Death is a Teacher

September 19, 2023

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Sermon text: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14



1.) Death teaches us more about life than birth can.

You are supposed to linger at the funeral home. You are supposed take your time at the graveside. You are supposed to not rush through mourning the loss of a loved one, because in the lingering and mourning, there is a lot to learn about life. In fact, without entering into the house of mourning, we lack the wisdom needed for a life that produces gladness of heart.


2.) Death teaches us that we are not in control

 If you are in denial of death, you have believed the myth of control.

 We set our schedules and make our budgets. We invest wisely and try to avoid pitfalls. We have a plan and a back-up plan. The idea of death gets in our way. And for many, it is avoided, and instead they seek an escape...


3.) Denying death leads to escapism

 MIRTH v. 4 Those who don't want to go to the house of mourning, go to the house of mirth. They try to escape reality. Mirth - Endless laughter and light heartedness...Partying, substance abuse, and recklessness. This is foolishness. Death teaches us that it is wise to be soberly in touch with reality.

 MONEY v. 7 talks about bribes and extortion. These are the ones who try to escape reality through money. They try to control people and circumstances with their money. This is foolishness. Death teaches us that the love of money leads to many self-inflicted wounds that you will regret on your death bed.

 IMPATIENCE v. 8 says that the end of a thing is better than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Some try to escape reality by acting as if they shouldn't have to put up with anything that it an inconvenience. Their pride leads them to being impatient with their spouses, children, friends and coworkers. This is foolishness. Death teaches us that patience is a virtue because life is a blessing even when things don't go your way. Stop acting like you are supposed to have a life where you don't ever have to do anything that you don't enjoy!

 ANGER v. 9 exhorts us to not be quick to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. Maybe you have met a person who is perpetually angry. They act as though life has dealt them an unfair hand. They constantly tear down the people in their lives because their appetite for control has lodged anger in their hearts. This is foolishness. Death teaches us that life is better lived in kindness.

 NOSTALGIA v. 10 "Say not, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask this." This one feels like it becomes more prevalent as time marches on. A longing for the good old days. Back when I was a kid... This is foolishness. Death teaches us that you can desire for things to be better, yet still be completely out of touch with reality.


All of these things are foolish. Death pushes us into reality, and in doing so, pushes us into

wisdom.


4.) True wisdom is learning to live with the limitations of wisdom itself. vs 7, 13-14... Wisdom can be corrupted. Wisdom cannot change everything. Wisdom cannot predict the future. We pray for wisdom, but it was never God's plan to give us wisdom so that we no longer need HIM! Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." I am burdened that evil is well organized while the local church often is not. That reality drives me to pursue good order and wisdom and stewardship for the church. But, if evil is so well organized, the way that we overcome evil isn't with the wisdom of being better organized! We need God! Wisdom is limited and God is not! All of the wisdom in the world cannot prevent catastrophes, failures, loss OR death. Don't give way to the fear of death. Don't try to escape reality. Allow death to lead you to wisdom. And allow wisdom to teach you its own limitations. Fear God and keep his commandments. By the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Your created purpose is to glorify God. And because of God, we can glorify Him in both life and death. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. He never leaves or forsakes us. As we really lean into the reality of death, we know that it is the wage we are owed because of our sin. All have sinned and fallen short of perfection. We have wronged a holy God. We deserve His wrath. But by faith, we receive the gift of Christ. And instead of God's wrath being poured out on us, He pours it out on his perfect, beloved, spotless Son. This is what we are reminded of when we take the Supper every week. 1 Corinthians 15 beautifully proclaims... "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."




Discipleship Questions:

  1. How do you feel about funerals? Be honest... 
  2. Why is it dangerous to be in denial about death?
  3. In what ways do you try to "escape" from the realities of life and how can you lean into wisdom?
  4. How can nostalgia be a dangerous thing?
  5. What are some of the limitations of wisdom?
  6. What does it look like to cling to God when wisdom fails?
  7. Why is God trustworthy? 

Arm Yourselves

June 11, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Prepare to suffer Is. 50:6-8a I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. The martial language indicates that discipline and grit are needed to live the Christian life, particularly in view of the suffering believers encounter. -Thomas R. Schreiner Some people won’t like you if you follow Jesus When a culture abandons biblical standards, when extramarital sex, cohabitation, and birth outside of marriage become normal, people attack the church for its moral snobbery and judgmentalism. Peter warns us that if we do take a stand, we need to expect slander, not applause. -Daniel M. Dorian This is one of the hardest things a new Christian has to face. Your friends liked you because you shared in “the same flood of debauchery.” It seemed great fun at times, but then you came to embrace Christ… But your friends have not… They will be surprised when you say “No.” -Juan Sanchez. Keep an eternal perspective Our outcome is glorious Suffering is good for us Let’s remember that suffering accomplishes God’s purposes. It exposes what or whom we are trusting (1 Peter 1:6–7). - Juan Sanchez Ecc. 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Discipleship Questions: Verse 1 tell us to arm ourselves by thinking as Christ did about suffering. How did Christ arm himself for and against sufferings? What does it look like for us to do that? Have you ever lost friendships (or had them change) because you were following Jesus? Do you fear that we (or our kids) will experience greater persecution in the future? If yes, how should we handle that fear?

I Believe That We Will Win

June 3, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:18-22 Jesus suffered and died in order to bring us to God Jesus conquered death by his resurrection “A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the New Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means.” —Martin Luther Problem #1 - he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison —Jesus preached through Noah to those who lived at that time (1 Peter 1:10–12) —Jesus proclaimed His victory to evil angels (see Genesis 6:1-4) Problem #2 - baptism now saves you —Scripture is clear - we are saved by grace not works —baptism pictures our salvation from God’s judgment through the resurrection of Christ “The waters of baptism, like the waters of the flood, demonstrate that destruction is at hand, but believers are rescued from these waters in that they are baptized with Christ, who has also emerged from the waters of death through his resurrection. Just as Noah was delivered through the stormy waters of the flood, believers have been saved through the stormy waters of baptism by virtue of Christ’s triumph over death.” —Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude —in baptism we are appealing to God for a good conscience "This appeal is an act of the heart looking away from itself and from all human instruments and calling on God, appealing to God, for grace to save.” —John Piper —in baptism we are pledging to God to live in a manner worthy of the gospel Jesus ascended to heaven and now reigns over everything “We can face suffering as Christians with confidence rather than panic, and hope rather than despair, because the road marked with Christian suffering is, no matter what its twists and turns are, the road to vindication and glory. The God who vindicated Jesus will vindicate you, and he will sustain your faith until that day.” –Juan R. Sanchez, 1 Peter For You Discipleship Questions: How does Jesus’ death and resurrection encourage us when we suffer? Why did we need Jesus to suffer and die to bring us to God? How does Jesus’ victory over death give us eternal hope? What are your thoughts regarding some of the problems in this passage? How does what Peter says about baptism elevate the importance of baptism? When were you baptized and how does this passage inform your understanding of baptism? How does knowing our victory is secured help us with all the things this life throws at us?

Who Can Be Against Us?

May 27, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:13-17 Nobody can (truly) hurt Christians Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Rom. 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? The train of thought is as follows: “No one will be able to harm believers on the future day if they are zealous for good” (v. 13). Indeed, even present suffering is not a sign of punishment but of blessing both now and especially in the future, on the day when God rewards his people with eternal life. -Thomas R. Schreiner Honoring Christ Erases Fear Share your faith with strength and gentleness Embrace balance Be prepared to share The truth of the gospel is a public truth that can be defended in the public arena. This does not mean, of course, that every Christian is to be a highly skilled apologist for the faith. It does mean that every believer should grasp the essentials of the faith and should have the ability to explain to others why they think the Christian faith is true. -Thomas R. Schreiner Be prepared to suffer “I’ve spent a number of years in India and Africa where I found much righteous endeavor undertaken by Christians of all denominations; but I never, as it happens, came across a hospital or orphanage run by the Fabian Society [a British socialist organization], or a humanist leper colony.” -Malcolm Muggeridge Be bold! We will likely suffer as Christians in this world, but that suffering is slight and temporary compared to the eternal inheritance that awaits us. The worst thing that can happen to us is that we die and receive our promised inheritance. Can you imagine how emboldened Christians would be if we only believed what Peter is saying? -Juan R. Sanchez Discipleship Questions: Does the fact that nobody can (truly) harm us comfort you? What would change if we lived like we really believe that? Are you a more confident person as someone who knows Christ? Does your security in Christ embolden you to take some risks in life, knowing that the worst that could happen is death? How equipped / prepared are you to give a reason for the hope that you have? What would grow your confidence and competence in that? Have you considered joining Michael Clark one day for evangelism at the harbor? Well….you should….
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