The Christian & Death

Introduction:

A.      And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

B.      While many people view death as a dark and evil day, the Bible does not describe the death of a Christian this way.

C.     Notice what the Bible teaches concerning death.

I.  Bible Teaching About Death

A.     All will have to fact it (heb 9:27; Ps 90:10-12; Lk 12: 15-21)

B.     “It’s not that I’m afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”  (Woody Allen)

C.     For some, death my be sooner than later (James 4:14; Job 14:1; Job 7:6;  Job 9:25)  Some people live too long, some die too soon.

D.     Before his death in 1981, American writer William Saroyan telephoned In to the Associated Press this final, very Saroyan-like observation:  “Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case.  Now what?”   

E.      Sin is the cause of our death (Gen 2:17; Rom5:12) Don’t blame God     

F.      The way you live your life, will determine if your death is a time of Sorrow or rejoicing (Phil 1:21; Lk 16 > The rich man died. (Rev 2:10

II.  The Benefits of Death       

A.     Death ends suffering & pain (Example: cancer; car wreck—Rev 21:4)

B.     A proper view of death will give us a proper view of life.  (Eccl 7:2; Amos 4:12; Isa 43:7; Eccl 12f:13-14; Mk 8:36-37)

C.     Death helps us focus on the eternal, not  the temporary (2 Cor 4:16-18; 2 Pet 3:10-12; Matt 24:34-36)

D.     When John Owen, the great Puritan lay on his deathbed his secretary wrote (in his name) to a friend, “I am still in the land of the living.” “Stop,” said Owen.  “Change that and say, I am yet in the land of the  dying, but I hope soon to be in the land of the living.”

E.      Death can help refine/purify our lives (james 4:8; James 1:2-4)

III.  Encouragement of Death

A.     Death for the Christian is a blessing (Ps 116:15; Rev 14:13; Phil 1:21;1 Thes 4:13; Jn 11:25-26)

B.     You can’t get to Heaven w/out first dying (I desire to go & be with….Phil 1:20ff).

C.     A little boy was seen taking a short cut across a cemetery lot Just about dark.  He was later asked, aren’t you afraid.  He Answered, “No, I only cut through here to get home.” Death is only a short cut to home.

D.     God will care for the dead )Eccl 12:7; Lk 16:22)

E.      If faithful, the dead in Christ are in Paradise > Lk 23:43

F.      The Christians death is a lot like this Gravestone Epitaph:

                    Here lies the body of Solomon Peas,

                    Under the daisies and under the trees.

                     Peas is not here, only the pod.

                     Peas shelled out, went home to God!

IV.  Death’s Message for the Living

A.     Wake up!  (1Pet 5:8; Matt 25; Lk 9:23

B.     Live life to the fullest (Jn 10:10; 2 Pet 1:3; Eccl 9:10)

C.     Enjoy life while you are here.  Spend time (Eccl 2:24) Grudges, Angry

D.     Prepare for eternal life now.

E.      Every time a boy went to his playmates house he saw his Grandmother studying her Bible.  Finally, he asked his friend About it.  Why is your Grandmother always reading that Bible? He answered, I don’t know.  But I think  she is cramming for Finals.”