Death Is Christ's Minister
Death is not an enemy, but Christ's minister, guiding us from darkness to light and from sorrow to glory.
Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the comforting truth that death is not the end for believers, but rather a transition into a beautiful and glorious eternity with God. She emphasizes the importance of faith and love, highlighting that even in the face of death, Christ's loving will prevails. Tileston encourages believers to trust in the Master's timing, knowing that when He calls, it is simply a summons to go home to Him.
Text
The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
JOHN 11:28
STIR in us the might of faith,
Light in us the fire of love!
Then will smile Thine angel Death,
Opener of the gate above;
Sweet Thy summons then will come;
Gladsome then shall we go home.
THOMAS H. GILL
BEYOND all secondary causes, deeper than disease or accident, lies the loving will of Him who is the Lord of life and death. Death is Christ's minister, "mighty and beauteous, though his face be dark," and he, too, stands amidst the ranks of the "ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them that shall be heirs of salvation."
ALEXANDER MACLAREN
Until our Master summons us, not a hair of our head can perish, not a moment of our life be snatched from us. When He sends for us, it should seem but the message that the child is wanted at home.
ANTHONY W. THOROLD
Death to a good man is but passing through a dark entry out of one little dusky room of his father's house into another that is fair and large, lightsome and glorious.
ANONYMOUS
Sermon Outline
- Death as Christ's Minister
- Protection and Provision
- Death as Transition
- Death is a passage from one room to another
- From darkness to light, from sorrow to glory
Key Quotes
“Death is Christ's minister, 'mighty and beauteous, though his face be dark,' and he, too, stands amidst the ranks of the 'ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them that shall be heirs of salvation.'” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Death to a good man is but passing through a dark entry out of one little dusky room of his father's house into another that is fair and large, lightsome and glorious.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We can trust that our life is safe in Christ's hands until He summons us.
- Death is a transition, not an end, but a passage to a greater glory.
- We should view death as a summons home, rather than a loss or separation.