The Gospel in Death and Life

1. The Unavoidable Reality of Death

As we gather today, we are faced with a reality that none of us can escape: death. It comes for all of us, regardless of status, strength, or time. Funerals are solemn reminders that this life is temporary and that our bodies, fragile and finite, will one day return to the dust from which they came.

But this moment of mourning is not only about loss; it is about confronting a question that lies deep within all of us: What comes next? What is the answer to death? Why do we die?

Today, we are here not just to grieve, but to hear an answer. It is an answer found in the gospel of Jesus Christ—the answer to life’s greatest problem, death, and the only hope that gives true peace. In Romans 6:23, the Apostle Paul speaks clearly to the heart of the matter:

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

Death is not a random event; it is the consequence of sin. Yet, even in the face of death, we are not without hope. The same God who allows us to face death offers us eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.

2. The Consequence of Sin Romans 6:23

The first part of Romans 6:23 presents a hard truth: “The wages of sin is death.” This is the reality that affects every human being. From our first parents we have inherited a curse, that death has ensued because of their disobedience. This death is not just a physical end but a spiritual one as well, consequential of our separation from God. Every sin, every act of rebellion against God’s will, leads to this ultimate result—death.

We often like to avoid thinking about our mortality. We try to ignore the fact that one day our time will come. But death reminds us of our limits, and it forces us to confront the brokenness in our world and in ourselves. Sin—the cause of death—touches every part of our lives, from the moment we are born to the moment we take our final breath.

No amount of good deeds, no personal efforts, no accomplishments can erase this problem. The wage, the payment for sin, is death. But the good news of the gospel is that while sin brings death, God brings life.

3. The Gift of Eternal Life Romans 6:23

God’s word does not leave us without hope. The second part of Romans 6:23 offers the only solution: “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Death is earned, but eternal life is a gift. It cannot be earned, bought, or achieved through human effort. It is a gift, freely given by God, and it is found only in Jesus Christ.

This is the core message of the Christian gospel. Jesus, the Son of God, came into our broken world, lived a perfect life, and took upon Himself the punishment that our sins deserved. Through His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death once and for all.

The gospel is the story of God’s love for sinners—His desire to give us eternal life, even though we do not deserve it. This life is found not in ourselves, but in Christ. He is the one who offers hope beyond death, because He has already defeated it.

4. Victory Over Death 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

In 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Paul celebrates this victory with triumphant words quoting from the prophet Hosea:

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The sting of death is real. We feel it in the grief and loss of those we love. We fear it as we think about our own end. But Paul’s words remind us that death no longer has the final word. Its sting has been removed because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

Through Jesus’ resurrection, death has been transformed. For those who believe in Christ, death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life with God. This is the victory that Jesus offers us, and it is a victory that we can claim by faith.

When we face death—whether it is the death of a loved one or our own impending end—we can do so with confidence, not in our own strength, but in the sure and certain hope that Jesus has overcome death.

5. The Gospel Is Our Only Hope

As we reflect on this gospel message, we must turn our thoughts inward. Funerals often cause us to look at our own lives and confront our own mortality. Where is our hope? What will happen when our time comes?

The world might offer many distractions, but only one answer truly satisfies: the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. The gospel does not ask us to fix ourselves or clean up our act before coming to God. It invites us to come as we are, in faith, trusting that Jesus has done everything necessary to save us.

Our hope is not found in the fleeting things of this world, but in the unchanging promises of God. As Paul declares in 2 Timothy 4:6-8:

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

We all must face death, but for those who trust in Christ, the promise is clear: eternal life with Him, the crown of righteousness, and victory over death.

6. Conclusion: The Gift of Grace in Life and Death

In John 11:25-26, Jesus offers this comforting promise:

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."

Jesus’ words remind us that our ultimate hope is not in avoiding death, but in knowing that death has been overcome. He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him, even though they die, will live forever.

The gift of eternal life is offered to each of us. It’s not something we deserve, but something we receive through faith. Today, as we reflect on the reality of death and our own need for salvation, may we each find comfort and hope in the free gift of God’s grace.

Let us leave today, not with despair, but with hope—hope that is grounded in the victory that Jesus has won for us, and the promise of eternal life in Him.

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.