Departure and Arrival  Heaven Awaits for those who FINISH the Race.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to “Try Jesus!” If this is your first time joining us, it’s great to have you with us. I would like to thank all the new members for joining “Try Jesus.” Also welcome those in Arkansas, Washington, South Carolina, and Iowa.

The world is speeding at an incredible rate towards corruption. You can see the devastation every day by watching your local or national news. Some of our most intelligent people are even building rockets to jet away to another planet.

Will it work? Not really. Why? Because the sin nature corrupts where ever it is planted. That’s why people die, animals die, trees and plants die, and yes, planets also die. What’s the answer to fix it all?

There’s only one man. And he rules over everything. “Let’s pray, “Heavenly Father, thank you for another Sunday where your presence fills this ministry and those who desire to know you.

Thank you Lord, for watching over us this week. Thank you for giving us the breath of life today. Thank you for meeting all our needs. Thank you for the joy of the Lord. Thank you for the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, open hearts and minds to receive your precious word that will guide us into all truth that sets us free. Give us an understanding heart to absorb your living words today. It’s in your gracious name we pray, amen.”

Did you know that at any given time there are approximately 93,000 flights that take off from approximately 9,000 airports. Also at any given time, there are between 8,000 and 13,000 airplanes in the air.

In the United States, there are 30,000 flights with two million passengers on board that take off every single day. Commercial planes carry approximately 7,782 to 8,755 customers at any given time during the season.

So, there are a lot of planes in the air every day. Most of them we don’t even see. We are certainly glad that they stay in the air, and get to their destinations. How many of you have those frequent flying miles?

There are many people who may not know how these flying miles work. Many airlines have frequent-flyer programs. Those flying miles, or award miles, add up to currency. It’s like saving coupons at your grocery store.

With flying, you earn miles for flying with an airline, and you redeem those miles for free flights, and upgrades. Those of you who fly all the time have become aware of the flying language and definition terms throughout airports.

Some aviation or airport lingo might be words like ATC, gatehouse, ground stop, jet way, and knots. After spending an enormous amount time around travel through flying, things start to become natural.

How many of you have flown to all fifty states? Can you remember each airline you took without checking your fly stubs? Do you remember the names of the pilots or attendants when you flew to your destinations? How many points have you saved up?

Points can be used in all walks of life to can some sort of advantage in a way that makes life a little more pleasant in a favorable way and positive outcomes. Any of you ever try to gain points with your favorite teacher during the school year?

When other kids saw you doing something nice for the teacher, they would refer to you as seeking out some brownie points. It seems like there are times in life when we look to garner points anyway we can.

In relation to our flying adventures, it’s always fun and excruciating to hear kids say, “Are we there yet?” After being in the air for twenty minutes? Children are great to have on departure and arrival trips during family vacations.

Many of you recall the adventures of Kevin McCallister and his family air troubles. How many of you have had those rushing out the door moments when the clock failed? How much effort do you put into your family getting ready before your departure?

These departure times don’t stop for our benefit. Those departure times sneak up on us and is here before we’re completely prepared for it. So, how many of you have ever missed your flight?

That’s the ultimate disappointment in air travel. Especially if you have someone waiting to meet you on your arrival time. Do you think this is as bad as picking up the wrong baggage upon arriving at your destination?

Some people, no matter how prepared they try to be, something causes them not to be ready for their departure time. We used to have a family member (I won’t mention her name) who would miss arrival times for everything.

She would always be the last one out the door. Eventually, my mother would tell us to let her know the time of any fun event two hours in advance. If we were all meeting at the bowling alley at 4 pm, we would tell her 2 pm.

Sometimes she’d still walk in just as we would just start to bowl a few frames. The clock continues to move regardless of our ability to function with it. Is time a friend or a nuisance to you? Regardless of how you feel, time is beyond your control.

As we open the word of God today, let’s see how our creator is involved in departure and arrival concerning time in our lives. Did you know that God has a timetable for every life that arrives and leaves this earth?

King David certainly understood his life around God’s omniscient. 14} “But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. 15} My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” (Psalm 31:14-15 KJV).

You see beloved, all of life’s circumstances are under God’s control. The Bible says God knows our lying down and our rising up. (Psalm 139:1-3, 6-8, 13-18). God knows us from the womb to the tomb.

Those who believe they were a mistake in time or God had nothing to do with them being born when they arrived on earth are sadly mistaken. If God knows every strand of hair that falls from our head, he certainly knows our existence.

Everything living thing on earth is set in his timing. For example, turtles can live between 40-100 years long. But a fly has a lifespan of about two weeks to a month. But I didn’t realize the mayfly (once in maturity) lives only 24 hours.

Wow! Imagine if you knew your time of death in life, how would you spend it? I’ve heard stories of people who have been told by physicians that they have a certain amount of time to live. Most of those stories had something about being with those they loved.

That is important because no one wants to be alone when facing their departure and uncertainty about what happens in the afterlife. Unless you know someone, who is alive and has already gone through the process.

The answer can be found in these powerful words. (Psalm 24:1-2; Colossians 1:13-20; Hebrews 1:3; John 11:25-26; 14:6; Revelation 1:17-18; 1 John 4:4). Jesus is the only answer to the departure and arrival of life.

This is a serious time for those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And I’m not speaking about a religious experience. I’m speaking about an alive, living, breathing, relationship with Jesus. (John 3:3-6; 10:9-11).

Jesus, lovingly explained all this to Nicodemus. When you are born, you are born with a natural birth. But because of being born with the seed of sin from Adam, you need to have a spiritual birth. Even so, we still have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Our departure and arrival in life can still be seen on every tombstone. It is a short unknown story about a life that most in the world may not know about. That dash between two dates represents a life that only God can fully know.

Even famous people may have some unknown stories in that dash between two dates about their life. But did you know your life’s departure and arrival can be filled with peace, and assurance? You can actually know that your life is in God’s piloting hands.

Paul certainly knew this when thinking about his departure. Paul told his friend Timothy he was ready to meet his Savior. Imagine that! Because Paul knew Jesus, he had confidence in his death and arrival to his real home.

This 100% guarantee of arriving where Jesus is supersedes any earthly airline travel you have taken. The airline industry’s impeccable safety record and improved timing of departure and arrival pales in comparison to God’s perfect piloting of getting you to glory (heaven).

Here were Paul’s assuring words to Timothy. 6} “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8 KJV).

[Paul could confidently say that he had been faithful to his call. Thus, he could face death calmly, knowing that he would be rewarded by Christ. Paul confidently expected and looked forward to seeing Jesus again.]

I realize that some may never be completely prepared to say goodbye to loved ones when facing death, but God can flood a person’s heart with peace and assurance. You can hear him simply say, “It’s ok my son/daughter, you can let go now.”

I’ve been at the bedside of many friends and strangers facing the afterlife. I led my dad to the Lord, while he was in a coma.

I’ve seen those who have a relationship with the Lord rest in calmness and peace until he comes to take them home.

My dear niece, who died at the age of seven, definitely knew her departure time. She told her mother Jesus had come in her room the night before and said he was taking her home the next day. God is supremely so good!

My dad certainly was not ready for his spiritual flight into eternity. He had been delayed until he could understand that Jesus was his only pilot to heaven. Without Jesus, my dad’s destination would have been piloted by Satan.

These end-of-life trips are always one-way only. Let’s look at Paul’s words to Timothy again and break them down. Paul said I have fought the good fight. It seems we have been hearing more stories on TV about airline brawls.

That’s not a good place to be brawling, right? Your feet are in the air not on the ground. The last thing you want to happen is to distract the pilot and crew while the plane is flying. Paul was fighting a spiritual battle. (Ephesians 6:10-13; 2 Chronicles 20:15-17).

Sometimes religious people think they can walk in any place (like bars, clubs, strip joints, etc.). They try to tell others about Jesus. My first question is, “Did God really tell them to go?” Did they go in the flesh or the Holy Spirit’s guidance?

They must not have read (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Jesus and Satan cannot work together. There is no harmony between them. Yes, you can meet those individuals on a different ground and be an effective witness.

Sometimes the religious individuals remind me of the Sons of Sceva in (Acts 19:13-20). Paul knew who the enemy was and tried to hinder his travels. Acts 16:16-18). God worked great miracles through Paul. (Acts 19:11).

Not only did Paul fight spiritual battles, he had finished his race (course of life). (Acts 20:24). Paul kept Jesus (the prize) in his sights. Paul’s course set up or flight plan was different than Stephen’s. Acts 7:54-60).

Jesus was there for both of them upon their arrival. We can never think that we can set our own course having the world be our pilot to glory. Here’s an example to place in your memory next to your Bible.

A person who seemed to win a marathon was later scrutinized by race officials. They determined that the person had not completed the entire 26.2-mile course, but had registered for the race and later jumped in from the crowd and sprinted to the finish.

This person didn’t truly finish the race. Jesus would say it this way, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1 KJV).

In your quiet time please read and meditate on these other verses (John 10:2-11). God is the one who lays out our flight plan of life for us. (Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6). God wants us to faithful and a good steward of what he’s blessed us with.

We all may experience those air turbulent flights throughout our lifetime. Paul suffered many things towards his departure. He endured incredible persecution, torture and abuse, yet at the end of it all, sitting in a wet, smelly prison cell, he said “I have kept the faith.”

Paul’s sufferings are well noted. (2 Corinthians 11:23-31). He counted all things as rubbish compared to meeting his Lord and Savior. Paul kept his eyes on the prize. Like looking out the window as your flight arrives at its destination.

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” (2 Timothy 4:8). 

When I used to play basketball on a consistent basis, nothing felt better than hearing family or my coaches say, “Well done, Todd.”

Jesus has these loving words for you on a greater scale. (Matthew 25:14-23). Jesus loves you more than you will ever comprehend. His love covers and fills those who except his presence (Revelation 3:20; 1 John 3:1; 4:10-12; John 3:16).

There are many great stories in the Bible about people waiting on the arrival of loved ones and friends. Your assignment for today is to find at least five outcomes in the Bible that involved wonderful reunions of those waiting to see their loved ones.

Before we close for the day, one of my favorite departure stories is the friendship between Elijah and Elisha. The time they knew each other was special. The relationship between Elisha and Elijah in the Bible was one of teacher and student.

God did mighty miracles through Elijah and Elisha certainly took notice. When it came time for Elijah’s spiritual departure to take place, Elisha was not going to miss this spectacular event.

Have you ever given someone a gift to remember you when you are about to board your plane during your goodbyes to each other? Talk about a departure from this earth. Elijah was prepared to leave (just as Paul was).

But Elisha was not going to let Elijah out of sight for one minute. (2 Kings 2:1-9). Elisha was determined to receive something from Elijah before his departure. Elisha had to witness how Elijah would leave before receiving this gift.

Have you ever waited to see your loved one’s flight leave the airport? Could you see which seat they were in? Could you see them waving goodbye to you? Elisha was given the chance to see a chariot and horses of fire pick up Elijah.

This departure was right on time. Can you visualize that in your heart and mind (2 Kings 2:11). It didn’t matter that Elisha was clinging close to Elijah. This trip was for one occupant only. (2 Kings 2:12-15). But Elisha did receive a special blessing.

There are other stories involving God being in the midst of those who were facing departure in their lives. (2 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 11:22; Acts 20:29). Everyone has a departure for their life.

Your boarding pass and destination cannot be changed once you receive the dash between two dates. It’s important to not delay which spiritual flight you will take. Today is the day to choose.


🗣📢 Last words: There’s opportunity today for you to “make reservations” with God for your eternity in heaven. Is your life preparing you for death? How do you live each day in light of eternity?

Paul confidently expected and looked forward to seeing Jesus again. Will you do the same? Here’s something to remember when giving Jesus control of your life.

A) You can face the departure with excitement. Know that absent from the body means present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:7-10).

B) It’s not so much because of how exciting the departure itself will be, but living your life with Jesus before going to your real home. Remember what Moses said before God took him home. (Exodus 33:18-23; 2 Kings 6:16-17).

C) When you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, upon departing this life, your destination can never be detoured to another location. (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).

Remember my friends, you don’t necessarily have to have your carry-on luggage packed, just be ready when the Lord brings you home. Sometimes our departure may happen differently than others.

Just read your Bible to see how other departures took place. Our departure could come from hospitals, nursing homes, and illness. But, if we can keep our eyes on our destination, (Jesus) It will be worth it all, Amen?

♡♡♡Your recap: Fight the good fight, the devil has already lost the battle.

♡♡♡ Finish the race. Don’t give up when the load gets heavy. Jesus carried a cross, and the sins of the world, turn your burdens over to him.

♡♡♡ Keep the faith. The just shall live by faith. Hold on to that mustard seed of faith. Keep faith alive in your heart towards God. Blessed are those who have not seen him and yet

🛐 Here’s a prayer you can pray about departure. “Heavenly Father, I thank you for today’s message. Lord, most times I don’t think about leaving this earth. I confess, I stay away from things pertaining to death.

But deep inside, I know that it is a reality that could happen at any time in my life. I know that tomorrow is never promised, and my life is like a drop of vapor. After hearing today’s message, I now realize that I have a choice to avoid one of these destinations.

One day Lord, it will be the hour of my final journey. It is the moment of release
When my soul will give an account to you. I pray you would keep me and hold me in your loving arms as you guide my steps to follow yours.

Lord keep me under the shadow of your wings. Even though my destination may be through the valley, your holy rod and staff will comfort me. You are the God of the living, not the dead.

Lord, continue to be my guiding shepherd until my knees are before thy throne at your judgment seat. I can then say, blessed be the name of the Lord, who fulfilled his promised destiny for me. Thank you Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.

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🙏 Please remember to pray for the people in Israel. They are God’s people because of his covenant promises to them. (Genesis 12:1-3; Numbers 6:22-27; 24:8-9). ✝️📲 Prayer Line- Text line- 1-412-616-3572

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Pastor Todd Boxley

Worship Center Ministry