What Is Death

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, June 05, 2005, at
Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

WHAT IS DEATH?

By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia

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Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:9-16

Text: Genesis 21:16

Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way
off, as it were a

bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she
sat over against him, and

lift up her voice, and wept.

Introduction: This morning’s text is the first occurrence of the word
“death” in the Bible. It

shows up in 342 verses. “Die” appears in 299 verses, “died” in 189
verse, “dying” in 6 verses,

“deaths” in 4 verses, and “dead” in 331 verses.

The Bible has a lot to say about death.

As usual, the world is deceived about the subject. For instance, death
is not the end. It is the

beginning.

Let’s define and describe death this morning, in light of God’s perfect
revelation, the word of

God.

  I. DEATH IS AN AVOIDED SUBJECT
    BY SOME PEOPLE

Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way
off, as it were a

bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she
sat over against him, and

lift up her voice, and wept.

“Let me not see the death of the child.”

People want to avoid the subject of death

    A. Because of the hurt
        1. Pain in leaving this world
        2. Pain in being left

    B. Because of the horrors
        1. Alone!
        2. Not prepared!
        3. What next?

II. DEATH IS AN ABSOLUTE OF LIFE

Ecclesiastes 2:14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool
walketh in darkness: and I

myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

    A. Sin guarantees it – Rom. 5:12

    B. Scripture guarantees it – Heb. 9:27 (see
        next point)

III. DEATH IS AN APPOINTMENT TO KEEP

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgment:

    A. It is an important appointment

    B. It is an imminent appointment

    C. It is imperative to prepare for
        the appointment (Amos 4:12)

IV. DEATH IS AN ADVERSARY

1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

    A. It is an intruder
        1. You didn’t invite him
        2. He broke through your defenses –
          diet, exercise, medicine

    B. It is an interrupter
        1. Of fun
        2. Of foolishness
        3. Of future plans

  V. DEATH IS AN ARRIVAL

Luke 16:22-23 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried
by the angels into

Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell
he lift up his eyes,

being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

One died escorted; the other died escorted.
Either way, at death you arrive somewhere:

    A. In hell
or
    B. In heaven – Phil. 1:21-23

VI. DEATH IS AN ABOLISHED EVENT

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour
Jesus Christ, who hath

abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through
the gospel:

    A. Christ abolished its fear

    B. Christ abolished its finality

VII. DEATH IS AN ALLY TO THE BELIEVER

Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to
depart, and to be with

Christ; which is far better:

    A. Because of what is stops
        1. Disease
        2. Division
        3. Discord
        4. Debt
        5. Defeat

    B. Because of what it starts
        1. Heaven
        2. Health
        3. Happiness
        4. Home
        5. HIM!!!