A WORD MOST FEARED

1. A Word Most Feared

a) Death is the most fearful word that many dread. They fear because they do not know where they are going after that. The idea of going to a place of unknown seems hideous and frightening. There seems to be uncertainties at the back of the minds of many.

b) As believers of Jesus Christ and having being "born again", we have the assurance of knowing where we will be going afterlife. We will be going to a better place. That's why Paul can say, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

c) Jesus Christ triumphed over death through His resurrection. He died and rose again on the third day, never to die again — and this is how He truly conquered death. 

d) Jesus said: "I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades." (Revelation 1:17–18)

e) The key to Christ conquering death lies in the word "forevermore." 

f) Other people have died and been resurrected, but they all ended up dying again (see 1 Kings 17:17–24; 2 Kings 4:32–37; Mark 5:39–43; John 11:38–44). 

g) Only Jesus was resurrected, never to die again.

h) Paul affirmed the fact that there is a resurrection for the dead. Paul states further that when a believer is raised unto the resurrection of Jesus, there will be a new body and immortality. There is victory for the believer by the resurrection of Jesus!

1 Corinthians 15:55 

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

i) This is the very hope we have in him. 

j) Having said that we can't ignore the fact we who are living can do something worthwhile while we are still on earth.

k) The Bible says there is hope for the living. Whatever you do, do well, for in death, where you are going, there is no working or planning, or knowing, or understanding (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Ecclesiastes 9:5-9

[5] For the living at least know that they will die! But the dead know nothing ; they don't even have their memories. [6] Whatever they did in their lifetimes - loving, hating, envying - is long gone, and they have no part in anything here on earth anymore. 

[7] So go ahead, eat, drink, and be merry, for it makes no difference to God! [8] Wear fine clothes-with a dash of cologne! [9] Live happily with the woman you love through the fleeting days of life, for the wife God gives you is your best reward down here for all your earthly toil. 

l) So make full use of your time. For your time is your life! One thing for sure is this: You will not depart until the Lord calls you home!