THE ONLY THREE REASONS TO FEAR DEATH

PSALM 23                                                           

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Fear of death is a common theme in literature, the entertainment industry and, of course, life itself. It is common amongst all age groups, both genders, the so-called races and most religions. As common as the fear is there are only 3 reasons people are afraid to die. They are either Unsaved, Uninformed or Unconsecrated. What do you mean preacher? Let us open the Word of God and discover how to face death without fear.

 

I. THE UNSAVED

 

1. The Unsaved are Unprepared [Amos 4:12]

 

Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

 

2. The Unsaved are Unaware [Ps. 35:8]

 

Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

 

3. The Unsaved are Unholy [2 Tm. 3:1-5]

 

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

4. The Unsaved are Unbelieving [John 3:18, 36]

 

-He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

-He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

5. The Unsaved are Unjust, Unclean & Unrighteous [2 Pet. 2:9-14]

 

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

 

6. The Unsaved are Ungodly [Jude 14-15]

 

Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

 

 II. THE UNINFORMED

 

These folks are saved but they are ignorant concerning the true nature of death for the Christian and therefore fear death erroneously. (Examples- people become angels, soul sleep, purgatory, limbo)

 

1. They don’t realize that Heaven for the Christian is Better [Phil. 1:20-23]

 

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:

 

2. They don’t realize that Heaven for the Christian is Being with Christ [2 Corinthians 5:6]

 

-Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

 

3. They don’t realize that Heaven for the Christian is Being Like Jesus [1 Jn. 3:1-2]

 

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

 III. THE UNCONSECRATED

 

These folks are saved as well but they are following Christ from afar off, saved but not serving.

 

1. They are afraid and rightly so for they will be Ashamed before His Coming [2 Th. 3:14-15, 2 Tm. 2:15]

 

-And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

-Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

2. They are afraid and rightly so for they will be Ashamed at His Coming [1 Jn. 2:28-29]

 

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

 

3. They are afraid and rightly so for they will be Ashamed after His Coming [2 Cor. 5:8-11]

 

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.