Text Box: Death and grief are front page news in America this week. Michael Jackson’s death will be the lead story for quite some time. Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer on June 25th, the same day Michael Jackson died. Ed McMahon died at age 86 on June 23rd. One of the best known high school football coaches in the country, Ed Thomas, was shot and killed on June 24th. TV Pitchman, Billy Mays, died suddenly on June 28th at age 50. In addition, there was a plane crash in the Indian Ocean on June 30th, killing over 150 passengers. It is difficult to write about public figures who die because we all respond to well known people in different ways. Some reading this believe Michael Jackson was a musical genius, while others never liked him. Some reading this are very forgiving of the public sins of Farrah Fawcett, while others see her life as an example of what is wrong with Hollywood. There is nothing more American than being opinionated about the celebrities we have never met. With all due respect to the families who have lost famous loved ones, here are a few biblical perspectives on the deaths of the past week. Jesus in Luke 16:19-31 gives us the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man. The rich man lived a life of luxury while the poor beggar, Lazarus lived a life of suffering. They died at the same time and they are portrayed as being within sight of each other, Lazarus at the side of Abraham and the rich man in a place of intense suffering. In response to the rich man’s call for help, Abraham say, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now Text Box: he is comforted here and you are in agony.” (Luke 16:25) Life can seem very unfair when we think about the talent, wealth and fame some are given in this life. Jesus’ parable reminds us that some injustice will be set strait on the other side of the grave. In many ways faith is hard when life is easy and faith is easier when life is hard. The next verse (16:26) states that “a great chasm has been fixed” between those in suffering and those in a place of joy. One of the central doctrines of Christianity that is being lost in our day of tolerance and multiculturalism is the teaching on heaven and hell. Jesus often taught on the topic of heaven and hell. Only God knows who will be where, but there are plenty of verses in the Bible pointing out that those who follow Jesus go to heaven and those who reject that Jesus is the Savior of the world, are headed for a place of suffering called hell. The doctrine of heaven and hell should motivate us to live for Jesus, tell others about Jesus, and cause us to be continually thankful for our eternal hope. Without heaven and hell, Jesus would not need to die on a cross, the Bible would be full of lies, and the foundation of Christianity would be seriously flawed. Finally, Jesus’ parable reminds us that death is the great equalizer. There are no celebrities in heaven, except possibly martyrs and prayer warriors. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” May we be prepared for our own death and may we point others to Jesus in this season of national grief. -Pastor Rick Text Box: So Many Celebrities Dying

Fort Lee Gospel Church

1625 Palisade Ave.      Fort Lee, NJ 07024           (201)947-1465   

Pastor:                        Rev. Rick Spenst                       

Web site: www.fortleegospel.org

E-mail:                   fortleegospel@juno.com

Gospel News
Text Box: July 2009 Text Box: Inside this issue:

Youth Events

2

Sunday Evening

2

Faith & Reason

2

July Events

3

Men’s Retreat

3

Homeless Min

3

Freedom

4