To echo Benjamin Franklin, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” This week our sermon series The Gospel of Luke, Part II: A Journey through Galilee reveals how Jesus confronts and overcomes this tragic reality as He resurrects the widow of Nain’s only son. By the grace of God and to the glory of God, death is not the end but merely the beginning for all who believe in Jesus Christ, our compassionate savior and king.

Tyler’s Main Points

• Death comes for all.

• Jesus is the compassionate Savior who came to bring the dead to life.

• A new life requires a response.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus not only rose from death to life, but brings others from death to life.

• Jesus alone is the giver of life. Jesus is our only hope in this life and in the life to come.

• This story presents a sober reality of the universal nature of death and its tremendous pain. The Fall ushered spiritual death into our souls and physical death into our bodies.

• If we accept this truth that death is coming to all and after that judgment, this is a startling reality for those who don’t know Jesus.

• In this passage, Christ the author of life confronts and overcomes the curse of death. When the procession of death meets the author of life, it was death that was forced to get off the road.

• Jesus does not discard or overlook the weak, but invites them to come to him for strength in their time of need.

• Death is not the end, but resurrection life is coming. All believers are promised a future paradise in the presence of our compassionate Savior and King.

• 900 years ago in this very region, the prophet Elisha raised a dead boy to life. However, Jesus is not merely another great prophet, but God in the flesh who has come to earth as our Savior.

• Condemnation awaits all those who have not received their compassionate savior Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• Read Romans 8 and reflect upon and revel in all that is yours in Christ Jesus— past, present, and future.

• Who is currently suffering in your life that you can pray for, encourage, and care for with the compassion of Christ?

Discuss with your community group:

• In who/what are you prone to mistakenly place your faith and hope rather than Jesus? How does this story reveal that Jesus alone is worthy?

• Are you spiritually alive or spiritually dead? As you consider the certainty of your approaching physical death, do you have peace or do you have fear? Considering that after death comes judgment from God, what will your verdict be?
  

Passages Referenced

Luke 7:11-17; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 2:5; Psalms 90:10-12; Hebrews 9:27; James 1:27; Hebrews 13:8; Mark 5:34; Matthew 12:20; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Luke 19:41-44.

Worship Set List

Death Was Arrested, A Thousand Hallelujahs, Jesus You Alone, Amazing Grace, Beautiful