Print

NUMBERS 23:10

Intro: Carlyle in history: "History of the French Revolution" Duke of Orleans who did
       not believe in death. Secretary stumbled on the words, "the late King of Spain"
       and he angrily demanded what he meant by that "My Lord it is a title some of
       the kings of Spain have taken.

I. "LET ME DIE THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS."
        A. How do the righteous die?
                1. Without fear (Ps. 23..
                2. Without uncertainty.
                        a. Hobbs - "I am about to take my last journey."
                        b. Gothe- "More light."
                        c. Paul  - "I have fought a good fight."
                        d. Stephen - "Lord Jesus receive my spirit."
        B. Facets of the death of the righteous.
                1. He does not lose everything. 
                        a. How much did he leave?
                        b. "For me to live is Christ to die gain."
                2. At the worst he is as well off as any other man.
        C. This is a natural almost universal desire.
                1. Though a man live like the devil, he wants to die like a saint.
                2. Many avoid the righteous life like a plague.
        D. The way to die the death of the righteous is to live the life of the righteous.
                1. It's really not that bad (Satan's lie..
                2. In fact it is quite glorious.

II. "LET MY LAST END BE LIKE HIS."
        A. What is the last end of the righteous?
                1. Upon death ushered into presence of Lord "Now we see through dark glass,
                   but then face to face."
                2. We are to live and reign with Him forever.
                3. Our Spirits will be clothed upon with new bodies.
                4. Throughout the endless ages to come God shall be revealing what the
                   exceeding greatness of His love is toward us in Christ.
        B. What is the last end of the unrighteous?
                1. Mark 9: 42-48.
                2. Rev. 20:11-15.

III. THE VANITY OF MERE DESIRES.
        A. Balaam did not die the death of the righteous.
                1. Died fighting against them in battle.
                2. Wishing will not make it so.
        B. Your desires may be the purest and highest.
                1. Desire to be a Christian.
                2. Desire the power of the Spirit.
                3. Desire freedom from sin.
                4. Desire alone is not enough.
        C. You must accept God's gift,  His Son.
                1. You must submit your life to His Lordship.
                2. You must begin to fight the good fight of faith.
                3. Bunyan's picture - brave place - happy spirits singing at the top.
                        Clad in royal white robes desired to be with them. At door armored
                        men pushing back those who desired entrance. Presently a strong man
                        of bold countenance covered with armor went up to the table of the
                        men with a writers ink horn "set down my name sir."