Blessed Are The Dead Who Die In The Lord

February 1, 2004

Title: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord

Text: Rev. 14:13

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."

"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." Rev 14:13 (NIV)

Introduction

1.

Body

1. Blessed are the dead

A. Wait a minute! Blessed are the dead...

that can’t be right!

death is a bad thing...

death is a horrible thing...

death is the great unknown.

how can a voice from heaven proclaim "blessed are the dead"?

B. That word blessed is frequently translated as "Happy"?

happy are the dead?

many times, when the end of life comes...

there is suffering...

there is pain...

there is separation...

there is heartache...

how can we believe that the dead are to be happy?

C. Almost a year ago, I preached Marge Cross’ funeral.

for my text, I used in part, 1 Corinthians 15:55, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1 Cor 15:55 (NIV)

And we acknowledged that death does sting...

death can be very painful...

I mentioned how Jesus Himself experienced the pain of death when His friend Lazarus died...

Scripture tells us that "Jesus wept"

Jesus Himself, when He was dieing on the cross...

we don’t picture Christ as being particularly happy.

Happy are the dead?...

that doesn’t seem right...

maybe we should read on in our text...

2. Blessed are the dead...who die in the Lord

A. Here we have the answer!...

blessed are the dead...WHO DIE IN THE LORD!

Those who know Jesus...

those who have invited Christ into their hearts...

those who remain faithful...

when they die...they are blessed.

they are happy.

B. Why?

well, there are many reasons...

perhaps they are happy because death has brought relief from their pain...

Scripture tells us "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" Rev 21:4 (NIV)

maybe they are happy because of the wonders of heaven...

streets of gold...that sort of thing...

I’m sure they are happy because they literally see Jesus face to face!

This, to me, is the absolute best reason...

to see Jesus...

to worship Him...

to bow before Him...

to hear Him speak...

well...I can think of no greater happiness...

no greater blessing.

C. But, our text lists other reasons that are quite fascinating...

3. They will rest from their labor

A. Scripture tells us that those who die in the Lord are blessed...

because they will have rest from their labor.

And you can believe it...

because these words come from the Holy Spirit Himself.

B. But what labor?

our earthly jobs?

cleaning house?

washing the car?

working 9-5?

Certainly, that stands to reason...

when we die...we certainly don’t have to do the chores any more...

we don’t have to work at a job that we don’t like.

C. But there is another kind of labor...

I think Paul says it best, in Colossians 1:28-29 "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." Col 1:28-29 (NIV)

Christians are always struggling...

Again, Paul says it so well, "Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Cor 15:58 (NIV)

We are struggling with all our might to bear fruit...

we labor in sharing our faith...

we work to influence our family members...

we work to invite our neighbors...

We are in a constant struggle to build the Church...

to attract more people to Jesus Christ!...

to help disciple those who are new Christians....

it is a constant struggle.

it is an on-going labor...

certainly it is a labor of love...

but it is tiring labor nonetheless.

and when we die...

we are no longer caught up in the struggle to influence people for Christ...

we will have done all that we can do...

the rest will be up to those whose lives we have touched throughout our life.

D. And there is even another kind of struggle

our struggle against sin...

our struggle against temptation...

Paul said, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" Eph 6:12 (NIV)

If we remain faithful in the face of temptation...

if we refuse to follow the allure of sin...

then, when we die, we are blessed...

because we no longer have to struggle against sin...