The Seed Blog: No Fear In Death

For about 4 weeks now... I have been preparing this Message! Even started writing it... Then tucked it aside a couple of weeks ago…And when the time came to bring it this Sunday...I was hesitant... Thinking the timing may now be wrong!...But then I realize...In God's Incredible Sovereignty and Care...THIS was exactly the week…He had been Preparing it for all along!
 
So please give God's Words…Complete attention and reverence this morning! Because this topic absolutely & severely... IMPACTS every one of us!
 
In just 6 days... This congregation has experienced the life-changing events... Of the passing away of three people near and dear to us!...And because THIS world…Is all we have known this far in our journey...It is easy for us as Christians… Right along with the world…To lose perspective on the real meaning & nature of death...Of why it happens... Of why we have to experience such pain and separation...We see death as a terrible interruption…Of our lives and relationships...And as a dark and fearful unknown.

From this side… It is…Jesus Himself... When Walking this earth as a Complete Human...
Shared in the pain, grief... And even ANGER... That death brings into our lives! Look at His reaction to the pain which…Lazarus' death brought to those He Loved dearly!
 
John 11:32-35 (HCSB)
32  When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and told Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died!” 33  When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved. 34  “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Lord,” they told Him, “come and see.” 35  Jesus wept. (shed silent tears)
 
John 11:38-39 (HCSB)
38  Then Jesus, angry in Himself again (moved in deep anger, snort with rage like enraged horse), came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39  “Remove the stone,” Jesus said...
 
John 11:43 (HCSB)
43  After He said this, He shouted (cried out with scream, wail) with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
 
Jesus was Broken in Sorrow over the pain death brought...Jesus was deeply enraged and driven to remove the pain caused!
 
More than anyone... Jesus despises the separation and sorrow we feel...At the death of a loved one!
 
So, first of all... WHY does it happen? Why does He even allow death at all? If even HE Hates it so much?
 
Why Death?
 
God Made this entire Creation... With NO DESIRE to include DEATH in any way! He Made a Perfect World... A Perfect Love... A Perfect Life! But... When MANKIND brought the dark seed... Of Sin…Selfishness, Pride and Rebellion into this world...God could NOT allow that sin to fester and grow...In our hearts and generations for ETERNITY!
 
Please look at what this darkness... When allowed to continue just a short time...
Has created in just a few thousand years... Unbearable pain and self-devouring people!
THAT is even when the lives of mankind as individuals...Have been shortened by death...
Imagine if that darkness were allowed to grow...Indefinitely in one heart forever!
 
So... God in Justice... And in MERCY...Could NOT allow sin to exist and GROW indefinitely! He had to end it! But to simply extinguish all sin immediately and in finality...
Would have meant the end to all He Created and Loved! Would have meant an end to you and I right here now as well!
 
God Decided to Make all things new again...To be rid of the sin and death that even we hate so much...So, He Decided that THIS WORLD…Would be a temporary home...Where we could learn of His Existence...  And our Purpose! Where we could see the results of our selfishness and sin...When left to it's ways! Where we could learn about His Goodness... His Love... His Plan... His Sacrifice to erase what we have caused...And then... IF we choose… To continue in the EVIL...Which we see destroying this world... Death will be our end... Because there is no other option!
 
IF we see the Awesome Love & Wonders He Created...For us to Explore and Enjoy with HIM for Eternity...And we accept the Terrible Sacrifice HE MADE... In our stead... For the wrongs we committed against Him...Death is not an end... It is the Literal FIRST STEP...
Into EVERYTHING HE HAS WORKED AND DIED FOR...To bring us back into with Him!!
 
It is the very BEGINNING…Of all He has Truly Planned for us! It is FINALLY receiving all of the Love... All the Gifts...All the Adventure and Perfect Fellowship with Him... That we were Created to have from the beginning!
 
IT IS HIS GREATEST MOMENT IN OUR LIVES...WHEN WE FINALLY GET TO BE WITH HIM...AS HE HAS PLANNED FROM THE BEGINNING!
 
Death TO A CHRISTIAN… Is not our loss!  It is Our REWARD!! Our arrival to the Original Purpose! The Greatest Adventure...The Greatest Moment of our existence! When we truly grasp this for the Truth that it is...We will not fear death... Not be broken by it... As the world...We will be ready... Even anxious... To see what He has Prepared for Eternity!
 
Philippians 1:21-24 (HCSB)
21  For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22  Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23  I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24  but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
 
1 Corinthians 2:9 (HCSB)
9  But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind— God prepared this for those who love Him.
 
So… Scriptures make it very CLEAR...That Our King... Jesus Christ...HATES DEATH more than any one of us! That Our Jesus is more ANGERED by the pain of death...Than any of us!!
That is why HE SUFFERED THROUGH MORE...THAN ANY ONE OF US...IN LOVE... FOR US...TO REMOVE IT'S STING... IF WE WILL JUST LOVE AND TRUST HIM ENOUGH.TO ACCEPT HIS SELF-SACRIFICE! Praise God... In every case this week...Satan was robbed of anything he might have gained from our loss!
 
1 Corinthians 15:55, 57 (HCSB)
55  Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?.. 57  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
 
So like Christ... Be angry at the pain of death...But like Christ... Be angry at Satan... For leading us purposefully into it's clutches...And then...Be thankful to Jesus Christ... Who Gave His Blood as our King...To take away the effect of that death forever
 
What Happens At Death?
 
Even knowing all of this... Death STILL holds a certain amount…Of FEAR and DREAD for us all...Because of the UNCERTAINTY of what happens...At that moment of our journey! What happens at that moment we breath our last? That moment we watch a loved one cross over?
 
Where do they go at that instance?
What do they see in that moment?
Do they still know us?
Do they even see or care about life here on earth anymore?
 
So many people... Even in good intentions...Have so many different ideas and beliefs about that moment! To say “Whatever works for you” means you believe nothing! No matter how many beliefs or ideas we have...When the box is opened... When we arrive on the other side...In an instant...We will see what is in the Box...Because... There is literally only ONE true answer!!
 
Scriptures Give us very CLEAR Answers…About many of these questions!...And since God has Given us Clear Proof of His Existence... I think we can take His Answer... As to "What's in the Box!"... Over any other! The Question is… WHAT will YOU do with that Answer?!
 
Know this for certainty...If you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior...You do not need to fear death... BECAUSE YOU… Will NEVER experience it! Not even for a moment!
 
John 11:25-26 (HCSB)
25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. 26  Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?”
 
Because Jesus already Experienced YOUR DEATH...In YOUR PLACE... And Gave you His life! We do not experience even ONE MOMENT of "soul sleep"...Or unconsciousness...The instant your life leaves this broken body on earth...The instant your eyes close for the last time...You are conscious... And MORE ALIVE... Than you have ever been!...And literally seeing things beyond hope or imagination!...As you are WELCOMED into eternity by God's Angelic Hosts!
 
Luke 16:22 (HCSB)
One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
 
These Magnificent Servants of God...Are so breathtaking... That anyone who has met one of them...Immediately responds by bowing in awe and worship….And just one of them...Is capable of destroying tens of thousands of men!
 
This is the welcoming committee…Awaiting us when we cross over! To guide us to the very Real... Physical Place of Heaven!
 
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE GATHERING IN THE SPIRIT WORLD… AT A POINT OF A BELIEVERS DEATH!! These Angelic Warriors take us to the Gates of our new Home! Where we are greeted expectantly and exuberantly...By Our Savior Who Gave His Very Life...To have you safe at Home with Him! What do you think that Moment is like?!!
 
Many Scriptures Make it Crystal Clear to us...That our loved ones are…Conscience and Overwhelmingly Joyful...RIGHT THIS MOMENT... WITH OUR LORD!
 
Philippians 1:21-24 (HCSB)
21  For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22  Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23  I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24  but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
 
2 Corinthians 5:7-8 (NKJV)
7  For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
 
Luke 23:42-43 (HCSB)
42  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43  And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
 
Do loved ones who have passed on…Still remember us? Do they still know us? Or even care about what is happening on earth?
 
Let me say that every person... Every event…That has come into our lives will be remembered in Heaven! How else would we even remember and celebrate...Why Our Jesus had to Die for our Souls? Why we were even being rewarded with the crowns & robe?! The loved ones in our lives...The events that shaped our lives...Are an intimate part of who we are...Of the love and oneness HE Created us to share!
 
It would make NO sense at all...For us to be "Reset" as some Unscripturally believe!
Some quote Isaiah 65 as their basis for this belief...
 
Isaiah 65:17 (HCSB)
“For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.
 
This Verse simply means that the Wonderful, Secure, Peaceful, Exciting Life we will have in the Kingdom... Will overshadow any bad which happened on this earth...  And His Presence will take away our scars! Just as a woman forgets the pain of childbirth...After her baby is in her arms!
 
Here is the Scriptural Proof of that Fact! Listen to Paul's Words… About those watching…In INTEREST & HOPE… From Heaven!
 
Hebrews 12:1 (HCSB)
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us,
 
And John's Words... About the many watching...In sincere concern for the events on earth in the Last Days!
 
Revelation 6:9-11 (HCSB)
9  When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the people slaughtered because of God’s word and the testimony they had. 10  They cried out with a loud voice: “Lord, the One who is holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?”
 
Do they remember what happened on earth?...Yes!...Are they still interested in the events of the earth?...Yes!
 
11  So a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer until ⌊the number⌋ would be completed ⌊of⌋ their fellow slaves and their brothers, who were going to be killed just as they had been.
 
Listen to the personal intimacy & knowledge...Of those who have already crossed over...
In the words of a rich man...Now passed away and in Hades awaiting Judgment...As he remembers his family... And begs...That someone might be sent to his family to save them!
 
Luke 16:27-31 (HCSB)
27  “‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28  because I have five brothers—to warn them, so they won’t also come to this place of torment.’ 29  “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30  “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said. ‘But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31  “But he told him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”
 
This clearly shows we have not only memories...But the same heart and care for our loved ones on earth!...And it shows that no miracle we pray for...Will truly give us love for Christ... It must be for HIM ALONE!
 
Death is not to be feared... Not to be dreaded...Because it is NOT the end... It is the BEGINNING! It is the exciting START…Of everything Jesus Died to make NEW AGAIN!
It is the start of LIFE as GOD Created it to be...It is the beginning of the Journey... HE has Waited Excitedly thru history to take us upon! It is Jesus' Happiest Moment with us in our lives!...Because We are finally Home with Him…We made it… By His Blood!
 
I say this with assurance... Excitement... And sincere concern!!! Many here in this room… And in the sound of my voice now...May not see that day in which we will pass naturally...
Because WE are on the very threshold...Of the Lord's Return to this earth... To Receive His Own to Himself!
 
Let's close by hearing about this AWESOME... SOON COMING MOMENT! The Moment when we will finally see HIS FACE! The Moment...When we will first see…Our loved ones gone home before us again! Even here... As Scriptures console our hearts...About where our loved ones are right this minute!
 
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (HCSB)
13  We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14  Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring WITH HIM those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15  For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. 16  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17  Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. 18  Therefore encourage one another with these words.
 
We only see such a small part of the Story...What are these few short years... In a fallen, hurtful world...Compared to eons of unfathomable adventure and love? THAT... Is what we are stepping out of this world...To become a part of… With Christ!
 
Jesus Does not Judge a life…By how long it was...Or by how successful it was in this world...
But simply based upon the fact that…We see His Love and Sacrifice...And are willing to gives ourselves back to Him as selflessly...As HE Gave Himself to US!
 
Trusting His Blood Alone... To save us... (Not just believe He Exists… But believe IN HIM!)
When we cannot save ourselves!...And loving His people... Over ourselves... As He Loves them!
 
Are you ready when your day comes? It comes for all of us. Will you see your saved loved ones again? Jesus Our King…Does NOT want you to leave this fallen mess of a world...Until you are ready to meet HIM! In the Place He has Built for you!
 
John 14:1-4 (HCSB)
1  “Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3  If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4  You know the way ⌊to⌋ where I am going.”