Finding Peace when you lose a loved one

The death of a loved one is something that we all face at some point in our life, and I want to talk about what the Bible says about the comfort for those who mourn. It's time to UNLEARN the lies. UNLEARN Hey, welcome to UNLEARN. My name is Lex, and I'd like to invite you to join us each week as we UNLEARN the lies and dig deeper into the truth of God's Word. Now, let's get started. Five years ago when my uncle passed away, I went to his funeral and heard the preacher say that my uncle was now in heaven walking the streets of gold, playing a harp and singing with the angels, and smiling at us as he was looking down upon us. He told us that my uncle was in a better place and that we shouldn’t be sad. That preacher’s statement caused me to ask myself, “where is that in the Bible?” I wanted to know the truth about death and I began to really dig into the Scriptures to find out what the Bible says about what happens after we die. Later that same year my grandfather passed away, and I was asked to speak at His funeral. I wanted to speak the truth of Scripture, so I never said anything about my grandfather being in heaven. I shared with them what the Bible actually says about life after death, and there were so many people who came up to me afterward who said how much they appreciated it. I’ve recently been thinking about this topic again because my grandmother passed away last Saturday, and I will be speaking at her funeral as well. I wanted to make a video about comfort in mourning, because I know this is a topic that affects everyone at some point in their life. First, I want to tell you that death is an enemy. We don’t welcome death, we don’t look forward to death, and we don’t rejoice when someone dies. Death is an enemy, but the Bible gives us hope even over death, because the Bible says, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” - 1 Corinthians 15:26 Death is the result of sin. When Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, God said, “you shall surely die”, and He removed access to the Tree of Life so that we could not eat from it and live forever in that fallen sinful state. This was an act of grace, so that we could be redeemed. But the Bible tells us that death is the result of sin, and all have sinned. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” - Romans 5:12 We grieve when someone dies and we mourn for our loved ones, but we should also grieve because of sin, because sin is the reason we all die. In fact, the Bible tells us that there are times when it’s appropriate to grieve and mourn. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 When someone dies, it’s appropriate for us to weep and mourn. In fact, the Bible records times when people mourned at the death of their loved ones. Listen to what the Bible says about Abraham when Sarah died. “And Sarah died… and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.” - Genesis 23:2 It’s ok to weep when someone we love passes away. In fact, Yeshua wept at the death of Lazarus, even though He had already planned to resurrect him. “Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!" - John 11:32-36 We know that immediately after this, He had them roll the stone away and He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth!” And Lazarus was brought back to life. This was to prove what Yeshua said just a few verses earlier when He was speaking to Martha about the resurrection of the dead. Yeshua told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” - John 11:25 This is also why Yeshua said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” - Matthew 5:4 In fact, the Bible tells us specifically to comfort those who mourn with the hope of the resurrection. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 This is the central message of the Gospel, and without the resurrection, we have no hope at all. Listen to what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15 about the resurrection of the dead. “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.” - 1 Corinthians 15:12-23 We weep, we feel sorrow, we mourn, but we have hope through the resurrection of Yeshua that our loved ones will live again when He returns, and we pray for His soon return. However, don’t let your sorrow turn into anger. Don’t be upset at God when someone dies. Remember that sin is the cause of death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Listen to the wisdom of Job when he lost all of his children in a tragic event. “While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” - Job 1:18-22 We must be like righteous Job, and remain humble before our God. Death is sad. Losing a loved one is very difficult, but I pray that you will be comforted by the Gospel message. I pray that you find comfort in the resurrection. And I pray that you find the peace that passes all understanding in Yeshua, our Messiah and King. SHARE THE TRUTH UNLEARN THE LIES Thanks for watching. If you found this video helpful then share it with your friends and family so they can UNLEARN the lies with us. If you want to see more videos like this one, subscribe to my channel. I want to say a special thank you to those who support this ministry. We truly appreciate your prayers and generosity. Thank you so much. And remember, the truth will set you free. See you next time.