“Lessons Learned in the House of Mourning”
Sept.5, 2010 Eccles.7:1-4; Mt 5:4 Play
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CAN DEATH BE A BLESSING?
• unusual to think of death as a good thing
WHAT A DIFFERENCE KNOWING JESUS MAKES IN THE HOUR OF DEATH
• fate of sinners fearful without redemption (Rom
6:23; 1:18; Mt 8:12 13:42 22:13 25:30 Lu 16:24)
• when believe God, have crossed over from death to
life (Jn 5:24)
• Jesus’ resurrection & return reassuring (1Cor
2:9; 1Thess 4:13f, 16ff; 1Th 4.16-18)
• victory over death’s sting as a result of Jesus’
action (1Cor 15:3ff, 19f, 55ff)
DEATH HAS A WAY OF PUTTING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE
• Ecclesiastes seeks to determine if life more
than a chasing after the wind (1:2,14; 2:3b,17,24; 5:18f; 7:2,4)
WHAT’S OF LASTING VALUE? NOT RICHES
• money not satisfying, slips through fingers; riches
destroyed / stolen (5:10f,13-16; Mt 6:19; Lk 6:24)
BRING GLORY TO GOD - THROUGH A GOOD NAME
• our purpose: bring glory to God (1Cor 10.31; Eph
1.12,14; Php 1.11)
• good name / reputation more valuable than great
riches (Ec 7:1; Prov 22:1; Rom 2:7)
...THROUGH FAITH’S APPRECIATION OF GOD’S GOOD GIFTS
• acknowledge God’s gifts through faith (5:19f;
2:25f; Heb 11:6; Eph 2:8f)
...THROUGH ACTION PROMPTED BY FAITH
• do good, toil, as judged by what have done (3:12f;
Eph 2:10; Rom 2:6; 1Cor 15:58)
(MISC.) DO YOUR SURVIVORS A BIG FAVOUR
• pre-planned funeral spares family members pressure
at an already-stressful time
• visitation / funeral process and directors helpful
(Lk 10:7; 1Tim 5:18)
THE GOOD SIDE OF GRIEF: BRINGS US CLOSER
• refining influence of sadness;
embraces/handshakes/cards express compassion, comfort (2Cor 1:3f; Mt
5:4)
MAY ALL WHO COME BEHIND US FIND US FAITHFUL
• inspired by Christian’s life to draw courage for
daunting tasks