Granby church of Christ
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If A Man Dies, Shall He Live Again? Introduction: The patriarch Job suffered as few men ever did. He lost all his possessions in one day. (Job 1:13-16) He lost his seven sons, three daughters, and his servants. (Job 1:17-19) His body was covered with painful boils. (Job 2:7-8) Then three of his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came to mourn and comfort him. But they basically claimed that all of his pain and suffering were the result of his sin. (Job 11:5-6) It is in the midst of his response to Zophar that he asks the question, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14) Body: I. Immortality · Job observed that a fallen tree would sprout again. (Job 14:7-9) But he had never seen a man rise from the grave. (Job 14:12) Certainly Job wanted an end to his suffering, but he did not want to remain in the grave. (Job 14:15) · Men through the ages, when visiting a cemetery or attending a funeral, have asked, “Where is he?” Some answer, “Nowhere.” Man ceases to exist. But notice Matthew 10:28. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” NKJV Others may say, “He’s sleeping.” But the story of the rich man and Lazarus refutes that. (Luke 16:19-31) · The Bible clearly teaches that the soul is immortal. The soul continues to exist forever and is conscious of his existence. It seems that originally man was created with potential to live indefinitely in his physical body. (Genesis 3:22) But Adam and Eve’s sins in the garden brought death. (Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12) This was both physical and spiritual death. II. Body and Soul · Read Genesis 2:7, “formed”, is like a potter molding clay into a particular shape. When breathed into him life, it was physical, mental, and spiritual. (Genesis 3:19, I Corinthians 15:47) · “Breath of life” (Job 33:4) · Man is made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26a) Since God is spirit, man also is spirit. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) God formed man’s spirit. (Zechariah 12:1) · Physical death occurs when the soul and the body are separated. (James 2:26) · Spiritual death occurs because of our sins. *A separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2) *Dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-3) *Can be made alive (Ephesians 2:4-6) III. Resurrection · Our Savior proclaimed that everyone would experience a bodily resurrection. (John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15) · Our physical bodies must be raised and changed to be fit for our eternal home. (I Corinthians 15:35,42-44,51-53) · Our new bodies will be reunited with our spirits to live through eternity. Conclusion: “If a man dies, shall he live again?” Yes, he will. Where he shall live all depends upon the decisions he made while on earth. Reference: “If A Man Dies, Shall He Live Again?” W. Terry Varner, Warren Apologetics Center Bobby Stafford December 22, 2013
Prepared by Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ
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