Right Attitude On Death

What Should Be Our Attitude Towards Death?

INTRODUCTION

1. Our previous lesson examined the value of such a study as "Life After

Death", in which we suggested that it could...

a. Encourage us to so live as to inherit blessings

b. Furnish us a stimulus and theme for evangelism

c. Help us to answer inquirers, and quiet deceivers

d. Stimulate us to more fervent prayers

e. Strengthen our love for one another

f. Cause more glory to be given to God

g. Increase incentive to be steadfast in the faith

2. Understanding the value of such a study, it may be proper to begin

this study in earnest by stressing what our ATTITUDE as Christians

should be towards death itself

a. This will help us get started in the right direction

b. For whatever "conclusions" or "convictions" we may reach in future

studies must be in harmony with the proper ATTITUDE as taught in

the Bible

1) Some views of life after death seem totally out of harmony with

a Biblical attitude toward death

2) E.g., if after death the soul "sleeps" or ceases to exist, I

find it difficult to understand why the Bible says what it does

about the death of the righteous

[Let’s notice first, then, some...]

I. WRONG ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH

A. THE ATTITUDE OF THE "CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST"...

1. Who believes that "matter, sin, sickness, and death have no

reality"

2. I.e., who in essence denies the reality of death

3. Who might to read Gen 5:5,8,11,14,17,20,27,31 and observe how

often the Scriptures records "and he died"

B. THE ATTITUDE OF THE "ESCAPIST"...

1. Who fears death, and so tries to avoid all mention of it

a. Louis XV forbade his servants to mention the word "death" in

his presence

b. Some Chinese are afraid that the mention of "death" invites

it

2. But that approach cannot provide any true comfort

C. THE ATTITUDE OF THE "FATALIST" OR "STOIC"...

1. This person appears to accept it without any emotion, one way

or the other

2. E.g., saying "When I die, I rot...and what of it?"

D. THE ATTITUDE OF THE "BLATANT INFIDEL"...

1. This individual curses death and the God (if there is one) who

allows it

2. Who might say, "This is a dirty trick!"

E. THE ATTITUDE OF THE "DESPAIRING PESSIMIST"...

1. Tired of life, and in despair commits suicide

2. But there is at least one passage that teaches us to have more

respect for our physical body - cf. 1 Co 6:19-20

F. THE ATTITUDE OF THE "SENTIMENTALIST"...

1. This person gushes over death-bed scenes, grows very

sentimental, but actually enjoys it!

2. Just like there are those who enjoy "thrillers", there are

those who delight in "tear-jerkers"

3. Why? You will have to ask a psychologist for that one...

G. THE ATTITUDE OF THE "RELIGIOUS FANATIC WITH A MARTYR-COMPLEX"...

1. Not to be confused with true martyrs who faced inevitable death

with great courage

2. This person actually looks for opportunity to die for the Lord

3. Who should probably study such verses like 1 Co 13:3b; Ph 1:

22-24

[Such attitudes toward death are harmful or otherwise wrong.

How then should the Christian view death? The same way the Bible views

it...]

II. BIBLICAL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS

A. PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD...

1. Cf. Ps 116:15

2. Viewed from God’s perspective, death simply means that one of

His children is finally "coming home"

B. REMOVED FROM EVIL, AND AT PEACE...

1. Cf. Isa 57:1-2

2. In times of general turmoil, the righteous and merciful are

often caught up in the loss of life

3. But we can consider it from a positive perspective, that such

no longer have to endure the evil, and are now in peace!

C. A BEING CARRIED AWAY BY ANGELS TO BLISS...

1. Cf. Lk 16:22

2. Those righteous who have suffered are immediately released from

that suffering, and are carried away by the angels to a place

of comfort

D. A GOING AWAY TO PARADISE...

1. Cf. Lk 23:43

2. So Jesus promised the thief on the cross

E. A DEPARTURE, AN "EXODUS"...

1. Paul viewed his impending death as a "departure", using "a

metaphor drawn from loosing from moorings preparatory to setting

sail" - 2 Ti 4:6

2. Peter used the Greek word "exodos" {ex’-od-os} (translated

"decease"), meaning "exit", the same word used to describe the

Exodus of Israel from Egyptian bondage - 2 Pe 1:15

F. A "GAIN", SOMETHING FAR BETTER THAN LIVING...

1. Cf. Ph 1:21,23

2. This was another way Paul viewed his death

G. TO BE WITH CHRIST, AT HOME WITH THE LORD...

1. Cf. Ph 1:23; 2 Co 5:6-8

2. This is why death was considered by Paul to be a "gain", rather