sf795 - DEATH FROM THE OTHER SIDE (Psalm 116 15)
Psalm 116:15
Introduction
Flying above the clouds*
Death is like that, we only see the dark side.
Ø From this side, for us, death is a time of sorrow, of loss, of defeat, and of separation.
Ø But from the other side, for them it is a time of release, of reunion, of rest and reward.
Too often, we think of death as coming to destroy everything for which we have lived. We should picture death as coming to save those we love. Many times, we think of death as the end; rather we should think of death as the beginning of a more abundant life. We often think of losing, when it should be gain. We think of parting instead of arrival. It is not closing the door of life; it is opening the gate to eternity.
1A. From This Side Death looks like the End; from the Other Side it is the Beginning.
1B. To man death is the end
The end of life
The end of relationships
The end of achievements
2B. To God death is the entrance
The gateway to glory
The beginning of a new, eternal life!
The ship
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails in the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length she is only a ribbon, or a white cloud, just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: "There! She's gone!"
Gone? Where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight - to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There! She's gone!" There are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "There! She come!"
And that is dying.
2 Timothy 4:6 NKJV 6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
"departure" = to weigh anchor
2A. From This Side Death looks like Separation, from the Other Side it is Reunion.
1B. An immediate reunion
Genesis 25:8 NKJV 8Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
2B. An ultimate reunion
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – 18 NKJV 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
We do not say goodbye, we say see you later.
3A. From This Side Death looks like a Loss, from the Other Side it is Gain.
1B. We gain hope
1 Thessalonians 4:13 NKJV 13But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
2B. Our loved one gains heaven
Philippians 1:21 NKJV 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV 8We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Home Free - Wayne Watson
I’m trying hard not to think you unkind
But Heavenly Father, if You know my heart
Surely You can read my mind
Good people underneath a sea of grief
Some get up and walk away
Some will find the ultimate relief
Home free – eventually
At the ultimate healing
We will be home free
Home free
Oh I’ve got a feeling
At the ultimate healing
We will be home free
Out in the corridors we pray for life
A mother for her baby
A husband for his wife
Sometimes the good die young
It’s sad but true
And while we pray for one more heartbeat
The real comfort is with You
Pain has little mercy
Suffering’s no respecter of age
Of race or position
I know every prayer gets answered
But the hardest one to pray is slow to come
Oh Lord, not mine
But Your will be done
Home free – eventually
At the ultimate healing
We will be home free
Home free
Oh I’ve got a feeling
At the ultimate healing
We will be home free