The Things Death Cannot Take Away From Us

John 11:35

Everyone here today will suffer some form of loss.

A job...a relationship...and even a loved one through death.

Along with every loss comes PAIN

This pain must never be denied or suppressed

In the midsts of pain, we must remember the many advantages of being a Christian.

But having no pain is not one of them.

We have to learn how to deal with pain, and if we do, it will lead to joy.

Loss brings us face to face with ourselves, our enemy, and our Lord.

OURSELVES...

Loss exposes our vulnerability

To loss, to death.

We realise we are not in control

It reminds us of our focus

That the world should never be our focus

It reminds us of the brevity of life

The uncertainty of life

The vulnerability of our life

ENEMY....

Death

Separates us from loved ones

It is inevitable

LORD...

He is a reliable guide

See John 14:6

A loss can make us bitter or better

Learn how to let pain work for you

There is a safe haven of rest in the midst of a painful world

Jesus said: I will never leave you...

David said: The Lord is my helper...

Not only will we survive our loss, but we will prosper because of it

Death will knock and come as your greatest friend or your greatest enemy.

We have to ask God to help us accept the reality of our loss and rejoice in what cannot be lost:

WE never lose HIS UNDERSTANDING

of our pain

He faced the pain of losing Adam through sin…and His Son on the cross

Mankind’s rejection of Him

See Isa 53:3

Luke 22

Matt 23

We never lose HIS LOVE

Rom 5:8

Rom 8:35

We never lose HIS PRESENCE

- Read Psalm 23