This morning we have a special service by which we remember those who have left us to go to Heaven. We have this kind of Sunday service once a year. When I became a pastor, my first job was to hold a funeral. Whenever I have this kind of Sunday service, I recall the very first funeral I conducted.

I had been praying for a sermon to give you this day when I received today's passage. I had been reading a certain book at the time about a young Korean man who had accidentally been thrown into the sea from a ship without anyone seeing him. He was swimming and becoming greatly exhausted while all around him there was nothing that could save him. Finally, he could feel his end coming, he was going to drown, when suddenly he touched something hard beneath him. It was a huge sea turtle! After climbing on the turtle's back, he floated on the sea until his friends could rescue him. They were all so happy that they fed the turtle with their food and alcohol. This story sounds untrue but it actually happened. We can't tell what God will do or who He will use in our salvation. But, I do believe He is doing something special in each of our lives, something that is beyond our imaginations.

Let's cast our eyes down onto today's scripture passage: Job had no idea why he was suffering all the tragedy that came suddenly into his life. We tend to think that sin brings affliction, and so did Job's friends. But, this was not true in Job's case! See Job 1:20-22.

A friend of Job's came to him and said, what we can read in verses 4 to 7 of chapter 33. This passage reminds me of how we were created. See Genesis 2:7. Our fleshly bodies return back to the earth! Our fleshly bodies are not as worthy as something that resides temporarily inside them.

II Corinthians 5:1-5 describes what we call "death". When we die, our soul leaves our body. This is death.

There have been a number of people who have claimed they have experienced dying, reaching the door of death, and then, miraculously have returned back to life. One of these people is a Christian doctor. She has recently published a book about this kind of phenomenon, including her own experience. She gathered together similar stories.

One of the stories read 'My father was about to die on his bed. Being a Christian I called a pastor and together we maintained a vigil; praying and singing hymns, even though my father had become unconscious. Suddenly, my father awakened, and asked us with a clear voice, "Are you all saying good bye to me?" I was astonished but I answered, "Yes, you are leaving this world." Again he spoke, "Alright. I am now experiencing what we call death." Then, he closed his eyes and never opened them again. Through this experience, I realized firmly that to die was to leave our fleshly bodies.'

The author, herself, experienced the door of death. By accident, she fell down a long staircase. For about five hours, she was unconscious. Meanwhile, she experienced the sensation of stepping into a brilliant and shining place that had lots of flowers. She felt happy and at peace, filled with warmth and love beyond expression. She wanted to step further inside. The brilliant light made her feel happy that she wanted to stay there. Then, she heard the voice of prayer. 'Please, God. Bring her back." Then, she was back. This sort of story may sound like nonsense, but she did experience it. The brilliant light she saw was the presence of God, I believe. See Revelations 22:1-5.

In my life, I have seen many people leave this world. Some didn't know God, some did. Whether or not you believe in Christ, there is death; the separation of the body and soul -- and there is Heaven, which God inhabits. This morning, I am again grateful for the cross that Jesus suffered for our sakes.

Translated by Junko Okamoto - Edited for the Net by Shido
For another sermon see: Oita Evangelical Christ Church
For all sermon indicies see: cHaPeL nOaH sErMoN iNdEx