Facing Death with Faith

Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment.” Those are sobering words. Death is not a possibility; it is a certainty. The question is not if we will die, but how we will face it.

This fall at Cornerstone, our theme is “Our Arrival in the Kingdom of God.” Over the next three months, we will consider what happens after this life, how to live with eternity in mind, and what it will mean when the books are opened on the last day. These are not subjects to fear, but truths that anchor us in the promises of God.

Death Is Certain
From the moment Adam and Eve sinned, death entered the world. God told Adam, “You are dust, and you will return to dust” (Gen. 3:19). That single sentence explains every funeral we attend. The Bible reminds us that death is an appointment we will all keep (Heb. 9:27). Accepting this reality leads us to wisdom: “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Ps. 90:12).

Death Is a Separation
Scripture defines death as the separation of body and spirit. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, “The dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” James 2:26 explains, “The body without the spirit is dead.” Death is not annihilation. The body goes back to the dust, but the soul continues. For the faithful, this separation means being “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

Death Is Not the End
Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16). Both men died, but their story did not end at the grave. Eternity had just begun. That is why Paul could write, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). And that is why we rejoice with the words of 1 Corinthians 15: “Death has been swallowed up in victory… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

The Promise of Christ
In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” That is the promise we cling to. Death is inevitable, but it is not the end. For those in Christ, death is the doorway into eternal life.

Final Thought
The evangelist D. L. Moody once said, “Someday you will read in the papers that I am dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment, I shall be more alive than I am now.” That is what it means to face death with faith. Not fear. Not denial. But confidence in the Savior who conquered the grave.

Those Serving
CALL TO WORSHIP/PRAYER
Richard Jacobs
SONG LEADER
Jim Grushon
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Bob Hoopes
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Nathan Armstrong
Jim Rutter
Brayden Grushon
Eric Renegar
SCRIPTURE READING
Greg Morrison
Hebrews 9:26-28
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Mark Ringle
CLOSING COMMENTS
Daniel Spargo
WELCOME CENTER
Roger Robins // Judy Hickey
USHERS
Daniel Spargo // Jeremy Price
COMMUNION PREP
Stephanie Braden
CLOSING THE BUILDING
James Passmore