Dealing With Death

Text: Hebrews 9:26-28 – “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

Introduction

The subject of death seems to be a morbid thing to talk about on a Sunday morning. But, the fact is that “death” is a very real part of every person’s experience in this world.

It is the one thing that man cannot control or stop. We all will one day die. We all will face the pain and the anguish of death.

Romans 5:12 – “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: …”

Here are a few of my thoughts about death:

Death is a curse; the curse of sin upon man.

Death is inevitable. You cannot escape death.

Death is separation. It separates us from God. It separates us from our loved ones. It separates us from life.

It is the separation of the body and the soul and the spirit. The body is God’s creation. The soul is the inner man. The spirit is the breath of life from God.

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Gen. 2:7

“He restoreth my soul:” Ps. 23:3

“Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me.”

Ps.49:14-15

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36

Death is a destroyer of life, both physical and spiritual.

Death is the ultimate fear of man. (No life equals no hope or no continuance. It, also, means the fear of cessation of opportunity to accomplish, achieve, advance, or complete all man’s desires or dreams.)

Death equals loss or lack of vision, hope, or accomplishment.

Death causes the loss.

The loss of fellowship

The loss of people who are talented, involved, or important

The loss of acceptance, encouragement, or notoriety

Death is deterioration, decomposition, and destruction.

There is a Physical Death of Man.

The body is impacted in such a way as to take away life (given by God).

Physical death was a judgment of God on sin (Therefore, God set a limit on His grace).

God allowed man to “live” long lives until Genesis 6:3 – “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

Later God reset the limits of man’s life to seventy years. Modern medicine has helped “some” to live longer lives. (Presumptuous act of man against God’s authority.)

Death is a tool of Satan to Destroy

Physical death can usurp God’s plan for that person. How?

1. Cuts off opportunities to do the whole will of God.

2. Keeps some from ever being saved by God’s grace.

3. Death of loved ones, discourages, demoralizes and destroys hope in those affected. It can hinder them from being saved, completing their ministries, or winning others to God.

Death is a tool Satan uses to destroy God’s creation

Abortion, murder, suicide, war, conflict, hatred, sickness, disease, accidents, or natural causes.

What is God’s Role in Death?

Death is the curse upon man for his sin.

It is God’s judgment of rebellion, disobedience, and deception. Why? Lucifer’s rebellion was the actual instigator of the curse.

He was banished from heaven

He was limited by God (Why? God’s justice and fairness – gave even Lucifer and opportunity to repent)

Lucifer became “evil incarnate”. His desire is to destroy everything God has created.

Lucifer, now Satan, wants to rule, but we can see his rule is to be as a dictator, despot, and destroyer.

Therefore, man is condemned in his sin for following Satan’s way.

1. Man is condemned in his mind (spirit – convicted – guilty)

2. Man is condemned in his body (flesh condemnation – death)

3. Man is condemned in his soul ( soul – committed – to eternal life or to eternal death) eternal means not end of life or or dying

What is our way around death?