Scripture Reading: Psalm 116:1-9

Portraits of Death

Intro.

1. Many portraits of death are painted by false doctrines, misconceptions, and fanciful speculations (reincarnation, annihilation, spirits roaming earth and contacting the living, etc.)

2. Concepts of death reach the recesses of the heart (emotions, intellect) as people try to make sense of it and cope with it.

3. God, the Giver of life, also teaches us about death, its nature, certainty, and what to expect beyond the grave.

4. Equip ourselves with God’s truth to understand and prepare for death.

I. THE ACTION OF DEATH.

A. Universal, 1 Kings 2:1-2 (Heb. 9:27). (“the end of all men,” Eccl. 7:2)

1. Some struggle accepting the reality of aging and approaching death, yet God explains it (Eccl. 12:1-8).

2. For Christians, death is benefit, Phil. 1:21 (rest, Rev. 14:13).

B. Separation of Spirit from Body, John 19:30.

1. Giving up the ghost (KJV, ASV), Gen. 25:8; Acts 5:5, 10 (breathe his last; expired, cf. James 2:26).

2. A change, Job 14:14. (hint of resurrection)

3. Putting off this tabernacle, 2 Pet. 1:14. (2 Cor. 5:1, 4)

4. Departing, Phil. 1:23 (“to break up,” to loosen”).

C. Returning to Dust, Gen. 3:19 (2:7); Job 7:21; Ps. 104:29 (plants, animal, human life). Body to dust, spirit to God, Eccl. 12:7.

D. Called Sleep, Job 14:12; John 11:11 (14); Acts 7:60; Acts 13:36; 1 Cor. 15:6, 18, 51 (1 Thess. 4:14-15).

1. The living view death as rest (Lazarus, Luke 16:22, 25).

2. The living view death as unconsciousness.

II. REACTIONS WHEN FACING DEATH.

A. King of Terrors, Job 18:14 (Ps. 55:4-5).

1. Bildad personified death; Wicked filled with fright before it.

2. Fear of death (the unknown) conjures wild notions.

3. Death for the unprepared is frightful; Jesus frees us from the fear of death, Heb. 2:15.

B. Going Down into Silence, Ps. 115:17.

1. No interactions with people alive on earth.

2. Samuel to Saul: “Why have you disturbed me?” 1 Sam. 28:15

C. Fading Away, Job 14:1-2 (“cut down,” KJV), 1 Pet. 1:24.

1. Fleeing as a shadow, Job 14:2 (shadow of death, Ps. 23:4).

2. Death magnifies the brevity of life, James 4:14.

D. Requiring the Soul, Luke 12:20-21.

1. Accountability and judgment.

2. This is the real fear of death (unprepared), Matt. 10:28; Heb. 10:31; 12:29.

III. EXPECTATIONS AFTER DEATH.

A. The Way of No Return, Job 16:22.

1. Finality of death (cf. reincarnation), Heb. 9:27.

2. No visitors to earth beyond death’s door (Dan. 9:24).

B. Go to Your Fathers, Gen. 25:8; 35:29 (hopeful anticipation).

1. Gathered to his people, Gen. 25:8, 17; 49:33.

2. Join ancestors (common path our ancestors have gone).

3. NT teaches family ties are not extended beyond the grave, Matt. 22:30 (nothing of a “family circle” or “council fire”).

4. Death is a hopeful event, 1 Cor. 15:19-20 (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

IV. PREPARE FOR DEATH, 2 Kings 20:1.

A. Because We Will Not Come this Way Again, 2 Sam. 14:14.

B. Because We Will Exist Beyond Death (Luke 16:22-25).

C. Because We Will Be Raised from the Dead, John 5:28-29.

D. Because Our Lives Will be Judged, 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:6-11.

E. Because Life in Heaven and Death in Hell are Eternal, Matt. 25:46 (Rev. 21:8).

Conclusion

1. “Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him” (2 Sam. 14:14).

2. The Way He devised is Jesus, John 11:25-26; 14:6.

3. Live for Jesus and be ready to die, Matt. 11:28-30.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted November 22, 2021