Dennis L.
Finnan Commentator CROSSING OVER “IN
THE MIND OF MAN THERE IS NO GREATER FEAR AND WONDER THAN TO THINK ABOUT OUR OWN
DEMISE. IT SEEMS INCONCEIVABLE THAT OUR LIVES ONE DAY MAY END. AS A
RESULT, MANY REFUSE TO THINK ABOUT IT MUCH LESS PREPARE FOR THE TIME TO…
‘CROSSOVER’.” I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the time that comes for all men, the time to crossover into eternity… … The idea and subject of death is not a happy and enjoyable one, especially when it comes to thinking about our own. This is not limited to non-Christians, for many Christians although they know where they are going in the future life, really don’t want to go there for they enjoy the life they have right now! Thus, all kinds of fears accompany any thoughts of leaving this life. In fact, there’s a popular cable TV program called CROSSING OVER that tries to assuage the fear of death by presenting a false concept that our loved ones who precede us regardless of their religious persuasions, move on to the afterlife in joy and harmony and can contact the living. This is utter nonsense of course and worse dangerous, for such contact with the dead, is but impersonations by demons to trick and fool the living to believe life after death has no relationship to one’s standing with the one true God Jesus Christ. Well, after another moment of music, I’ll return to talk
with you about the real CROSSING OVER, and hopefully give you some positive
truths to comfort your heart on such matters of emotional stress to many. So
don’t go away, I’ll be right back with today’s message – CROSSING
OVER… … Many people are genuinely confused about life and the hereafter. Evolution teaches that once we “cross over” in death we simply cease to exist, for we came from nothing but mindless atoms by chance and will return to the same unordered state. Therefore death is nothing to fear they say. Yet the Christian Bible tells us differently. It tells us that man is not a product of happenstance chance, rather the divine creation of an omnipotent God who fashioned the universe and mankind expressly in His own image for His own eternal companionship. The Bible says, Gen 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:26-27 (NIV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Now, I’ve quoted these verses many times on the broadcast, but there is nothing more important than its truth for everyone to realize this. The image of God is eternal. He has no beginning and no end. The Scriptures reveal God exists in three distinct personalities, yet one in essence. This Creator God, through these three Persons, created and sustains everything. For instance, God the Spirit, worked in the Creation… Gen 1:2-3 (NIV) Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Yes, the second Personality of the triune Godhead brought life and light to dead matter that had been fashioned out of nothing. Yet, we would ask, who brought forth out of nothing all the matter of the universe? Listen again to the Bible, Col 1:16-17 (NIV) For by him (God the Son, Jesus Christ) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Here we are told the third Person of the triune Godhead, created the worlds and sustains their order and existence to hold together all life that is present here. Indeed, Jesus Christ the infinite God-Man, who came to earth as the Creator and Sustainer of the world. Now the first person or personality of the triune Godhead, God the Father we are told, 1 Cor 8:6 (NIV) yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. God the Father the first Person of the eternal Godhead and is said by Scripture to be the Head over all, and the orchestrater of all that was created and shall exist for eternity. Together, all three persons, who are one in mind and essence – brought forth all things that are and shall ever be. You my friend and I are the greatest and highest creation, brought forth out of nothing to live forever and ever. However the question we all must answer is where shall we spend eternity? That question of course has haunted man since Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden so long ago, because of sin. My friend, the Bible tells us in no uncertain terms God grants only “one life to each customer!” This is why so many have difficulty facing the fact that this one life on earth in our present form will not last forever; and our imminent death is but a breath away regardless of our age or status in this life. As a result, we often handle these thoughts of our own demise differently. For instance, many as they grow old are unwilling or refuse to think about their death. As a result they, 1. REFUSE TO MAKE A WILL OR OTHER PREPARATION FOR THE FINAL DISTRIBUTION OF THEIR ESTATE – Their loved ones become so frustrated by this for they realize the battles and loss that can come through difficult probate and final distribution without it. Yet, many elderly close their eyes, and hope the idea of their death will go away by not dealing with it. Secondly, 2. SOME ELDERLY HOARD THEIR ASSETS IN THE LAST YEARS OF LIFE – Somehow they fear by doing so, they can hold off death. Some refuse to care for themselves, but keep large sums of money in their checking accounts or hidden under mattresses etc. How silly, yet how possessed they become fearing to reach old age and death without being financially secure. Still others, 3. BEGIN A PLAN AND PROGRAM TO HOARD THEIR HEALTH – They go on a vitamin kick and become fanatics on health exercise and cures, and chase after every offer of life extension fads to extends life whatever the cost. Some even extravagantly arrange to have cryogenics preserve their bodies in deep freeze in the hopes life can be restored. Lastly, some resort to, 4. MANIPULATING AND CLINGING TO RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN – They begin to try to bring their adult children on a guilt trip to move near them to care for them. As some elderly approach death they want their children to be totally enmeshed in their lives. By threatening to withhold inheritance and other things, they convince a son or daughter of their need to serve them day and night. They do this in the mindless hope that their son or daughter’s youth will somehow save them from the impending death that awaits them. Now all of these things are neuroses that can cripple and destroy individuals and families. Yet they are all driven by the fear of ‘CROSSING OVER.’ However to fear death is not unhealthy or wrong, except if one refuses to face dying and prepare adequately for it. Let me give you some secular and spiritual advice for all, as the day of our own demise approaches. First of all let’s talk about the secular. As we grow
older there are certain things we should do. Here’s a list to check and see if
you’ve adequately prepared for crossing over. 1. YES, ALL OF
US SHOULD HAVE A WILL & TESTAMENT – It’s right and proper to instruct our
loved ones what we would like done with our assets and property. It’s sad
these days many die without one and present needless and painful work for their
families at great financial loss too when those who die do not leave a will. In
fact, the better thing to do often is before one dies to distribute as much
assets and property to those we love so there is no loss and transaction
difficulties often faced with taxes and probate courts. 2. EVERYONE
SHOULD ALSO PREPARE WHAT IS CALLED A “DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY,”
– This document allows our loved ones to act on our medical behalf when we are
incapacitated and unable to make life decisions. Along with this, I personally
recommend making a LIVING WILL
that is also a legal document that states the extent of medical treatment to
extend when we are close to death and unable to tell doctors and family to what
degree we want heroic treatment for terminal illnesses. If you want, I can send
you a copy of a suggested LIVING WILL that is Christian in nature, and gives a
testimony to that too. Just write to me for it. Secondly, 3. MAKE
ARRANGEMENTS WITH A MORTUARY OR CREATORY FOR YOUR REMAINS – As
gruesome as that sound, wouldn’t it be better for you to pay for, and arrange
for your own death? Many morticians at the moment of your death prey upon your
grieving loved ones to buy exorbitant funeral arrangements costing tens of
thousands of dollars. Do you want such waste foisted upon them? If not, make
arrangements that suit your desires, now, and do not wait for your death, for it
will come when you least expect it. Lastly also, 4. MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR CARE THAT PRECEDES DEATH – Most of us today will live a long life upwards of 90 years. Unfortunately, due to medical technology our bodies today can be sustained long after our minds die. How many elderly live on with their minds lost, yet need serious physical care family members no longer can provide. It is wise to either buy insurance for, or set aside funds for old age assisted living or nursing home facilities. Making arrangements and preparing for your death is the right thing to do, now and not later! The truth is the mortality rate of the human race is 100%, so putting it off will only hurt you or your loved ones when that moment comes. Say, do your loved ones know your desires that should accompany your death? Have you given a lawfully executed copy of your will to your son or daughter? Do they have a list of where all your assets are, and do they? What Insurance policies are in force, etc? If not, you have not prepared for “crossing over,” and you are going to bring much grief to your loved ones when you die. Yes, we need to prepare for our crossing over into the next life, and do it now for none of us have the promise of life on this earth. But do you know what’s even more important than preparing our present life for when we cross over? The question is, “Where will you spend eternity?” The Bible tells us we should make final arrangements spiritually as well as physically. Are you prepared to meet God? I know some of you listening today have believed the awful lie of evolution that says there is no God, and there is no life after death. But do you know that evolution is a completely un-provable concept having little to no substance and reality behind it? Oh yes, you can tell a lie or myth long enough and have enough so-called experts verify its true without proof, and soon people believe it. But that’s the theory of the origin of life called evolution. However you should know the alterative teaching that can be verified by God’s Word and our creation itself. Now I don’t have time to give you the “proofs” of CREATIONISM that says an eternal omnipotent God created all things for His purpose and plan. But suffice it to know you and I as human beings, members of the same race, one race of every kind, tongue and peoples, were created to live forever with God. The Bible tells us though, that the first creation of human beings, Adam and Eve the progenitors, were placed on earth in a test environment to qualify for living forever in God’s sinless presence. Scripture tells us they failed the test on their own and willfully at that. As such, all humanity that sprang forth from them and the universe God created for their existence, both fell into what is called the curse of God. This curse is that God removed His hand of sustaining and controlling power to keep to a perfect and flawlessly creation functioning. As such, man decided in sin to go it alone without God ruling and controlling life and our existence. So God, who granted us free will, honored that. To this day we are born of Adam and Eve with their sin nature formed in the Garden of Eden, in us and its defiance of God rules our lives. As such the Bible tells us the result. Listen, Gen 3:17-19 (NIV) To Adam God said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Ezek 18:4 (NIV) For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die. Rom
3:23 (NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Yes, death, disease, disorder and disintegration of all things are the result of sin. Everything is decomposing, breaking down into its original elements, the world is dying, the universe is dying and you and I, we are too! Yet God’s original plan was that we would live forever in His presence, enjoying his companionship and love. However, my friend there is good news. God still wants that to happen and devised a way for “crossing over” from this life into the very loving and eternal presence of God. How? By becoming a Christian! Yes, that entails a number of things, for which we all must prepare spiritually. Are you prepared to meet God? The Bible says all of us must be ready. Amos 4:12 (NIV) “Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.” Now quickly here’s a crash course on how not to fear death and crossing over, and for all, regardless of age, to be ready for that moment when it comes to us. To become a Christian, to know for sure that when you die you will not face judgment and Hell, but the loving hand and presence of God welcoming you to His heaven, you must do the following. Failure to do this and be genuine about it will leave nothing but God’s curse and judgment for sin upon you, and although you may adequately prepare for crossing over physically and secularly, you’ll face the nightmare horror of being separated from God forever and to live in that state of lostness. Better to be prepared in all ways, right? Well check yourself out now spiritually. Everyone must confess and realize, (1) ALL HUMAN BEING ARE SINNERS, AND ARE UNDER A JUDGMENT OF DEATH – The Bible tell us we’ve all sprung from a race of beings under God’s judgments that is, we shall die physically and spiritually unless God steps in to change things. Have you confessed this to God that you are by nature, thoughts, words and deeds in rebellion to Him as ruler of your life? Secondly we all must confess to God that, (2) UPON PHYSICAL DEATH, ALL HUMANITY WILL PERISH IN AN EVERLASTING HELL AS PUNISHMENT FOR THIS GREAT SIN. – As distasteful as this is, it is true. God’s perfect sinless nature cannot allow anything to exist in His eternal presence that is anything less than Himself. Thus, He has created a place where His perfect presence does not exist. It is called the Lake of Fire or Hell and all the lost human race and fallen angels will be kept there for all eternity. It is indeed an awful place. We must accept God’s Word on this and confess to God we believe this. Third, we must believe that, (3) GOD LOVES THE WORLD OF MAN SO MUCH, THAT HE DEVISED A WAY TO FREE THE GUILTY FROM THEIR COMING JUDGMENT – This is the best part. Although God has decreed all sinners will die and be separated from Him, God loved us so much he planned a way to be just yet merciful. This plan is simple and is that, (4) GOD BECAME A MAN (Jesus Christ) AND OFFERED HIMSELF AS A SUBSTITUTE PAYMENT FOR OUR SINS – Yes, God devised a way to be just and the penalty for sin be paid for, but not by us. Only God is sinless and under no judgment for sin, so He became a man to die in our place. He offers this payment for us as a gift, and.. (6) ALL WHO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST, AND BELIEVE GOD’S PROMISE OF FORGIVNESS AND SUBSTITUTE PAYMENT, ARE FREED FROM DEATH’S PENALTY AND RECEIVE GOD’S LOVE IN THE FORM OF ETERNAL LIFE – Oh what GOOD NEWS! No one need be lost. No one need suffer Hell and the loss it brings in crossing over. All can be saved, but my friend that offer only exists in this life while we have the consciousness to accept it on God’s only terms. Have you prepared for “crossing over?” This my friend, is the true gospel, the only gospel God authorized to be preached in His Name. Indeed, we can be saved by grace through faith, period! If you do not prepare now while you are in good physical and mental health, you may miss the opportunity forever. The Bible says, Heb 9:27 (NIV) Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, John 3:36 (NIV) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever
rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." Mat 11:28 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. God pleads for all sinners, young and old alike, rich or poor, religious or irreligious, to put away man’s righteousness, which is fallen and under judgment and instead claim God’s righteousness through Jesus Christ. That’s preparation that will enable you to lose the fear of “crossing over.” Remember, God only gives one life here and now and it will soon end for us all. BE PREPARED! DON’T DELAY, the Bible also says, 2 Cor 6:2 (NIV) I tell you,
now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. You know friend, I can put my head on my pillow at night
with no fears of “crossing over” for God is my refuge and strength, He is my
Lord God and Savior from my sin and when the moment of my demise comes, I will
close my eyes in death, “aah” but instantaneously open them in the glory of
Heaven and my God and Savior Jesus Christ. Oh what joy it will be. But meanwhile
I’m preparing my estate and my life now to make the transition easy as
possible, not for myself but my
loved ones! I hope and pray you have too, but especially prepared your spiritual
life. Are you ready to meet your Maker and God Jesus Christ? May God grant this
to all who listen for Jesus sake, Amen… …“Crossing over” – yes it is a fearful thing, but by closing our eyes and being ill prepared by ignoring it or by allowing neuroses responses only complicated things. Be sure you are ready for eternity, for eternity is ready for you at any moment God decides. May your mind, heart, body, soul and spirit be right with God. · Radio talk #3503 · Broadcast date: August 31, 2003 · Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator · Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast · Address: P.O. Box 60033 Grand Junction, CO 81506 The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 24 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also. Want to Help? If you've been blessed and
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