'Yet Shall He Live'
For the Christian, death is not the end, but a journey to the eternal world, a victory, a rest, and a delight.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that for a believing Christian, death is not the worst fate but rather a transition to eternal life with Christ. He recalls a conversation with Harry M. Shuman, who highlighted that death represents victory and rest, contrasting it with the struggles of life. Tozer reflects on the Apostle Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ, affirming that this longing is a source of hope and comfort for believers. The sermon encourages Christians to view death as a journey rather than an end, fostering a deeper appreciation for eternal life.
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This may sound strange-but it is a fact that death is not the worst thing that can happen to a believing Christian! I can recall the first time I heard that statement, in a quiet conversation with Harry M. Shuman, for many years the president of the international Christian and Missionary Alliance. He was a soft-spoken yet forceful man of God, rich in the wisdom of Go&s Word. We were talking of the serious issues of life and death. When he had something especially important to say, Dr.
Shuman had an unusual way of lowering his voice and tilting his head just a bit.
I can see him yet as he looked out from under his shaggy brows straight into my eyes. "Remember, Tozer," he said, "death is not the worst thing that can happen to a person!" For the Christian, death is a journey to the eternal world. It is a victory, a rest, a delight. I am sure my small amount of physical suffering has been mild compared to Paul's, but I feel as Paul did: "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!" (Philippians 2:23).
Sermon Outline
- Death is not the worst thing that can happen to a Christian
- The Christian's perspective on death
- Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ
- The Christian's experience of death as a transition
Key Quotes
“Death is not the worst thing that can happen to a person!” — A.W. Tozer
“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” — A.W. Tozer
“For the Christian, death is a journey to the eternal world.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- As a Christian, we can view death as a transition to the eternal world, rather than the end of life.
- Death can be a victory, a rest, and a delight for the Christian, as it marks a new beginning in the eternal world.
- We can learn from Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ, and see death as an opportunity to be with the Lord.