Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 7:1-4
Bible Truth about Death
Intro.
1. How we view death informs how we view life.
a. Materialist view (non-spiritual, earthly, secular): Death ends existence, Eccl. 9:2-6.
b. Spiritual view: Man is flesh and spirit, Gen. 2:7 (1 Thess. 5:23).
2. Our faith and life are informed by the Bible, Rom. 10:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Lk. 6:46.
3. What the Bible says about death: To secure our faith in truth, not in emotions; to secure our hope in truth, not faithless desire; and, to comfort one another as we face death: ours and others.
I. WE ARE DUAL BEINGS, Gen. 1:27; 2:7.
A. Our Flesh Decays after Death, Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 12:7; 2 Cor. 4:16.
B. Our Immortal Spirit Continues to Exist, Eccl. 12:7; Lk. 16:22-23.
II. DEATH IS THE SEPARATION OF THE SPIRIT FROM THE BODY, Jas. 2:26. (Death = termination of life; separation from life-source)
A. Our Spirit Leaves Our Body at Death, Lk. 23:46; Acts 7:59-60.
1. Spirit animates the flesh, Gen. 2:7.
2. The materialist lives only for this life because he is unwilling to conceive of a spirit that survives physical death.
B. Immortal Soul Survives Physical Death, Matt. 10:28.
III. AFTER DEATH.
A. Hades: Realm of Departed Spirits (Acts 2:27).
1. Righteous are comforted in Paradise, Lk. 16:22, 25.
2. Unrighteous in flames of torments and anguish, Lk. 16:23-24.
B. Resurrection, Jno. 5:28-29.
-Hades will give up the dead at resurrection (bodies raised incorruptible), 1 Cor. 15:50-55 (Rev. 20:13).
C. Judgment, Heb. 9:27 (Jno. 5:29).
-No altering outcome after death, Lk. 16:26.
IV. ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH.
A. Death is Sorrowful to the Sinner, 1 Thess. 4:13. (No hope)
B. Death Ought to be Fearful to the Sinner, Lk. 23:39-41.
1. Sin’s punishment, Matt. 10:28; Heb. 10:30-31; 12:29.
2. The terror and horror of torments and then hell should prompt immediate repentance, Rom. 2:4-6.
3. Problem: Sin hardens and deceives the heart, so that many sinners refuse to fear God and death, Rom. 2:5 (1:28, 32).
C. Death is Anticipated and Full of Comfort for the Righteous, 1 Thess. 4:13 (18).
1. Death is our anticipated gateway to rest and an eternal inheritance, 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 14:13; 2 Pet. 1:10-11.
2. We are not discouraged by death, we are renewed in spirit even as our bodies fail and die, 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 5:1-5.
3. Death of God’s saints is precious in His sight, Psa. 116:15.
D. We All Must Use Our Time Wisely, Jas. 4:13-17.
1. Live by God’s will because life is uncertain and brief (4:13-16).
2. Do the good we know we should do (4:17).
Conclusion
1. Important to go to the house of mourning, Eccl. 7:1-4.
a. It forces us to confront our own mortality (2). Death is our end, too.
b. Its sadness is our opportunity to be wise and prepare ourselves for death by doing God’s will now (3-4).
2. Day of death is better than day of birth (1).
3. Are you ready to die? Are you ready to live for Jesus? Acts 3:19 (Gal. 2:20)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: April 16, 2018