The Best of All
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
On February 17, 1791, John Wesley preached his final sermon in Lambeth from this very text. Soon after, weak and nearing the end of his life, he was confined to his bed on City Road. During those final days, he often repeated a line from his brother Charles’ hymn: “I the chief of sinners am, but Jesus died for me.” These were not merely poetic words—they were the settled conviction of a man who had spent his life preaching grace. And when his final moments came, his last testimony was simple and triumphant: “The best of all is, God is with us!”
What a way to leave this world. Wesley did not boast of sermons preached, societies formed, or miles traveled on horseback. He did not rehearse accomplishments. Instead, he rested in two truths: he was a sinner saved by grace, and God was present with him. At the edge of eternity, success fades and reputation dims, but the nearness of God shines brighter than ever. The same man who urged others to “seek the Lord” found deep comfort knowing the Lord was near to him.
There is a tenderness in those final words. The best of all is not health, not legacy, not even a long life—it is the presence of God. For the believer, death is not stepping into the unknown alone. It is stepping into fuller fellowship with the One who has been with us all along. Wesley’s final declaration reminds us that the greatest treasure in life and in death is Emmanuel—God with us.
Do not wait for the final days of your life to seek the Lord. Call upon Him now. Walk with Him daily so that when your final hour comes, your heart can echo the same confidence: “The best of all is, God is with us.”
"The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory." — Psalm 64:10
Daily Scripture Reading
Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.
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This Week's Radio Program
Week Forty-Four • November 1, 2026
What are you Seeking?
In this week’s message titled "What are you Seeking?" from Kitchener Baptist Church, Pastor Jerry A. Burns explores John 20 to show how the world searches for meaning in the wrong places. Listeners will hear how Solomon looked for purpose in worldly success and pleasures only to find vanity, and how Mary Magdalene sought her Savior at the tomb, weeping for the dead before discovering He had risen.
Pastor Burns reminds us that true life is found only in Jesus Christ. The reality of Christ gives us life, and His resurrection is the key to our salvation and eternal life. We must choose life, for Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Join us on "Timeless Truths" as we turn to God's Word for these vital answers.
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