The Happiest People on Earth
For those of you who may have been wondering when my fictitious Bible Study is going to resume, I have to say I really don’t know. All I can tell you is that right now Martha and her son are experiencing mixed emotions. Of course, they’re enjoying the relative tranquility because of Charlie’s absence from the household, but they’re saddened by the fact his disease has progressed to the point where he is living in what is commonly referred to as being a “persistent vegetative state.” PVS is a condition of unconsciousness in which Charlie’s eyes are open and able to move, but he can’t see. He has periods of sleep mingled with those of wakefulness, but Charlie can’t speak, hear, reason, or respond to anything on purpose.
Whenever they visit him in the end of life nursing facility, outward appearances leave them with the impression that Charlie’s situation is hopeless and that this almost totally self-absorbed, obnoxious, know-it-all, loose-cannon is rapidly approaching the doorway to Hell. However, physical appearances are sometimes deceiving as we saw recently in the case of Rom Houben, the 46 year old man from Belgian who as a result of a car accident 23 torturous years ago lay trapped in a paralyzed body in a condition which had been diagnosed as PVS. But the experts were mistaken. Rom was acutely aware of what was going on around him the whole time but was powerless to tell anyone. Even when he screamed there was nothing to hear.
Things aren’t always as they appear to be. For example, there was the time when everyone was gazing at the silent and motionless pathetic shell of his former self, while unbeknownst to them Charlie’s vibrant spirit and his exasperated guardian angel were engaged in a series of one sided conversations with you know who doing most of the talking. A case in point was the time when the angel mentioned the fact that God has a good reason for allowing his wife and son to endure such a heart-breaking experience. Charlie interrupted the angel in mid sentence and let loose with one of his signature outbursts:”A good reason for all their suffering and heartbreak? You got to be kidding pal. Here I am locked in a body that by now must look like death warmed over. They probably got me propped up in a chair with my head hanging over the side and my mouth wide open or else I’m laying helpless on a bed in a crummy nursing home, while Martha and the rest of them are being drained emotionally, and you’re trying to tell me that God has a good reason for allowing them to go through this kind of Hell on Earth. Be real for a change, will you pal. The whole thing makes about as much sense what happened to the poor slob who fell into the open grave on that Halloween night,” [a]
In his own attempt to make sense out of the suffering of someone such as his best friend Rick who recently discovered he would remain paralyzed from the waist down and may have to endure living in that miserable condition for another 50 to 60 years the boy discovered the following Bible verse.
“For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 2 Corinthians,” 4:17 (ESV).
The boy and Rick each understood Paul to be saying that God was using the sufferings of folks I have been describing in recent sermons as being His “special children” in order to prepare and enable them to be capable of rejoicing in the Lord Jesus throughout eternity in a way the rest of His children can’t.” The boy’s Uncle Claude and his therapist tried their best to dampen their hopes. They almost succeeded until the boy came across something on the web entitled “The Gift of Susan.” It was read at the funeral of a remarkable young woman by her sister Lisa. Susan had been born blind and mute and remained trapped inside a quadriplegic body until the moment of her death. Then, thanks to Christ’s unfathomable love as exemplified on His cross, Susan was immediately clothed with a brand new immortal/invisible/spiritual body and soared with the angels into the Lord’s presence, and joined the company of the vast multitude of other “special” sufferer’s who were mostly unknown on this world’s stage, but who are now “The Happiest People In Heaven.”
Without even pondering all that food for thought, Claude attempted to rip it apart when he sarcastically told the boy how happy he was for Rick because he only had to suffer in that miserable condition for another 50 to 60 years, and then when Rick dies and goes to Heaven he’s going to be blessed big-time and live forever as one happy dude. Can you imagine the field day someone such as Claude is apt to have about Rom Houben’s plight?
So what words of wisdom would you offer to everyone at the Bible Study which has moved into Rick’s home and you were the teacher? Surely there has to be more meaning to his life than getting saved and then living in that awful state until he dies and enters Heaven. Most unbelievers never give a serious thought to trying to find the meaning to life unless perhaps they are personally affected by a tragedy. And it’s sad to say all too many Christians don’t either. For starters you may want to remind the folks at the study why God created human beings.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV). “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you,” Psalms 73:25 (ESV).
Rick and every human being have been created by God for a specific purpose: to glorify God and be happy with Him forever. I believe you should tell those folks the rule to follow which God has given to direct them where to find how they may glorify and enjoy Him. Speaking to young Timothy, Paul wrote:
“…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:15-16 (ESV). John further explains:
“…that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ,” 1 John 1:3 (ESV).
Next you may want to remind them who and what kind of a being God is.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 (ESV)
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalms 90:2 (ESV)
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. Psalms 147:5 (ESV)
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3 (ESV)
6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV)
Those verses are only a smattering of how magnificent our Creator truly is. There was a time shortly after my conversion when I kept getting convicted of certain sins He wanted me to get rid of but I was reluctant to do so. I wondered if there was an easier way. I kept looking for a while but I always came back to the same conclusion the Apostle Peter did when Christ asked His disciples:
67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, John 6:67-68 (ESV)
I stopped looking for another way almost 40 years ago because there is no other way except through Him.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)
Finally, you should remind them who and what they are in Christ. And suggest they jot the following verses down and make the time to meditate on them frequently. Among other benefits they provide the remedy for low self-esteem.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 (ESV)
15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (ESV)
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:24 (ESV)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (ESV)
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:17 (ESV)
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7 (ESV)
30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV)
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 1 Corinthians 6:19 (ESV)
17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (ESV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, Ephesians 2:4 (ESV)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7 (ESV)
10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Ephesians 1:10-11 (ESV)
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6 (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13 (ESV)
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. Ephesians 3:12 (ESV)
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 (ESV)
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8 (ESV)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Colossians 2:10 (ESV)
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 (ESV)
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3 (ESV)
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4 (ESV)
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39 (ESV)
You can be certain that precious “special” child of God I mentioned earlier must have taken in and absorbed those verses and others as often as she was exposed to them. Allow me to share the following excerpts from a reading by her sister Lisa at her funeral a little more than a month ago. “Without even one spoken word, Susan taught lessons to those who came in contact with her and those who cared for her. She taught lessons of patience, trust, forgiveness, perseverance, joy amidst any circumstance and unshakeable peace. Without a doubt, what was most special about Susan was her joy. It was a joy, or happiness, that wasn’t just apparent on her face. It was a joy that so obviously came from deep within her spirit and radiated out whenever she smiled. It was a deep joy, a real joy, a complete joy. Her joy was not dependent on her circumstance. It was present no matter the illness, no matter the surgery, no matter the pain. Yes, there was something special about Susan and it was not her special needs. Susan had a faith in God and she had the peace and comfort of His Holy Spirit within her. Those of you who were blessed enough to attend church with her have heard her joy as she sang in that beautiful voice with no words.
As her family, we take great joy in knowing that Susan is now in heaven with the Lord, singing praises directly to Him, free from her body, free from pain, free from illness. Her joy is complete now. Our sorrow is not for Susan. We have the peace of knowing who is caring for her now. We know, without a doubt, that she was given to us by God, just as she was, to teach us of Him. He blessed us with her. For the rest of our lives we will wholeheartedly thank Him for the blessing she was, as she spends eternity thanking Him for His work in her life.”
And I might add, if those Christians who had the privilege of being present at the exact moment this precious “special” child of God died were to put on their eyes of faith, they would have been able to joyfully visualize an ecstatic Susan clothed with a brand new immortal/invisible/spiritual body soaring with the angels into the Lord’s presence, and join the company of the vast multitude of other “special” sufferer’s who were mostly unknown on this world’s stage, but who are now “The Happiest People In Heaven”—and, while she lived in our world, I believe Susan was one of THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ON EARTH! And so can you and I be regardless of our circumstances if we make the time to saturate ourselves with the Sacred Scriptures and then memorize and believe them!
I pray the Lord turn this message into a blessing for each of you who just heard it and all those who may read it later. Lord willing, next week…
Dad,
I do remember reading this sermon a while back.
The life of Susan seems to be a sad situation but the joys she is experiencing now make it all worthwhile. I can see where people like Susan are put on this earth to help people like me. A comment I made to you the other day on the phone has stuck with me. I said I just want to get into Heaven but I’m not looking for a bunch of rewards. I have said many times in the past that I will settle for a tin shack as opposed to a mansion as long as I’m in heaven. Now, thanks to this sermon I can see that I fit right in with the other self centered Christians of this world. Although I am very thankful for the life God has blessed me with, I can see now that I need to start showing my thankfulness by serving Him better. I’m just not sure where to start or how to go about it. I hope that in time I will be used by God in a way that will help others and to help me feel better about myself.
I am glad that God is using you to teach me more truths about Him and His Word. When you go home to be with the Lord I am going to be very lonely.
Thanks for all your help and love you have been giving me.
I love you.
Mike
The sermon was absolutely beautiful, and all the scripture was what I needed to hear. I hope so much that I can bring joy or any help to anyone who needs it. Its easy to give up when you are being trampled by trials, but when you keep getting up and walking you learn to grow stronger. Thank you for the peace and hope this sermon gave me. That maybe I can help others with my strength as well as faith, hope, and love.
I love you Grandpa
kATIE
Great Sermons!
Mike,
It is not often that I tear up on sermons. These sermons were done with lots of thought. I really enjoyed both sermons you sent me. Susan was an inspiration to all. Guy is lucky to have met her.
Mike you have always preached with your heart. I know it is God who inspires you through other human beings. Sorry for the late response.
God bless you my friend. I am honored to call you friend.
SERGIO
Thanks for sharing the link with me. Those are hard circumstances to deal with, yet as Christians we are called to struggle with the difficult realities that are all around us. Keeping a focus on the character of God and the blessedness of our eternal hope gives strength in the midst of enduring trials.
Terry
Mike,
Thank you once again for a solid sermon with lots of scripture references.
Both my daughters and my brother (Ed) and sister-in-law have been home care providers for mentally challenged and severely handicapped people. My brother and sister-in-law for several years cared for a woman named Carol who was PVS. She was such a blessing not just to them but to all of us in the family who went to their home. We would never visit without going into her room to see her. We always talked to her holding her hand or stroking her hair. It was obvious that her life had purpose.
Your sermon also made me think of my cousin Jim who died of cancer. I had seen him on a Friday night in the hospital knowing he would die soon. The following Sunday as I was getting ready to go to church, the Holy Spirit kept tugging on me. I knew I had to go back to see Jim before going to church. I prayed before I got to the hospital that the Lord would give me the words. When I got to his room, he was in a coma. I don’t remember what I said except one thing.(You see my cousin was a colorfull character, certainly not a church goin’ person. There had been a lot of drinking and women in his life.) But the one thing I remember was talking to him about the theif on the cross. And when I spoke the words “…today you will be with me in paradise”, he opened his eyes wide and made a loud groan, so loud it scared me. Jim died later that day. What a blessing that was for me, that God would use me to reach Jim. I’m confident that Jim is in paradise today.
I look forward to your next sermon, Mike.
Thank you and God bless.
Carol
Mike,
Wanted to thank you for your most recent sermon. The message was wonderful and one that was extravagantly filled with the hope that only Christ can give. Personally, I feel that only those the Lord chooses for that extremely difficult journey can, with understanding from the Holy Spirit, realize a peace that does pass ‘all understanding’. The Lord continues to bless you in amazing ways.
God Bless,
Bob
Dear Dad,
This is a beautiful lesson.
Love you,
Anne-Marie
Mike,
As always a great sermon,
I don’t know if it’s just me but your sermons speak to my heart and mind each and every time.
We are so blessed but don’t take the time to seek out those blessings. For some reason it seems easy to go to the dark side of things but if we just open our eyes, heart and mind the blessings are everywhere.
As I write this I look out my office window and see a snow covered mountain and think how blessed I am to understand the beauty of what I see or in light of what is going on in the country, blessed to have a job in which I can make a difference and enjoy. For those of us that trust in and love God we are truly blessed just for that. You take care my friend and I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving.
God bless,
Your friend, Ed