Meaning of Life {Template}

The Meaningof Life: A Gift from God

Second Sunday: Life Is a Gift to Be Respected As God Is Taking It

“Is it OK to pull the plug? Do I really need a medical directive?”

Sermon Text: 2 Timothy4:6-13

Sermon Theme & Parts:

The Right Way to Die (or – Let’s Learn From Paul the Right Way to Die)

I. Having Finished the Race

II. Having Your Needs Met

Introduction – Begin with examples of people in your congregation or family who have met death well (or poorly). Or discuss your own death and some ways you could view it. (e.g. Grandpa couldn’t wait to die – is that OK? Or, I personally don’t want to lose my physical abilities and be limited to a wheelchair in my last years of life).

Then lead into the theme by asking the question: “What is the right way to die?” Last week we talked about how important it is to defend the sanctity of life as a gift from God and not allow anyone take it out of selfishness or fear. But, let’s face it. Each of us has to die eventually – unless Jesus comes first. So, it would be good to know how to do it. In God’s Word today, the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul at the end of his life to teach us the right way to die.

The Right Way to Die (or – Let’s Learn From Paul the Right Way to Die)

I. Having finished the race

a. Earlier he was torn, now certain of death

i. Phil 1:23

ii. V. 6 – time for my departure

1. Picture of moorings – right way to die

2. Picture of tent ropes – right way to die

b. View life as a drink offering

i. Description of picture of drink offering

ii. Total giving over to God’s service

1. So if God’s will is to take me,so be it.

2. In faith, I accept God’s decision and early look forward to heaven. If God’s plan is to keep me living, then I recognize that God still has a purpose for me here on earth.

c. Keep the faith

i. All of the other things we do – guarding the faith

ii. All of interactions with others – guarding the faith

d. Expect the crown of righteousness

i. There shouldn’t be – we aren’t Paul (Specific Law)

1. Easy to love the world – Demas

2. Hard to keep faith

ii. Through Jesus there is crown (Specific Gospel)

1. He was poured out

2. He ran our race

3. He declared it finished

Transition – Jesus, through His death, fulfilled God’s will. His death and resurrection guarantee that we too can face death with the assurance of the crown of righteousness which his perfection won for all of us. So as we prepare for that, or as we watch our loved ones prepare, we can follow Paul’s example of confidence in God’s perfect plan for our lives.

II. Having Needs Met

a. Companionship

a. Paul in prison – fellowship

b. How often to visit Grandma

c. Imagine self – what would you need

b. Comfort

a. Paul asked for cloak

b. Nursing homes, etc., but need…

c. God’s Word

a. Share it

i. For first or 1,000,001st time (Paul wrote it and longed for it)

ii. 2 Corinthians 6:2 - now (kids sing hymns)

b. Read it

i. Describe opportunities to visit shut-ins

ii. Describe responsibility to visit family

Conclusion: Reminder of opening story and show how God’s Word provides the comfort that our lives are in God’s hands, and when death is imminent, we can gladly accept His will to bring us to our eternal home.