Fear of dying

If somebody said they’ve never been scared of this thought, they’re probably lying. At some point we have all most definitely been scared of the idea of ‘death.’ How can we not, it means separating from your loved ones and not being able to do the things you enjoy. It’s finite.

Then we have some Christians, who aren't scared at all but instead are full of joy and anticipation. So how can it be, that some Christians dread the day whilst others await it? Well, how can you be ready to meet someone you’ve never known? What makes some Christians not fear death is that they believe in Jesus Christ and understand that they will be resurrected to live with him forever. To fear death is a normal feeling as it is a difficult thing to mentally process. Those Christian that are anxious may be be living in compromise or not fully believe in Christ. They may have doubts about what happens next or doubts about whether or not they will make heaven their home. Sometimes people think it's something they must continually work towards hence they cannot be certain where they will go after death. But Christians should have full confidence of where they will go as faith in Christ is all that is required.

We fixate on this life not understanding how short it is. Let us not be blinded by wealth, titles, people etc. Our main goal is the next life because death is not finite, we have afterlife and we must choose where we want to spend eternity.

If you are that person who questions where you will go next, it means you must spend more time with God, praying for a true revelation of who he is, for an encounter with him. It’s also a good idea to use the bible to study what happens after death. This will give you a better understanding of what is to come.

The bible talks about death and how as Christians we should anticipate the day.

John 11:25-26 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 1:21

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

John 3:3

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 25:46

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

John 8:51

"I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

John 5:24

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

"For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

Luke 23:43

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Matthew 10:28

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 14:8

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

John 3:16 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

When the church isn't acting like a church

We all have some idea of what a church is and have our own assumptions on how it operates. You say 'Catholic' and people automatically equate that to a man in robes (like the Pope). You say 'Pentecostal' and people envision the the mega churches full of prosperity preaching. But lets' draw away from the big picture and focus on what actually makes up the church. It's the people.

It's your first day at church, maybe you've been invited or were on the hunt. You attend, someone greets you, you hear the message and hang around after service or shoot off. Maybe you manage to exchange a few words with someone, maybe not. For whatever reason you come back and before you know it you're apart of a church. You start to form friendships, later you find yourself wanting to get involved, perhaps you join a ministry and so on. All this is great! But then what happens when you have a disagreement with one of those friends, when your efforts in ministry go un-notice or you begin to become overwhelmed with how busy your life has become with 'church.'

We get so distracted on the things we're doing in the church, the relationships we've made, the latest Sunday outfits that we've lost sight of the church's true meaning. Is God pleased?

You're in church but not growing in Christ. You hear sermons weekly without fail and yet there is no change in your conduct, language, way of thinking or your heart. Your pastor delivers powerful messages that stem from the word of God, but these teachings are not applied to your life.

Though we are in church and believe we're doing all the right things, we are still very fleshy and not operating in the spirit. That is why we're able to say 'amen' whilst the pastor is preaching, but fail to speak life to our brothers and sisters. That is why we can be the first in last out but fail to recognise our brother/sister is in need. That is why we put so much emphasis on pleasing the pastor that we forget to please the father. We might look like the role model Christian, but really we are far from God.

So what is the purpose of the Church? How do we fulfil this?

Ephesians 2:19–22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Romans 12:4–5

4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

1 Timothy 3:14–15

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Romans 12:1-2

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

As we've read, the church is a community of believers worshipping Christ. The church is to be preserved for Christs return. It belongs to him and we are his stewards. As we mind his church, remember the church is Holy and the place of truth. Let us focus on the meaning; to serve God, to encourage one another, to sacrifice/get involved. All this contributes to the growth of the church. Is that not what we want to see? More lives being saved, more souls added to the kingdom!

Whilst in church we should see change within ourselves. Lastly, the way we act, serve, treat one another, is it aligned with holiness and truth? The church is the body of believers that follow Christ. Hence whether the building comes or goes, the church will always remain!

Amen.

Revelation about Jonah and Fish

God Will Cover You & Carry You into your destiny.

Experiencing God's Guidance Through Life's Toughest Situations

Life is filled with challenges, but as I've seen time and again, God doesn't just cover us; He carries us through the toughest situations. His support and guidance are evident in the story of Jonah, which offers profound lessons for our own lives.

Jonah 1:17 – God's Provision in Unexpected Forms

"Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." – Jonah 1:17

Consider Your Current Situation

Where are you right now? What challenges are you facing? Jonah found himself in dire circumstances, not by chance, but due to his own choices. He was running from God's will, and as a result, he faced a life-threatening storm.

WATCH THE FULL SERMON: https://www.youtube.com/live/veQ5OwFzdYk

Jonah 1:2-3 – Running from God

"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord."

Running Away Brings Storms

When Jonah fled from God's command, he encountered a violent storm. This wasn't a random act of nature; it was a direct result of his disobedience.

"But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up." – Jonah 1:4

Jonah admitted that the storm was his fault: And some of your storms are your fault

"Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me." – Jonah 1:12

Similarly, our own financial or relational crises can often stem from our decisions.

No Hope, No Way Out?

Have you ever felt trapped in a situation with no apparent way out? A bill you couldn’t pay, a relationship you couldn't escape – these are moments that require divine intervention.

Divine Intervention in Desperate Times

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God stepping in to change circumstances:

• Joseph in prison was freed through a dream and a cupbearer (Genesis 41).

• Paul and Silas were liberated by an earthquake (Acts 16:25-26).

• Moses and the Israelites saw the Red Sea parted (Exodus 14:21).

Jonah's story, however, is unique because God used a great fish to save him, showcasing His preparation and providence in extraordinary ways.

Jonah 1:17 – God's Unique Preparation

"Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights."

The preparation of the fish demonstrates God's meticulous care. Whether it was a special creation or a natural anomaly, this great fish was ready at the precise moment to carry out God's plan.

God's Protection in Our Darkest Moments

Even when Jonah described his experience as being in the "belly of Sheol," he recognized God's presence and deliverance:

"Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: 'I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.'" – Jonah 2:1-2

God Speaks to Our Situations

Just as God spoke to the fish, commanding it to release Jonah, He can speak to our circumstances and bring about miraculous change.

"So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land." – Jonah 2:10

Jesus: Our Ultimate Deliverance

The story of Jonah is a foreshadowing of Jesus' death and resurrection, highlighting the ultimate way God covers and carries us:

"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." – Matthew 12:40

Our sins once left us without hope, but through Jesus' sacrifice, we have a way out. Just as Jonah was saved from the belly of the fish, we are saved from sin and death.

Conclusion

No matter what storm you're facing, remember that God is prepared to cover and carry you through it. He has a plan for your deliverance and will speak to your situation. Trust in His provision and find comfort in His unwavering presence.