What Should Be Our Attitude Toward Death?
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 47:34
0 ratings
· 18 viewsFiles
Notes
Transcript
WRONG ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH
WRONG ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH
"CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST"
Believes that "matter, sin, sickness, and death have no reality"
Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
"ESCAPIST”
Fears death, and so tries to avoid all mention of it.
Louis 15th forbade his servants to mention the word "death" in his presence
Some cultures are afraid that the mention of "death" invites it.
Does this approach provide true comfort?
Does this approach provide true comfort?
"FATALIST" OR "STOIC"...
This person appears to accept it without any emotion, one way or the other
"When I die, I rot...and what of it?"
"BLATANT INFIDEL"...
This individual curses death and the God (if there is one) who allows it
"This is a dirty trick!"
"DESPAIRING PESSIMIST"...
Tired of life, and in despair commits suicide
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
"RELIGIOUS FANATIC WITH A MARTYR-COMPLEX"...
This person actually looks for opportunity to die for the Lord
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
BIBLICAL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS
BIBLICAL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS
PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD...
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Viewed from God's perspective, what does death mean for one of His children?
Viewed from God's perspective, what does death mean for one of His children?
REMOVED FROM EVIL, AND AT PEACE
REMOVED FROM EVIL, AND AT PEACE
The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.
Where did Lazarus go after his death in Luke 16?
Where did Lazarus go after his death in Luke 16?
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried,
In times of general turmoil, the righteous and merciful are often caught up in the loss of life
But we can consider it from a positive perspective, that such no longer have to endure the evil, and are now in peace!
A DEPARTURE, AN "EXODUS"
A DEPARTURE, AN "EXODUS"
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
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
And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
A "GAIN", SOMETHING FAR BETTER THAN LIVING
A "GAIN", SOMETHING FAR BETTER THAN LIVING
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Why did Paul consider it far better to depart (die) and be with Christ?
Why did Paul consider it far better to depart (die) and be with Christ?
A BLESSED REST FROM OUR LABORS
A BLESSED REST FROM OUR LABORS
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
This should suffice to convince the faithful Christian that death...
Is NOT to be denied or feared But can be something precious and even longed for, for the blessings it brings!
As said in the beginning of this lesson, whatever conclusions or convictions we reach concerning the death of the righteous must somehow fit in with these attitudes towards death as found in the Bible
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.