Last week Bro. Bobby talked about death, and well I have said this before, we do not discuss what we are going to be preaching about. I have been reading a book the Bro. Jess gave to me, it is What the Bible says to the Minister, and a couple of weeks ago there was a section about Christ’s death and what it means to us, and it got me to thinking about a message after we finished talking about forgiveness, and unknowingly Bro. Bobby started us off. Today we will be in various Scriptures, and we will be starting in Romans 6:23.

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What are wages—it is payment for work—the amount of money or things earned by workers. It is payment for what you have done. So, our wages are death, Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. All of us have earned our wages, and that is death. By obeying the impulses of sin, we are storing up the reward for sin. Sounds pretty bleak doesn’t it, however Paul gives us a “BUT” but the free gift. Not one that can be earned, like our wages, but a gift from the Creator of everything, and that gift is life, eternal life. But how through Christ our Lord and Savior. By yielding to the impulses of righteousness, we do not earn anything, but we receive a gift, a gift of eternal life from God through Christ. There is a price for sin, there had to be an atonement for sin , and through His loving provision God has taken care of that, you can’t earn it and you don’t deserve it, but God gives it freely to those who believe.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 ESV

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Okay so, from Romans we know the sinner earns their wages of death, eternal separation from God who is life. But through Christ things change. Paul is motivated and controlled by the love of Christ. Christ’s love for us is demonstrated through His sacrifice of Himself. We can say that one died (Jesus) as a representative of all and brought benefits to all because that one (Jesus) died instead of all. All humanity was condemned to death because of sin, Christ identified with all sinful humanity and died, therefor all died. We did not pick Christ to die in our place God did, and Jesus submission to God’s will is a supreme act of self-giving love. He died so we do not have to—yes we still die a physical death, but that is not the end. Christ died so we would live for Him. Put ourselves aside and live a life dedicated to Him. no longer living our own lives, focusing on our own selfish desires, but one focusing on Him, living in that sacrificial love. No longer concerned for our own lives because they are secure in Him.

Galatians 2:19–20 ESV

19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

“Crucified with Christ” Paul’s old life was left dead on the Cross of Christ, and he now lives, truly lives because of Christ’s death. Are you starting to see where I got the title from. Death is something very real for all of us, but because of Jesus sacrificial love, because of His death we who have a true saving relationship with Him need not fear or worry about it. As Bro. Bobby mentioned last Sunday we fear because we are holding on to this world. But when we crucify ourselves with Christ, and put to death the old and the worldly we see things in a new light, in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection. That is also why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:55 “O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting?” for the believer death no longer holds anything.

Colossians 1:20–22 ESV

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

This month at the Mazie school the kids were taught about creation in their morning Bible study. What did God say at the end of each day of creation, “He saw that it was good” and when it came to man “it was very good”. Things were good until sin entered and everything in creation is effected by sin. And everything needs to be reconciled with God. The word reconcile means to “restore friendly relations between”. Sin has made humanity enemies of God, and what did it take to reconcile humanity to God? Death, it took Jesus death on the cross earning mankind's wages, and making us holy and blameless. God through Christ has reconciled us to Himself. Do you see we are not good enough, no matter how good of a person you are, it is not enough, it takes Jesus. His death was the only one that could make a difference. His death brings us a new life when we put our faith in Him. But there is more.

Matthew 28:6 ESV

6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Okay we have been talking about death, and the importance of Jesus death, because without death we would all be in trouble. And now for the rest of it. Jesus died to pay your wages—sin—. But God’s plan did not stop there, Jesus then defeated sin and death when He rose from the grave. God’s plan for you and me is an eternity with Him, but in order for this to happen death had to come, and then LIFE for those who have a saving relationship with Christ. The point is for believers it doesn’t end with death. So, why do we fear what God has defeated for us through Christ’s resurrection. In the U. S. we spent 1.8 trillion dollars in 2023 on preventative health and wellness (not going to the doctor), 1.8 trillion dollars, and why is that. A lot of it stems from the fear of death, we are trying to live longer. Now I want to be clear taking care of ourselves and being healthy is important, but so are our motives. We must be able to continue the work of the Kingdom right. But as believers we should have a different viewpoint on life and death. We have a hope that cannot be contained in the grave. This hope should empower us, bolden us, encourage us, and cause us to not fear death, because we know it is not the end, but the beginning.

The Love of Death

Jesus died so that those who put their faith in Him can experience reconciliation, so that His life is credited to our account, and we can receive God’s free gift, the gift of eternal life. Many fear death because we let our worldly desires guide our thoughts. Many fear death because they do not believe. Many fear death because they do not have a relationship with Jesus. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior paid the price so all who believe do not have to. We put our old selves to death on the cross of Christ and live a new life in Him. Today is the day to put those fears to death on the cross, and cling to Christ. He has taken care of all our needs.