DIE WITH JESUS AND LIVE. SERMON BY REV. NATHANIEL

TEXT: HEBREWS 5:5-10, JOHN 12:20-33

Matthew 16:25-26 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Philippians 1:20-21

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

Death means “separation”

People die with –

People die to –

People die in –

The theology of death is better understood biologically when one consider the concept of germination (the decomposition of the outer coat to permit the embryo to shoot out). Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit- John 12:24

Death brings new appearance (better version) –

Death brings multiplication

Death reveals true image and identity

Death interrupts the old system to make room for a new structure

Death activates the power of resurrection

What it means to die with Jesus:

  • It means to identify yourself in Jesus
  • It means to suffer pain with Jesus
  • It means to carry the cross of Jesus
  • It means love Jesus with all of yourself
  • It means denying yourself to be available to the services of the Master
  • It means to be saturated with the ideologies, concepts and operations of Jesus

The Four Biblical Deaths in relation to one’s spirit, soul and body

  1. SPIRITUAL DEATH (Isa.59:2; Eph. 2:1)

This death is the SEPARATION of man from God because of sin. Briefly explain the fall of Adam (Gen. 2:16-17). One can be alive physically but dead spiritually (Matt. 8:22; I Tim. 5:6). A lost person may have a live body, live soul, but dead spirit! The good news is that a sinner can still escape spiritual death and be spiritually resurrected (Eph. 2:5). A man has a lifetime of opportunity to escape spiritual death.

  1. PHYSICAL DEATH (Jas. 2:26; Gen. 35:18)

This death is the SEPARATION of the INWARD man from OUTWARD man (cf. Eph. 3:16; II Cor. 4:16). There is no escape from physical death except at the Rapture! But barring the Rapture in our lifetime, we will all die and there is no escape in spite of the amazing advancements by technology, science, and medicine. Our BODY of flesh is the outward man that dies, corrupts and returns to dust (Job 34:15). On the other hand, the SOUL is the inward man that is immortal and incorruptible. The BODY may be dead but the SOUL is alive forevermore in heaven (II Cor.5:8) or hell (Luke 16:23). No soul sleep but body sleeps instead. One may be dead physically but that is not the end of everything (Heb. 9:27). The Bible teaches that the SOUL is ever alive and conscious even when the BODY is dead! We get a foretaste of physical death when we sleep and dream!

  1. ETERNAL DEATH (Luke 16:19-21; Ezek. 18:4)

This is the SEPARATION of the SOUL from the BODY and SPIRIT to be cast into hell. When the BODY dies, it returns to dust and the SPIRIT returns to God who gave it (Eccl. 12:7). When the body dies, there is no more second chance of salvation for then the SOUL is lost and condemned forever and ever. It will be separated from God ETERNALLY! Unlike spiritual death, eternal death is irreversible!

  1. SECOND or FINAL DEATH (Rev. 20:15; 21:8)

Notice that this second death is the casting of both BODY and SOUL into the Lake of Fire (Matt. 10:28). The Bible teaches TWO hells – one below the earth which is temporary (Matt. 12:40; Acts 2:27, 31) and the other above the earth which is everlasting – the Lake of Fire which was prepared for the devil and His angels (Matt. 25:41). Hell itself will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14) along with those who will perish after the Last Judgment.

DIEING WITH JESUS IS THE ONLY ANTIDOTE TO ALL OTHER KINDS OF DEATHS; Die with Jesus and escape all other deaths.

 

CONCLUSION

A CALL TO OBEDIENCE

Hebrews 5:8 -9

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

ALTAR CALL

Comment(1)

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    Jennifer Afua Pimaah says:

    God richly bless you papa

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