PULPIT MESSAGES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 14

PULPIT MESSAGES

Wellington Churches does death end all? The Answer of the Bible “Does death end all?” was the title of the subject spoken upon on Sunday evening in the 1.0.0. F. Hall, Allen Street. The question forming the title of the address for that evening, said the speaker in commencing, was one which had been asked by mankind from time immemorial, and although the Bible spoke in no uncertain voice in answer to the question, it was found that throughout the centuries mankind had continuously devised answers of their own at complete variance with the Holy Scriptures. In presenting Bible teaching on the subject it was first shown that death itself was really death. Paul had said, “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebs. 9:26) that "death had passed upon all men” (Roms. 5:12), but many people in accepting the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, believed that death was but the gateway to life for evermore—eternal life. The Bible, however, did not support the doctrine of the immortality ,of the soul. It clearly indicated that as a result of the Adamic transgression man was .altogether mortal (Gen. 2:17, Job 4:17, 1 Cor. 15:54) and consequently when death occurred life ceased, and the subject thereof became as before birth, non-existent. Bible teaching concerning the death state was without ambiguity. Some typical statements were quoted, "The dead know not anything” (Ecc. 9:5 and 10). "In death there is no remembrance of God” (Psa. 6:5). “The dead praise not the Lord” (Psa. 115:17). “In that very day (the day of man’s death) his thoughts perish” (Psa. 146:4), Mankind Divided Into Two Sections. Understanding, then, that death itself for all its subjects was truly death, the question could now be considered: “Did death end all?” In answer it was shown that the Bible divided mankind into two sections—an enlightened section and an unenlightened section —and it clearly taught that death for the enlightened did not end all, but for the unenlightened it did end all. The Bible indicated in many places that those members of the human race who came within the radius of the light which shined from the word of God would by that light be made responsible to God, whereas those living in ignorance would die irresponsible. In support Paul’s words were quoted, “as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law” (Roms. 2:12), also, "Where no law is there is no transgression” (Roms. 4:15). The words of Jesus Christ on several occasions harmonised with Paul’s words. Christ said: "The word that I have spoken shall judge in the last day” (John 12:48), “If ye were blind ye should have no sin” (John 9:41), “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin, but now they have no cloak for their sin” (John 15:22). Other quotations made in this connection were Dent. 18 :18-19, Hebs. 12:25, James, 4:17. Tlie Judgment Seat of Christ. Continuing, it was shown that the Bible clearly taught that when Jesus Christ returned to the earth the enlightened section of mankind would appear before Him for judgment. Paul’s language in this connection was perfectly clear, "Jesus Christ shall judge the quick (the living) and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1). For the dead to be judged resurrection logically followed, consequently the resurrection of the dead was definitely taught in the Scriptures, as could be seen from Rev. 11:18, Dan. 12:2, John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15, 1 Thess. 4:16. What of the unenlightened on the day of resurrection and judgment? Being in ignorance of Divine requirements, they would have no account to render, consequently would not participate in resurrection and judgment. The Bible frequently spoke of the destiny of this section in such language as Psalm 49:20. "Man that .. . nnderstandeth not is like the beasts that perish.” Other confirmatory passages referred to were Psa. 88:4-5, Prov. 21:16, Isa. 26:13-14, Matt. 7:13, Luke 13:3, John 8:24, 1 Thess. 4:13, etc.

In conclusion it was shown that the responsible section when resurrected qnd brought before the judgment seat of Christ would be divided into two classes—“the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15, Matt. 25:31-46), “The just” would consist of those of the enlightened who during their life-time had lived in hai'Uionj’ with the light received and such would be rewarded with eternal life and inheritance in the Kingdom of God which Christ would establish upon earth at Hig second coming (Luke 20: 35-36, Rev. 20:6, Rev. 2:26, 2 Tim. 2:12,. 1 Cor. 6:2, Rev. 5:10, Dan. 7:27, etc.). "The unjust” would consist of those of the enlightened who had not lived in harmony with the light received and the punishment of such would be "the second death,” i.e.. total extinction for ever (Rev. 2:11, 2 Thess. 1:9, Phil. 3:19, Mai. 4:1-3, etc.).

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCHES

“Love” was the subject of the lessonsermon in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, on Sunday. The Golden Text was I John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” Among the citations which comprised the lesson-sermon were the following from the Bible, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us, God is love: mid he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:7,. 16). Also the following passages from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” by Mary Baker Eddy: “The letter of science plentifully reaches humanity to-day, but its spirit comes only in small degrees. The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian science, is love. We walk in the footsteps of truth and love by following the ex--ample of our Master in the understanding of divine metaphysics.” (pp. 113, 192.)