The Final Four Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Our death Like it or not all of us are going to die: Heb. 9:27; Eccl. 9:5 Death is no respecter of persons: Eccl. 7:2 Failure to contemplate our own death is foolish: Job 30:23 “And come he slow, or come he fast, it is but death who comes at last.” —Sir Walter Scott “Death is a friend of ours, and he that is not ready to entertain him is not at home.” —Sir Francis Bacon We have only two choices concerning our death: Jn. 8:24; Rev. 20:6; 14:13 Keep the proper perspective…death is not the end! 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 2 Tim. 4:6-8 The Final Four

Our resurrection We have assurances we will be raised: Job 14:7- 15a; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; Isa. 25:8; Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15 Pie in the sky? No, resurrection is guaranteed: 1 Pet. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:20-22 When? On the “last hour of last day”: Jn. 5:28- 29; 11:24 Why worry? Its so far in the future! Jas. 4:14 We need to prepare NOW! 1 Thess. 5:4-6 The Final Four

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day Fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way. Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town Waiting for someone or something to show you the way. Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain. You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today. And then one day you find ten years have got behind you. No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking Racing around to come up behind you again. The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older, Shorter of breath and one day closer to death. Every year is getting shorter; never seem to find the time. Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way The time is gone, the song is over, Thought I'd something more to say.

Our judgment When Christ comes it will signal the Final Judgment: Psa. 9:7-8; 98:9; 2 Cor. 5:10-11a Judgment: all included, just, final, no appeals, no pardons, no parole: Rev. 20:11-15; Eccl. 11:9- 10; 2 Pet. 3:10-11 Do you ever contemplate your judgment? Rom. 14:10b-12; Eccl. 12:13-14 The Final Four

Spending eternity somewhere Only two options: Heaven or Hell! Matt. 25:41- 46 Portrait of hell: Mk. 9:44-48; Rev. 14:11a Portrait of heaven: Rev. 5:8-14; 21:1-5 Can you wrap your mind around the concept of eternity? Eternity can’t be “spent”! Song: Where Will You Spend Eternity The Final Four

Conclusion The Final Four comes every year. But our personal Final Four will only come once. We can dismiss it from our mind tempor- arily, but we will undoubtedly have to ultimately face it. Why not face it now and be ready for it? 2 Cor. 6:2