It is at this time in the life of David that he has been serving King Saul, but the King was envious of David and thus sought to put him to death.  David and King Saul’s son Jonathan were close friends indeed. Jonathan was seeking to find out if his father truly planned to kill David. So as the two friends discuss what Saul’s intentions were, they realized it was best for David not to come to the King’s table until they could further establish the intent of Saul. Jonathan states in I Sam.20:18 that David would be absent from the King’s table and that he would be missed. There was something about that vacant chair that caught the eye of others.  I want us to contemplate on one line of thought for a few moments. It is not complicated, it is not what one might deem profound, but it is something I hope we consider seriously.  Let us consider VACANT CHAIRS in our lives.

The Father’s Chair First, I point out to you the father’s vacant chair. Most men have a chair that is deemed their chair and it is their favorite. A person may be sitting in it, but when the man walks in they immediately jump up and say, “here is your chair.” Yet, the day came or will come when that chair will be vacant.  In your memories you see him sitting there laughing, smiling, or maybe a little impatient about something. Perhaps you recall him in his recliner telling you the same story a second time as he has aged and doesn’t remember so well anymore.  How many memories are we blessed with when we think of the father’s chair?  I trust if your father is still living and is seated in his chair, you don’t crowd him out. Enjoy the time you can with him and heed his wisdom. Store up memories the times as a child you climbed up in his lap to give him a goodnight kiss, to hear a story, or to have him play with you.  The chair may now be vacant, but stop and think of the prayers he may have prayed on your behalf.  Do you see an empty chair? Speak out old chair, thought vacant you may be!

The Mother’s chair Look around a little more and it may be that you find your mother’s chair. I wonder how many mothers have rocking chairs as one who tends to so many cares and troubles of her children. Rocking them steadily, soothing their tears as they sing their children to sleep.  How many in the days of your youth laid your head on your mother’s lap and she stroked your head as you told her your fears, troubles, and concerns?  Oh, in days of sickness how she stayed with you and cared for you. How many mothers rocked with tears streaming down their faces over their children’s wayward ways, love intensely burning within their heart, but pain over the decisions of their children? A mother’s love is one that is hard to imagine. Maybe that chair is vacant now, yet it should serve as a reminder of the teachings she tried to instill in you. Ever start to do something or go somewhere and think, “What would mother think or do if she knew I was here?” Those words may not mean much to you now, but when the chair is vacant you will wish you had spent more time heeding her advice, listening more, asking more, and learning more!  There was a young man that left home into a life of sin that broke his mother’s heart. While he was away she died and the son received a call to come home. When he walked into the room where the dead body laid, he looked upon her face and said, “oh, mother, what your life could do your death shall effect!” The man changed his life and came to Christ.

The Child’s chair How sad to see a vacant chair of a child. Oh the pain of a parent who suffers such a fate is tremendous. Such a vacant chair is heartbreaking, to have no kisses and hugs anymore, to no longer have their sweetness fill the air.  I know some who act as if they don’t like children.  Such won’t like heaven for such is the kingdom of God.

The Empty Pew Look around and see some empty pews today. Such is heartbreaking. Consider the Brothers and Sisters in Christ who have encouraged us and whom we loved greatly no longer here. That empty pew is hard to look at, they are missed greatly.

In Heaven There Will Be No Vacant Chairs!  Because the Throne of God is occupied, in heaven all God’s children will be around the banquet table! No one will be missed, but we will be together forever more.

In Romans 6:23 Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In this one verse Paul summarizes all his preaching, teaching, and theology. Paul, in this one verse, reveals there are two sides to eternity. One side leads to everlasting life; the other side leads to eternal death.

The wages of sin is death. Paul states the wages of sin is death. Wages are what is rightfully earned and deserved. Wages are what you receive for your labor and work. Paul says what is earned because of sin is death. If you live a life of sin the wages of such a life is death. Not just physical death, but spiritual death, which is the second death, eternal torment. The pay-off of sin is what we deserve. Let us observe several things in regard to how sin pays off.

(i) Sin pays off in Shame. Sin pays off in guilt and shame. Guilt is that heavy feeling we get for something we did. Shame is that heavy feeling we have for what we are. If we live in rebellion to God we are sinners. Most people know when they do wrong and feel the guilt and shame. They know they can do better, but choose not to. Many people live their lives trying to escape the sting of guilt and shame. Instead of confessing their sin, they seek to justify it. Guilt and shame are heavy burdens to carry. Some seek to sear their consciences with a hot iron so as not to feel the guilt and shame (I Tim.4:2). (a)The shame of public discovery of your sin. A lot of times what we think are private sins become discovered. There is the guilt and shame that any moment one will disclose what you have been trying to hide.(b)There is the shame of Divine exposure. In 2 Cor.5:10 Paul writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” If I understand my Bible correctly, one who has not had their sins blotted out by the blood of Christ will have their sins exposed in the judgment. Every sin you thought you had kept hidden will be made known (Eccl.12:14).

(ii)Sin pays off in Sorrow. Not only does sin pay off in shame, but sin pays off in sorrow. Consider those affected by the sorrow of sin. (a)Personal sorrow. Think about all the time, money, and energy used to live in sin. The consequences of your choices and the pain involved. (b)Sorrow of loved ones. Loved ones who know you are in a lost state and not right with God. How many tears have fallen from loved ones who know your spiritual state? How many heartaches have there been because you continue to reject the plea to come to God and continue in sin? (c)Sorrow of God. Consider His heartache because of your sin. God sent His only begotten Son so your sins can be forgiven, but you reject His sacrifice.

(iii)Sin pays off in Separation. Consider the following; (a)Separated from God. That line is enough to make chills run down your spine. I don’t know if there is any sadder words than those in Matthew 7:23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Notice what you will be separated from for all eternity. (b)Separated from good. There is nothing good in hell. (c)Separated from glory. Apart from the bliss of heaven. John states about heaven in Revelation 21:4 “And God will

wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

How do I escape the wages of sin? Notice the second part of Romans 6:23 “...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Accept the gift of God. A gift is not earned nor deserved, but is freely given. One must accept the gift. God offers us a: (a)A substitute-His Son died for us. (b)A sacrifice-satisfied God on our behalf. (c)A Savior in Christ. What choice will you make?