Sermon 061696

Phi. 1:19-21                          What is the Meaning of Death & Dying?                            6/16/96

ABCC

I.   Introduction and Review (v. 1-18)                                                                     525

     A. Real life is a personal relationship with Christ regardless of circumstances (v. 21)

Þ     The Christian can have a fulfilling life w/o health, job, family, religious activity, etc.

     B. The Christian life is one of confidence & hope for the future (v. 19 & 25)

     C. The Christian life is a fruitful life for Christ (v. 22)

     D. Longing to be with Christ in glory & minister to people on earth (v. 23-24)

Þ     You must know the meaning of life to understanding the meaning of death!

II.  The Popularity of Death & Dying Today

Medicine (Abortion, Euthanasia), Crime (robbery, narcotics, gambling, prostitution, etc.), Movies, TV programs, Music (rock, heavy metal, etc.) News (magazines, newspaper, TV)

Þ     Devaluing of human life & elevating the value of animal life

III. What is the Meaning of Death & Dying?

Sleep (Jn. 11:11), Returning to dust (Ps. 104:29), God requiring soul (Lk. 12:20), Going the way of no return (Job 16:22), A Change (Job 14:14), Breathing his last (Ac. 5:5), Going down into silence (Ps. 115:17), Departing (Phi. 1:23)

     A. “apothnesko” = separation of soul from body (Phi. 1:21) or soul from God (Jn. 8:21)

     B. Death is the result of sin (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12; 6:23)

¨       What a dreadful consequence for satisfying the lust of the flesh, eyes & pride of life!

     C. Death is universal & common to all mankind (Rom. 5:12)

What is the Meaning of Death & Dying?, pg. 2

IV. What is the Meaning of Death & Dying for the Unbeliever? = LOSS (opposite of v. 21)

¨       Loss of peace, pleasure, God’s patience & restraint, common provisions; no way to escape the penalty, power & presence of sin; perpetual & perfected pain & agony without NO HOPE of relief! (Lk. 16:19-31; Mt. 25:30, 41, 46)

¨       Resurrection, Judgment, Eternal punishment (Jn. 5:29; Rev. 20:11-15) - Heb. 9:27

Þ     Death for the unbeliever means a LOSS of everything good forever!

Talk show hosts, songs, comedians, movie & plays nor liberal theologians can change this fact!

V.  What is the Meaning of Death for the Christian? = GAIN (v. 21)

     A. Presence of Christ (v. 23; 2Co. 5:8)

     B. Home (2Co. 5:8; Jn. 14:1-3)

     C. Absence of sin & all its effects

Þ     Liberty in thought & understanding, worship & praise, freedom from internal & external temptations; no more death, mourning, crying or pain; no murderers, idolaters, fornicators, liars; no more devil, false prophets, controversies, church splits, etc. (Rev. 21:1-5)

Everyone must face the reality of death!  Have you thought about it lately?  Are you thinking about your death now?  Will death mean the LOSS of everything good for you?  Will it mean that you are confined to agony, pain, misery & dreadful torment - no joy, peace, laughter, hope FOREVER?  Or will death mean that you go home to be with Christ & enjoy His blessed presence & privileges FOREVER?  Only the person that can say in this life “For to me, to live is Christ” can also say “to die is gain”?

If you know Christ, rejoice regardless of your adversity today.  Because even if you are facing death, it is the pathway home for us and the pathway to our ultimate GAIN!  If you do not know Christ, come to Him now; come today…………..