No More Tears — Hebrews 9

0:00 Our heavenly father, we want to give thanks that you provided for us all that's needed or all that's necessary for life and you you've given us your word. Father, we we we very much value the fact that we have the Bible. The fact that we have the written word. The fact that we have the living word. The fact that the Holy Spirit would lead us and help us to understand the things that we have on its pages.

0:30 Father, we ask right now that you would help us in our in our learning this morning. We pray that you would meet the needs that are among this group. And we pray father that each one of us would be just aware, attuned to what you want to say through your word this morning. We ask this in the name of the lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

0:54 Now, it would be a common public speaking technique to maybe start off a little talk with a a question and we're going to do that this morning. We're going to start off with a question but to do so, we're going to let the Psalmist ask our question that we're going to ponder and we're going to let it make us think a little bit. So, if you would take your Bibles and turn to Psalm 89. Psalm 89, please. Psalm 89 is a wonderful Psalm.

1:26 It starts off by singing, I will sing of the mercies of the lord forever. With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. The verse I'd like us to look at this morning comes toward the latter end of the chapter and it's Psalm 89 and it's verse 48. Psalm 89 verse 48. And you'll notice the punctuation that there is a question here.

1:51 Oh, look at what it says. What what man or your your version may say person and I'm I'm going to I'm going to present it that way. What what person is there that lives that shall not see death? That's the question that the Psalm has asked. What person is there that lives among us that lives today that shall not see death?

2:18 We're very much aware that we've experienced death among our body this week. And and so, we would we would we would ask ourselves this question, what person is there among us? What person is there that lives that does not see death? And look, we would come up with a quick answer and say, we all see death. Do we not?

2:41 And we might think about it in two different ways here. How do we see death? One way is that we physically see it. And we don't have to look far, do we? And we look around us.

2:57 There are those with us this morning who experienced the death of a family member. And we can look and see that. We experienced the the death of a friend. But it's not only that mister Reeder went to be with the lord but we look around us and we could say, well, I know so and so that died. A friend of mine passed away.

3:23 It was not too long ago what just a student at Avon High School got killed in an auto wreck. He he... We saw death. We'll pick up the plain dealer today, go to the obituary. You know what?

3:36 How come the obituary is so successful? It's always got something in it. We see death. There's a second way we might think about this question. In fact, look at, I didn't read the whole verse.

3:50 Let me read the whole verse. Verse 48 says, what man is there? What person is there that lives that shall not see death? Shall he deliver his own soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

4:10 One one way we see death is that we just look around and we see the effects of it. We see it happening. We see it. It it affects us. We see it.

4:20 The other way we see death is that our name's on the docket. I'm going to die. I'm going to see death. I'm I'm going to I'm going to experience death. We each of us see death.

4:58 Raise your hand if you tell me the both of em. Bonus points for both of em. Enoch and Elijah. Way to go. Enoch and Elijah.

5:05 Right. Both were translated. Did not see death. Now there's another way that we will not see death. Anybody want to care to venture what that is?

5:16 Mason? The rapture. Right. So when those that are... The verse says it like this.

5:23 Those that are alive and remain. You know, when that trumpet sounds, when the Lord comes back, we will go without experiencing death. So there's the two exceptions, right? Either you're taken like Enoch or Elijah. Of course, your name's got to start with E.

5:42 So because there's a little trend going there. Maybe Elizabeth. Who else starts with E in here? Either you're taken, you're translated without death, which is a possibility, but it hadn't happened in X number of years, a long time. And or the rapture happens, which, hey, I think that'll all that would be okay with us.

6:05 But who is there that lives that will not see death? Go over to Hebrews chapter nine, please. Go go over to Hebrews chapter nine. Here, we read this statement. In Hebrews chapter nine and verse 27.

6:36 Hebrews nine twenty seven. And as it is appointed unto men, to mankind, as it is appointed unto mankind once to die but after this, the judgment. We ask that question that the Psalm has asked, who is there that who is who is here that will not see death? And we come to the conclusion that all of us will see death. And then, we read a verse like this in scripture and we say, okay, wait a minute, it's it's appointed unto man once to die.

7:16 Not only am I going to see death, I have an appointment with death. And the reason that we look at these things this morning is that we we want to come this morning as no doubt and appropriately so. Some of us come this morning with a heavy heart. Some of us come this morning and we think, lord, why? Some of us come this morning and we say, what do you have in store?

7:42 What what's next? What's now? Some of us come and say, lord, how can I help? And we look to the truth of the scripture and the Lord is speaking to us this morning. The first question He asks us, He says, Hey, I want you to realize that every one of you are going to see death.

8:01 Who do you who do you who among you here thinks that you're not going to see death? You're going to see it. You've already seen it. You're going to see it again and you know what? You've got an appointment.

8:11 It is appointed unto each one of us once to die and then the judgment. Now, this verse gives us kind of expands our thinking and thinks like, wait a minute, there's something that happens after death. Well, that's true. The Bible, the Bible goes and explains to us that there are, there's a there's a continuum. Something else is going to happen.

8:31 I'm going to die. I'm going to see death. I'm going to taste death. I'm going to experience death. I'm going to leave this world, but then there's going to be something after.

8:58 Revelation 21, please. Here here what the what the scripture says concerning that after. Revelation 21, and we'll be we'll begin reading the verse one for context. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.

9:27 You might recall that in chapter one, two, and three, we heard it was John that was writing. It was John who was receiving the revelation. And so in verse two, it says, and I John... He's writing here again. He's still writing now.

9:42 And he says, I John saw the holy holy city, the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as adoring a bride for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold the tabernacle of God which is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. It's been a desire of of God's heart all along for He to be with His people and for Him to be their God. And notice verse four what we what we read here. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

10:34 How many tears have been shed this week? Hey, reader family. Is your your tear tank on low? How many tears have been shed with this week in the passing of a loved one? You hear what this verse is saying?

10:59 God is going to wipe away every tear. This isn't a day yet to come. This is the truth of Scripture, that God will wipe away every tear. Now why is that? Let's keep reading.

11:18 God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes and there shall be no more death. Hey, can you say amen to that? There's going to be no more death. I I just... As I try to ponder this, say, you know, like, death happened because of sin.

11:44 And so Adam and Eve, when they were created, they were created perfect. They were created in the image of God. They were put in the garden. They had everything they need. Death was not in the picture until sin.

11:59 And when sin entered in, we understand that scripture teaches us that death passed upon all men. But look, it's a sad thing, it's a hard thing, we know it, we experience it, we see it, we know we're facing it. Although we'd like to shut that out of our mind, we know we're facing it, we know we got an appointment with death, but listen, God is gonna take away every tear and He's gonna take away the cause of that tear which is death. There'll be no more death. The Lord Jesus Christ conquered death.

12:27 He rose victorious over death. He's gonna put the plan back in action where there is no more death. You'll be able to experience God in the way He designed you to experience in Him. You're going to be able to experience the other things He has for you in the way He designed you to experience Him. There'll be no more death.

12:48 And look at how the verse continues. No, it's not just death, okay, But it's not just tears. He'll wipe away the tears. They're gone. There shall be no more death.

12:58 It's gone. There will be no more sorrow. Gone. No more crying. No more pain.

13:07 For the former things are passed away. Notice with me in the first... In that first phrase, God shall wipe wipe away all tears. All. All tears, all death, all sorrow, all crying.

13:26 Now look, this is the truth of the scripture. And so we keep on reading in verse five, and it says, and and he... Now remember, this is John being given this revelation of the things yet to come and John says, he saw the one sitting upon the throne and and the and that person said, behold, I make all things new. This is the same person that spoke the world into existence. The same person that would say, Let there be light and there was light.

14:16 Write these words, for these words are faithful and true. Or true and faithful. Excuse me. This is one thing I want us to grab a hold of this morning is that we come to the Word of God and His Word is true. His Word is true and faithful.

14:38 And so when we when we start and we we ask ourselves these questions, we start saying, okay, wait a minute. Who among us will not see death? And we come to this conclusion, everyone's going to see death. And we think, okay, it's appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. And then we see...

14:54 We hear about God wiping away all tears and wiping away... Taking away death. Listen, it's true. It's true. And not only that, God is faithful.

15:03 You see, God Himself is truth. In the essence of truth, He is able to communicate truth. He's written in His Word, and everything that He's written in that Word is going to come to pass because He's an all powerful God and He is able to He's got the strength to make it happen and therefore we say He's faithful. Because everything He said He's done, He's going to do. Everything He said He would do, He's done.

15:26 And the prophecies have been fulfilled. We just... We have that as a track record. My God is faithful. He's a faithful God.

15:34 He's written it in His Word. It's going to happen. Is death going to go away? Yes. Let's say that to Gareth, one, two, three.

15:41 Is death going to go away? You one, two, three. Yes. Death is going to be gone. Now I want to keep reading this passage.

15:55 Look at verse six. Not only has everything been created anew, not only has has the Godhead spoken this into existence, not only has he said, look, this is true and faithful, but look, he goes on to say in verse six. And he said unto me, it is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

16:32 And when I read this, I have these flashbacks to John chapter John chapter four. The lady is sitting at the well. And and you remember that little conversation that the Lord Jesus has with this lady. And and He said, if you would have asked me of water, I would have given you water that would never run out. I would give you everlasting water.

16:56 And here, John is is saying, look, if if they're athirst, there's a fountain of water. It's the fountain of life. It's the eternal life, and it flows freely. Look, verse seven, he that overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his god, and he shall be my son. We we get a little flashback to John chapter 16 here.

17:21 He that overcometh. What does it say? In this world, you will have tribulation. Remember that? The lord Jesus speaks these words.

17:29 In this world, you will have tribulation. In this world, you will have death. In this world, you would have sorrow. In this world, you will experience losing those you love. But be not...

17:40 Don't fret. Don't be fearful. I have overcome the world. He that overcomes shall inherit all things. You see, Christ has has overcome.

17:54 We're in Christ. We are the overcomers. And then then we look at this and it says, I will be his God, and he shall be my son. John chapter one. But as many as received him, the Lord Jesus Christ, to as many as received him, to them gave He the power to become sons and daughters of God, even those that believe on His name.

18:20 I will be their God. All throughout the Old Testament, we see God has this people of Israel, and He's yearning to be their God. He says, I want to be their God, and I want this to be my people. And the people finally learned this lesson. He wants to be our God.

18:59 Let's just consider that just for a moment. The fact that, man, why would you be fearful? And I conclude that if if you're unbelieving, there's a reason to be fearful. Well, we'll talk about that in just a minute. I want to I want to kind of finish or or make another connection here as we we we've we've we we've entered into the psalmist question.

19:24 We've heard what the writer of the Hebrews said about death is imminent, death is certain. We heard about the future, about what will come about in the future as as God will continue and will reveal His plan and one day eliminate death. But I'd like you to hold your finger in Revelation and turn back to First Thessalonians, please. First Thessalonians. Excuse me.

20:08 First Thessalonians chapter four. First Thessalonians chapter four and verse 13, we read this. In light of the verses that we've considered so far, Paul writing to the Thessalonian believers, I would not have you be ignorant, brethren. Brethren, a term for the believer. I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not even as others which have no hope.

20:44 And you know, this immediately grabs our attention. And listen, this again is the truth of Scripture. Okay? It doesn't say that you sorrow not. So don't...

20:54 It says that you sorrow not, but but you don't sorrow like the ones that have no hope. And listen, this is your hope that the Lord Jesus Christ has conquered death. We don't we don't sit here and... Now listen, we are we are sorry. We are grieving.

21:15 We are hurting. That's real. That's real. But we don't we don't sorrow. We don't grieve.

21:24 We don't cry as ones that have no hope. We grieve as ones that have hope. Okay? And what is this hope? This hope is that that, well, as mister Reader, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be reunited with Him.

21:42 Okay? That's a hope. That's a reality of God's Word. We hope... We understand that God's going to wipe away our tears.

21:50 That's a real hope. We understand that God's going to do away with death forever. That's a real hope. We understand that God's going to make all things new and that we're going to follow him into an eternal kingdom and it's going to be all all believers. We're going to be there together.

22:06 That's a hope. We don't suffer. We don't sorrow as ones that have no hope. Now you read the context of this little passage here, and it says, He doesn't want us to be ignorant of that. So what does that mean?

22:22 He wants us to know these things. He wants to know them because they're true and faithful. He wants us to know that we don't have to sorrow with no hope, but we sorrow as ones with a hope. We also understand in verse 14 that if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep or which died in Christ, in Jesus Christ, God will bring with Him. You see, they're not left behind.

22:54 They're in a sense, we might say it this way, that Carl Reader's not gone, he's just gone ahead. And we're going to catch up. We see that. And and in fact, if we're thinking about it in terms of a race, which maybe he would, he's got the head start on us. Now, it says that God's going to bring those with him.

23:20 Verse 15, For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we, which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. So see, even if the rapture comes, He's still got the lead on us. Verse 16, For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Hey, listen. This is the hope that we have.

23:52 This is true. This is really going to happen. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord. And can I say this? To meet our loved ones.

24:08 Who do you have there waiting for you? Who do you have there you want to see again? Who's preceded us in death that was a true believer? We hope as ones... Or excuse me, we sorrow as ones that have hope.

24:29 The hope of the Lord Jesus Christ returned, the hope of being reunited with our saints and loved ones. Notice verse 18. Therefore comfort one another with these words. This is a spiritual truth, a reality that God built into the Word of God. He built into His own word so that you and I could be comforted at times like these.

25:35 And then we're also talking about the differences between how does a Christian experience death and how does an unbeliever experience death. And we look at the truth of God's word, and listen to what he says. As examining God's word, Thus the Christian's view of death is consoling. It's hard to experience consolation in death, isn't it? Now that's tough.

26:02 But listen, the view, the Christian's view of death is consoling because we remind ourselves of these truths. We sorrow as ones that have hope but listen, he goes on to say this, the waters, the waters once so chill are now warm. The redeemed soul is on the way home to god and the redeemed is grateful for this. The fear of death then is not something that we are left overcome but something that has been conquered for us by Christ even by him who is alive forevermore. Though the reality has to be faced, just about like we read about in Psalms, the reality of death has to be faced, we do not face it stoically, but as those who know and believe that the Lord Jesus who has the keys of death will be our companion through the dark valley into the eternal sunlight.

27:03 His perfect love will cast out all the tormenting fear of death and enable us to depart in peace. Those that were sent by mister Reeder on Tuesday, they've already borne witness that they... He departed in peace. Did he not? He said, I want to go home.

27:33 He had the hope. We read back in in first Thessalonians, but they that believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sin and was raised again, they will be with Him forevermore. He says, I want to go home. I'm ready to go home. And there's death.

27:52 He's staring death in the face and he's not scared of it. He departs in peace. This is a tremendous thing. You know what? I'll just give you a quick biblical example.

28:10 Remember, we read about Abraham. God told Abraham, Go kill your son Isaac, your only son. And we think about that's an incredible test. But you know one thing that we examine that situation and we see Abraham going and being willing, raising the knife to kill his son and we wonder, we ponder, how could he have such confidence? How could he have such faith?

28:35 And it's speculated, seems with good reason, that he had so much faith in God that even if he killed his son, he knew God could raise him again. Wow. Abraham believed God and he counted it to him as righteousness. Abraham exampleed a tremendous amount of faith. Now, that's the that's the hope that you and I have.

29:00 As we have faith in Christ, as we're believing in god and his word and the things that he said and the things that he's proved, we have this faith. We have this confidence. We're able to sorrow not as those that have no hope. Now, listen, how about Pharaoh? In fact, let me just read you this real quick verse here.

29:19 You don't have to turn turn to it but we think about Pharaoh. Well, he was one that he was warned. Oh, he was warned. In fact, the death sentence was coming. God said said to Moses, tell the people to put blood on the doorpost and that I'm going to send death through the region and those found without the blood of the lamb on the doorpost, if you're there, you're spared.

29:49 If the blood is there, if the blood's applied, you're spared. If it's not, death will come to that household. And it came to pass that at midnight, the Lord smote the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on the throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon and all the firstborn of the cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, and he and all of his servants, and all the Egyptians, because there was a great cry in Egypt. It was wailing, and there was not one house where there was not one dead.

31:01 Here's the first category. Are you here this morning and you're grieving? You'd say, I'm in a category. I'm a I'm a I'm grieving. That's my category.

31:14 And if you are in that category this morning, well, I'm going to ask you to remind yourself of the truth of scripture. Take these passages that we've looked at. Read read Psalm 89. Read Hebrews nine. Read Revelation 21.

31:32 Read first Thessalonians four four. Be reminded of the truth of god. He's he's true and faithful. Look ahead. Allow yourself to experience the god of all comfort.

31:52 Second group Well, this group, the second category if you will, is we read about it in in in Revelation chapter 21 verse eight. It said, the fearful and unbelieving. Would you put yourself in that category? You identify with that category? The unbelieving.

32:20 Some of us would sit here and think like, how could I, who who would ever not believe? Who would ever read a verse like one Thessalonians four fourteen and say, For if we believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again, even so them which sleep in Jesus God will bring with Him. And we think like, oh sure, I believe that. Everybody believes that. No.

32:46 There are still some that are unbelieving. Look, you gotta examine your own heart. Are you unbelieving? Are you scared of death? Are you and and listen, listen, if you don't have Jesus Christ as your savior, you better be scared of death because now, the verse that we read earlier in Hebrews chapter nine, it says, it is appointed unto man once to die but notice what Revelation says and again, you know, have turn there.

33:12 I can tell you this. In Revelation chapter eight, it goes on and it says, it it describes the lake of fire which is burning with brimstone and fire which is not quenched and this is the second death. It is appointed unto man once to die and after that, the judgment. He that is found without Christ will die a second death, eternal separation from god in a place of torment. The lord Jesus speaks of it himself when he's he's describing to his disciples, the rich man and Lazarus.

33:44 The fire is never quenched. Here is this man, this rich man who begs for a drop of water. The fire keeps on. The torment keeps on. It's forever.

33:57 He knows what's going on, but it doesn't end. He die... He will experience the second death, which lasts for eternity. The unbelieving. Are you here this morning unbelieving?

34:11 I mean, you say, well, I believe in Jesus but I just haven't. You know, I'll get to that someday. You know, if I if I would if I would just be clear in the fact that if you're this morning, you you say, okay, I gotta I gotta pick a category. Grieving was one of em. Unbelieving is the second one.

34:39 Listen, the wages of sin is death. For all have sinned and come short of the glory. The wages of sin is death but the gift of god is eternal life. We we understand John three sixteen, and we could we could put our name in that verse. If you're the unbelieving, well, make that decision to reverse that.

34:58 You can come to Christ today. You can believe on Him today. You can receive forgiveness of your sin today. You can apply the blood to your your lintel and doorpost today. He's faithful and true.

35:19 Those found with Christ will be with Christ, the Godhead for eternity. Those found without Christ will be separated for eternity. It's what the scripture tells us. Alright, you got a third category. Third category is I you'll give me a little flexibility.

35:59 That's the plateau. I've hit a flat stop. I've hit a flat stop. Flat spot. What is it?

36:07 It's coldness. What did we hear last week? Lukewarm? Maybe it's lukewarm. How about this?

36:14 I've lost my first love. I quit doing the things I used to do when I was first saved. I've quit this I've quit this growth. I've just kind of stagnated. Maybe the Lord Jesus describes it well when He tells about the parable of the sower and says the seed...

36:29 Some seed fell among the weeds and the thorns and and the speed... The the the the seed is trying to take life but the cares, the thorns and the weeds were the cares and concerns and the riches of this life Choke it out. Maybe you're feeling you're on that plateau, you're feeling a little choked. So we'd say to you, repent. Recognize your plateau.

36:55 Repent, go back to doing the things that you knew you were doing when you're growing, and then get on get on the track. Not at the fast track. I'm not saying that. I'm saying the growth track. Get off the plateau.

37:07 Christian life should not be ho stagnant, but just a little... You can your rate of incline. You can pick your rate of incline, but let's keep it going forward. Keep it going up. There's one more category, and I'm going to let scripture describe that category to us.

37:34 And you see, well, again, let me read it because it was prophesied that I was gonna end the message, and I hope you all got that, that I am gonna end the message. Let me read this verse to you. This is the fourth category. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose heart is turned perfect toward Him. You see, this is the category, a heart turned toward god.

38:36 Do you see yourself here as grieving this morning? Have you taken a little inventory and said, know what? I've never been a believer at all. I'm I'm unbelieving. Are you feeling a little stagnant saying I'm on I'm a plateau dweller?

38:54 Or can you say, You know what? I've got my heart turned toward God. And listen, whatever category you're in, this an adjustment. Right? If I'm grieving, turn your heart toward God.

39:07 The eyes of the Lord, man, I just I get this visual. He's looking to and fro. He's looking, I want that heart turned toward me. He's going to satisfy every need you have. And so He's looking for that heart turned toward Him.

39:19 We read in another place of scripture. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. We read about him in Revelation. He's the Alpha and Omega. He is the altogether lovely one that we would hear in the Song of Solomon say.

39:34 Looking, looking. I'm on the plateau, just look to Him. Look to Him. The growth will start to happen. Fill your eyes with the Christ.

39:49 The growth will happen. The plateau will stop. The climbing will start again. He's looking for the heart that's turned perfect toward him. Hey, You see, this is all the truth of scripture.

40:05 Mister Reeder's death is real. We're all going to take steps over the next course of the couple of days together. Let's go into it. Let's just put our focus on Christ and go these next steps. Let's pray.

40:51 Father, you're very clear in your word how that you desire a people. You desire to be the God and you desire the people to look to you as your God. And we're going to ask this morning that you would help us give courage to turn our heart towards you no matter what our situation may be. And we ask this now in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.