To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain
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Introduction:
For those who do not believe in Christ, death can be a time intense pain and grief. But one of the reasons why I am a Christian is because of the hope it brings in the midst of life’s toughest times.
The Christian is not ignorant of life’s pain or the reality of death, but it deals with pain and suffering with glorious hope.
What makes the Christian gospel so beautiful and so powerful is what it offers us in the midst of life’s most difficult times which includes the passing of our loved ones.
The Bible tells us that believers should grieve, but grieve not as those who have no hope. Because Christians believe Jesus died and rose again, a believer can grieve with glorious and confident hope in the midst of death.
Especially for those who trusted in Christ, the Bible tell us to comfort one another with these truths and these promises.
For the Christian, death is the end of life, but the beginning of life eternal.
For the Christian, death is not annihilation to human existence altogether, but it is an arrival into our eternal state.
For the Christian, dying is not loss, but dying is considered gain.
In our short meditation this afternoon, I want to reflect on how dying is gaining for the Christian. Have you ever thought that death is a means to gain?
I want to reflect on what the Christian gains when she dies, so that we may receive comfort found in God’s promises and have wisdom to live each day f or the glory of God and eventually prepare for our own time.
What does the believer gain in dying?
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
My mediation will be from this afternoon. If you have a Bible or one on your phone, you can turn there.
I. Glory (vv. 16-18)
I. Glory (vv. 16-18)
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
The apostle Paul experienced lots of pain and suffering for the preaching of the gospel. He endured persecutions, afflictions, trials, and beatings for the message he proclaimed. Yet he continued to live boldly and victoriously in the face of opposition because of his confidence in the future: So we do not lose heart. Even in the midst of suffering, we can have courage.
(v. 16) Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. Outer man refers to that which belongs to this present age of sin and death. It refers to this temporal life that is decaying, while inner self refers to the life that is hidden with Christ (). The believer’s future is secure because by the death of Jesus Christ, believers have gained forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life and are going from one degree of glory to another, until we will be like Him.
Future Glory Outweighs Present Suffering (v. 17)
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
We also see in the text that whatever sufferings in this life happen to us as Christians (for Paul that meant beatings, imprisonments, lashes, shipwreck, threats, and insults), it does not compare to the eternal weight of glory that is beyond all comparison. When we are in eternity everything that has happened to us seems light in comparison.
Sickness, disease, heart failure, cancer though from an earthly perspective may seem massive, but in the light of eternity Paul considers these afflictions light.
Glory in the OT was associated with the presence of God and display of his character. When the believer dies, she is in glory beholding the beauty of God.
Unseen Things Are Eternal
[18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
In our culture we believe that seeing is believing. But the Bible shows us in this life that believing is seeing. And one day our believing will be made sight. The present form of this world is passing, but what is coming is eternal. We believe in an all-powerful immortal and invisible God who promises our good and glory. That is why we look to the things that are unseen.
What Connie Dela must be experiencing is unimaginable to our eyes. To our
mortal eyes, she is in a coffin. To God’s eyes, she is in heavenly glory shining bright as the sun.
Transition: A believer not only gains glory, but a future resurrection.
II. Resurrection (vv. 1-5)
II. Resurrection (vv. 1-5)
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
Next, Paul describes that his suffering is worth it because of a future resurrection body. Christians throughout history believe that when a believer dies, they “fall asleep”. In fact, cemetery is taken from the greek word sleeping place. Christians used sleep as a euphemism for death because they believe the soul will one day be united with a glorious body.
2 Corinthians
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
John 5:24-28
John 5:
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
A tent describes something that is temporary, fragile, transient, transitory, subject to wear and tear, not permanent. And if this body is destroyed or literally teared down, Paul says we rest in the promise that we have a building from God.
Our earthly body is compared to a tent. A tent describes something that is temporary, fragile, transient, transitory, subject to wear and tear, not permanent. And if this body is destroyed or literally teared down, Paul says we rest in the promise that we have a building from God.
A building from God probably refers to the future resurrection body, a house not made with hands. The phrase probably refers to that it is not of this creation, eternal in the heavens. In the OT, it pictures a tabernacle tent, that eventually became a temple in Jerusalem. In a similar way, believers put of the mortal flesh with all its weaknesses and limitations and put on an immortal body free from sin and decay.
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
[42] So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ( ESV)
What is mortal may be swallowed up by life. This is a phrase that refers to the conquest of death made possible through the resurrection of Christ.
A believer gains something permanent and eternal. The believer will gain something that is immortal and imperishable. The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees the future resurrection of the believer. And this is all promised through God the Holy Spirit.
He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
And this promise is guaranteed by the deposit of the Holy Spirit. Deposit was an engagement ring that was a pledge of the future promise. God promised this hope for all who believe.
Transition: A believer not only gains glory by being in the presence of God, a resurrection body…but the greatest gift a believer gains is God himself...
III. God (vv. 6-9)
III. God (vv. 6-9)
The great Christian Evangelist D.L. Moody told of a story of a young child whose mother became very sick. While the mother was sick, one of the neighbors took her away until she got better again. But the mother grew worse and died.
The neighbors thought it wood be best if the child returned home after the funeral was over and best not to tell her about her mother being dead.
After a while, they brought the little girl home. And she went looking for her mother in every room, she could not find her.
When she asked, “where is mama?” They told her the truth of her passing and the little girl did not want to stay home anymore and asked to stay at the neighbor’s house.
Home was now longer home because her mother was not there. And Moody says,
“No, it is not the jaspar walls or the pearly gates that are going to make heaven attractive. It is being with God.”
For the believer, home is where God is. Home is being in perfect fellowship with God.
What makes heaven attractive is that we finally get to be home with God.
2 Corinthians
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Paul repeats the idea that we must be courageous and not lose heart in our suffering because he knows what is coming.
In this life, we may not see God’s promises realized, so we continue to walk by faith and not by sight.
But he says that it is far better to depart and be with Christ in . And here he says we would rather be away from the body and home with the Lord.
The preposition with is implies intimate fellowship and face to face with God.
Paul longed to be with the Lord he loved and served. And now his faith would be sight and hope would now become reality.
Our lives are meant to live for the glory of God, now the believer enjoys the fellowship and presence of the glory of God.
Christians have called this the visio dei or the completion of our salvation. We are in the presence of God and unimaginable beauty and splendor of which we cannot conceive while on this earth.
A believer is now with God in perfect fellowship and reunited with loved ones who trusted in Christ.
Heaven is a grand reunion. And it is the reunion of what man lost at the fall, fellowship and friendship with God, and now he regains fellowship and friendship with God along with loved ones trusting Christ.
Transition: The believer gains glory, resurrection, God, and finally gains a reward...
IV. Reward (v. 10)
IV. Reward (v. 10)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Judgment seat does not refer to the judgment of deciding salvation. The picture here is an emperor distributing rewards to victors in sports competition.
The Bible teaches that believers are not saved by good works, but they are saved unto good works.
This judgement is not referring to condemnation, but evaluation of the life of the believer on earth.
Each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body.
In other words, what we do in this life matters. As we loved God, loved our family, loved our churches, loved the people around us, God rewards us for our obedience and faithfulness.
When the believer meets the Lord, he will be rewarded accordingly for what she has done on earth and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
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!”
And knowing this accountability from God motivated the apostle to preach the gospel and persuade others to live for Christ now and not wait until it is too late.
Heaven will be a reunion of God and man, and a time of reward for faithfulness with the believer’s time on earth. Earth’s labors are now completed and eternal rest is promised for the believer with perfect peace and perfect fellowship.
What does the believer gain?
Glory—The completion of our salvation
Resurrection—The benefits of our salvation
God—The goal of our salvation
Reward—The blessings that accompany our salvation
Conclusion
For the believer, dying is gaining. But I must say, if you have not trusted in Christ. Dying is not gain, but it is eternal loss. Hell is the absence from the loving fellowship and kindness of God. Hell is the judgment of God.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
The Christian gospel tells us God made us and we owe allegiance to God as our maker. Yet we all have rebelled against his loving rule.
Being just, he must punish every sin. Because we sin against an infinitely holy and righteous God, we owe God an infinite debt we cannot pay.
But God, being rich in mercy, sent His Son, to be born of a virgin, live a perfect life, die on the cross for our sins, and rising again from the dead defeating sin, death, and the devil.
If you turn from your sin and trust in the Son of God, you may receive the forgiveness of sins and have the hope of eternal life.
Your death when it comes will not be loss, but eternal gain. Your future can be secure if you entrust your soul to what God has done for you in His Son.
Do that today. Don’t let it be too late for you. Don’t let death be a time of regret, but one of expectant hope. Talk to a family member if you want to know more on how to receive eternal life.
To live is Christ, to die is gain.
Jesus said,
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John
John 14:
Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Let us find comfort from God’s Word. Connie Dela, who trusted in Christ, is in glory, awaiting a future resurrection, in the presence and perfect fellowship with God, and rewarded for her faithfulness with her time on earth.
Let us pray.
