The Last Things: Death

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Ecclesiastes 3:1,2

Introduction

First, we must have a Biblical Worldview when it comes to death.

Second, is the topic of Personal Responsibility!

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:10-12

Death Comes to ALL so Let’s Prepare Ourselves

1. Death Defined

“Death is a temporary cessation of bodily life and a separation of the soul from the body.” W. Grudem

1. Death is Inevitable

Death comes to everyone, but Christians should never look at death as punishment.

“Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:24-26

1. Death is Inconsistent

This means that death has no set standard on age, race, religion, or time. Death can be sudden and unexpected OR long and expected. Death can be hard to deal with in so many ways.

“Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.”  Psalm 139:16 HCBS

We must in this life prepare for our future with God!

1. Death is Final

Death is final, there is no second chance to receive Christ AFTER you die.

There is no purgatory, there is no soul-sleep, there is only death then judgment.

Luke 16:24-26 – “…and besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.”

1. Death for a Believer

“Rebirth brings us into the Kingdom of Grace, death brings us into the Kingdom of Glory.” Richard Baxter

Death for the believer is victory and freedom over sin, temptation, opposition, persecution, indwelling sin, schemes of the Devil, sickness, and disease.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life…will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

• Death for an Unbeliever

When it comes to the death of an unbeliever I find no rejoicing in the matter. My heart is grieved when I am not sure of the final state of an individual.

“I am speaking the truth in Christ I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:1-3

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

“Then he will say to those on his left, depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels…And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:41,46

1. Prepare Ourselves

Everything that we have talked about is preparing ourselves for eternity NOW. That is the single greatest thing we can do for our future with the Lord.

1. Conclusion

Hebrews 12:2 –“…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…”

Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”