Sermon Central
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Sick Unto Death
Contributed by Charles Trout on Feb 5, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: Inspired by the death of a friend. Are we really prepared to die?
Sick Unto Death 2 Kings 20
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
In the lives of many Christians we give much thought and effort towards the manner in which we live our lives. We are constantly looking to improve the quality in the lives of our families, whether they be spiritual or physical improvements depend on which nature we adhere to; the spiritual nature, given through the Holy Ghost, or the carnal nature, that is the flesh. If you walk into a Christian bookstore anywhere in the city, county, state, or nation you will find aisle upon aisle of self-improvement guides authored by Dr. Do-good and Professor Bottlestopper, to borrow a quote from Brother Gregg Grant, of Marion NC. As much as seventy percent of any bookstore now is devoted to these "helps", often swallowing up space that used to be occupied by the King James Bible. The decline of the Holy Ghost filled study of the Word of God has been replaced with man’s commentaries and opinions written to improve the self-esteem of the reader. Again the emphasis has been moved from the Righteous opinion of God through His Holy Word and towards the many varying opinions of mankind. If mankind would spend as much time trying to please God as we do attempting to appease those around us, and even our own conscience, we would have a much closer walk with God.
When we understand God’s will for us we will no longer have to seek to better our lives. There can be no better life known to mankind than to obediently serve our Lord and Saviour and to rest in the Peace of God.
Philipians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Recently I attended a funeral service of a co-worker who had been stricken with a cancer for over twenty-eight years. Many times God had performed great miracles in the life of this man and his testimony was terrific and moving, but now God has called him home. Before the illness had taken his mind from him, he carefully planned his funeral service and designed it to reach the lost that he knew would be in attendance. Needless to say the service was moving and touched many people, both the saved and lost. The thought that kept ringing in my heart was the fact that my friend had time to prepare for his death and did great things with the time that the Lord have given him. Are most people ready to meet death, are we as prepared as this man was? The question rings true for both Christians and those who are lost and dead in the trespasses and sins of the natural birth.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
The question must and will be answered, for death awaits each of us and it is unavoidable unless Jesus should come to claim His own in the rapture of the Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16). It is a glad day in the life of a man when he realizes that we are all "Sick Unto Death."
Sick Unto Death: II Kings 20:1
From the moment we are born we are all in the process of dying "sick unto death." Hezekiah did nothing to deserve death, yet he was stricken and faced certain and imminent death. Death is has no respect for personage or privilege.
A. Hezikiah Was:
· A godly king
· A restorer of the Faith.
· A defender of the people.
· Faithful to the things of God.
· A young man (39) with the rest of life in front of him.
· Proof of the blessings and faithfulness of God.
· Sick unto death.
B. We are also sick unto death:
Every person ever born is under the penalty of death. Just as Hezekiah we too face death regardless of our age, status, or deeds.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
C. Death is inevitable: Romans 5:12
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:
· The lost, face eternal separation from God; the second death;
Rev 20:14-15
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
· The saved must be prepared to answer: 2 Corinthians 5:10