Good Evening, brothers, sisters, and friends! Welcome to our fellowship! Before I start, let me ask you a few questions, “Where are you going after fellowship? What are you doing in the U.S.? Where will you go afterwards?” We, human beings, seem to do everything with the end result or a purpose in mind. We study hard, so we may get a degree. We get a degree, so we may obtain a job or develop a good career. We get marry, so we may enjoy love, companionship, and children. Now, let me ask you the question, “What is the purpose in your life? Where are you going after you die?”

How many of you have seen death? The process of death…walking through the last days with a loved one…seeing one’s last breath… viewing a dead person…etc? Was it scary or peaceful? What were your thoughts and emotions? Some may say, “Life is but a dream. Death is like a snuffed out light.” However, there are also those who believe that death is only a doorway to something else: heaven or hell. Let’s take a look at Luke 16:19-31. In my short, little life, I have experienced the death of four very close family members: grandmother, father, grandfather, and cousin. They all lived a very different life and all ended differently.

Grandma and grandpa had been Christians for most of their lives. Grandpa was a military officer during WWII. Both of them started several schools and taught in Hong Kong after the war. Like all human beings, they did good and bad. Grandma suffered a stroke, six years before she passed away, which caused her left side to be paralyzed. We saw her deteriorated. I still remember her last words: “Don’t be afraid. I’m ready to go to my Father’s (God). I pray that you (pointing to my mother) would have more strength, and you (pointing at me) would have more faith.” Early next morning, we received a call from the hospital saying that my grandma passed away. Though I was a Christian and I knew it was coming, I was still very shocked and sad. Deep in sorrow, I couldn’t speak. So, I played some of my grandma’s favorite hymns on the piano. All of a sudden, I saw the entire room expanded and a vision of a man in white with one arm on my grandma’s shoulder. In the vision, grandma was no longer old, frail, and bed-bound, just as the Bible said that we would all receive an everlasting body. Then I heard voices singing joyfully and the two faded away. From that moment on, I had an unspeakable joy and urge to join them in Heaven.

Shortly after my grandma’s death, my grandpa was diagnosed with terminal cancer with only a few months to live. My grandpa kept praying that he might live longer to see some of his children in Mainland China to tell them about Jesus. Our pastor prayed and told him that our work on earth is never ending; God will take care the rest. He then wrote a Chinese poem to comfort all of us regarding his death. During his last few days, I visited him in the ICU and prayed with him. He was on so much morphine, he could hardly respond. I prayed that God would relieve him from another surgery and take him home if God is not going to heal him. God took him that night. I know I’ll see him again.

My father was born into a beggar’s home and adopted by a very wealthy family that didn’t have any children. He freely enjoyed all the wealth, fame, position, and women. He was a fun-loving father, but an unfaithful husband. He said that he believes in Jesus, Buddha, Lao Zi, Guan Yin…as long as he could do as he pleases. However, my mother taught us to pray for him to become a Christian daily. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, all the wealth, fame, position, and women vanished in a night. After 20 years of prayer, God heard our prayer. Near the end of his life, he told my mother that he wanted to see a pastor and become a Christian. He got baptized six months before he passed away peacefully. Though I wasn’t able to see him when he passed away, I know I will see him in our Heavenly Father’s home.

My cousin died at the age of 32 with a son left behind. It’s very sad for me to say that I don’t know if she had truly accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She lived a lifestyle that was contrary to God’s teaching and died a terrible death. (I’m not saying that those who do not believe will die a terrible death.) I’m not sure if I’ll see her in heaven.

Do you know where you are going? God knows that we could never earn our way to heaven. God is holy and just. Yet, He is also love and He has provided only one way. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” “Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). How do you want to live your life? In John 10:1-21, Jesus told the people that He came so we may have life, and have it to the full. When you truly follow Him and let Him guide your life, you will live a life that you will never regret!