Dear Christian friends:

We never hear anyone say that a person's death is "precious." Usually we do not think that someone's death is a precious event. We think of death as a terrible thing. We don't like to see it or talk about it. We don't like to think about death.

But here in our text, David writes that God thinks someone's death is precious. And remember David wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Not everyone's death is precious to God. God says, "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Ezekiel 33:11) Whose death is precious? David writes, "His saints death."

Who is a saint? Am I a saint? Are you a saint? Was -------- a saint? Why is a saint's death precious? For your comfort and hope let us consider the topic:


Who is a "saint"? Some people misunderstand about who is a saint. Perhaps you think that a good person is a saint. That is partly true. A saint is a good person, but he or she is more than that, something else is necessary. Many good people are not saints.

Who is a saint? Perhaps you answer (to me), "A soldier who dies in battle defending his country is a saint." That answer also is partly true. Some saints have died in battle defending their country, but that alone does not make someone a saint. Many soldiers have died in battle that are not saints.

Who is a saint? Perhaps you answer, "A person who patiently suffers a severe handicap, such as blindness or deafness is a saint." Again that is partly right. Some saints are deaf or blind or have other handicaps. But there are also many handicapped people who are not saints.

Who is a saint? Those who believe in Jesus and accept Jesus for their Savior, they are God's saints. Saint Paul writes, "Here is a true saying: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and I am chief of sinners." (1 Timothy 1:15)

Notice St. Paul confessed that he is chief of sinners. A saint is honest, like St. Paul and confesses he is a sinner before God. Then he confesses that Jesus Christ has suffered and paid for his sins by dying on the cross.

A saint is a believer in Jesus. A believers death is precious to God. -------- was a believer in Jesus. ------- death is precious to God. Why? A saint's death is precious David writes here in our text. Why?

A saints death is precious because that's the end of his or her struggle with the powers of evil, Satan, the world and his own sinful nature. His good fight of faith is finished. His time of bearing the cross is ended and he can exchange his cross for a crown. Jesus said to the church at Smyrna, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown." (Revelation 2:10)

Saint Paul wrote to young Timothy from a prison in Rome, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

And James writes, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12)

The saint is with Jesus his or her dear Savior. St. Paul writes, "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;" (Philippians 1:23) The saints death is precious to God because then the saint joins and shares in God's glory forever and ever. St. John writes about this glory in heaven.

Rev. 7:14-17 "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

-------- is a saint. --------- death is precious to God. -------- is sharing in God's eternal glory with many other saints and believers in heaven.

Now I must ask each one of you an important question: Are you a saint? Will your death be precious to God? It will, if you believe in Jesus and endure temptation unto the end.

Amen.