IF A MAN DIES WILL HE LIVE AGAIN?
JOB 14:14
FUNERAL FOR A CHRISTIAN LEADER WHO HAD DIED OF CANCER
INTRODUCTION:
1.) Countless centuries ago, a great man of God came to a time when the circumstances and sorrow, pain and suffering of his life brought him to a place where for a time it appeared he would die.
A.) In the midst of intense suffering the man Job asked the question “If a man dies will he live again?”
2.) Perhaps what is so significant of Job’s question is the timing of it.
A.) Today there are many Scholars of the Bible who feel that Job is one of the oldest, and perhaps even the very oldest book of the Bible.
B.) In other words, the question we have all asked has been on the heart of man even from very early in the history of the world.
I. MY VIEW OF DEATH DETERMINES THE WAY I WILL LIVE MY LIFE.
1.) The world often looks at death as the end of life.
A.) Such a view of death to many dictates the direction and goals of life.
aa.) Speaking of this philosophy of life and death, the Apostle Paul said: “...If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and
drink for tomorrow we die.’” (I Cor.15:32)
ab.) It is so sad that many people live by that philosophy today. It is even sadder that many people also die with that same philosophy.
2. ) The Christian perspective of death is quite different from this.
A.) Phil. 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
aa.) We can be sure that to those outside of Christ these words are at the very least meaningless, and perhaps even border on
depressing or morbid, or even insane.
aa-1.) These are accurate views of death when merely looked at as the end of life.
B.) Today is a day of celebration and joy even in the midst of loss because of the difference of perspective on the matter of death.
ba.) To be sure, there is sadness, and loneliness and sorrow here today over the loss of a loved one.
bb.) Though our loss is real today, our perspective on death is also filled with joy, hope, and anticipation of more to come.
C.) The Christian perspective of death is not as the end of life, but as a doorway or transition point from this life into eternal
life.
ca.) Anyone who knew Our Loved one would certainly speak of his very strong faith in Jesus Christ.
ca-1.) Matters of faith and of Jesus Christ and His church were of the utmost importance to Our Loved one.
• He was very faithful to Christ and his Church, and very active in the study of the Word of God.
The congregation here has certainly been blessed with the thoughts Our Loved one would present at the Lord’s Table or in preaching from the pulpit.
It didn’t matter if it was the local body of Christ, missions and missionaries, the Bible College, or the larger body of Christians throughout the Maritime provinces, they were all very important and very dear to Our Loved one.
cb.) It was this very strong faith in Jesus Christ and the reality of His presence which enabled Our Loved one to have the courage he had with cancer for the final decade of his life.
cc.) More than this, it was this same faith which allowed him to look death in the face and not to be afraid.
II. WE CAN BE SURE THAT IF A MAN DIES, HE WILL LIVE AGAIN.
-- The Word of God gives me confidence of that.
1.) The Old Testament Scriptures give us hope that the grave is not the end of life.
A.) Job who asked the question: “If a man die will he live again” (Job 14:14) later affirmed his own faith in a resurrection.
aa.) Job 19:25-27
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!”
B.) Solomon speaking on death said: “the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God
who gave it.” (Ecc. 12:7)
C.) The prophet Daniel prophesied: “multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake...” (Dan. 12:2)
2.) Ultimately, it is Jesus who gives us the complete confidence that if a man dies, he will live again.
A.) The New Testament Scriptures record the presence of Jesus in homes where there was death and also at funeral services.
aa.) The amazing part of this was not that he was there, but that in each recorded instance he transformed mourning and tears to a day of joy, celebration and resurrection.
B.) At the grave of his good friend Lazarus, Jesus declared to Martha: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
C.) When Jesus himself was dying on the cross he gave the assurance of life to one facing the fear of death.
ca.) Jesus said to the thief beside him: “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 13:42-43).
cb.) By authority in both word and action, Jesus has declared that if a man dies, yes he will live
again!
D.) But when Jesus opened the doors of his own grave he demonstrated that even death had to bow in total submission to the Lordship of Jesus the Christ.
III. WE CAN KNOW IF A MAN DIES HE WILL LIVE AGAIN, BUT IT IS ONLY THROUGH CHRIST THAT
REAL LIFE, AND ETERNAL LIFE IS POSSIBLE.
1.) Jesus gives us comfort at the death of a loved one.
A.) John 14:1-2
aa.) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am.
ab.) These words are certainly treasured today, and at times like this seem very appropriate. Certainly they are words of hope we have often heard at the funeral of a Christian.
ac.) The words that come after this also need to be read today.
2.) Verse 6 of this passage shows the means of this great hope and comfort.
A.) “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
B.) These words were very dear to our Brother in Christ.
ba.) If you were here at the visitation you would have noticed the pages of our loved one's well-worn Bible opened to this passage of
Scripture, and also highlighted.
C.) Several years ago I led the men of Dorn Ridge in a public speaking class. One night the assignment I gave for the next week was to prepare a message based on their favorite verse of Scripture.
ca.) This was the verse Our loved one chose for his text.
ca-1.) He said that verse said it all. That the only way to heaven or eternal life was through Jesus Christ, and an allegiance to Him.
ca-2.) In one of his last Communion meditations he again stressed this verse, and repeated the same truth.
D.) We all know of our brother, and his love of family, sports, and life in general. There are many memories of each of these parts of his life.
da.) As special as each of these were, nothing meant more to him than Jesus Christ.
db.) Our Brother took great joy in individuals coming to faith in Christ, turning from sin, and to Christ. It thrilled his soul to see an individual be buried in the waters of baptism, and to continue to live for Christ.
CONCLUSION:
1.) In just a minute we will be bringing this service to a close.
A.) Before that, I want to share one final thought with you. At the Church in Dorn Ridge we give an opportunity during the worship service for people to request a favorite song or chorus.
B.) Perhaps about four weeks ago, our brother spoke up and requested a favorite song. The song he chose is the one we will be closing the service with.
“WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE”! (Written by Jim Hill)
There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye;
All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore
What a day, glorious day that will be!
There’ll be no sorrow there, no more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain, no more parting over there;
And forever I will be with the One who died for me
What a day, glorious day that will be!
2.) That day as we sang that hymn a month ago, I couldn’t
help but to think of the hope he was holding to. As
we sang those words: “No more sickness, no pain, no
more parting over there” They were not just empty words
that were being sung, but words full of meaning and the
longing within our brother's heart.
3.) If our loved one was to speak with us today perhaps his words
would be an echo of the Apostle Paul: I have fought the
good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith
A.) The crown of righteousness which Paul later spoke of
is promised to all who have longed for Christ’s appearing.
B.) As we leave here today, let our focus, and the goal of
life is to follow the example of our brother in Christ, and to live for Christ, and to His glory.
