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How do we deal with loss?. What happens when some are no longer with us. Loss is normal. We should not be content here (Eccl. 3.9-11) One fate is guaranteed to all and we do not know when it will come (Eccl. 9.1-3, 11-12) People leave Stephen’s death (Acts 8.1-2)
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How do we deal with loss? What happens when some are no longer with us
Loss is normal • We should not be content here (Eccl. 3.9-11) • One fate is guaranteed to all and we do not know when it will come (Eccl. 9.1-3, 11-12) • People leave • Stephen’s death (Acts 8.1-2) • Paul at Ephesus (Acts 20.37-38) • The Thessalonian church (1 Thess. 4.13) • How do we cope when some are gone?
Work • What did God tell Elijah during his weakest point? (1 Kings 19.13-16) • How did Christians facing persecution respond? (Acts 8.4) • What were priests commanded in mourning? (Lev. 21.1ff) • What does “busy-ness” do for us? (Eccl. 5.18-20) • The truth is that “life goes on”—we do not have unlimited time (Jn. 9.4)
Replace • What did Jesus ask John from the cross? (Jn. 19.25-27) • What did the apostles do after the death of Judas? (Acts 1.21-22) • What did Paul do after Barnabas left? (Acts 15.40) • We make new connections and take on new responsibilities as faithful men and women are replaced—these are opportunities (2 Tim. 4.1ff)
Worship • Where did David go after his son died? (2 Sam. 12.20) • How did Job react to his loss? (Job 1.20) • What did the church do when James died? (Acts 12.12) • What is the benefit to considering death? (Eccl. 7.1-4, 13-14) • Praise God for what we have had in this life and the opportunities we’ve shared (Phil. 4.10)
Rejoice • Does God care about His people? (Ps. 72.12-14) • How does God view our losses? (Ps. 116.15) • What is most important to us as Christians? (Rom. 8.35-37) • What do we look toward? (1 Cor. 15.50-58) • When we think of those whom we’ve lost, we can hope to see them again (2 Sam. 12.23)
How do we cope with loss? • Work • Replace • Worship • Rejoice