Sermon Snippet – Why Are There Exceptions to Death?
INTRODUCTION – Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; Hebrews 9:27 – this sad series of verses makes it clear that sin causes death. It is straight forward Bible teaching that each person has a sin nature (inherited from Adam) and that each one of us chooses to exercise that nature. The surprising fact is not the reality of death, both physical and spiritual. No, what is surprising is that there are exceptions to death.
1. THESE EXCEPTIONS POINT US TO THE CHARACTER OF GOD
Genesis 5 is perhaps best known for the troubling refrain “and he died.” In the midst of all of this death, we find the brief account of Enoch (verses 21-24; see also Jude 14,15 and Hebrews 11:5,6). Really, this passage tells us more about God than it does Enoch. Throughout the Bible, God is called “the living God.” Obviously, He is alive. Moreover, He is the giver of life (see Genesis 1). Furthermore, as the living God, He is opposed to death and desires to grant life eternal. God’s core character is one of life.
2. THESE EXCEPTIONS ARE A REMINDER OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, OF WHAT HAS BEEN LOST
Enoch lived 365 years (for life spans were much longer in the favorable environmental conditions before the Flood) and then started living eternity with God. II Kings 2:11 tells us that the prophet Elijah lived an eventful life for God and then began living forever with God. What might have been had not man’s sin brought death? Even more than Enoch and Elijah, (who were not perfect) we could have lived righteous lives culminating in an eternity in the immediate presence of God. The loss is shatteringly tragic.
3. THESE EXCEPTIONS ARE PROPHETIC
Matthew 16:28-17:8 – The key to this passage is to see “Jesus only.” We also learn from the presence of Moses and Elijah. Moses died before entering the Promised Land of Israel. More than 1400 years later, our God of great grace permitted Moses to stand on a portion of that land. As we have read, Elijah never died. Here on the mountain with Jesus, we see both men changed, pointing us to the promises of I Corinthians 15:51,52, and I Thessalonians 4:16-18. Whether we die (like Moses) or are part of that generation of Christians who will not experience death (like Elijah and also Enoch), we will never truly say a final goodbye.
CONCLUSION – Hebrews 9:27,28 – Perhaps the saddest thought of all is that the One Who should have been an exception to death was not: Jesus was not an exception. God the Son, without sin, without a sin nature, died as a perfect substitute for sinning mankind. He died because He is a God of life and wants to give each one of us everlasting life with Him. Jesus has conquered death in His resurrection and wants to share His eternal life with each of us. Will you receive this gift from Him today?
2019-10-24