THE STRANGE BUSINESS OF DYING

[The Basics of Christianity #5]

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE DEATH SENTENCE [Rm. 5:12]

Wherefore , as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

1. Brought on by man [Rm. 5:12a]

2. Birth of world-wide destruction [8:22]

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

3. Bolstered by individual responsibility [Rm. 5:12b]

II. THE DEADLY EARNINGS [6:23]

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1. Spiritual Death [Gn. 2:17, Eph. 2:1-6]

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

2. Physical Death [Eccl. 8:8, Jn 19:30-33]

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

3. Second Death [Rev. 20:4-15]

III. THE EMBRACING OF DEATH

1. The Death of the Substitute [Is. 53, 2 Corinthians 5:21]

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2. The Death of Self [Jn 12:24, 1 Corinthians 15:31]

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

3. The Death of Separation [Phil. 1:20-26]

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour : yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.