By God’s grace, this week I reached a miraculous milestone – 30 years being born again and following Jesus Christ.
To Him be all the praise, glory, and honour!
It was back on March 19th, 1995, that God graciously lifted this hopelessly lost rock singer out of the miry bog of my sin, saved me, and set my feet securely upon the Rock of Christ.
In that celebratory context, this past Wednesday I did something a wee bit wild – I video recorded my own gospel eulogy that will be played for those who attend my own funeral.
Why would I do that?
Well, the Apostle Paul writes: “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:3, ESV)
What more open door for declaring the word than when my still living but lost loved ones are sitting at my memorial service looking for answers and longing for hope?
Though that opportunity seems obvious to me as an equipping evangelist, it’s been my repeated experience that most funerals are not maxed opportunities but missed opportunities for gospel witness. Let me explain.
I remember the last funeral I officiated when I was still serving as a pastor. The deceased was a professing Christian who died tragically, and many non-Christians in the room were evidently trying to find comfort in crisis and freedom from their own fear of death.
But sadly, the family requested that I NOT preach the gospel! So the only last words shared about this man’s life was his love of chocolate and sports. What a wasted opportunity to preach the gospel of grace and peace to those needing salvation!
That’s why I took the time to prayerfully plan this video recording of my gospel testimonial, and I encourage every Christian to do the same. Let’s all commit to making sure that the last words our loved ones hear from us are the most important words they’ll ever hear from anyone!
CLICK HERE to watch a video of my testimony in the context of my call as an equipping evangelist!
If you seriously consider putting one of these videos together, you may practically wonder how to testify with a delicate balance of grace and truth.
Well, I started on a serious note, saying: “If you truly want to see me again as much as I want to see you again, then please listen very carefully…”. I then took the time to clearly share my gospel testimonial, before closing with: “There’s so much more I’d love to share, and hopefully I will if I see you again soon! But please know that if you reject God’s free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, then it’s goodbye forever. But if you receive God’s free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, then I will see you very soon!”
I also read Psalm 40 as my “testimonial psalm” and story of salvation.
So, will you step out in faith and step through this uniquely open door of gospel opportunity? After all, you have nothing to lose, and they have everything to gain!
Because our lost loved ones need the Lord,
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It was back on March 19th, 1995, that God graciously lifted this hopelessly lost rock singer out of the miry bog of my sin, saved me, and set my feet securely upon the Rock of Christ.
What more open door for declaring the word than when my still living but lost loved ones are sitting at my memorial service looking for answers and longing for hope?
