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Fear of Death
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamFear of death originated with Adam and Eve's sin of eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and, in response, they tried to hide from God.
Death Is Not the End (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus Christ approached His own death with a calm and purposeful demeanor, as seen in Matthew 16:21, where He straightforwardly informed His disciples of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem. He viewed His death as a necessary part of God's plan, showing no fear but rather a dispassionate acceptance of His fate as the will of God. In contrast, Peter reacted with fear and hostility to the news of Jesus' death, rebuking Him in Matthew 16:22, which prompted a sharp response from Jesus in Matthew 16:23, identifying such fear as influenced by satan and offensive to the divine purpose. In the account of Lazarus' death in John 11, Jesus again displayed a calm and confident attitude. Despite His close bond with Lazarus and knowing the illness was fatal, He delayed His response for two days, expressing gladness for the opportunity this death provided to strengthen the faith of His disciples and to demonstrate a greater good through the forthcoming resurrection. His emotional response of weeping was not for Lazarus but for the unbelief and lack of hope among those around Him, highlighting His mastery over death and His perspective of hope beyond it.
Death Is Not the End (Part One)
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughFrom God's perspective, death is not a subject to be approached with fear or grief, but with a positive and hopeful outlook. He views death as an enemy due to its connection with sin, yet He has incorporated it into His plan, transforming what seems a curse into a potential blessing. God allowed sin and thus death to enter the world, fully aware of humanity's inclination to err, and He prepared for this through the foreordained sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the end, even death can be seen as a good thing in certain respects, as it fits within God's overarching purpose. Jesus Himself, facing the prospect of suffering and separation from His Father, did not ultimately fear death but rather life without God, demonstrating perfect submission to His Father's will with the assurance of resurrection to eternal life.
Of Death
Sermon by James BeaubelleAs one advances in age, the shadow of death looms larger, prompting deeper contemplation of eternity and life beyond the grave. In the quiet of later years, when the rush of youthful days has subsided, the reality of mortality becomes a frequent companion, urging us to consider our tomorrows as precious gifts. Death, a pervasive theme throughout the Scriptures, appears repeatedly, reminding us of its inescapable presence in human experience. Solomon in Ecclesiastes speaks plainly of this inevitability, stating there is a time to be born and a time to die, highlighting that life and death are inseparable within each person's timeline. Fear often accompanies thoughts of death, walking closely with humanity as a constant companion. Yet, Jesus Christ offers reassurance to His disciples, teaching them not to fear, for they are of great value to the Father, who watches over even the smallest sparrow. He emphasizes a godly fear of the Father, who is sovereign over all creation, aware of every life and every death. If God is mindful of a sparrow's fall, how much more does He care for those made in His image? This assurance extends to all, encouraging us to see death not as an end, but as a pathway to a closer tomorrow within God's household. Christ's words in Luke remind us to focus on the Father, finding comfort in His oversight. Our eventual passing should not be viewed with dread but as a transition, a doorway through which we will see Him clearly, as Paul suggests, no longer through a glass darkly. Our faith and hope can strengthen us, providing solace as death approaches, knowing that God is ever-present, guiding and protecting His own.
Christ's Death and the Immortality of the Soul
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fear of death is a profound and pervasive force, rooted in the very first deception that led to humanity's fall. From the beginning, the serpent's lie to Adam and Eve, asserting "You shall not surely die," introduced the false notion of inherent immortality, undermining their faith and motivating sin. This deception implied they had no need to fear death, as they were already beyond its reach, yet God's truth was clear: sin brings death, and no one is immortal by nature. The consequence of believing this lie was a failure to value the Tree of Life and a disregard for God's warning, leading to their eventual death. Death is portrayed as an enemy, a tool of satan, and a power foreign to God's purpose for humanity. It holds sway through fear, keeping individuals in bondage throughout their lives. Unlike the pagan view exemplified by Socrates, who saw death as a liberator freeing the soul from the body and faced it with composure, Jesus Christ demonstrated a starkly different attitude. In the face of death, He experienced deep distress and sorrow, expressing profound anguish in Gethsemane. His soul was exceedingly sorrowful unto death, and He prayed fervently for the cup to pass from Him, revealing a natural human fear of death's separation from life and from God. Jesus knew that dying meant being forsaken, experiencing absolute nothingness and the loss of connection with the Father for the first time. This fear of death is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of its true nature as the ultimate enemy. Jesus faced death not as a friend but as a dreadful force, the last enemy to be destroyed. His struggle was a titanic battle against satan's most powerful weapon, and His death was marked by cries of abandonment, showing death in all its frightful horror. Unlike Socrates' fantasy of a peaceful transition, Jesus' experience revealed death as nothingness—a complete loss of awareness, love, relationships, hope, and future. The fear of death underscores the necessity of overcoming sin, for sin is the sting of death. God's Word reminds us that only He possesses immortality and grants life, and it is not inherent in humanity. Jesus had to conquer death by dying without sin, invading its domain of absolute nothingness, and giving up the most precious gift of life. His resurrection from genuine death to God-life required a divine act of creation, affirming that death must be met and overcome, not avoided through false beliefs in an immortal soul. For those who trust Him, overcoming now while alive becomes a testimony of faith, preparing for the ultimate victory over death through resurrection. God's plea is for humanity to turn from sin and live, for He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Death is not beautiful, even in the case of Jesus Christ; it is an accommodation to God's plan but remains an enemy that separates us from the fullness of His purpose. The fear of death, rightly understood, motivates a life of steadfast faith and resistance to sin, aligning with the victory Jesus achieved through His death and resurrection, which renders death powerless for those who truly believe and follow His way.
Death: The End of the Beginning
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLooking at death as 'gain,' Jesus Christ and Paul calmly looked upon death as a natural part of life, as a transition to a better life in the resurrection.
State of Fear
Sermonette by Ryan McClureAfter witnessing the Covid pandemic and several deaths, God's people have a fear of the possibility of an encore of these tragedies.
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eight): Death
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 7:1-4 highlight the Bible's attitude toward death, particularly its insistence that we allow the reality of death to change our approach to life.
Fear Not (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by John ReissMost of us have been brave on occasion, but perhaps other times we have been timid. What can we do to avoid being a coward when it matters most?
Facing Times of Stress: Fear of the Future
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul's admonition to Timothy to stir up God's Holy Spirit applies just as much today when we sometimes become blindsided by fears about the future.
Our 'Mental' Deathbed
Sermonette by Bill OnisickMoses asks God to teach us to number our days, realizing that our physical lives are finite, requiring a sense of urgency to get rid of our sins.
Should We Fear Terrorism?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughWith terrorism taking place every day somewhere in the world, how should we as Christians respond? What is a faithful reaction to terrorism?
Globalism (Part One): Founded on Fear and Faithlessness
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerWhat is globalism? Where is it headed? Does it have a balancing counterpart? Who is driving it? What does it have to do with the prophecies of the end time?
Time and Life
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe way men and God look at time and life are very different. But if we come to understand God's perspective, we have a greater chance of living His way!
John (Part Eighteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughTrust in God's ability to resurrect can neutralize the most basic debilitating fear—the fear of death. Christ assures us that death is not the end.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Liberty vs. Independence
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe have been liberated from the degeneration of sin, the fear of death, corruption, and the elements of this world. If we live righteously, we remain free.
Courage and Faith
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaFear of man keeps us from resisting the current of the world, leading us off the path of God because of the overwhelming pressure to not be different from the crowd.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Nineteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Ecclesiastes 7 contains a series of 'this is better than that' observations. Wisdom seems to carry more sadness and sorrow than mirth or foolishness.
How Does God Help Us? (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus explains that the truth is the only thing that will set us free. A major player in our lives or spiritual journey is the truth and how we use it.