Sermon Central
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If A Man Dies Will He Live Again?
Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Jun 19, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: This was a funeral sermon for a Fine Christian man who was a leader in the church, and who died of cancer. His widow asked me if I could preach his funeral from Job 14:14 I replaced his name with phrases such as our dear brother.
IF A MAN DIES WILL HE LIVE AGAIN?
FUNERAL FOR A CHRISTIAN LEADER WHO HAD DIED OF CANCER
INTRODUCTION:
1.) Countless centuries ago, a great man of God came to a time when the circumstances and sorrow, pain and suffering of his life brought him to a place where for a time it appeared he would die.
A.) In the midst of intense suffering the man Job asked the question “If a man dies will he live again?”
2.) Perhaps what is so significant of Job’s question is the timing of it.
A.) Today there are many Scholars of the Bible who feel that Job is one of the oldest, and perhaps even the very oldest book of the Bible.
B.) In other words, the question we have all asked has been on the heart of man even from very early in the history of the world.
I. MY VIEW OF DEATH DETERMINES THE WAY I WILL LIVE MY LIFE.
1.) The world often looks at death as the end of life.
A.) Such a view of death to many dictates the direction and goals of life.
aa.) Speaking of this philosophy of life and death, the Apostle Paul said: “...If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and
drink for tomorrow we die.’” (I Cor.15:32)
ab.) It is so sad that many people live by that philosophy today. It is even sadder that many people also die with that same philosophy.
2. ) The Christian perspective of death is quite different from this.
A.) Phil. 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
aa.) We can be sure that to those outside of Christ these words are at the very least meaningless, and perhaps even border on
depressing or morbid, or even insane.
aa-1.) These are accurate views of death when merely looked at as the end of life.
B.) Today is a day of celebration and joy even in the midst of loss because of the difference of perspective on the matter of death.
ba.) To be sure, there is sadness, and loneliness and sorrow here today over the loss of a loved one.
bb.) Though our loss is real today, our perspective on death is also filled with joy, hope, and anticipation of more to come.
C.) The Christian perspective of death is not as the end of life, but as a doorway or transition point from this life into eternal
life.
ca.) Anyone who knew Our Loved one would certainly speak of his very strong faith in Jesus Christ.
ca-1.) Matters of faith and of Jesus Christ and His church were of the utmost importance to Our Loved one.
• He was very faithful to Christ and his Church, and very active in the study of the Word of God.
The congregation here has certainly been blessed with the thoughts Our Loved one would present at the Lord’s Table or in preaching from the pulpit.
It didn’t matter if it was the local body of Christ, missions and missionaries, the Bible College, or the larger body of Christians throughout the Maritime provinces, they were all very important and very dear to Our Loved one.
cb.) It was this very strong faith in Jesus Christ and the reality of His presence which enabled Our Loved one to have the courage he had with cancer for the final decade of his life.
cc.) More than this, it was this same faith which allowed him to look death in the face and not to be afraid.
II. WE CAN BE SURE THAT IF A MAN DIES, HE WILL LIVE AGAIN.
-- The Word of God gives me confidence of that.
1.) The Old Testament Scriptures give us hope that the grave is not the end of life.
A.) Job who asked the question: “If a man die will he live again” (Job 14:14) later affirmed his own faith in a resurrection.
aa.) Job 19:25-27
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
B.) Solomon speaking on death said: “the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God
who gave it.” (Ecc. 12:7)
C.) The prophet Daniel prophesied: “multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake...” (Dan. 12:2)
2.) Ultimately, it is Jesus who gives us the complete confidence that if a man dies, he will live again.
A.) The New Testament Scriptures record the presence of Jesus in homes where there was death and also at funeral services.
