COPING WITH DEATH

1. Basis for this study: 1 Thess. 4:13-18.

2. Three key facts from verses 13 and 18:

A. Death will come; it is painful (“sorrow”); Christians can find “comfort.”

B. Regarding the first point, Gen. 2:17; Heb. 9:27.

C. This is a subject some would rather not discuss.

D. Others refuse to plan for it.

E. We are stewards of many things, and this point can be extended to death.

F. Since God warns us about this topic in His word, it deserves our close attention.

G. At some point all conclude that death has universal application.

H. Concerning death’s pain, Gen. 37:33-35; Lev. 19:28 (violent reaction); Acts 8:2.

3. Because it will come and it is painful, we must know what death is.

4. Gen. 35:18 and Jas. 2:26.

5. Previously described the three parts of man: body, soul, and spirit.

6. In the case of a Christian death, other verses need to be remembered.

7. 2 Cor. 5:8 is one such passage.

8. Other points are also important.

9. Will the body and man’s eternal spirit be separated forever?

10. 1 Thess. 4:16 — what will be raised?

11. If one cannot deduce the answer from this verse, it is found elsewhere.

12. 1 Cor. 15:36-38; 42-44. The answer to the first question therefore is “no.”

13. This can bring some comfort, but is there anything else to soothe grieving hearts?.

14. There is comfort for all in the sense that grief can be managed.

A. Notice Gen. 23:2.

B. Find the two related but separate words.

C. Relate these to today.

D. Don’t forget who this is describing: Abraham, a man of great faith.

E. He was one of the Biblical heroes, but he still found death to be a heart wrenching experience.

F. Another key point is in Jn. 11.

G. Verse 31 of Jn. 11 pictures mourning.

H. Like Gen. 23, if we are going to find comfort we must mourn.

I. Do not discourage people from crying.

J. I have actually heard mourners say, “I am such a big baby, I shouldn’t cry,” etc.

15. Verse 31 (READ) contains another point: ________________.

16. Verse 19 – READ.

17. Some comfort can come through friends and family. Beyond this we can find other forms of comfort.

A. In the case of someone who is sick, there is stress.

B. Many decisions need to be made, and some of these are traumatic.

C. There is some rest when these choices no longer need to be made.

D. Physical ailments and diseases end with death.

E. Lingering questions and concerns are sometimes removed.

18. After losing a loved one, more comfort can come from finally “rising up” (Gen. 23:3-4).

19. What does this mean?

20. How long will this take? It varies.

21. Does rising up mean there will be days we never cry, or every day will be easy?

22. God says “NO!”

23. Gen. 23:2 + Gen. 24:67.

24. Approximately 3 years passed between these two scriptures.

A. Notice the delicate balance described in these passages.

B. On the one hand, life was continuing.

C. On the other, Sarah was still on the mind (“mother’s tent”).

D. After 3 years, there was still a need for some comforting.

25. Grief comes in varying intensities, and this is mainly due to our relationship with the deceased.

26. In cases where the relationship was very close, we can be helped by remembering what death is.

27. God tells us it is little more than an interlude; a temporary separation till the end of time.

28. One day there will be a great reunion of all people, and it will be a time of great joy for the saved.

29. For the Christian, hope is not buried with the body.

30. Too often we let the world’s view of death (it’s the end) influence us. THIS IS WRONG!

31. Final verses that are helpful: Ps 116:15; Job 1:21; Jn 11:24