It is a major fact of the future of each person. Death and what then? Will you merely cease to exist? Is there another life awaiting us? Some say it is irrelevant. For many, it is disturbing to discuss it. Others feel what is done here and now is all there is to it. But the Bible makes it clear that eternity can either be avoided or evaded. If you are living right now you are on your way to a never-ending destiny with God or apart from God.
The real question is not the “if” of future life, but the “kind” of eternity you will have. The Bible says, “
It is appointed unto man wants to die,” and I ask the question, “What then?”
1. In the US last year, approximately every 20 seconds a person died. 3 deaths every minute. a
a. Death rate in the world is approximately 16 times higher than the US.
b. One death every second.
2. Now, from the earth’s viewpoint it is always a sad thing.
a. Even when a Christian dies.
3. How, should the Christian view his death?
I. Paul’s Own Testimony about His Home Going
1. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
2. Paul in a Roman prison facing adverse circumstances knowing his death is at hand said…
a. In verse 7, speaks of a victorious past.
b. In verse 6, speaks of a peaceful present.
c. In verse 8, speaks of a blissful future.
3. Paul’s backward look. The past life of service and suffering for the Lord, verse 7.
a. As a fighter, I have done my best. 2 Corinthians 11: 23-30
b. as a runner, Olympic Games, he was able to say i have finished my race, Acts 9: 15-15.
c. As a believer, “I have kept the faith.”
1) 2 Timothy 1: 13-14
2) the holy deposit of truth that was committed to my charge.
4. Paul's testimony with regard to the present. I am now ready! Paul was always ready To teach, preach, and now to depart.
a. My departure is at hand. It means unloosing.
b. Departure, a prisoner’s word. It means a release from bondage.
c. Departure, a farmer's word. It means to yoke an ox when the day's work is completed.
d. Departure, a warrior’s word. It means unloosing of the cords and stakes of a tent so that the victorious army may March on towards home.
e. Departure, a philosopher’s word. The unraveling of a problem.
5. The forward look. One word describes his look: Confidence.
a. Confidence in the life to come. “Henceforth”
b. confidence in the return of Jesus. “Love his appearing.”
c. confidence in the day of reward. 1 Peter 5:4
II. Jesus’ Testimony and Your Home Going
1. Psalm 116:15
2. notice what Jesus did not say.
3. He did not say, “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of anyone.”
a. The death of some people is a tragic thing.
b. Unbelievers die without hope. Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13.
c. All unbelievers go out into a Christless eternity.
4. He did not say, “precious is the death of some of his Saints.”
a. Jesus does not regard some more precious than others.
b. No such thing as super Saints. No missionary, pastor or Christian is more precious in the sight of our Lord.
c. All Saints are on equal ground.
1) Romans 1:7
2) 2 Corinthians 13:3
5. he does not say, “precious in the sight of the Lord is the love of his Saints.”
a. There are few things more precious to the Lord than our love, but this is not the thing that is emphasized here.
b. Mark 12:30
c. John 14:15
6. it does not say, “precious are the achievements, victories, and successes of his Saints.”
a. God loves us failures and all.
b. Success does not increase his love for us.
7. Only the death of a Christian is precious or of great value to the Lord. Why?
a. It is precious to the Lord when a Christian dies, because the death of a Christian means the homecoming of his child.
1) Our Lord has purchased us. He owns us. We are his children.
2) 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
3) 1 Peter 1:18-19
4) John 17:24-26
b. it is precious to the Lord when a Christian dies, because death has no sting and no terror for the Christian.
1) The Lord Jesus, by his own death, has conquered death and the grave. Jesus has taken the sting of death away.
a) 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
b) Philippians 1:21-23
c) Psalm 23:4
c. It is precious to the Lord when a Christian dies, because for the Christian it's a life of endless blessedness.
1) Have the gates of death been open to you?
a) Eternity and time.
b) Reality and doubt.
2) Story of a missionary coming home. You're not home yet.
