Introduction:
A. Death is the termination of the biological functions that define a living organism.
B. Death – (Heb.) mâveth - death (natural or violent); concretely the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively pestilence, ruin: - (be) dead ([-ly]), death, die (-d). [Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries].
C. Death - Figuratively: Death is the loss of spiritual life as in Rom 8:6; and the final state of the unregenerate is called the “second death” in Rev 20:14. [International Standard Bible Encyclopedia].
D. Ecclesiastes 7:29 – God created man upright
E. Romans 3:23 – All have sinned
F. Romans 6:23 – wages of sin is death Revelation 21:8
I. From Old Testament View
A. Turn from all sins (Ezekiel 18:21)
B. Keep all of God’s statutes (Ezekiel 18:21)
C. Do what is lawful and right (Ezekiel 18:21)
D. Get a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 18:31)
II. From New Testament View
A. Turn from all sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)
B. Keep all of God’s will (Matthew 7:21)
1) Hear Christ (Matthew 17:5)
2) Obey Christ (Matthew 28:18)
C. Do what is lawful and right (Matthew 7:21)
1) Find the right way (John 14:6)
2) Be added on the right church (Acts 2:47)
a) The church founded and built by Christ (Matthew 16:18)
b) The church bought by Christ (Acts 20:28)
c) The church loved by Christ (Ephesians 5:23)
D. Get a new heart and a new spirit
1) Hear the gospel of Christ (Romans 10:17)
2) Believe (Acts 8:37)
3) Repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)
4) Confess (Romans 10:10)
5) Be baptized (Mark 16:16; Galatians 3:27)
2 Corinthians 5:17 – if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation
E. Abide in the commandments of God (1 John 2:24); Be faithful (Revelation 2:10)
Conclusion
A. Ezekiel 18:27-28 – "Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed, and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”
B. 2 Corinthians 6:2 – NOW is the day of SALVATION!
