August 9, 2026 - Are Y0u Ready to Die?

Scripture Reading — Revelation 20:11–15 (KJV)

11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Sermon Summary

Start Every Day Giving Honor to God

Rev. Johnson opened with a reminder about how blessed we truly are, even when we take so much for granted. Hundreds, maybe thousands, laid down last night and were not able to answer to the call of their name this morning — and yet we woke up and complained about moving slow. But moving slow is a blessing next to not moving at all. His challenge was simple: when your eyes open to a day you have never seen before, the first words out of your mouth ought to be honor and thanks to God, who is the Lord of your life.

A Courtroom No One Escapes

On the surface, none of us wants to hear the question — we are not ready to check out just yet. But that decision has already been made. Reading Revelation 20 in a new light, Rev. Johnson explained that this particular text is speaking about those who are not saved. Judgment day is as certain as a sentencing date on a court calendar: the verdict is in, and the appointed day only reveals the weight of it. The sea gave up its dead, the grave gave up its dead, and even those already in torment had to come back up for judgment. Nobody is excused from that courtroom.

Works: Something Behind Your Name

His first point was works. There are two kinds — Christian works and the empty works of a life apart from God. Those of us who profess to be Christians ought to have some works behind our name, so that when that day comes we are not standing in that line. When the pastor asks for help, “let me pray on it” can sound spiritual, but it doesn’t hold any water. Once you have truly been saved, there ought to be a fire burning so hot on the inside that it drives you out to serve — just like the woman at the well, who ran back to tell everyone about the man who told her all about herself. There is plenty of work waiting, in the house of God and out on the streets. The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few, so make yourself available. You may not love every task, just as you work a job you don’t love because it pays the bills — but this work pays a bill that keeps your name off that list. And God does not hold yesterday against you; from this day forward, carry a new attitude.

Time Is Not Your Friend

The second point was time. An eighty-year-old grandfather told his granddaughter that tomorrow is not promised — and then reminded her that today is not promised either, though we still act like it is. We treat time like a free resource. Why does it take some of us until sixty-five or seventy to realize how precious it is? Rev. Johnson pleaded with the young not to say, “I’ll get right with God when I’m forty or fifty.” Walk through any cemetery and you will find as many short graves as long ones. Time is not your friend, and only you can decide how you spend it.

The Call

The third point was the call. When God sends the death angel, He gives your exact address. It makes no difference whether you are at Walmart, at the park, or driving your car — the call will find you, and at that moment your life is officially over and the book closes. It is not enough simply to come to church; the church is a hospital, but if you walk in one way and leave the same way, never taking hold of the Word or carrying it to the highways and byways, what was the purpose? Methuselah lived nearly a thousand years, and still no one can tell you what he did with them. Don’t let that be your testimony — that you enjoyed God’s health, strength, and blessings but never asked what you could do for Him. Like the rich man who lifted his eyes in torment, the regret of a wasted life comes too late to change.

There’s Room at the Cross

Rev. Johnson closed at Calvary, with the two thieves crucified beside Jesus. Both mocked Him at first. But one man’s ear got unclogged just long enough to hear — perhaps he heard Jesus pray for the very people who nailed Him there, or watched Him tenderly place His mother into John’s care. That thief turned and said, “We deserve what we are getting, but this man has done nothing wrong,” and then prayed the shortest prayer in the Bible: “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He had no works, his time had run out, and the death angel had already called his name — but he found there was still room at the cross. There is nothing to the cross, nothing to death, nothing to time or work, as long as Jesus is right there with you.

So — Are You Ready?

That is how the question gets answered. If you have done the work, used your time, answered the call, and given your life to the Savior, then your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life — and yes, you are ready to die. To God be the glory. As the old song says, “I don’t have to worry where I spend eternity.”

Key Takeaways

•  Every day is a gift. Start it by giving honor to God, remembering that many did not wake to see it.

•  The judgment of Revelation 20 is real and unavoidable — but this text speaks to the unsaved. Christians ought to make sure their names are written in the book of life.

•  Faith produces works. Once you are saved, let a holy fire drive you to serve in God’s house and to witness on the streets — there ought to be works behind your name.

•  Time is not promised and not your friend. Don’t wait for “someday” to get right with God; the graveyard is full of short graves as well as long ones.

•  There is always room at the cross. Like the thief beside Jesus, even a life with no works can be saved by turning to Christ — nothing about death can harm you when He is with you.