1. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 1

2. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 2  David has fled from the wicked King Saul to his dearest friend Jonathan in fear for his life (1 Sam 20:1).  Jonathan seeks to calm David’s anxieties certain that David is mistaken about his father’s intentions (1 Sam 20:3).  The words of this text are David’s response to Jonathan expressing his very real sense of the nearness of death.  What he realized at that moment was indeed always true––

3. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 3 What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? (Psalm 89:48) “ For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living” (Job 20:23). “And as it is appointed unto men once to die…” (Hebrews 9:27).

4. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 4 James 4:13-14 (NKJV) Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; [14] whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; [14] whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Lack of knowledge – Lack of control – Life Is Fragile!!!! -

5. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 5 It may be today, next week, next year, or many years from now! Our lives can end instantly!!  An accident, - (97,900) 2002  Natural Disaster, Terror Attacks,  Heart Attack, Aneurysm, Stroke,  Cancer...  An infectious disease, – [a micro-organism], – Bird Flu, Aides...  A genetic flaw or inherited trait, - Psalm 39:4 (NKJV) "Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.

6. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 6 1. We are separated from friends and family. – (2 Samuel 12:23) 2. We are separated from our earthly possessions - (1 Tim 6:7). 3. It is a step that separates body and spirit. (Gen 3:19; Eccles. 12:6-7; James 2:26).

7. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 7 1. Our eternal destiny depends on what we DO before death! (Heb 9:27; John 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:10) 2. Have “I” OBEYED the words of Jesus??? (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; 2 Thes. 1:7-9) 3. Blessed are they who die ______ ______ _________. (Rev 14:13; Ep 1:3; Rom 6:3-6; Gal 3:26,27) the Lord in

8. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 8 1. While the Bible says a great deal about death, it is still a great unknown. 2. The very thought of stepping into a brilliant eternity in the presence of Christ, or being cast down into sorrowful suffering with the wicked of all ages ought to give us pause. (Eccles 7:2; Psalms 90:12).

9. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 9  Death Is An Inevitable Step – (With But One Exception)  Death Is A Short Step –  Death Is A Parting Step  Death Is A Destiny Sealing Step–  Death Is A Solemn Step–

10. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 10

11. Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - June, 4, 2006 11