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Introduction: We have all seen
them. They irritate some of us. They sadden others. Some of us
simply pass them by and pay no notice. After today, I hope you
will look at them just a little bit differently. I am talking
about crosses on the roadside. Without getting into discussions
about the appropriateness of using a cross or the possible
distraction these crosses can be to a driver, I want us to
consider these crosses for a few minutes. These crosses are placed
as a memorial to someone who died in a car accident. When a family
member passes by, they are reminded of their daughter or son,
their husband or wife, their mother or father. Of what are you
reminded when you pass by? I would like us to ask five questions
about these crosses that will hopefully impact us every time we
see one from now on. Discussion: I. Did the deceased know they would become crosses on the roadside? A.
Consider the
person that cross represents and the day the accident happened.
Did that person know they were going to become a cross on the
roadside? Did he know he would never see his family again? Did she
know she would never hold her children again? Did he know he would
never worship again? Did she know she would never pray again? Did
they know they would never have another opportunity to obey the
gospel again? B.
Of course
not. They were driving along the road, with little thought of
dying. They were thinking about what they would have for lunch.
They were thinking about the ballgame. They were thinking about
trouble at work or at home. They were thinking about their
child’s grades. They were thinking about any number of things,
but not about dying. Yet that is what they did. C.
Ecclesiastes
9:11-12
demonstrates time and chance overtake us all. Death will fall upon
us suddenly. Ecclesiastes
8:8 demonstrates no one has power over the day of his
death. These people were driving along with all manner of thought
in their mind and suddenly the great majority of thoughts, worries
and anxieties were rendered pointless, because the people died. II.
Why did
someone want to leave a cross on the roadside? A.
Why would
someone want to leave a cross there? Why would someone want this
constant reminder of the death of their loved one? Of course, I
cannot answer this question except for with my own speculation. B.
I can
imagine numerous reasons for which someone might want to
memorialize their family member or friend. But in general, this
memorial demonstrates that somebody thought the deceased was
worthy of memory. There was something about the way this person
lived that caused others to want to remember their life and their
death. C.
I consider
passages like Ecclesiastes
7:1. “A good name is better than precious ointment.”
For some reason, someone thought the deceased had a name that
ought to be remembered. III.
Was the
deceased prepared to become a cross on the roadside? A.
Now, down to
the heart of the issue. When I see a cross on the roadside, I do
not think so much about the way they died. I do not think about
how much pain they went through. I do not think about their job,
the car they drove, the house in which they lived or the kinds of
clothes they wore. I do think a little about the family they must
have left behind. But most of all, I wonder where they are right
now. Were they prepared to become that cross on the roadside? B.
By prepared,
I do not mean did they have life insurance. I do not mean did they
have their papers and wills in order. I do not mean had they
prepared their children or other family members for the
possibility of their death. Though all of these things are
important, what I mean is, were they prepared to meet God? C.
Hebrews
9:27
declares clearly that after death comes the judgment. Were they
ready for that judgment? Luke
16:19-31 tells the contrast of Lazarus and the rich man.
Lazarus the poor beggar, was prepared to die. When he did, the
angels carried him to comfort in Abraham’s bosom. The rich man,
however, was not prepared. D.
What about
that cross on the road? Was that person prepared to become a cross
on the roadside? I can only wonder and hope. IV.
Can the
deceased do anything about it now that they are crosses on the
roadside? A.
When I think
about whether or not the deceased was prepared, I cannot help but
recognize that they cannot do anything about it now. I hope and
pray they were prepared for that moment, but if they were not, it
is too late for them. B.
Consider
again the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke
16:19-31. The rich man was in torment. He could not do
anything about his state. He could not do anything about the state
of his brothers that were still alive. The dead cannot do anything
about being prepared for judgment. They can simply wait and
consider what they did while they were on the earth. V.
What about
me? What about you? A.
After
thinking so much about the person that cross represents, I have to
think about me. And I hope you will think about you. What about
us? B.
How many of
us think we will become crosses on the side of the road today?
Perhaps our demise will not take place in a car. How many of us
think we will die today? Yet, that person did. We do not know when
we will die, but rest assured of this: there is some day that will
be your last day. You will die. It happens to all of us. Ecclesiastes
9:2-3 points out that everyone dies. C.
Will anyone
look at our lives and think that there is anything worth
remembering? In Hebrews
11:4, the Hebrew writer claimed that Able, even though he
was dead still spoke. His life continued on speaking after he was
gone, because there was something worth remembering and emulating.
Whether or not anyone will put a cross on the side of the road for
you is really immaterial. The question is are you living in such a
way that you leave behind something for your family, your
children, your friends, your co-workers, your neighbors and your
brethren to remember and follow. When you are dead will your life
still speak to others? What will it say? Will it say be a good
husband or wife? Will it say be a good father or mother? Will it
say work as though for the Lord? Will it say be a good neighbor
and friend? Most importantly, will it say be God’s servant above
all else? D.
When your
moment comes to be nothing more in this world than a cross on the
side of the road or a headstone in a cemetery and memories in the
minds of those you left behind, will you be ready? Yes, I hope
your will is in order. Yes, I hope you have enough life insurance.
Yes, I hope you have taken time to prepare your family and
especially your children. But what I really want to know is, are
you ready to face God in judgment? In Luke
12:16-21 we learn of a rich man who was prepared to live
for many years; but he was not prepared to die. He was the most
foolish of the fools, because he thought wisely about the things
of this world. He was successful and fruitful. But he did not
think about the next. He had not laid up riches in heaven. He had
not been rich toward God. And his riches would not help him at all
in death. Are you ready? Conclusion: The Preacher in Ecclesiastes said it will go well for those who fear the Lord (Ecclesiastes 8:12). Do you fear the Lord? Have you obeyed Him, working out your salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13)? You can be prepared to die and if so, your death will not be a time for mourning, but a time to rejoice—because another of God’s children will have departed to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). Do you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God who died so that you might live, then confess that faith (Romans 10:9-10), repent of your sins and submit to Christ in baptism for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38) and you will receive the promised salvation. If you have already become a child of God, but have turned again to sin, then repent. Be dead to sin, presenting your members as instruments of righteousness to God (Romans 6:12-13). Then you will be prepared to die.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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