Delivered by Michael McCafferty
on June 28 1999
at the South Saskatchewan Alive Revival
In her death my beloved friend Robin Erickson taught me a very beautiful and powerful lesson. Robin taught me that when we die -- if we have invited , confessed our sins to Jesus Christ -- and asked Him to be our Savior then we will go directly to Heaven to be at home and have ever lasting life - through the love of Jesus.
How many of you in this audience can tell me tonight where you would go if if were to die tonight.
I am 48 years old. For the most part of my life I lived in sin, I was an alcoholic for over 20 years, and even though I had the honor of working for a good and decent Canadian Prime Minister - John Diefenbaker - the truth is I was a man full of sin, fear and guilt.
I was so obssessed with politics that in became my downfall. Just as Chuck Colson went to prison for his involvement with President Nixon's Watergate -- I sadly broke the law -- for my involvement in the most disgraceful political scandal in the history of Saskatchewan.
I have since asked Jesus to forgive me and like Chuck Colson I am happy to share with you that I have been BORN AGAIN !
My life was full of shame and tonight I can share with you the most wonderful news.
Jesus Christ is my Savior ! I love Jesus.
Jesus accepted me - just as I am - and Jesus put people into my life to bring me His good news.
A very special person Jesus brought into my life was Robin Erickson. Robin and her husband Dan came into my life in 1989 - ten years ago - and they knew that at that time I was not a Christian and they loved and accepted me - just as I was.
Robin was truly one of the 'happiest people' on earth because she knew Jesus. She lived her life for Jesus and she SHINED in the love of Jesus. Robin Erickson will always have a special place in my heart because she was truly an ambassador for the Lord in spreading the good news of Jesus and His love and she encouraged me to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
One of the happiest moments in my life was when I was able to share with my beloved friend Robin that on October 29 1995 at the alter call by the Reverend Billy Graham in Saskatoon I made my personal decision for Christ, confessed my sins and asked Jesus to be my Savior.
Tonight I can share with you that for years and years and years I had an awful fear of death. At night I used to wake up and cry. Full of fear and guilt and shame. The fear of death tormented me. I WAS SO AFRAID TO DIE.
Many times I have heard Billy Graham ask this very question ....if you were to die this very moment do you know where you are going ? Tonight I can praise Jesus and thank him him for His love that he used Robin in her beautiful and magnificent life to show me the way -- that in death on earth if we love Jesus we have eternal life.
Last night Sunday June 27 1999 I was baptized by Pastor Larry Spencer at the Discovery Baptist Church in Regina. In baptism by water like John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the river Jordan I have taken another step in my personal commitment to the Lord.
Robin Erickson's life and love for Jesus inspired me to take that next step in my walk with the Lord. Robin was truly a loving wife to her husband Dan, and a magnificent loving mother to her children and a friend to countless people. She loved people in the way that Jesus loves us all. Robin was always a witness for Jesus and in her death I know in my heart she went directly to heaven.
How many here tonight want to go directly to heaven with Jesus.
In her life Robin taught me that:
Jesus used my beloved Christian friend Robin and other loving Christian friends to bring me his message. There was a time in my life when my eyes were blind to the written word of the Lord. There was a time I was deaf to the spoken word of Jesus. And there was a time I was silent and did not have the courage or faith to ask Jesus to save me. In her life and death Robin Erickson was a messenger for Jesus to me.
Tonight I praise the Lord for using Robin as an instrument of His love. You see Robin led a full life, a good life full of kindness and deceny and a deep faith in Jesus.
All of us here tonight can learn a lesson.
You see Jesus in His word in the Bible teaches us this. Jesus said I am the Resurrection and the life and who so ever live in me SHALL NEVER DIE.
In an instant after she died on this earth Robin went to her new life with Jesus in Heaven.
Tonight as we rejoice and celebrate Robin's life on earth let us also rejoice and celebrate and praise Jesus that she is in Heaven with Him for eternal life.
Please join with me in prayer.
Oh Lord Jesus. We praise and glorify you for blessing this world with loving Christian messengers like Robin Erickson.
Jesus we know in our hearts she is Heaven with you and lives on in your kingdom.
Jesus we pray that tonight you will touch the hearts and lives of those who do not yet know you as their Savior that they will be inspired to invite you into their life and know your love you Jesus.
Jesus we proclaim your glorious message and give our praise to you for your love. AMEN.
Jesus loves you and so do I.
Michael McCafferty