Why You Don’t Have To Be Afraid Of Dying

Hey Friends,
 

It has been a rough week for me. In a period of five days I experienced three tragic deaths of friends or family.

First, was receiving a phone call from my niece that my sister Cindy had passed suddenly during the night.
 

Next, a friend, Jason, who was a key person in our partnering church plant in San Jose, a young father, loving husband, and a fitness buff, collapsed last week . . . and never woke up.
 

And third, a close friend, Jack, who only a few weeks before was walking around church serving with joy, slipped into eternity after a brief but intense bout with cancer.
 

 
It is difficult to even write these words . . . let alone to preach. That is my humanity. This is a reminder to all of us that there are no guarantees of our time left in this life, no reprieves. We will ALL take this same journey. None of us make it out of planet earth alive.
Here’s the good news:
 

EACH ONE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE

NOW IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS!

  • each one received the gift that God so freely extends through what Jesus accomplished at the cross
  • each one knew they were not perfect but knew the One who is perfect
  • each one believed in and trusted in Jesus as the forgiver of their sin and the savior of their soul
  • each one said “yes” to Jesus . . .
 

YOU CAN HAVE THIS SAME ASSURANCE

 

Here is what God’s Word – the Bible has to say about it:

 
1 John 4:15-19
All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.
 
1 John 5:11-13
And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW you have eternal life.
If you have never committed your life to Christ . . .
 

PLEASE SAY “YES” TO JESUS TODAY

And please let me know if you did . . .

 
Sure do love you guys,
 

Steve 🙂

 
 
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Responses to “Why You Don’t Have To Be Afraid Of Dying”

  1. Kelli says:

    Steve! This has been a rough month for so many! Thank you for your words to encourage and strengthen!

  2. Sharon (McCool) Taylor says:

    Hi Steve,
    I heard about your sister and wanted to let you know how sorry I am for your loss. I remember Susan but I don’t think I ever met Cindy. But then both of your friends all in the same week, God be with you and your family during this difficult time. Isn’t also wonderful that because they know Christ that we know where they are now, in Gods arms. Praise his name, we will meet again.

    We lost our sweet mom last October…Alice McCool and I miss her dearly but our hope comes from knowing she is with her Lord and Savior.

    Praying for you and yours.

    Sharon Taylor

  3. Rosemarie Caddel says:

    Steve,

    So sorry for the loss of your sister. My heart broke for you on Sunday, yet you boldly and confidently gave a wonderful message to inspire us.

    I pray you’ll get wonderful glimpses of her joy with Him.

  4. Korinne Thomsen says:

    Steve, so sorry for your tremendous loss! Sisters are one of the most precious gifts this side of Heaven. The only person we could sanely turn them over to is Jesus. Cindy has begun her eternity in the presence of our loving Heavenly Daddy. You can’t blame Him for wanting her back. May the Holy Spirit bring you comfort and a new revelation of what it means to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
    “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 Loving you always my precious friend, Korinne

  5. Jody Romero says:

    Beautiful encouragement my friend. We are standing with you and the Westside family in prayer during this time of tremendous loss. We love you all dearly. ~ Jody

  6. Dawn Schamp says:

    Beautifully shared and expressed. Such encouragement to know we have the hope of glory. Bless you dear bro

  7. Sandy says:

    Hi Steve

    So sorry for your loss, I am glad that I got to meet Cindi and knew her as a very loving grandma to her grand babies. My prayers are with you.

    Today marks 2 months since my mom has gone to be with our Lord and Savior! The greatest gift she gave me is accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior. I know I will see her again and dance worshipping Him together and forever!!
    Prayers and thoughts are with you and the whole family.
    Love Sandy

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