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Dealing with Death: Finding Comfort and Preparation in the Bible

This article explores the common and real aspect of death in life and emphasizes the importance of turning to the Bible for answers and guidance. It delves into four lessons from Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, discussing the significance of expressing emotion, gaining correct understanding, having strong confidence, and starting preparation early.

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Dealing with Death: Finding Comfort and Preparation in the Bible

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  1. Dealing with Death“What man shall live and not see death”Psalm 89:48

  2. Dealing with Death • Death is a common and real part of life (Gen. 5; Psa. 89:48; Eccl. 3:19-21; Heb. 9:27) • When we have questions / concerns / fears about death, we must turn to the Bible for the answer • Consider four lessons from Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11): express your emotion, get correct understanding, have strong confidence, begin now to prepare

  3. Express Your Emotion • “Jesus wept” (Jn. 11:35) • Bereavement (to deprive, to strip or take away), weeping, and mourning give us comfort in death (Gen. 23:2; 2 Sam. 18:33; Eccl. 7:2-3; Jn. 11:33-35; Acts 8:2; 9:39) • Allow others to comfort and console (Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:26; Gal. 6:2) • Cast your care on the Lord through prayer (Psa. 55:22; Phil. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:7)

  4. Express Your Emotion • Caution: our emotion must be guarded and guided by prayer and God’s word • Stages of grief: denial, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, masking true feelings, resentment, hostility, acceptance, moving on

  5. Get Correct Understanding • “Jesus … said unto them plainly” (Jn. 11:14) • Correct understanding gives us comfort in death (1 Thess. 4:13 – 5:11) • What is death (Jas. 2:26; Eccl. 12:7)? • Where are the dead (Lk. 16:19-30; 23:43)? • Will the dead be raised & how (1 Cor. 15:20-58)? • How often does death come (Heb. 9:27)?

  6. Get Correct Understanding • Caution: our understanding must come from the Bible, not man’s religion or pop-culture (books, movies, etc.) – Psa. 119:50 • We must avoid religious error concerning death (fatalism, reincarnation, ghosts, soul-sleep, baptism for the dead, etc.) • We must avoid charging God: “It was God’s will…” or “Why did God allow this to happen?”

  7. Have Strong Confidence • Jesus said, “Thy brother shall rise again … I know that he shall raise again…” (Jn. 11:23-24) • Strong confidence and hope give us comfort in death (Num. 23:10; Phil. 1:20-23; Heb. 11:13)

  8. Have Strong Confidence • Caution: our confidence must not change reality or Bible truth • There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked (Jn. 5:28-29; 24:15) and a separation of the righteous and the wicked (Mt. 25:30ff) • Not all loved-ones die in a right relationship with God (Lk. 16:19-31) • Not all loved-ones go to heaven (Rev. 20:11-15; 21:8, 27; 22:15)

  9. Begin Now to Prepare • Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” – spiritual life in Jesus, not just earthly living • “He that believes on me” – complete obedience to Jesus, not just mental acceptance • “Yes, Lord, I have believed” – total acceptance of Jesus, not just empty words • Being prepared for our own death gives us comfort (1 Thess. 4:14; Rev. 14:13)

  10. Begin Now to Prepare • Caution: our preparation must not follow what man says, but what the Bible says: “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30-34) • Bible preparation: hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, live faithfully • Not “faith only” preparation (Jas. 2:26) • Not religion only preparation (Jn. 4; Acts 17)

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