a MUST read!!!

God Calls Dr. Jack Arnold to Glory (Scott Anderson made me aware of the circumstances of his death. They are quite remarkable.)

On Sunday morning, January 9, Dr. Jack L. Arnold was transported to the presence of Christ. Jack was preaching during morning worship and as he approached the conclusion of his sermon on the cost of discipleship, as he passionately exhorted us to live for Christ and anticipate going to be with Him when your earthly work is completed, Jack paused, looked up briefly, and fell to the ground. Despite the courageous efforts of numerous members in the congregation and the Oviedo Rescue Department, Jack died from a massive cardiac arrest.

While we grieve our loss of this wonderful servant, we do not grieve without hope. Rather we grieve the loss of companionship and leadership that Jack gave, but we celebrate the example he left, the people he taught and mentored over the years, and we celebrate his final words: “To me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

Conclusion of Jack Arnold’s final sermon:

The following words are taken from the text of Jack Arnold’s notes for Sunday. Though he departed slightly from the notes, he was in this final section, approaching the conclusion when he was taken home to be with the Lord. Read and consider the conclusion he intended to speak:

Christians often have a horrible fear that if they really commit to Christ, becoming a radical in His kingdom, they will suffer so terribly and their lives will be miserable. But what does Jesus say?

“This life will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.”

More from the Associated Press:

Preacher Dies During Sermon About Heaven

OVIEDO, Fla. - A Presbyterian minister collapsed and died in mid-sentence of a sermon after saying "And when I go to heaven ...," his colleague said Monday.

The Rev. Jack Arnold, 69, was nearing the end of his sermon Sunday at Covenant Presbyterian Church in this Orlando suburb when he grabbed the podium before falling to the floor, said the Rev. Michael S. Beates, associate pastor at Covenant Presbyterian.

Before collapsing, Arnold quoted the 18th century Bible scholar, John Wesley, who said, "Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal. But when my work for Christ is done ... I go to be with Jesus," Beates said in a telephone interview.

Several members of the congregation with medical backgrounds tried to revive the minister and paramedics were called, but Arnold appeared to die instantly, Beates said.

Arnold had been the senior minister at the church until the late 1990s when he began traveling to Africa and the Middle East to teach pastors. The cause of death was believed to be cardiac arrest. He had bypass surgery five years earlier.

Beates also recounted Arnold's death in an e-mail he sent to members of the Central Florida Presbytery.

"We were stunned," Beates said. "It was traumatic, but how wonderful it was he died in his own church among the people he loved the most."

More details sent to me from Scott Anderson (the account was written by Desiring God's video producer, Scott Smith):

Below is the account of the PCA pastor who died during preaching a sermon last Sunday. It's the kind of account I don't belive on the internet but comes first hand from Mike Beates who is an assistant pastor at the church and used to work in the education department at Ligonier. From what I've heard the account has aired on Fox & Paul Harvey.

Subject: Dr. Jack L. Arnold, 1935-2005

Fathers and Brothers of the Central Florida Presbytery, Today our brother Jack Arnold is with Christ in glory. He was preaching today at Covenant Presbyterian on the cost of discipleship. As he neared the end of the sermon he spoke of his favorite verse "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." He quoted Wesley saying, "Until my work on this earth is done, I am immortal.
But when my work for Christ is done,"and he slapped his hands together toward the sky saying, "I am outa here! Idon't know about you, but when my work is done, I go to be with Jesus.
And that will be gain! And when I go to heaven, . . . ." � At this point, Jack paused briefly, looked up, swayed slightly and grabbed the podium before falling back to the floor. And he was gone.
Several members of the congregation worked on him until Oviedo EMTs arrived but all appearances were that the Lord took him quickly and completely. The congregation remained in their seats until the EMTs entered the building then we moved to the fellowship hall to continue to pray before dismissing the people with prayer and benediction. Pray for Carol Arnold, who is strong in faith, but missing her husband already. Her testimony was that Jack was singing hymn around the house this morning for more than 30 minutes as he prepared to preach. Pray also for the 4 Arnold boys as they travel to Orlando. � Finally pray for Covenant Presbyterian Church Oviedo as we minister to our people who heard a great sermon but then saw this dear saint die in their midst. Give God all the glory. � Blessings to you all,

Scott