Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 9 Article 3

How should we feel when unbelievers whom we love and care about die in their sin?

The sermon explores the theological reality of humanity's fallen condition, emphasizing that due to sin, the natural will is utterly incapable of initiating or contributing to spiritual salvation, a truth rooted in the Westminster Confession of Faith. It distinguishes between human freedom to choose within moral constraints and the inability to choose what is spiritually good apart from divine grace, illustrating how even seemingly good actions fall short of God's glory without regeneration. Through the tragic death of King Saul—marked by unrepentance, self-inflicted death, and posthumous humiliation—the sermon reflects on the sorrow of losing loved ones who die in unbelief, balancing grief with the assurance of God's justice and ultimate sovereignty. It affirms that while no one deserves salvation, God's grace is sufficient even for the gravest sins, including suicide, and calls believers to mourn with hope, trusting in God's wisdom and the final vindication of His glory. The narrative of Saul's end serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rebellion, yet also points forward to God's enduring faithfulness and the ultimate restoration of all things.