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)