DEATH—BE NOT PROUD!
(I Cor. 15:50-58)
Introduction: A 1976 T-V production was entitled "Death—Be Not Proud." It was a story about a young man who died of a brain tumor. The story projected a wholesome view of death, although the family involved were atheists.
A. As Christians, we may not always understand, but we can have a truly positive attitude towards death.
B. Death is a topic seldom taught in a class or sermon.
I. A Christian View Of Death.
A. When we walk away from the grave of a Christian loved one, we can take comfort in their eternal destiny (Ps. 116:15).
B. Death of a child is difficult. Although they are safe from the difficulties of life, with no possibility of being lost, it is a very sad occasion (Ezek. 18:20; Matt. 18:1-6).
1. Jeff Ford, 15 yrs old, died in an accident. The next Sunday, 5 of his closest friends were baptized (Rev. 14:13).
C. Older Person with a worn out body should welcome death. The disease and pain is over and their eternal reward has come (II Cor. 4:16-5:10).
D. The death of a spouse is the most difficult to handle, as a rule.
II. Some Things We Cannot Prevent Regarding Death:
A. We cannot prevent death from occurring (Heb. 9:27).
B. Our sorrow over the loss of loved ones who are redeemed (John 11:35). Example of Jesus and Lazarus.
C. Our grief over the loss of loved ones who are not redeemed (David and Absalom in II Sam. 15:33).
D. We may prolong life, but we cannot prevent Death.
III. Some Things Death Cannot Do:
A. Cannot separate us from the providential love of God and Christ (Rom. 8:35-39).
B. Cannot separate us indefinitely from our friends and loved ones (I Thes. 4:13-18).
C. Cannot hold us captive (I Cor. 15:50-58).
1. Poem: Death Is A Door.
D. Cannot cause us to sorrow as those who have no hope for their loved ones salvation (I Thes. 4:13).
IV. Christ Came To Set Us Free From The Fear Of Death (Heb. 2:14,15).
A. Everyone may have a certain anxiety about death. This seems to get better as we grow older.
B. The Apostle Paul’s view of death was a wholesome, Christian outlook (Phil. 1:21; II Tim. 4:6-8).
C. All of us have and will bury loved ones.
Peggy & I have witnessed the burial of our parents. We lost our fathers within 3 months in 1975.1.
2. Some have lost both parents in a short time. Others have lost children, spouses, brothers, sisters, etc.
3. Yet, as Christians, we can walk away from the graves of loved ones and say, Death, Be Not Proud, because we’ll be together again soon forever, and you, Death, will be forever destroyed (Rev. 20:11-15).
4. Poem: Death, Be Not Proud.
Invitation: Think of the joy of the grand reunion with all of our redeemed loved ones. We will share the joy of that beautiful place called heaven forever.
Robert L. Brown
Great Oaks Church of Christ
DEATH IS A DOOR
(Nancy Byrd Turner)
Death is only an old door
Set in a garden wall;
On gentle hinges it gives,
At dusk when the thrushes call.
Along the lintel are green leaves,
Beyond the light lies still;
Very willing and weary feet
Go over that sill.
There is nothing to trouble any heart,
Nothing to hurt at all.
Death is only a quiet door
In an old wall
DEATH, BE NOT PROUD
(John Donne)
Death, be not proud, though
Some have called thee mighty
And dreadful, for thou art not so.
For those whom thou thinkest
Thou dost overthrow, die not,
Poor Death, not yet canst thou kill me.
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more:
Death, thou shalt die!