned already.

This is not a future possibility. It is a present reality.

God's word tells us that "NOW is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Your soul hangs in the balance.

All of the deadlines you will face today, and hereafter, will never hold the importance of the deadline placed on your acceptance of God's salvation.

God is working through the Holy Spirit to bring you to this time of decision.

If you are facing this deadline today, DO NOT DELAY! You are not guaranteed another opportunity to accept God's offer.

It only takes one refusal from you to condemn you to an eternity without God.

Hell is full of people who want to wait until tomorrow.

Christ came to offer Himself for our sin. He will come again to claim those who have accepted His free gift of life eternal.

God's word is specific--Matthew 24:36 (please read it).

What earthly deadline is more important to meet than the one which deals with your eternal soul? Read Mark 8:34-38. Remember, the deadline is upon you!