- WHY does death exist? - HOW should we respond or react? - WHAT is its purpose?

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1 THREE QUESTIONS CONCERNING DEATH Romans 8:28 Glenn Tatum, Seniors & Caring, Worship & Music Pastor February 14, 2016 Note: The following are the pastor s notes used in preaching this message. This is not a complete, word-for-word transcription of what was preached. These notes serve as a companion to the complete message, which is available by listening to the audio version. Bible quotes are primarily from NASB and ESV, respectively. (In response to the sudden and tragic death of Gary Eddy, my brother and my friend) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28 This morning I would like to talk about three questions concerning death. - WHY does death exist? - HOW should we respond or react? - WHAT is its purpose? INTRODUCTION: Tribulation like death, or any kind of loss, is never easy to understand. Death s finality and permanence affects all who have come close to it or experienced its grip. There are those in this world who strive to avoid it at all cost. There are those who face it with hope that only comes from the Lord. I. WHY DOES DEATH EXIST? A. WHY does death exist? It exists because of sin. Romans 6:23 states - For the wages of sin is death... - Thus the whole world is subject to death, because all have sinned. Romans 5:12 tells us - just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned Genesis 2:17 - The Lord warned Adam that the penalty for disobedience would be death. He told him, you shall surely die. Adam later died a physical death in Genesis 5:5. Matthew 27:50 - tells us that Jesus died a physical death when He cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 1. Yet there s hope in Christ: Matthew 28; Revelation 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Hosea 13:14 - Because of Christ s death, He defeated that grim foe. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55 SO - WHY? Why does death exist? It exists because of sin. But the good that comes from death is to be with the Lord, but only for those who trust in Him alone as Savior. 2. What about those with no hope? For the unsaved, death brings to an end the chance and opportunity to accept God s gracious offer of salvation. It is permanent and cannot be undone. WE ALL HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH: This is not a happy thought - but it is true - from the writer of Hebrews we have this: Hebrews 9:27 - And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. The word appointed can be a somewhat troublesome word. The word translated describes something that is laid away, destined or standing. - meaning that when you make a purchase 1

2 at a department store and place the order in layaway - that item is laid away, destined to be picked up by the owner at an appointed time. Solomon reminds us that: There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth and a time to die - Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a. 3. The struggle with death: Many people struggle with the notion of death. Some speak of looking forward to being with Lord - and rightly so, but yet some want to linger - seized between staying and going home to be with the Lord. The Apostle Paul shares with us his own struggle with the appointment of death when he writes: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed - afflicted/seized from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Philippians 1:21-24 Notice Paul s conflict even Paul did not know which to choose. He was seized by this decision. If Paul was seized, how much more are we afflicted by the death s appointment? There may be here today some who struggle concerning WHY such a good brother or sister in Christ would have such an appointment with death in what we would define as being untimely, unfair and tragic. 4. Examples in my life: In my life I have witnessed numerous examples of sudden and tragic deaths of family members, dear friends, and fellow saints in the Lord. Most were accidents. They did not make sense. Yet, the one thing I do know is that the Lord appointed it and purposed it for the good of those who love Him and are called by Him. I could tell you about my two cousins just barely in their 20 s. A father who sent his son on an errand and died in a car accident. A deacon whose son did not come home after a friend s party. A faithful organist who suddenly passed while playing during a service. A youth pastor who suddenly became ill and in a matter of weeks went home to be with the Lord. 5. Those who grieve: The appointment of death and its effect on those who are left behind brings shock and grief. Even Jesus, though not shocked, grieved in knowing that His friend Lazarus was going to die. Jesus wept when He arrived at the tomb of His friend. Yet, Lazarus s death was appointed for the purpose of good when Jesus told His disciples - This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified. - John 11:4 6. Death is not final: What we learn from Lazarus s resurrection is that death is not final for those who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose. Because there is appointed for us the glorious hope of eternal life, because Jesus is the resurrection and the life and whoever believes in Him shall live even if he dies. - John 11:25 2

3 Philippians 3:10, 11 - Paul s desire - that I may know Him [Christ] and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Is death terrible? Yes, but, no. It is also good, because of our union with Christ. Romans 6:5 - For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. So then - If death exists because of sin and our only hope is in Christ, then HOW should we react or respond to death as believers, especially in sudden and tragic situations? Let us turn our attention to Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28 The context of this verse is nestled between two passages that give great hope and security for the believer. Sometimes this verse, even though it can be a source of comfort when understood properly, can often be misunderstood and misapplied. Some approach this verse with a Pollyanna outlook on life. This view says everything will turn out for our happiness in this life. If that is how you view this verse, then you greatly deny or minimize the reality of suffering and evil that is in the world. Jesus reminds us of the reality of trouble in this world when He tells His disciples that - In this world you have tribulation - John 16:33 So then, the only real optimistic outlook we have is the hope that Jesus provides when He completed His sentence - but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Here then is Paul s context for Romans 8 - Paul gives encouragement and hope with the truth that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18-25) He also encourages us with the truth that the Holy Spirit is helping us in our weakness by praying for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27). Because as he writes, for we do not know how to pray as we should - (Romans 8:26). But, the Spirit of God does. But then, you may ask, if the Spirit is praying for the saints according to the will of God, then HOW should I respond to the death of a believer? II. HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO DEATH? A. Our response depends on what we know. Paul s answer is - and we know - We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Knowing prepares us how to respond to death in a positive way. It is in the knowledge that God causes ALL THINGS Paul gives us this point: even though death may seem to be a terrible thing, God, in all His sovereignty and purpose, will bring good from it. Suffering and loss are not done in vain. B. What is it that we should know? And we know - The Apostle Paul in his letters is big on making sure believers know what they believe so that they know how to behave. On many occasions we observe Paul writing something like this And we know, So that you may know, For we know and etc. 3

4 As much as Paul was accused of being a southerner - by saying You all - I think I can make a case in him being a Midwesterner from Wisconsin or Minnesota by saying - Don t you know times he uses the word know in his letters. Paul is stating, first of all, that you and I should already KNOW - that suffering and loss is not beyond God s plan. The Lord does not react to the loss that is appointed for us all today. He is personally involved with the purpose to use it for good. I WISHED THEY KNEW: The ones that lost their children did not handle their deaths well. They chose to allow their guilt, anger, bitterness, and pride get the best of them. Their marriages did not survive. Their health became poor. They became depressed with despair. Unlike King David, when his son was sick to death, he mourned, but when the son passed away, he got up and washed himself, worshiped the Lord, and ate. When asked why he mourned and fasted while the child was still alive, he told them he hoped the Lord would be gracious by saving the child but now he s dead why should I fast can I bring him back I will go to him.but he cannot return to me. ILLUSTRATION: No one suffered as much loss as Job, yet Job was a man who loved the Lord - WHY did Job have to suffer so much loss in such tragic ways. What good could possibly come from it? 1. A Righteous Man: We first see that Job was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil - (Job 1:1) - How would you like that to be your testimony; by the Lord? Here is a man who lived for the Lord, feared the Lord, and turned away from evil. 2. A Family Man: Job loved his family - notice here - (Job 1:2) - And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. - (Job 1:4, 5) - His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all. WHY? - (Job 1:5b) - he tells us Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. Thus Job did continually. Notice that Job raised a good family. They enjoyed the fellowship of one another. No family drama - just a good and decent family. Notice, also, that Job was spiritually concerned for his family, his kids. Job was a praying father who continually prayed for and interceded on behalf of his kids. 3. A Business Man: Next we would see that Job was also a successful business man - (Job 1:3) - His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man [Job] was the greatest of all the men of the east. 4. A Steadfast Man: What happens next involves the conversation between God and Satan. Satan came and visited the Lord during the day when sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord (Job 1:6). Both God and Satan were talking, and the Lord brought up Job (not Satan, but the Lord did). During the course of the conversation Satan was allowed by God to go and test Job s loyalty and faith to God. Satan s idea was if you took away his family and possessions, Job would curse God. The Lord sent Satan out and the only restriction was he could not take Job s life. Thus, in a swift series of tragic events, Job was tested when Satan killed all his kids, and then took and destroyed Job s livestock and servants. In a brief, swift moment, it was all gone! In that moment when several messengers, one after another came to bring the sad and terrible news to Job - Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and fell to the ground and notice in his great shock and 4

5 grief - and worshiped. And he said, Naked I came from my mother s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:20, 21 And then the Lord records for us Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God - (Job 1:22) APPLICATION: I share this narrative to serve as an illustration for several reasons. 1. Notice that grief is the common, human reaction toward loss. It was a shock to Job s ears and life. He is not sinning by expressing sorrowful grief. As a matter of fact, it is quite healthy for us to grieve. If not, all those emotions the Lord gives our bodies would just go haywire if we do not express grief. There is something wrong. It is not good if you do not grieve over loss and suffering. 2. Notice what Job already knew. It s his perspective in life that I want you to focus in on. He knew that life is temporary and that all that he had was on loan from the Lord. I have personally heard similar words from my father-in-law who was a farmer. I am just a steward of this land that the Lord has given me I know one day it will go back to Him, but now it is my responsibility to manage it for Him. Job already knew that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him. This tragedy did not change Job s perspective and hope and faith in the Lord. 3. Notice that Job acknowledged that the Lord s hand was in this when he states: The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away Job 1:21 4. Finally, observe that Job worshiped the Lord despite this calamity that had fallen on him at this appointed time. He actually bowed before the Lord to worship and adore Him. That s what the word, blessed means. To bend the knee - to kneel. The main point of this, going back to Romans 8:28 - And we know - it is important for us to know beforehand that the Lord causes ALL THINGS to work together for good to those who love God. What good, what benefit came from Job s tragedy? I believe it is Job s enduring faithfulness and trust in the Lord - read later in Job 42:2: I know - Here it is again - the word (KNOW) - that You can do all things - there it is again - another similar wording as Paul s And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Wow - you would think that Paul (but actually the Holy Spirit) saw that and applied Job s words here on Romans 8:28. Therefore, the Lord used Job s faithfulness for God s own good to demonstrate for others that faith is not based on external things but in the personal relationship one has with the sovereign Lord. Did Job love the Lord - Yes! Did his calamity have a purpose - Yes! If we know WHY death exists, and HOW we should react, then WHAT is its purpose? III. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DEATH? The apostle Paul places the second part of Romans 8:28 in to help us to understand that our love of God is not the primary thing - even though we may love the Lord and our love toward Him may benefit us - the primary truth here is that those who love the Lord are CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. A. Because we are His workmanship - (Ephesians 2:8-10) 1. First of all these verses tell us how we are called by God into a saving relationship with Him to serve and fulfill His purpose. 5

6 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:8-10 We have nothing to boast about other than Christ Jesus our Lord who saved us from our sins. Because there is nothing we can bring to the table of salvation that can remotely come close to God s purpose of bringing salvation to us through His only Son, Jesus. Why then did he save us? What is the benefit of those who are called by God for His purpose? - To be HIS WORKMANSHIP. 2. We are the product of God s saving grace for His purpose. What does WORKMANSHIP mean? - We are God s product of grace that HE prepared beforehand. We are the work of His new creation and thus, the life we live is not our own but His to choose and do whatever He has purposed according to HIS will. We are, in a sense, His living sacrifice that He has called us to be (Romans 12:1-2). We are not to be conformed to this world and its thoughts and ways but having our minds renewed by the transforming grace of the Lord so that we might walk in the GOOD WORKS that the Lord has prepared - ourselves being His living sacrifice - as we come to know and understand His good and acceptable will. ILLUSTRATION: No one knew this more than Paul. Those who propose and promote that the Christian life is to be void of pain and suffering is not living in the reality of God s grace and purpose. Notice what the Lord said of Paul when He called Him according to His purpose - In Acts 9:15-16 we pick up the narrative of Paul s conversion when Ananias is told by the Lord to convey a message: Go, for he [Paul] is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel Acts 9:15 In this verse we observe that the Lord outlines Paul s agenda of service unto the Lord. Notice: Paul is God s chosen instrument Paul is to bear Christ s name Paul is to go to specific people (Gentiles, kings, and the sons of Israel). Ok Great you say if you were Paul. When do we start? I am ready to be called according to your purpose Not so fast - let s finish this message to Paul. (Acts 9:16) - for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name s sake. How much did Paul suffer for the sake and call of Christ? 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 6

7 3. What about the disciples? They were first called by Christ according to His purpose - they all died a martyr s death, save for John, yet he had his own trials and sufferings based on church tradition. 4. What about the countless defenders of the faith and word like William Tyndale who was executed first by being strangled and then burned at the stake? Or missionaries like Jim Elliot and four other missionaries that were killed while trying to minister to the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador in What good could possibly come from all this - the advancement of the kingdom of God, His word, His church, and missions to the World. Again Jesus tells us - in this world you will have tribulation. In this world you will suffer In this world you will experience death In this world you will experience loss What Jesus is saying is that, since the fall of man, the world became a cruel and depraved place. Thus, the Lord is not obligated in any way to have kept things in the garden the way they were before the fall. He told Adam and Eve if you disobey you will be punished: there will be death. FALSE EXPECTATIONS: Mankind (Believers or not) have placed the false expectation on the Lord that since we love Him and are called according to His purpose, we must be immune from the sufferings of this world. This was Israel s problem during the age of the prophets. It s the entitlement way of thinking of grace. TRAGIC ILLUSTRATION: Listen, it is tragic what is happening in the news concerning what ISIS is doing to Christians; those believers who are tragically persecuted by beheadings because of their testimony for Christ. But good will from it. RUTH and NAOMI How tragic it must have been for Ruth and Naomi when they suffered the deaths of their husbands. Out of this tragic scene we witness God s wonderful purpose of bringing salvation to His own. Naomi was a Hebrew wife whose husband, Elimelech died (Ruth 1:3). She had two sons who married two Moabite women (Orpah and Ruth). Soon after Naomi s sons married these two women these men died. With no husband and no more sons, all Naomi could do was move back to her homeland to be near her relatives. In the process of wanting to move - Orpah remained, but Ruth desired to go with her mother-in-law. In her loyalty to Naomi - Ruth states: Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse if anything but death parts you and me. Ruth 1:16-17 So, Naomi and Ruth returned to Israel to live among Naomi s people. Later we learn of a term called - Kinsman Redeemer. - It so happens that a kinsman redeemer is one who is a male relative according to the Law of Moses - had the privilege or responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in trouble, danger or need. In this case - Boaz was a Kinsman to Naomi and Ruth. Through this story Boaz willingly takes Ruth as his wife and together they bear a son named Obed who became the grandfather of David, the forefather of Jesus. 7

8 APPLICATION: Do you see how the Lord CAUSES ALL THINGS to work together for good? The benefit of those called according to God s purpose here is that, though Ruth, along with her mother-in-law Naomi, suffered great loss by the deaths of their husbands, the Lord turned this loss, not only for the good of the women, but for God s purpose to send the true Kinsman Redeemer in the person of His only Son, Christ Jesus our Lord. This was the blessing of God s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:3) worked out according to the Lord s purpose. Remember we are trying to answer the question as to WHY? What is the purpose of the tragic loss through death? The answer - God causes all things [including death] to work together for good of those [including loved ones] who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. CONCLUSION: REVIEW: 1. WHY DOES DEATH EXIST? - Because of sin, but there is hope for the believer. 2. HOW SHOULD I REACT TO DEATH? - Having the knowledge that external things do not change how I react to God - I still bow down and worship Him as He is the glorious sovereign Lord. 3. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF DEATH? - To bring good. Suffering and death is done in vain - God always has a purpose to the end of His good for those who are called according to His purpose. I conclude with one final example: Joni Eareckson Tada - as a teenager Joni enjoyed the outdoors: riding horses, hiking, tennis, and swimming. She was vibrant and active. On July 30, 1967 at age 17, Joni dove into Chesapeake Bay after misjudging the shallowness of the water. The result - She suffered a fracture between the fourth and fifth cervical levels and instantly became paralyzed from the shoulders down. After two years of rehabilitation, she experienced the grief that follows such an accident. She was angry, depressed, had suicidal thoughts and religious doubts. However because of her faith in the Lord, something good came from her loss. She learned to paint with a brush between her teeth and began selling her artwork. She has written over forty books, recorded several musical albums, starred in a movie about her life, and is an advocate for disabled people. In a testimony given by her recently, Joni now in her 60 s said that because of her accident the Lord has given her a powerful ministry with disabled people. Now, Joni is battling breast cancer. She said in a statement: I ve had this ministry with disabled people for many years, but now I have a ministry to people with cancer. THE FINAL WORD: I leave you with Joseph s final words to his brothers. Joseph, who was a son of Jacob, was considered a dreamer and hated by his brothers. They wanted to kill him, but sold him into slavery where he later served as a servant in Potipher s home. He then was falsely accused of rape by Potipher s wife, sent to prison where eventually the Lord freed him and miraculously placed Him in a position of power, second only to Pharaoh so that the Lord may work His purpose out to save His people. When Joseph was finally reunited with his family and Jacob died, his brothers became fearful for what Joseph might do to them. Here is what Joseph said to them: - (Genesis 50:19-20) - Do not be afraid, for am I in God s place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Listen - For those who love the Lord and are called to His purpose - Know that the Lord CAUSES ALL THINGS (including death) to work together for good, even to those who love Him. 8