I say that because people don’t want to talk about death because they’re uncertain about what’s beyond death. And that fear comes from being uncertain of their relationship with God.
But death is inevitable. It will certainly come and often it comes suddenly. Death is the great equalizer. Nobody’s immune from death.
Hebrews 9:27 (NLT2) 27 And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,
We plan for other things that we know will happen. That's why it seems foolish to live your life unprepared for something that you know will happen. Wouldn’t life be so much more enjoyable when you’re confident of what’s going to happen to you after you die.
God doesn’t want you to fear death. He wants to set you free from that fear. How does he do that?
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT2)7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
God has left you promises to let you know what happens when these bodies of ours stop working in death.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NLT2)6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT2)13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.18 So encourage each other with these words.
Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT2)3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
When you know what’s going to happen to you when you die, it takes pressure off the living.
God sent Jesus Christ to earth to die for your sins and provide a better way of living.
John 3:16 (NLT2)16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:8-10 (NLT2)8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
That’s real confidence and that’s the Good News.
Get to know Jesus, not because you might die tonight but because you have to live tomorrow. What Jesus did on the cross gives you real confidence.
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT2)24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT2)15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.