We continue with our sermon series entitled ‘Suffering Job’. With preaching from Alan Cole and our worship service led by David Casse.

Sermon Notes

What happens when we die?

(Reading : Job 19:21-27)

The Bible gives us the answer to one of the age-old questions of life, and although as Christians we need not fear death we do approach it with a degree of apprehension.

1) Job says “I know” (v23). In many religions where your fate depends on how good a life you have led you are uncertain whether you will get to heaven until you have died, The Bible teaches that our future depends not on our good works but on what Christ has done for us.

2)” We have a redeemer” (v23). Christians will go to heaven because Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from the penalty of sin.

3) “Our redeemer lives” (v23).We have the certainty of life after death because Jesus rose from the dead Paul describes the resurrection as the first fruits of them that sleep.   1 Corinthians 15:20-23

4) At death our eternal spirit becomes separate from our bodies. Our bodies decay but we go to be with the Lord. Job 19:26; Ecclesiastes 12:7; The Christian will pass at once into the presence of Jesus, into a state which is far better than our earthly life. 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43; John 14:2. Jesus will be waiting to receive us. Acts 7:56.

5) “He will stand at the latter day upon the earth” (v25). One day, Jesus will return to the earth. At the second coming of Jesus our spirits will return to earth, along with the angels. Our bodies will then be raised and re-united with our spirits. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

6) “Yet in my flesh I will see my God” (v26) We then receive our new resurrection bodies. These bodies are described as splendid, imperishable, powerful, glorious and spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:40-44. These bodies will not be subject to death, pain or mental problems. Revelation 21:4.

7) We stand before the judgment seat of Christ. There is no condemnation here, but we will receive the rewards due to us for the way that we have lived our Christian lives. Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:23.

8) God creates a new heaven and a new earth. Although the Bible does not make it entirely clear where we will live in eternity, God will create new heavens and a new earth. Isaiah 65:17-18; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 22. There we will know peace and will be able to worship God for ever.

Questions

1. Job said in chapter 19: 25 “I know that my redeemer lives”. What evidence do we have that Jesus is alive today?
2. What evidence does the Bible give that at the point of death our spirits immediately go to be with Jesus?
   See Ecclesiastes 12:7; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-24; Romans 8:38/39; Luke 24:42/43; Psalm 23:4.
3. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 is the passage specifically written to answer the question “what happens after death?” In this passage what happens to those who have died, and to those who are still alive at the time of the second coming of Christ?
4. In 1 Corinthians 15: 12-26, why is the resurrection so important as a guarantee of life after death?
5. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 talks about the transformation of our mortal bodies into our immortal ones. In what ways do yoi think that the two bodies are different and in what ways similar?
6. Revelation 21:1-5 and 22:1-5 describe heaven and our experiences there. What do you think that we will do when we are in heaven?

Sermon Details

Sermon Title: “What happens after death?”
Bible Reading: Job ch:15-21
Preacher: Alan Cole
Worship Leader: David Casse

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