A few nights ago, I sat in Will Johnson’s hospital room with Will’s wife Jeane, their daughter Heidi, and some other family members and friends from the church.\u00a0 Over a course of several hours, Will’s breathing became more sporadic and shallow. He then took his last breath and entered eternity.\u00a0 Several biblical principles came alive during that time we spent together.<\/p>\n
Will and Jeane Johnson have been some of the most faithful members in Faith Church’s entire history.\u00a0 Will held practically every position that exists in our church and Jeane supported his service in all sorts of ways.\u00a0 Paul told the Corinthians, “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).\u00a0 Will Johnson was an incredibly faithful man.\u00a0 Even though he struggled with muscular dystrophy for over a quarter century, he still used his gifts in service for Christ.\u00a0 Jeane faithfully cared for Will, literally, until he took his dying breath.\u00a0 Seeing God empower His children to keep their promises is a beautiful thing.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Paul also told the Corinthians that, in Christ, the sting of death has been removed (v. 55).\u00a0 Yes, we sorrow, but not as those who have no hope<\/em><\/strong> (1 Thessalonians 4:13).\u00a0 These truths were evident as Jeane and Heidi and the other members of our group shared stories of how God blessed our lives through Will.\u00a0 Yes, there were tears, but there was also laughter.\u00a0 Will’s eternal destiny was secure in Christ, and we knew that for him to be absent from the body was to be at home in the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).\u00a0 That allowed Will, and the rest of us, to face death with courage because we know that death is not the end for a follower of Christ.<\/p>\n We knew that many men and women in our church family were praying for us as Will was slipping into eternity.\u00a0 James said that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (5:16).\u00a0 I believe<\/em> the prayers of God’s people gave us the strength to handle this experience without terror or dread.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 It is simply amazing to see the power of God on display.<\/p>\n One of the men who stayed with us was Jerry Jamison.\u00a0 The Lord used Jerry, over forty years ago, to tell Will about Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Imagine what a terrible thing it would have been if Will had faced death without a personal relationship with the Lord.\u00a0 Jerry chose to be a godly co-worker and friend to Will, and the Lord used Jerry as an instrument of redemption in His hands.\u00a0 What could any of us do that would possibly be more important and satisfying than that?\u00a0 No wonder Paul told the Romans, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news”<\/em><\/strong> (10:15).<\/p>\nThe power of the gospel<\/h2>\n
The efficacy of prayer<\/h2>\n
The importance of evangelism<\/h2>\n