God's Presence in the Hour of Death

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Genesis 50:22-26The fear of death keeps people in bondage. Yet, a child of God can smile at death. That’s what Joseph did; in Genesis 50, we see Joseph practicing God’s presence in his hour of death.If we want to have the assurance that Joseph had, we must first remember the unbreakable promises of God.We will not have peace in the hour of death unless we have God’s promises to stand on.For Joseph, He remembered God’s promises to Abram. Hebrews 11:22 says, “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.” What is faith? Faith is not positive thinking or hoping for the best. Faith is getting in the Word of God and believing it. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”Second, we must rest in the unshakeable power of God.Faith is not shaken by appearances, human reason, emotion, or delay. The Word of God gives the assurance of faith. Adrian Rogers says, “Your emotions are the shallowest part of your nature. Salvation is the deepest work of God. God doesn’t do the deepest work in the shallowest part. Forget your emotions… put your confidence in the unshakeable power of God.”Finally, we must receive the unmistakable peace of God.Joshua 24 explains that Joseph’s bones were buried in Shechem, where Abram was buried. Just as Joseph had faith to believe, it was done. Why was Joseph concerned about the burial of his bones? He wanted to leave a monument of faith. His success in Egypt paled in comparison to his desire to be a part of what God was doing next. We see later in the Book of Joshua that every time the people saw his burial site, they were reminded of the vapor of life and the length of eternity. If they were living in prosperity, those bones reminded them that one of these days, they would leave it all behind. And if they were living in adversity, those bones reminded them that there was a better day coming.Apply it to your lifeLet every casket you see and every funeral you attend remind you today is the day of salvation. Give your heart to Jesus and you can smile at death.