takeaway from church discussion (July 5th)

Though sometimes our discussion drifted like it just about always does, our focus was primarily on death and it drifted into suffering and martyrdom.
I'm gonna start this off with a couple questions for thought..

How should I look forward to death in my life?
How should that effect my outlook on the death of others?

First, I'll give my opinion and the opinion of the others in our discussion, as far as i could tell. I should be willing to give my all for Christ, whether that be best accomplished in death or in life. We shouldn't fear death, but we shouldn't give ourselves up, either. Paul didn't openly avoid the Pharisees but he didn't surrender to them. We should serve God in life as a living sacrifice and follow His will as best we can, until we die by God's will. We shouldn't be afraid of suffering or pain and rely on God's strength if we suffer for His glory.
Now, to address the question of how that should effect our view on the death of others.. We should not be afraid to give our lives for them, if necessary. You've all heard the stories about Jim Elliot and how we died without giving a fight to the inhabitants of the island. He died evangelizing for Christ. That story has been such a great witness, even long after his death, to Christians and non-Christians alike. God used his testimony to witness to many. I doubt Jim Elliot feared death, and neither should we. Also, there's the case of the man on the Titanic. He gave his piece of driftwood to a non-believer, because he was ready to die. Now that's commitment. One of the stories i heard today that was in a recent magazine was, a protestant reformer running from Catholics. He was running over an iced-over lake, when a persecutor behind him fell into the ice. The man turned around, knowing he would die later, to help the man who fell in the ice-cold water. He "gave his life, that others might live"; others that didn't know the Lord. This is how we should look upon God's work. We shouldn't fear death, we shouldn't fear suffering, and if the time comes when we'll have to answer a man, at the point of a gun, "deny Christ or die", we will be ready to defend the faith. God supplies us with strength and love for those that persecute us. If a thief was to hold up a gun to your head and say to give him all your money, how much would it confuse him if you replied, "sure. oh, and here, take my watch too! and my shirt! oh, and by the way, Jesus loves you and i do too"? He would be flabbergasted and want to know the secret to your love and bravery, when looking down the barrel of a .45. (".. by doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.")

How can we miss opportunities of ministry, when we know full well the horrible death waiting for unbelievers? That is the exact reason the believer on the Titanic gave his life for the unbeliver.. so that he would have a chance to have eternal life with Jesus. He will be rewarded for that in Heaven, and will most likely receive a lot of gratitude from the rescued man, when we gets to Heaven, by the faithfulness of a man of God.

We should be ready to suffer for God, but not needlessly. It's obvious what your response should be when someone threatens, "deny God or suffer", but sometimes the path isn't as clear. If a rapist threatens a woman, she shouldn't let him rape her. Should flee, because it wouldn't glorify God for her to suffer in that way. Always be thoughtful of the TIME to suffer for God, and not only the point to be READY to suffer for Him.

Hebrews 2:14-15 - Death is our friend
Genesis 3:2-3 - The law of death
Romans 6:23 - The payment for sin
Isaiah 26:19 - Death is your friend

Our attitude toward the family of a dead believer should be "Hallelujah! He's in a better place!", though sometimes this seems callus. We should rejoice for the belivers that have gone home and not mourn them.
(1 Corinthians 15:35-58) We will have new bodies, raised in glory. Corruption cannot enter Heaven, so we shall be changed to a glorified state. (vv. 55-57) Where is the sting of death? Death is when we are glorified and when we meet God. what's so bad about that? Let us be joyful.

Look back to the boldness and faithfulness of our forefathers and the martyrs of the Bible. How we approach death is out greatest witness. Don't take it lightly.

I know this has been a jumble of thoughts and experiences, but i want to end with this thought and a verse. It is the instinct of man to fear and "scream like a little girl", just as much as it is the instinct of a bird to fly, when dropped out of the nest. We shouldn't fear or worry about the future, but trust God and do not give into fear.

I would like to leave you with this verse. (Philippians 1:21-24) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be to with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Paul is in conflict, i think.. stuck between the want to be with Christ in Heaven, and to fulfill His will on Earth. We shouldn't worry about when we die, but what we can do for God on Earth, until our time comes. Dont' worry about the future. God knows all and He knows how and when you will die. Just concentrate on how God can use you now, and how you can serve Him openly, here on Earth.
I hope this has blessed you.