Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:27-33

What Happens When We Die?

Intro.

1. Christians need to understand what happens at death. It will ground our faith, assure our hope, and prevent errors that undermine and destroy our eternal hope in Christ.

2. What is death? What happens to us when we die? Where do we go (and not go)? What do we learn about living by learning about death?

I. HUMANS ARE DUAL BEINGS, Gen. 1:27; 2:7 (flesh and spirit).

A. Flesh Decays after Death, Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 12:7; 2 Cor. 4:16.

B. Immortal Spirit Continues to Exist, Eccl. 12:7; Luke 16:22-23.

II. WHAT IS DEATH?

A. Death is the Separation of the Spirit from the Body, James 2:26. (Death = Termination of life; Separation from life-source, Gen. 2:17)

1. Our spirit leaves the body at death, Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59-60.

2. Spirit animates the flesh, Gen. 2:7.

B. Immortal Spirit Survives Physical Death, Matt. 10:28.

III. WHERE DO WE GO WHEN WE DIE?

A. Hades: Realm of Departed Spirits (Acts 2:27).

1. We do not go directly to heaven or hell when we die.

2. Righteous are comforted in Paradise, Luke 16:22, 25.

-Phil. 1:23: Paradise is under the care and keeping of Christ (Eph. 1:21), who gives rest to those who die in Him (Rev. 14:13).

3. Unrighteous in flames of torments & anguish, Luke 16:23-24.

B. Bodily Resurrection of the Dead, John 5:28-29.

-Hades will give up the dead at resurrection (bodies raised incorruptible), 1 Cor. 15:50-55 (Rev. 20:13). (1 Cor. 15:35-44)

C. Judgment before God, Heb. 9:27 (John 5:29). (Acts 17:31)

1. No altering the outcome after death, Luke 16:26.

2. Vindication of God, His Son, His people (Rom. 14:10-11; 2 Thess. 1:5-10).

IV. DEATH TEACHES US MANY LESSONS (Eccl. 7:2).

A. Life is a Gift from God, Eccl. 5:18.

-Spend it honoring and obeying God, Eccl. 12:13-14.

B. Life is Brief and Uncertain, James 4:13-14.

1. Use our time wisely (Eph. 5:16).

2. Do good while you can, James 4:15-17.

C. Obey the Gospel Without Delay, 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7-8, 13.

D. What We Live for Prepares Us to Die or Prevents Us from Being Ready to Die, Luke 12:13-21.

1. The materialist lives only for this life because he is unwilling to conceive of a spirit that survives physical death.

2. Christian looks beyond this life, 2 Cor. 4:16-18.

Conclusion

1. The worst death of all is the wages of sin, eternal (second) death, Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:14; 21:8.

2. Die to sin and live with God (now and eternally), Rom. 6:7-8.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted May 3, 2021