The Great Escape Series

1. Death is not a secret thing that no one knows about. We know it is coming. We just don’t know when.

a. Ecclesiastes 9:5; Hebrews 9:27

b. Job 38:17; Psalm 9:13

2. There is no way to stop death when it knocks. Ecclesiastes 8:8

3. Death is not to be a sad or unhappy experience. Psalm 116:15; Psalm 23

4. I think the only fear of death should come from not knowing what death is. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

a. I want us to take the bible this morning and see what it has to say about the death of the saved, the destiny of the saved, and the delights of the saved.

b. My friend, the bible is the only handbook on the subject of life and death.

5. One day you will stand by the bedside of a loved one and see them slip away into eternity. With a hurting heart you will have to make funeral arrangements, follow the hearse to the cemetery, see that loved one lowered into their resting place. You will be sad, but because of Christ, you will leave with hope.

I. The Death of the Redeemed

1. Redeemed. 1 Peter 1:18; Romans 3:24

2. Some say that when a person dies, they go to purgatory to be purified.

a. Then their loved one pays the priest to pray their soul out of purgatory into Heaven.

b. That sounds good, but I have not found it anywhere in the bible.

3. Some believe in “Soul Sleep”

4. Death is a sleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

5. Death is a departure. Philippians 1:23

a. Paul did not expect his soul, his spirit to sleep in the grave, just his body.

b. 2 Timothy 4:6; My departure is at hand.

c. Like that of an ocean liner, put out to sea, watch it disappear out of sight. Hebrews 12:1

6. Death is a change of residence.

a. It is a termination of earthly life, but alive to a greater life. John 10:10

b. Illustration of a poor man who lives in an old shack, moves into a mansion.

c. One day we will leave these old frail bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:16

7. Death is a gain to the saved. Philippians 1:21

a. If you have lived for Christ, to die is gain.

b. Victory over sin, Satan, doubt, fear.

c. Gain the fellowship with Jesus and loved ones.

d. Gain fulness of the knowledge and perfect happiness.

8. Don’t fear death.

a. Think of death as a friend who will take you home.

b. We have a place where the joy is far greater than we have ever known.

II. The Destiny of the Redeemed

1. We know that the body goes into the grave, where it awaits the coming of the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

2. The soul goes to be with Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

3. What is our destiny like?

4. It is a place. It’s not a figment of the imagination. John 14:5

5. It is a perfect place

6. A place of beauty

7. It is a place of perfect rest

8. A place of rejoicing

9. It is a place of fellowship and love.

a. Abraham and Isaac

b. The Prodigal Son

III. The Delights of the Redeemed

1. They behold the Savior’s glory

a. Face to face

b. Thomas. John 20:24-29

2. My friend, in Heaven we shall see Him in the glory that was His before the world began. Philippians 2:9-11

3. There is an old parable about a prince who disguised himself as a poor man seeking a bride.

a. He fell in love with a young girl, but her father said no, because he was too poor.

b. Then the king hears of his sons return. He sends out the very best of meat to them. The girl was amazed at all of it.

c. This is a picture of the Lord Jesus, not much glory now, but wait until Heaven. Romans 8;17

4. They receive the Savior’s rewards.

a. The Lord does not ask us to serve Him for nothing.

b. In service; 1 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:6-8

c. In suffering; James 1

5. They shall hear the Savior’s praise.

a. “Well done thou good and faithful servant”

b. Mary, when she anointed the feet of Jesus

c. What can I do? Pray

6. They serve the Savior in Heaven

a. On this earth, the greatest joy we can find is in the service of Jesus, but how much greater to serve in Heaven. Revelation 7:15

7. Let me ask you this morning….

a. Would you like your death to be that of a redeemed child of God?

b. Do you want Heaven for your destiny?

c. Do you want the eternal delights to be yours?