How to Smile at Death

As believers we don't have to be scared of death. Listen to Adrian Rogers. I want to talk today about how to smile at that now is not a popular subject matter fact, when you mentioned that people change the subject like this which channels on the TV set man is the only creature who knows he's going to die and is trying desperately to forget David had learned the smiling death. I want you to learn to smile and welcome to love waistline featuring profound truth. Simply stated, Adrian Rogers, in spite of our best efforts to forget about it. Did is a fact of life and as believers. It's something we don't have to fear rather, we can anticipate in the 23rd Psalm verse four.

King David reveals how to accept death and more importantly how to embrace it and use it as a way to grow in our faith. If you have your Bible turn there now as Adrian Rogers gives this timely message, how to smile at death for God's word and find Psalm 23 verse four Psalm 23 and verse four.

I suppose that Psalm 23 is known better than any other Psalm and all of the Bible. And I suppose that verse four is quoted, perhaps more than any other verse and that's all EA, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me by Rod and by staff they comfort me a little lady had walked with God for many many years. She wasn't a saint by every measure of the word. At last, her body grew frail and I have her life was ebbing away. She was on what many would call her death bed and her loved ones were around her and they were wringing their hands and they were crying and they were waiting as she she said now go ahead and cry if you months, but she said don't cry for me. She said I am tickled to death to die. I like that tickled to death to die. I want to talk today about how to smile at death how to smile at death how to be tickled to death to die now. Death is not a popular subject we trying to do everything we can do to obscure the fact that we're winding down to the great and even the graves. The burial places we make him look like a Memorial Park RAA a garden some time.

We know like the idea of thy dad is a very real fact is we going to see Anna something the wind not to be afraid of really is something that we ought anticipate now. David had that in mind I'm certain when he wrote this wonderful beautiful song and especially verse four. He spoke of a valley called the valley of the shadow of death, and gave the wine walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. David had learned the smiling death, and I want you to learn the smile at death and I want to give you three principles that will help you to do that. Number one I want you to accept – as a decided fact and ACT fact it is a flat memo salad verse began EA why EA not in a yeah yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of day. Now, as I said, that's a fact that many people don't want to face.

We sometimes try to change the subject but the Bible says in Hebrews 9 verse 27 it supported on the man once to die. That's an appointment. My dear friend that you had is supported on the man once to die in the same Bible says in Romans chapter 5 and verse 12 wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin. So death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. The only exception to whether or not you might die as if Jesus comes first. But if Jesus does not come first. You certainly going to die is a new statistic out on death one out of one people die okay one-on-one supported on the man once to die. Not only is it a stubborn fact it's an uncertain fact you don't know when you get a dicey David said, Gail, I walk through the valley.

He's walking through the valley and he doesn't know from one moment to the next one is going to happen. The psalmist said there is but a step between me and death. There is a step between me – yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow there is a stubborn fact that it is an uncertain fact you don't want to go down old men die. But sometimes mothers kiss their helpless babies and innocent babies goodbye and leave, and sometimes even a little child must drop his toys. The grandpa with the arm strength of day it may be the last sermon you ever hear you many a time I preach the last sermon a person is heard before that person died and so I am not the book of James verse 13 and 14 go to naïve the site today or tomorrow will enter the such and such a city and continue their year by sailing get gain, whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life. But even a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away, so that you ought to say if the Lord will we surely do this so that you see God and have to take your life. All he has to do is not giving and understand that this of the Lord's mercies that were not consumed. You see different life is a gift from God. If the Lord will wish to live and do this or that your life is like a is like a vapor on a frosty morning like a breath on a frosty morning here for a moment and then gone. You see, listen, accept death as a decided fact it is a stubborn fact it is an uncertain fact that they what else it is, it's a personal fact. Yay though I walk you are walking in the valley of the shadow of death, just like David was, you know, when a preacher talked about people getting ready to die. You know what happens in the human mind. You are the human mind says tell them preacher tell them they're going to die.

Tell them to get ready. Tell them that they may guide every moment friend you may die at any moment you say well I'm help right now you may not be as healthy as you think you know automobiles run over healthy people. Also death my dear friend is a stubborn fact that is an uncertain fact and that is a personal fact. Yay though I walk to the valley of the shadow depth and step number one in learning to smiling dad is a little bit straight in the face little dad straight in the face. Think about it, bring it into focus and say what David J though it's there. Yes, since they are yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of day. Now there's something else I want you to do.

Number two. Not only do I want you to accept death as a decided fact but I want you to acknowledge death dear friend as a defeated foe as a defeated foe. Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of day, I will fear no evil, three wonderful cruise as we think about death is a defeated foe. First of all he talks about a valley now learn this there can be no valley without mountains and that true it's impossible, it's impossible for there to be a valley unless there's mountains and you see this is the valley song between two mountains all Psalm 22 is a mountain song, it deals with Mount Calvary and it tells of the crucifixion of Messiah and then Psalm 24 is a mountain song, it deals with the coronation of Messiah. It deals with the second coming. So Psalm 23 is a valley between two mountain over here on the blood drenched slopes of Mount Calvary and overhear all the sunlit peaks of Mount Zion and overhear we have crucifixion and overhear we have coronation and we are living in the valley. Remember we said that the Lord Jesus Christ as described, as a shepherd three times in the New Testament.

For example, the Lord Jesus is called the good Shepherd. John 10 verse 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Now the good Shepherd. That's Mount Calvary, and then the Lord Jesus is called the chief Shepherd first Peter chapter 5 verse four and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, he shall receive a crown of glory that they does not waive the good shepherd died for me, the chief Shepherd is coming for but then also the Lord Jesus is called the great Shepherd and that's the one who now lives for me.

Hebrews 13 verses 20 and 21 now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the sheet. You see, he's the one who rose from the dead. He's the one who has conquered the valley of the shadow a bit.

The good Shepherd. He died for me, the chief Shepherd he's coming for make great Shepherd stormy in the valley of the shadow of death.

He was raised from the dead and so what I'm trying to tell you, my dear friend, if you will learn how to smile a bit. Understand number one, there can be no valley without mountains.

Thank God I lift up mine eyes into the hills whence cometh my help or you down in the valley then look at the mountains by different look. I say the Mount Calvary and look Mount Zion. Second thing, there can be no shadow without a light. Notice what it says. Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of day. Now, death is just a shadow if you know the Lord Jesus Christ. Because Jesus has become the death of death you see Jesus pull the sting out of bed.

Jesus took the gloom out of the grave. Jesus took the bread out of die and Jesus has given us all hope that is steadfast and sure a shadow may frighten you, but a shadow cannot hurt you. Jesus has taken the sting out of sin bread out of the grave. Jesus has become our victor and there cannot be a shadow that lie to you in the valley of the shadow death right now to lie now tell you, my dear friend, if you look to the light. The shot will fall behind you as you will even see July. There is no valley without mountains and there is no shadow without a light.

The third thing I want you to learn as you see, death is a defeated foe that is this there is no evil without a greater good. Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me this time. Now he is comparing the evil with the great Shepherd great Shepherd of the sheep who is the doll. Who is he talking to well remember how this all began, the Lord is my shepherd, and if you have the old King James version of the Scripture.

The word Lord LORD is an BECAUSE that word Lord means Jehovah are as some would say Yahweh actually it's an unpronounceable word just for consonants that cannot be pronounced. We pronounce it as best we know how Jehovah, but actually are Yahweh, the Lord is my shepherd was most sacred name for God that the Jews knew when Moses was getting ready to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage. He made excuses.

He said I can know they won't believe me. Shall I say, send me God said to Moses.

Moses you tell them that I am that I am sent you that is. I am the great eternal personal God ever existing one, the one who never had a beginning, one who never had an ending that I was cannot I will be but I tell them that I sent you and he said you tell them is mine is my main that name Jehovah is not mentioned in the New Testament only in the old one because Jesus is our Jehovah limiting what happened. That name was so sacred that a Jew copying that name would go take a bath before he would copy that name get a new pin before he would write down that name that holy name Jehovah Jehovah Jehovah know what the name Jesus me.

It means Jehovah saves.

Remember when Moses could no longer lead the children of Israel. He had a man named Joshua, Who Took His Pl., Joshua. When Josh was name was always Joshua's name was Toshio C.

That was his name and his name. Toshio means salvation. Moses said, I want to give you a new name and I want to take Toshio a part of that name.

I want to take a part of the name Jehovah, put them together and then so you have Toshio, Joshua and I would put that Jehovah and will she put them together and I get a new Jehovah saying Toshio salvation Jehovah Jehovah saves and that was Joshua's name in the Old Testament now in the New Testament the name Jesus is the same as the Old Testament named Joe Jehovah, Old Testament, Jesus New Testament.

Both of those names of the same Jesus is the Joshua of the New Testament. He is the Jehovah saves all the New Testament and what was David saying David saying there may be evil, but is with me. How much more can we say it Jesus, Jehovah is with us.

There can be no valley without mountains. There can be no shadow without a life is mine near Panera. Grace is greater than saying God is greater than Satan family life is greater than you got to understand that Yale I walk through the valley of the shadow, I will fear no evil. She art with me as 1/3 thing I want you to learn, and it is this not only must you see death as a decided fact and not only must you see death as a defeated foe but you need to see death as a delightful friend, pastor, did you say friend death. Yes I said friend I wanted to change that. As I prepare this sermon and I did change it as a more trained something else but I just a lie: death of friends, but I just came back and I said no. I will leave that their dad is a delightful friend. Let me give an interesting verse first Corinthians chapter 3 verses 22 and 23. The apostle Paul is telling us what we have in Christ have the Corinthians had been arguing and squabbling a little bit about what actually like this and this is what Paul said whether Paul or Paulus or Cephas or the world or life I watch this or or things present, or things to come.

All are yours now the wonderful things he says belongsas death among students is one of our treasured possessions. If you death is yours. He thinks of death. Now, not as an enemy but as a servant to help us digital Bible says in Psalm 116 verse 15 precious in the side of the Lord is the death of the saints. Did you know that the apostle Paul said in Philippians 1 verse 21 for me to die is gain. I mean physically is gain my bodies go to be made like the Lord Jesus intellectually is game trial know as I am known emotionally. It is game because I'll be able to praise him with my whole heart. Socially, it is game because I will be with the saints of all the ages and with my Lord face-to-face spiritually. It is gain because temptation and sin will be behind the and I will be on with my Lord like never before. Now what brings me under that relationship.

What brings me there is dad so death is not an enemy if it helps me to come into place like that for me to die is gain by listen to what why David thought of it as a friend now knows what he says Yale. I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. Watch for thou art with me. First of all, there's the presence of the shepherd. Thou art with me you up until this time he's been talking about the Lord of the Lord is my shepherd, he maketh me to lie down. He leaders meet. He restores my soul he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his rod and his staff banalities in the valleys no longer talking about Amy's talking to him, thou art with me. There's nothing that will bring you face-to-face with God more than the dark valleys of life. But when you get in the dark valleys of life you're going to know what he meant what he said I will never leave me nor forsake the I will be with the always, even to the end of the age. There is the presence of the shepherd and I was the shepherd Jehovah. The ultimate is my intimate think about think about. I will have to cross Jordan hello I'm going to have to die alone. Our Lord is there with us colitis.

There, the shepherd is there. There is the presence of my shepherd, but not only is there the presence of my shepherd bears the power of my shepherd for his rod and his staff they comfort me when you come to die.

I can promise you. The Lord will be with you. He will strengthen you, I mean there will be the presence Jehovah God says precious in the side of the Lord is the death. The saints will be there will be there to protect you from all of the powers of evil, and his will be there close to him as you that valley is your feet touch those chilly waters of the rivers death singing can go along your way.

But not only is there my dear friend, the presence of the shepherd and the power of the shepherd. There is the purpose of the shepherd and what is the purpose of the shepherd is through the valley is not a box canyon. It's a valley dear Frank and Jesus is kick the end out of the grave. I want you to know that I want to know that he's bringing us through and you may be in some trouble today, can you maybe in some difficulty today, but I want to tell you, my dear friend. It's only foresees and is only for purpose. David knew enough about the shepherd to know that a shepherd would never leave his sheep through any place like that unless he leading them to a better place. So David know that the shepherd would never leave his sheets, or anyplace like that unless he was leading them to a better place. Somebody asked the man what your favorite verse.

He says that when the says it came to pass, so wise at your favorite he said I know didn't come to stay. It came to pass whatever it is different. It has come to pass and we are going through. The purpose of the shepherd is to lead us through. My dear friend.

The Bible says in Hebrews chapter 2 that the devil keeps people in bondage through the fear of death you listen to me you are not ready to live until you're no longer afraid to die. You are not ready to live until you no longer afraid to do what you say with my sins, though I'm afraid to die. What shall I do with my sins. I'll tell you what to do with your sins, you put your faith where God put your saying on Jesus all we like sheep have gone astray with turned everyone to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us. If you have questions regarding your faith in Jesus. We loved offered insightful resource on her website. It's called or discovered Jesus page.

There you will find answers, you may need about your faith, we have a response section as well share how this message or others have impacted your life go to LWF.org/radio and click the tab at the top it says discovered Jesus. We can't wait to hear from you today if you like to order a copy of today's message Collis 1877 love God request the title how to smile at death. When you get in touch. This message is also part of the insightful the secretive satisfaction series with a complete collection all 18 powerful messages.

Call 877 love God or order online it LWF.org/radio or you can write us at love worth finding box 38, 600 Memphis, TN 38183. Are you walking through the valley of the shadow of death today.

Remember, death is just a shadow because Jesus has become the death of death. Jesus pulled the sting out of death took the gloom out of the grave took the dread out of dying. Jesus gives us a hope that is steadfast and sure claimed that today and thank you for studying in God's word with us. Be sure to tune in next time for another insightful message from Adrian Rogers on love worth buying. Alyssa wrote recently about how these messages have blessed her during the recent pandemic one tiny tiny positive out of Cove 2020 is working from home allows us to never miss a message from Adrian Rogers.

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