MAKING A NEW
FRIEND OUT OF AN OLD ENEMY
INTRODUCTION:
1. Misconceptions
concerning others may cause us to become enemies. But when we become more
familiar with those people, they become our friends.
2. February
1993 issue of "Health Magazine" revealed that 50 people paid $120,000
each to be frozen, in hopes they can someday be brought back to life. Consider
the many ways people are affected by death (dislike thinking about it, talking
about it, etc.). We prefer to stay away from places that remind us of it. We do
whatever we can to postpone it.
3. Is
it possible we make death our enemy for the same reasons we make certain people
our enemies? Is it possible that, when we become more familiar with death, it
ceases to be our enemy and becomes our friend?
DISCUSSION:
I. God
sees death as just going to sleep.
A. The
scriptures often depict death as sleep (Matthew 9:18-24; John 11:11-14).
B. Sleep
is precious. In a similar fashion, death is precious (Psalm 116:15).
C. Just
as we plan for physical sleep, we ought to plan for death.
II. God
sees death as just taking a trip.
A. The
scriptures depict death as a departure (II Timothy 4:6).
B. Paul
had a desire to depart and be with Christ (Philippians 1:23)
C. Compare
death to watching a ship move out of its harbor.
III. God
sees death as just a change of residence.
A. Imagine
looking for a friend only to find out they have moved out of their house.
B. As
Christians, we desire a better country (Hebrews 11:8-16).
C. Upon
death, we move from a temporary to a permanent residence (II Corinthians
5:1-10).
IV. God
sees death as his child gaining an inheritance.
A. Christ
died in order that we might receive an inheritance when we die
(Philippians 1:21).
B. This
inheritance is promised to those who remain faithful (Hebrews 9:15).
C. In
contrast with earthly inheritance, our heavenly inheritance will never fade (I
Peter 1:3-5).
CONCLUSION:
1. Jesus
has made it possible for us to say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and
thy staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
2. When
we become familiar with death, we are able to face death without fear.
Adapted from an article titled
"Making A New Friend Out Of An Old Enemy" by Allen Webster
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