OceanSide church of Christ

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DEATH:  A TIME FOR SOBER THINKING

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.               The sentence of death came upon all men when God convicted Adam and Eve of their sin in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:19).

 

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return to the ground; for out of it wast thou taken:  for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

 

B.               In each person’s life, he will be confronted with death numerous times.  These deaths will come in many forms.

1.               A child dies of an illness.

2.               A teenager dies in an accident.

3.               A loved one dies after a lengthy illness.

4.               An old friend from the past dies suddenly.

5.               An elderly individual closes his eyes in death and does not wake up.

6.               A neighbor is killed through the violent actions of another.

7.               An associate from work commits suicide.

 

C.              In the last two weeks, OceanSide has felt the sting of death.

1.               A member of this church has passed on.

2.               Friends of OceanSide have been buried.

3.               Family of members of this church have slipped into eternity.

 

D.              The news of death grips the heart of man.  The hours surrounding death become a very sobering time of life.

 

E.               Let’s look at some of the things that death causes us to reflect upon.

 

I.          DEATH IS REAL

 

A.               Death is not something the living likes to contemplate.  We can always talk about death at another time.

 

B.               However, when death comes close to home, we are reminded that death is real.

1.               Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a

 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die.

 

2.               Our spirits will eventually separate from our bodies.  We will cease to have an earthly existence.

3.               We will only be a memory for those who are our friends and love ones.

 

II.         LIFE IS SHORT

 

A.               Psalm 90:10

 

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is there strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

 

B.               Seventy or eighty years seems like a long time to a small child.  Those who have reached middle age or old age know such is not the case.

 

 

1.               Poem

 

When as a child, I laughed and wept.

Time crept.

When as a youth, I dreamed and talked.

Time walked.

When I became a full-grown man,

Time ran.

Soon I shall find in traveling on,

Time gone.

 

2.               Our live is represented as a dash between the dates on a tomb stone.

3.               James compared it to a vapor (James 4:14).

 

…For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away.

 

C.              We are here for a while, then, we move on.  Question:  How are you using this brief period?

1.               Frivolously?  Foolishly?  Sinfully?

2.               MOTTO:  “Just one life, and soon ‘tis past; only what is done for Christ, will last.”

 

III.        RELATIONSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT

 

A.               We live in a high-tech world.  We live in a world of constant movement.  We live in a world that changes rapidly.  In this world, people become only brief contacts.

 

B.               Then death comes.  We are reminded that relationships are important.

1.               We long for a little more time to talk.

2.               We wish we had spent a little more time in visitation.

3.               We yearn for the birthdays, the holidays, the weddings, when family was together.

 

C.              The Bible gives many admonitions about relationships.

1.               Husbands love your wives (Eph. 5:25).

2.               Children honor your parents (Eph. 6:2-3).

3.               Brethren, love one another with a pure heart fervently (I Pet. 1:22).

4.               Friends should show themselves friendly (Prov. 18:24).

5.               Estranged brethren should seek reconciliation (Matt. 5:21-26).

 

D.              Why so many instructions?  Relationships are important!  We need to conduct ourselves properly.  One day, these relationships will cease to exist here.  We should not want any regrets.

 

IV.       LIFE FOR THE LIVING GOES ON

 

A.               Death stops the living in their tracks.  All things take a back seat to giving honor to the dead.

 

B.               However, the living is still living.  Life, here, must, and does, continue to go on.

1.               After the death of Sarah, Abraham secured a wife for Isaac and fathered a family through Keturah.

2.               After the death of the law-giver Moses, Israel crossed the Jordan River and conquered the Land of Promise.

3.               After the death of David, Solomon ruled Israel and constructed the temple in the city of Jerusalem.

C.              The example of David who mourned for his sick child.

1.               This was the child born to David due to his adultery with Bathsheba.

2.               God struck the child, and he was very sick (I Sam. 12:15).

3.               David besought the Lord for the child and fasted while the child was sick (I Sam. 12:16-17).

4.               After the death of the child, David’s behavior was radically altered (I Sam. 12:20).

5.               David explained his actions to his servants (I Sam. 12:22-23).

 

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept:  for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live.  But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast?  Can I bring him back again?  I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

 

V.        PREPARE FOR THE DAY OF MY DEATH

 

A.               Each death is a prophetic voice, saying:  “Your day is coming.  You, too, shall die.”

 

B.               The Bible often refers to death as “going the way of all the earth” (Josh. 23:14; I Kings 2:2).

 

C.              When we look at what follows death, it behooves us to prepare in the here and now (Luke 16:19-25).

 

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abra-ham’s bosom:  the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  But Abraham said, Son remember that thou in thy lifetime receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things:  but now he is comforted and thou art tormented.

 

D.              We will not escape death.  We will not escape the hadean realm of either paradise or tartarus.  We will not escape judgment.  We will not escape either our final reward or final condemnation.

 

E.               For this cause, death urges us to listen to the words of the old hymn:  “O Prepare to Meet Thy God.”

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.               Death is not a joyful experience for the living.

 

B.               But it is good for us to pass through the valley of the shadow of death from time to time.  It causes us to think soberly (Eccl. 7:2).

 

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men:  and the living will lay it to his heart.

 

1.               Death is certain.

2.               Life is short.

3.               Relationships are important.

4.               Life goes on.

5.               Prepare for the day of your death.

 

 

 

DEATH:  A TIME FOR SOBER THINKING

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.                The sentence of death came upon all men when God convicted Adam and Eve of their sin (Gen. 3:19).

B.                In each person’s life, he will be confronted with death numerous times.  These deaths will come in many forms.

1.             A child dies of an illness.

2.             A teenager dies in an accident.

                              3.             A loved one dies after a lengthy illness.

4.                 An old friend from the past dies suddenly.

5.                 An elderly individual closes his eyes in death and does not wake up.

6.                 A neighbor is killed through the violent actions of another.

7.                 An associate from work commits suicide.

C.            In the last two weeks, OceanSide has felt the sting of death.

D.           The news of death grips the heart of man.  The hours surrounding death become a very sobering time of life.

E.            Let’s look at some of the things that death causes us to reflect upon.

I.             DEATH IS REAL

A.            Death is not something the living likes to contemplate.  “Let’s talk about it at another time.”

               B.            However, when death comes close to home, we are reminded that death is real (Eccl. 3:1-2a)

II.           LIFE IS SHORT

A.            Psalm 90:10

B.            Seventy or eighty years seems like a long time to a small child.  The middle aged and elderly know such is not the case.

 

1.             Poem

 

When as a child, I laughed and wept.

Time crept.

When as a youth, I dreamed and talked.

Time walked.

When I became a full-grown man,

Time ran.

Soon I shall find in traveling on,

Time gone.

 

2.             Our live is represented as a dash between the dates on a tomb stone.

                              3.             James compared it to a vapor (James 4:14).

C.            We are here for a while, then, we move on.  Question:  How are you using this brief period?

1.             Frivolously?  Foolishly?  Sinfully?

2.             MOTTO:  “Just one life, and soon ‘tis past; only what is done for Christ, will last.”

III.          RELATIONSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT

A.            We live in a high-tech world.  We live in a world of constant movement.  We live in a world that changes rapidly.  In this world, people become only brief contacts.

B.            Then death comes.  We are reminded that relationships are important.  We long for many things.

C.            The Bible gives many admonitions about relationships.

1.             Husbands love your wives (Eph. 5:25).

2.             Children honor your parents (Eph. 6:2-3).

3.             Brethren, love one another with a pure heart fervently (I Pet. 1:22).

4.                 Friends should show themselves friendly (Prov. 18:24).

5.                 Estranged brethren should seek reconciliation (Matt. 5:21-26).

D.           Why so many instructions?  Relationships are important!  We need to conduct ourselves properly.  One day, these relationships will cease to exist here.  We should not want any regrets.

IV.          LIFE FOR THE LIVING GOES ON

A.            Death stops the living in their tracks.  All things take a back seat to giving honor to the dead.

B.            However, the living is still living.  Life, here, must, and does, continue to go on.

1.             After the death of Sarah, Abraham secured a wife for Isaac and fathered another family.

2.             After the death of the law-giver Moses, Israel crossed the Jordan River and conquered the Land of Promise.

                              3.             After the death of David, Solomon ruled Israel and constructed the temple Jerusalem.

C.            The example of David who mourned for his sick child (I Sam. 12:22-23).

V.            PREPARE FOR THE DAY OF MY DEATH

A.            Each death is a prophetic voice, saying:  “Your day is coming.  You, too, shall die.”

B.            The Bible often refers to death as “going the way of all the earth” (Josh. 23:14; I Kings 2:2).

C.            When we look at what follows death, it behooves us to prepare now (Luke 16:19-25).

D.           We will not escape death.  We will not escape the hadean realm of either paradise or tartarus.  We will not escape judgment.  We will not escape either our final reward or final condemnation.

E.            For this cause, death urges us to listen to the words of the old hymn:  “O Prepare to Meet Thy God.”

CONCLUSION

A.            Death is not a joyful experience for the living.

B.            But it is good for us to pass through the valley of the shadow of death from time to time.  It causes us to think soberly (Eccl. 7:2).

 

 

DEATH:  A TIME FOR SOBER THINKING

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

A.            The sentence of _______________ came upon all men when God convicted Adam and Eve of their sin(Gen. 3:19).

B.            In each person’s life, he will be confronted with death numerous times.  These deaths will come in many ___________.

1.       A child dies of an illness.

2.       A teenager dies in an accident.

3.       A loved one dies after a lengthy illness.

4.       An old friend from the past dies suddenly.

5.       An elderly individual closes his eyes in death and does not wake up.

6.       A neighbor is killed through the violent actions of another.

7.       An associate from work commits suicide.

C.            In the last two weeks, OceanSide has felt the __________________ of death.

D.           The news of death grips the heart of man.  The hours surrounding death become a very _____________ time of life.

               E.            Let’s look at some of the things that death causes us to reflect upon.

I.             DEATH IS _____________________

A.            Death is not something the living likes to contemplate.  “Let’s talk about it at another time.”

B.            However, when death comes close to home, we are reminded that death is real (Eccl. 3:1-2a)

II.           _________________ IS SHORT

A.            __________________ 90:10

B.            Seventy or eighty years seems like a long time to a _______ child.  The middle aged and elderly know such is not the case.

 

1.             Poem

 

When as a child, I laughed and wept.

Time crept.

When as a youth, I dreamed and talked.

Time walked.

When I became a full-grown man,

Time ran.

Soon I shall find in traveling on,

Time gone.

 

2.             Our live is represented as a ___________ between the ________________ on a tomb stone.

3.             James compared it to a _______________________ (James 4:14).

C.            We are here for a while, then, we move on.  Question:  How are you using this brief period?

1.             Frivolously?  Foolishly?  Sinfully?

                              2.             MOTTO:  “Just one life, and soon ‘tis past; only what is done for _______________, will last.”

III.          __________________________ ARE IMPORTANT

A.            We live in a high-tech world.  We live in a world of constant movement.  We live in a world that changes rapidly.  In this world, people become only brief _____________________.

B.            Then death comes.  We are reminded that relationships are important.  We long for many things.

               C.            The Bible gives many admonitions about relationships.

1.             Husbands __________________ your wives (Eph. 5:25).

2.             Children _________________ your parents (Eph. 6:2-3).

3.             Brethren, _________________ one another with a pure heart fervently (I Pet. 1:22).

                              4.             Friends should show themselves _____________________ (Prov. 18:24).

                              5.             Estranged brethren should seek _________________________ (Matt. 5:21-26).

D.           Why so many instructions?  Relationships are important!  We need to conduct ourselves properly.  One day, these relationships will cease to exist here.  We should not want any ______________________.

IV.          LIFE FOR THE LIVING GOES ON

A.            Death stops the living in their tracks.  All things take a back seat to giving honor to the dead.

B.            However, the living is still living.  Life, here, must, and does, continue to go on.

1.             After the death of Sarah, Abraham secured a wife for Isaac and ________________ another family.

                              2.             After the death of the law-giver Moses, Israel crossed the Jordan River and ____________ the Land of Promise.

3.             After the death of David, Solomon ruled Israel and constructed the ____________ IN Jerusalem.

C.            The example of David who mourned for his sick child (I Sam. 12:22-23).

V.            ______________________ FOR THE DAY OF MY DEATH

A.            Each death is a prophetic voice, saying:  “Your day is coming.  You, too, shall die.”

B.            The Bible often refers to death as “going the way of all the ___________” (Josh. 23:14; I Kings 2:2).

C.            When we look at what follows death, it behooves us to prepare ______________ (Luke 16:19-25).

D.           We will not escape death.  We will not escape the hadean realm of either paradise or tartarus.  We will not escape judgment.  We will not escape either our final reward or final condemnation.

               E.            For this cause, death urges us to listen to the words of the old hymn:  “O __________________ to Meet Thy God.”

CONCLUSION

A.            Death is not a _____________________ experience for the living.

B.            But it is good for us to pass through the valley of the shadow of death from time to time.  It causes us to think __________________ (Eccl. 7:2).