Sacred Truth Friday: Death; Divorce

Morning Sermon 

Death 

So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. - 1 Corinthians 15:42-44,50 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians15:42-44,50&version=NKJV

We will be raised incorruptible, glorious, in power. Flesh and blood cannot inherit His kingdom, but the spiritual sure can. We are all appointed to die (Hebrews 9:27). We live up to 70 years. At the most, 80 (Psalm 90:10)

If we die with our sins unforgiven, we'll condemn ourselves to hell (John 8:24). 

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.Therefore comfort one another with these words. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Thessalonians4:13-18&version=NKJV

This passage only refers to New Testament Christians as those who have died will be raised when Jesus returns and those who are alive will meet Jesus and those raised in the air. The death of a faithful Christian is precious in God's sight (Psalm 116:15). If we are faithful dying will be a gain for us (Philippians 1:21). We must fight the good fight, keep the faith, finish the race (2 Timothy 4:7). It is a blessing to die faithful to the Lord (Revelation 13:14).

Lesson: be prepared for death by obeying the Gospel and stay prepared through faithfulness to God. 

Afternoon Sermon:

Divorce 

The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who  made them at the beginning  ‘made them male and female,’and said,  ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and  the two shall become one flesh’?So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”He said to them, “Moses, because of the  hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your  wives, but from the beginning it was not so.And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for  sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” - Matthew 19:3-9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew19:3-9&version=NKJV

Marriage is serious and should not be taken lightly. Marriage is between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). Not between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. Since marriage originates with God, homosexual marriage is not really marriage at all since God will not bless the union, nor be a part of it. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Therefore, divorce is permissible only if your spouse is unfaithful. Marriage is to be held in honor. God will judge those who cheat on their spouses (Hebrews 13:4).

Lesson: don't take marriage lightly. Remember it's a covenant, not a contract, with three involved: God, husband, and wife.

Two wonderful sermons from Stephen Wiggins.