PM Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 28.15-20

Brent T. Willey

LESSONS FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE

Introduction:

1. If the dead could speak to us, what would they say?
   1. What would they say about the world beyond the grave?
      [I think about the comments made by people regarding those who have died: “They’re looking down on us right now.” (Eccl. 9.10)]
   2. What type of life would the departed urge me to live?
      [This is the more relevant question, and we have some biblical insight to this curious matter, especially when we consider the teaching of Jesus.]
2. One thing is certain, we must be prepared for death and our eternal destiny… (2 Kings 20.1; Amos 4.12; Heb. 9.27)
3. The Bible records three accounts of voices from the grave that serve as important lessons to us today.

ABEL – AN EXAMPLE FROM BEYOND…

1. Heb. 11.4: “…and through it he being dead still speaks.”
2. How can this be? He lived over 6,000 years ago! (Gen. 4.1-5)
   1. Jesus: “the blood of righteous Abel” (Matt. 23.35).
   2. Faith complying with God’s will. (Heb. 11.4; Rom. 10.17)
   3. This was written for our learning & application! (Rom. 15.4)

SAMUEL – A REBUKE FROM BEYOND…

1. The odd circumstances of Samuel’s appearance from the grave.
   (1 Sam. 28.3-20)
2. The words of Samuel from the grave…
   1. “Why have you disturbed me…?” (v.15).
   2. The dead are not non-existent! (Cf., Luke 9.28-31)
   3. To king Saul: “Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord…therefore the Lord has done this thing to you today” (v.18).  Would our departed loved ones praise us or rebuke us?

THE RICH MAN – REGRETS FROM BEYOND…

1. The account of the Rich Man & Lazarus (Luke 16.19-31)
2. The haunting words of the rich man…
   1. Pleading: “Father Abraham, have mercy on me…” (v. 24).
   2. Begging: “I beg you therefore that you would send him [Lazarus] to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment” (vs. 27-28; cf., Acts 24.24-25; John 12.48).
   3. After death there will be no second chances… (Heb. 9.27)

Conclusion: Are we listening? We’d better be! (2 Cor. 5.10)