Sunday’s Sermon Sketches

January 19, 2003 (a.m.)

A BIBLICAL VIEW OF DEATH

  I.  Death is a transition.

       A.  Death is the not the end; in fact, it can be viewed as a

             beginning.

       B.  Death is a departure (Gen. 35:18; 1 Tim. 4:6; Psa. 90:10;

             Jas. 2:26) which implies an arrival (Ecc. 12:7).

 II.  Death is final.

       A.  Our destiny is sealed in death (Lk. 16:22ff).

       B.  Contrary to popular myth, there is no communication with

             departed loved ones (Ecc. 9:6, 7).

       C.  Abraham points out that death ends our ability to

             communicate with others (Lk. 16:29-31).

III.  There is memory in death.

       A.  In their deaths, both the rich man and Lazarus had their

             memory.

       B.  Abraham encouraged the rich man to remember his deeds

             (Lk. 16:25).

       C.  The rich man remembered his brethren (Lk. 16:27, 28).

IV.  Death is certain.

       A.  Death has been described as the appointment that everyone

             must keep (Heb. 9:27).

       B.  One can and must prepare for this certainty.

Conclusion

1.  Death does not have to be feared (1 Cor. 15:55-57;

     2 Tim. 4:7, 8).

2.  Jesus makes life worth dying for (Phil. 1:21) and offers a crown

     of life after death (Rev. 2:10).