Preacher: Jeremy Herbert
Text: Philippians 1:19-24; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
Theme: Death: To Die Is Gain
Thesis: In order to view death properly, we must see life biblically.
Notes:
“A person is not ready to live unless he is ready to die” –Steven Cole
Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison in Rome.
Each one of us–Paul, Jeremy, you, and me–is expendable
–and yet God delights to work through us, despite the fact He does not need us.
Am I so comfortable with this life that I feel no longing for the next life?
However, seeing death as gain does not mean to hate this life.
2 Corinthians 4:16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away,
our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13, “…that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope”
The Right View of Life In Christ
- I am here to glorify God by experiencing and extending joy in Him
- Not just to experience joy in Christ–but to share and spread that joy to others
- “Joy apart from God is idolatry”
- Not to say we cannot enjoy family, work, or recreation
–but we enjoy them as gifts that God has given, not ends in themselves
- I am here to magnify Christ through both life and death
- When we cling to this the way unbelievers do, then what is so great about Christ?
- I am here to serve others for their spiritual progress and joy of faith
- God has left you here for a purpose–and for a time
- I am here by the sovereign will of God
- Psalm 31:15, “My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!”
- Psalm 31:15, “My times are in your hand;
Death is gain because its the pathway to the fulness of eternal life
- 2 Corinthians 5:1-4, “…a tent…a building”
- Tent: a temporary dwelling [this life]
- Building: a permanent dwelling [the next life]
- “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy,
the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” –C.S. Lewis
- “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy,
Death is gain because it ushers me into the presence of God
Death is gain because it frees me from my corrupt body and world.
Death is gain because it cannot hinder God’s will or work
- We are freed from propping up ourselves or others–apart from Christ–because Christ “needs” us
Live It Out!
- Live life by and for Christ, without fear
- See death biblically instead of the way the world does
