The Ultimate Death

Introduction:

As Christians, we need to think about death in light of the ultimate death, the death of Jesus Christ.

To do that, we need to think about what His death accomplished.

That’s possible only as we think about our human condition on earth and then how Jesus’ death gained victory over our condition and our death.

Yet, when we come to this home-going service for our dearly beloved today, we do not feel like winners, So, what is this victory and what did Jesus’ death have to do with it?

Message:

All of us are not necessarily as bad as we could be, but we are as bad off as we could be

(NLT)

Made Alive with Christ

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

(NLT)

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

We are fallen - sinners, each of us.

In this temporal life on earth, we are in a fallen condition.

Thankfully, God is a God of redemption, so He made a plan of redemption for us, a plan that was very costly to God.

2. But God planned an eternal solution for our temporary fallen condition.

(NLT)

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

(NLT)

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

Perhaps the most important words in all of biblical theology appear in verse 4: “But God”

3. For eternity, God wants to show the riches of His grace.

(NLT)

7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

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17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

The blood of Jesus purchased us!

Even in this temporal, earthly life, God keeps giving us the victory through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Conclusion:

As we think about death in light of the ultimate death, the death of Jesus Christ, we see that His death death brings Life!

(NLT)

12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

Our redemption comes through His resurrection .

Therefore, we can be sad at the absence of our dear brother Steven, but as the apostle Paul told the Thessalonian Christians, we should not sorrow as those “who have no hope.”

In the death and resurrection of Christ, we have the ultimate hope-eternal life!

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as Lord you can today!