Getting Last Things First

The Reality of Death

James 4:14

[14] Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor

that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Hebrews 9:27

[27] And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after

this comes judgment,

Ecclesiastes 12:7

[7] then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will

return to God who gave it.

The Purpose of Death

The Purpose of Death

1) To show us that sin has

consequences.

Genesis 2:16-17

[16] The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; [17] but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it

you will surely die.”

Romans 5:12

[12] Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all

men, because all sinned—

The Purpose of Death

2) As a stopping point of our “trial” period.

2 Corinthians 5:10

[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the

body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

The Purpose of Death

3) Give the living a time of reflection.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

[2] It is better to go to a house of mourning

Than to go to a house of feasting,Because that is the end of every man,

And the living takes it to heart.

Psalm 90:10,12

[10] As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,

Or if due to strength, eighty years,Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;For soon it is gone and we fly away. …[12] So teach us to number our days,

That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

[13] The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His

commandments, because this applies to every person.

[14] For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden,

whether it is good or evil.

The Hope of Death

Philippians 1:21

[21] For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

[6] For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my

departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I

have kept the faith;

2 Timothy 4:6-8

[8] in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to

all who have loved His appearing.

Psalm 116:15

[15] Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones.

Genesis 25:8

[8] Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was

gathered to his people.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

[54] But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal

will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

[55] “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?”

[56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; [57] but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through

our Lord Jesus Christ.

If it will be important then, let’s make it important now.