THE FINAL EQUALIZER OF TIME HAS BEEN DEATH. WE CAME WITH NOTHING, AND DIE WITH NOTHING.

1. From Gen 2:17-warning of death, till Rev. 21:4 the end of Death the Spectre has haunted men
2. From the greatest to the least, no one has been able to hold onto life- the end of all flesh
3. Some have gone through its doors screaming in agony & terror, some singing in victory.

Those who make provision can rejoice in death, those who do not face darkness

I.- WHAT IS DEATH?

A.- TO KNOW WHAT IS DEATH, WE MUST KNOW WHAT IS MAN"

1. Psa 8:4-7 What is man- a little lower than the angels
2. 1 Cor 15:22 "As in Adam, all die"
3. Heb 2:8- the Psa 8:4- Quote, but changed- "we see not yet all things put under him"

B.- TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS WHAT?

1. Job 14:14 "If a man die, shall he live again"
2. John 11:25,26- I am the resurrection and the life.
3. II Cor 5:6 To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord-, body sleeps, soul does

C.- WHAT CAUSES DEATH? THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH- Rom 3:23

1. Sin causes death, the warning of God in Gen 2:17 was clear- don't miss tri-part nature
2. Eventually we all die- I Kings 2:2 "Way of all flesh", But we have hope- Prov 14:32
3. Many Christians have been protected, and life prolonged by God, but those who are outside the will of God can die ahead of their time- Moses for smiting the rock 2nd time.

II.- WHO HAS THE KEYS OF DEATH?

A.- DEATH, WHO ARE YOU? AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

1. Milton gives a hideous picture of death, the Illegitimate son of Satan & Sin- Paradise Lost Bk2, Line 787
2. In Job 1:12, 2:6 God gave special orders to Satan about how far he could go with Job's life.
3. God gives life & can take it; Satan is the destroyer if you are unguarded; YOU can step out of God's protection

B.- JESUS HAS THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HELL (GRAVE)

1.When Jesus died, He led captivity captive Eph 4:8
2.Targums of Jonathan- Deut 28 The Lord has the keys of Life, Tombs, Food, and Rain
3.But remember Heb 2:8 "not yet all things put under Him" He has defeated Satan, but Satan is not yet bound!

C.- IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE I Cor 15:22

1.Jesus tasted death for all men-
2.All men shall be resurrected John 5:29, not all saved though- cf Rev. 20:12-15
3.But the time shall come Rev. 21 :4 when "Death shall be swallowed up in victory" I Cor 15:54

III.- IS THIS VICTORY SECURE FOR YOU?

A.- "DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING?" I Cor 15:55

1. Rev. 14:13 says "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord" - possible only in Christ.
2. Paul could say in Phil 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" & desired it.
3. For the Christian there should be no fear in death, rather another glorious adventure

B.- "THANKS BE TO GOD WHICH GIVETH US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" I Cor 15:57

1. Don't claim this victory unless you have it- and there is only one way to get it!
2. God gives us the victory through the death of Christ, and His resurrection proves its worth
3. Because of this you need never fear sin, Satan, man, or beast- You are the fearless ones!

C.- WE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD." I Cor 15:58

1. Everything that we do will be crushed by Satan, ground under foot of sinful men- how hope?
2. Yet we can be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!
3. The only thing that is not in vain is labour in the Lord-

Our food, clothes, possessions, physical beauty, wealth, wisdom, greatness- all in vain

BUT HAVE YOU ALLOWED GOD TO GIVE YOU THE BLESSED HOPE AS THE ANCHOR FOR YOUR SOUL?

1. John 6:27? are you labouring for meat which perisheth,- or endureth unto everlasting life?
2. The only thing that makes for everlasting life is to do something for Christ-
3. Do you know Jesus Christ? Are you living for Him?

(There are lots of gaps for you to place your own illustrations and ideas)