Death

Death

INTRODUCTION Last week we were talking about life. We tried to define it and understand it.

We decided that life was a moment of time to prepare for eternity.

Life is saddened by the fact that it must end sooner or later in death unless Jesus returns to rapture the Church.

We found it difficult to define life. Can we define death?

Death is the departure of life--the cessation of life.

Death is the change from the animate to the inanimate.

Death is when the heart stops, when the breath ceases, when the body is a stiff corpse. Headline, Manila Times, October 9, 1958, "PIUS 12 IN HIS AGONY OF DEATH." The Pope was 82 years old. Can you be assured of living to the age of 82?

Story: Boy asked mother, "At what age do people die?" She told him to go to the cemetery and measure the graves. His conclusion, "They die at all ages." To humans, death is the separation of body, soul and spirit:

The thief was with Christ in paradise.

There are two kinds of death and both of them come from the Garden of Eden.

They died spiritually. Ephesians 2:1, "... quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. "

The first human to die was Abel the son of Adam, murdered by his brother Cain.

Genesis 4:8, "... Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”

Spiritual death was caused by disobedience to God. James 1:15, “When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. "

Death is the direct result of sin. In the case of physical death the doctor may write any one of many things on the death certificate, but the real answer is SIN.

Sin is the basic cause and the disease the immediate agency that God used to execute the sentence that was pronounced on mankind in the garden of Eden.

Ezekiel 18:20, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. "

Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death."

Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.”

Physical death is described as:

2 Peter 1:14, "I must put off this my tabernacle."

Eternal death is known as banishment from God. 2 Thessalonians 1:9, "Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord." That is, eternal death.

Eternal death is also called alienation from God. Ephesians 4:18, "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God. . ."

Modern science and doctors can do a great deal to prolong life. The life span is lengthening, but that is merely postponing the day of death.

We are "Appointed to die", Hebrews 9:27. We are born, with an appointment to meet death. We must, keep that appointment. The one true remedy is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual death is cured by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." When we believe on Christ, the Holy Spirit works the miracle of regeneration in our lives, transforming us into children of God. John 1:12.

Physical death can be avoided by the rapture of the church. But Christ has promised to walk with us (Christians) through the experience of death.

Psalms 23:4, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me."

(Those that can truthfully say, "The Lord is MY Shepherd," can also claim this promise.)

Why did Jesus die on the cross? Was it an accident? Certainly not.

God’s Word said that someone must die for sin. Jesus volunteered to be the One to die. He died the death that YOU AND I ought to have died.

Hebrews 2:9, "... that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man. "

Jesus tasted the bitter dregs of death for you. Oh, reject Him no longer.

Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for you and me. Ephesians 5:2, "... and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God." The death of the Saviour was necessary for the redemption of mankind. Luke 24:46, "... Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day." What is the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 defines it as that Christ suffered for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried and that He rose the third day. That is, the Gospel includes death, the death of the Saviour for sin.

CONCLUSION The death of the righteous is precious to the Father. Psalms 116:15, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." The death of the wicked is unpleasant to God. Ezekiel 33:11, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. . . that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways. "

Revelation 3:20, Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart seeking entrance. OPEN NOW.

Story (Born Crucified, page 15) of George Wyatt, married man with six children, was drafted. Richard Pratt, a bachelor, volunteered to take his place. He was accepted, went to war, and was killed. Wyatt said, "He died for me."

Jesus died for you on the cross. Receive Him as your Saviour TODAY.

REVIEW QUESTIONS