If the dead will not be raised, what point is there in people being baptized for those who are dead? Why do it unless the dead will someday rise again?
1 Corinthians 15:29
When I think of heaven, I often think of Wes Caddy.
The first time I saw Wes, he was standing in a church foyer, sharply dressed for a man in his 60s, proudly sporting a tie that showed off the Caddy tartan! Once you met Wes, you never forgot him!
Then, in 1986, God gave me one of the great privileges of my life – Wes was the Senior Pastor of Cairns Baptist Church and I was called to work alongside him as his Associate, or as the locals described me, the “Junior Pastor!”
Wes was an encourager. I remember sitting in his office one morning, having preached the day before. My subject had been Church unity and there were genuine tears in his eyes as he said to me, “I thought to myself as I listened to you yesterday, ‘That man is growing!’ I was so terribly proud of you!”
Wes loved the Gospel and loved seeing people come to know Jesus! He would preach on Hell, but mostly Heaven – I can still hear him pleading passionately from the pulpit, “There is a Heaven to be won and a Hell to shun!” – and people would place their trust in Jesus!
Above all, Wes radiated the joy of Jesus, often leading us in worship with his hands raised high in the air, in sincere praise to the Lord He loved. Noting some of the shocked faces on the more “conservative” worshipers in the pews (we were Baptists after all!), Wes would respond with, “You had better get used to it – we will all be doing this in Heaven!”
To this day, I still believe he is right. If anyone enjoys Heaven, it is Wes Caddy!
Why am I reminiscing like this?
Because of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:29. It has been suggested Paul is referring to people at Corinth who came to faith in Jesus after reflecting upon the Godly lives of Christians who had died. It may have been a Godly Dad or Mum, an Aunt or an Uncle or a close friend. It may even have been a Wes Caddy.
The memory of that person’s life, faith and influence spoke loudly and led some to faith in Jesus.
When I think of Heaven, I think of Wes Caddy. I am looking forward to seeing my old friend again!
For further reflection: Read Hebrews 11. Think of a Christian who has gone to Heaven but whose life continues to inspire you. What about him/her inspires you and what influence has he/she had on your life and faith?
When I think of heaven, I often think of Wes Caddy.
The first time I saw Wes, he was standing in a church foyer, sharply dressed for a man in his 60s, proudly sporting a tie that showed off the Caddy tartan! Once you met Wes, you never forgot him!
Then, in 1986, God gave me one of the great privileges of my life – Wes was the Senior Pastor of Cairns Baptist Church and I was called to work alongside him as his Associate, or as the locals described me, the “Junior Pastor!”
Wes was an encourager. I remember sitting in his office one morning, having preached the day before. My subject had been Church unity and there were genuine tears in his eyes as he said to me, “I thought to myself as I listened to you yesterday, ‘That man is growing!’ I was so terribly proud of you!”
Wes loved the Gospel and loved seeing people come to know Jesus! He would preach on Hell, but mostly Heaven – I can still hear him pleading passionately from the pulpit, “There is a Heaven to be won and a Hell to shun!” – and people would place their trust in Jesus!
Above all, Wes radiated the joy of Jesus, often leading us in worship with his hands raised high in the air, in sincere praise to the Lord He loved. Noting some of the shocked faces on the more “conservative” worshipers in the pews (we were Baptists after all!), Wes would respond with, “You had better get used to it – we will all be doing this in Heaven!”
To this day, I still believe he is right. If anyone enjoys Heaven, it is Wes Caddy!
Why am I reminiscing like this?
Because of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:29. It has been suggested Paul is referring to people at Corinth who came to faith in Jesus after reflecting upon the Godly lives of Christians who had died. It may have been a Godly Dad or Mum, an Aunt or an Uncle or a close friend. It may even have been a Wes Caddy.
The memory of that person’s life, faith and influence spoke loudly and led some to faith in Jesus.
When I think of Heaven, I think of Wes Caddy. I am looking forward to seeing my old friend again!
For further reflection: Read Hebrews 11. Think of a Christian who has gone to Heaven but whose life continues to inspire you. What about him/her inspires you and what influence has he/she had on your life and faith?