Text: Hebrews 9:26-28 – “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Introduction
The subject of death seems to be a morbid thing to talk about on a Sunday morning. But, the fact is that “death” is a very real part of every person’s experience in this world.
It is the one thing that man cannot control or stop. We all will one day die. We all will face the pain and the anguish of death.
Romans 5:12 – “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: …”
Here are a few of my thoughts about death:
Death is a curse; the curse of sin upon man.
Death is inevitable. You cannot escape death.
Death is separation. It separates us from God. It separates us from our loved ones. It separates us from life.
It is the separation of the body and the soul and the spirit. The body is God’s creation. The soul is the inner man. The spirit is the breath of life from God.
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Gen. 2:7
“He restoreth my soul:” Ps. 23:3
“Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me.”
Ps.49:14-15
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36
Death is a destroyer of life, both physical and spiritual.
Death is the ultimate fear of man. (No life equals no hope or no continuance. It, also, means the fear of cessation of opportunity to accomplish, achieve, advance, or complete all man’s desires or dreams.)
Death equals loss or lack of vision, hope, or accomplishment.
Death causes the loss.
The loss of fellowship
The loss of people who are talented, involved, or important
The loss of acceptance, encouragement, or notoriety
Death is deterioration, decomposition, and destruction.
There is a Physical Death of Man.
The body is impacted in such a way as to take away life (given by God).
Physical death was a judgment of God on sin (Therefore, God set a limit on His grace).
God allowed man to “live” long lives until Genesis 6:3 – “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
Later God reset the limits of man’s life to seventy years. Modern medicine has helped “some” to live longer lives. (Presumptuous act of man against God’s authority.)
Death is a tool of Satan to Destroy
Physical death can usurp God’s plan for that person. How?
1. Cuts off opportunities to do the whole will of God.
2. Keeps some from ever being saved by God’s grace.
3. Death of loved ones, discourages, demoralizes and destroys hope in those affected. It can hinder them from being saved, completing their ministries, or winning others to God.
Death is a tool Satan uses to destroy God’s creation
Abortion, murder, suicide, war, conflict, hatred, sickness, disease, accidents, or natural causes.
What is God’s Role in Death?
Death is the curse upon man for his sin.
It is God’s judgment of rebellion, disobedience, and deception. Why? Lucifer’s rebellion was the actual instigator of the curse.
He was banished from heaven
He was limited by God (Why? God’s justice and fairness – gave even Lucifer and opportunity to repent)
Lucifer became “evil incarnate”. His desire is to destroy everything God has created.
Lucifer, now Satan, wants to rule, but we can see his rule is to be as a dictator, despot, and destroyer.
Therefore, man is condemned in his sin for following Satan’s way.
1. Man is condemned in his mind (spirit – convicted – guilty)
2. Man is condemned in his body (flesh condemnation – death)
3. Man is condemned in his soul ( soul – committed – to eternal life or to eternal death) eternal means not end of life or or dying
What is our way around death?
1. God’s mercy – seen in Adam/Eve and in Christ
2. God’s love – love extended (Agape) to man through conviction, love, and salvation (Christ on Calvary’s cross)
3. God’s grace – Forgiveness – penalty paid – merchandise returned for new life – obedience (commitment, consecration, and service)—faithfulness (love returned to God) – hope (resurrection – dead in Christ have new body, assurance, hope --- the living in Christ have hope of rapture and heaven)
4. The resurrection will return the destroyed mind, body to new creation of God and they are reunited with the soul(inner spirit) of man equaling a New Creation, A Holy Creation, and a Spiritual Creation
How Should We Handle Death?
There are two kinds of death man will have to face. One is physical and one is spiritual.
A. Physical death—
It will happen—“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Heb. 9:27
We must be spiritually prepared. How?
Know God
Know His Word
Know Christ as the Son of God and Savior of our souls
Know for sure about where you will spend eternity
We must be emotionally prepared. How?
Use wisdom –
Have no fear –
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Cor. 15:54-57
Have no regrets – comes from living a life committed to God and to good morals.
We must be physically prepared. How
Know Peace
Do not destroy your own body or the body of others
Occupy till Jesus comes or we die
Plan for your end – Plan for your spouse and family
Plan financially to take care of your obligations to debts, family, and the church.
There is a Spiritual Death
When the “spiritual” man dies, he becomes lifeless, discouraged, and has little or no hope or help.
(Backsliders – sliding back into sin or away from God and His plan for your life)
When man cannot “feel” or be “touched” by the Holy Spirit or the Word of God, he has become “dead” to God.
His actions turn from spiritual to carnal
His eyes become blinded and cannot see God nor
His own position or his fate
His heart ceased to beat with passion for the spiritual things of God
His arms and legs cease to bless
His feet walk with the world in sin instead walking with the Lord or the Church
He turns away from God—becomes alive to sensual and the fleshly—his mind cast God out of his garden and erects “new” gods—many gods—lust, fame, money, time, jobs, things, and other people.
Is there An Answer?
Yes! There is an answer. It is to choose the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.
See what Christ will do for you.
He died for the ungodly and sinners (who are dead to God)
He forgives – takes away our guilt
He changes us – takes away our condemnation
He loves us – Bestow upon us
Faith
Cleansing (Sanctification)
Holy Spirit
Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Gifts and fruits
Blessings and Joy
Hope and Assurance (Eternal life and Faith/Vision)
He will raise us up – promise of resurrection for the dead saints and for the living saints—this is the victory (the last enemy that shall be overcome is death—victory was proven in Christ’s resurrection)
How Can I Face Death With Hope?
Jesus Christ died in your place – if you believe and accept him then you have hope
Wouldn’t it make more sense to serve Christ and walk through the valley of the shadow of death with Him, than without Him?
All you have to do is—
Acknowledge your sinful condition
Believe that Christ is the Son of God
Confess your guilt and need of His forgiveness
Then, accept His love, forgiveness, and cleansing
Finally, love Him and serve Him as you Lord and Master and live with Him forever.
Conclusion
Death is a penalty that we cannot overcome by ourselves. Some think that it will not happen to them. Others believe that there is no life after death. But, the truth is that death is only an entrance into eternity. We must be ready for it. We must be overcomers of it. We must recognize that it is not the finality of our existence.
We must give ourselves back to God and allow him to cover our sins and erase our penalty.
We must let Jesus have control of our lives.
The real question is--- Are You Ready To Face Death?
