Well, we have this much in common.

(A sermon for teens on death, eternity, and the gospel)

Introduction:

The older I get the harder I find it to connect with this group and the more that I want to. Though we have many things that aren’t in common, we have one that is will always be true.

Most of life right now is about preparation:

Getting ready for college.

Getting ready for work or sports.

Getting ready for “what’s next.”

And those things matter. But let me tell you something even bigger:

You are also preparing for your last day.

I don’t know how long you will live. You don’t know either. But we do know this: One day, you will die.

And whether you think about it or not, you are moving toward eternity every single day.

The Bible doesn’t leave us in the dark. So today, I want to give you an overview of what happens when we die and how to be ready for what’s next.

First baptism of a teen. I asked “Do you know .. you will die today and go to Heaven?” The water was cold, I was nervous, and he was listening. He exclaimed “no!” Brandon was ready for Heaven but wasn’t wanting to go in the next load.

1. Why Does Death Exist?

Let’s start at the beginning.

Death wasn’t part of God’s original plan.

Romans 5:12 says:

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

In the Garden of Eden, God warned Adam: Genesis 2:17 – “For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

When Adam and Eve sinned, death entered the world.

(Application:) This is important: Death is not just a “natural part of life.” It’s a tragic intruder caused by sin.

2. There Are Only Two Final Destinations

(And neither is fully here yet.)

When you die, you don’t “just stop existing.” You don’t “float around.” You don’t “come back as someone else.”

The Bible says there are two final destinations — and they are permanent.

A. Hell Thrown into the Lake of Fire

Revelation 20:14–15 KJV

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Notice: Hell itself gets thrown into the lake of fire.

This isn’t just “a bad place.” Jesus described it as:

“Outer darkness” where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12).

“The fire that never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:43).

And John calls it “the second death.” Why? Because it’s eternal separation from God — forever cut off from light, hope, and life.

B. Heaven on a Renewed Earth

Now for those in Christ — the story is completely different.

Revelation 21:1–4 (KJV)

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Did you catch that? Heaven comes to earth.

No more death.

No more pain.

No more sin.

It’s life as it was meant to be — worshiping God, reigning with Christ, and enjoying a perfect creation.

Imagine the best place you’ve ever been — the happiest, most peaceful day you’ve had. Now multiply that by infinity and take away everything that hurts, tempts, or ruins life. That’s just a glimpse of what’s coming. — The first person we should all desire to see is Jesus.

C. Both Are Eternal

Here’s the hardest part to wrap your mind around: Both of these are forever.

How long is forever?

Imagine every grain of sand on every beach. Count them all. Now multiply that by a million. And you’re just getting started.

What is the largest number you know?

Ten thousand years from now, eternity won’t be any closer to ending than when it began.

That’s what’s at stake.

3. What Happens When We Die?

When you die, what actually happens?

Here’s what the Bible says:

A. False ideas people believe:

Purgatory — no Bible support.

Soul sleep — Philippians 1:23 makes it clear: believers are immediately with Christ.

Reincarnation — Hebrews 9:27 “27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

B. The Bible’s answer:

For believers:

2 Corinthians 5:8 — “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Philippians 1:23 — “Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”

For unbelievers:

Luke 16:23 — “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments.”

There’s no pause. No waiting room. The moment you die — you are either with God or separated from Him.

C. What about our bodies?

Your soul goes to its eternal place, but your body goes to the grave — until the resurrection.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 “42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

(Illustration:) Think of a nut without a shell. Right now, your soul is like the nut, and your body is the shell. When you die, the shell is buried — but one day at the resurrection, God gives you a glorified body.

And listen: Your body matters. It was created by God, and He will raise it — perfected — to live with Him forever.

4. Death Teaches Us How to Live

Psalm 90:12 “12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Ecclesiastes 7:2 “2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”

(Application:) Thinking about death isn’t morbid — it’s wise. It makes us live on purpose.

5. Today Is the Only Day You’re Promised

Now — if all this is true, here’s what it means:

You can’t wait to figure this out.

James 4:14 — “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Hebrews 9:27 — “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Proverbs 27:1 — “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

(Illustration:) I’ve done funerals for people in their 90s… and for people younger than you. Youth doesn’t prevent death.

Life is urgent. Don’t put off what matters most.

6. Have This Matter Settled

So how do you know if you’re ready?

A. What is NOT enough:

Knowing there is a God — James 2:19 — “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

Saying ‘Jesus is Lord’ — Matthew 7:21–23 — “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Living a moral life — Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

B. What it really means to be a believer:

Being a Christian is not like wearing a jersey to support a team.

It’s a new birth.

John 3:3 “3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Here’s what that looks like:

These are just all signs of new life. They are not things that you can or should try to imitate to receive salvation.

You allow Jesus to change your life — Luke 18:18–23 shows the rich young ruler refused to let go of what he loved most. Real faith gives Jesus control.

You love God’s Word — John 6:68 — “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

You feel conviction for sin — John 16:8 — “He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

You have repented of your sins — Acts 3:19 — “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”

You follow Jesus as Lord — Luke 9:23 — “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

7. Jesus Has Conquered Death

Here’s the hope we cling to:

1 Corinthians 15:54–55 “54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Revelation 1:18 “18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Jesus has defeated death.

Conclusion:

I get it — you’re young. You feel like you have forever.

But eternity doesn’t start when you’re old. It starts the moment you die.

And you don’t know when that moment is.

Don’t gamble with your soul.

Jesus said:

John 11:25 “25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

So here’s my question: Have you believed? Have you repented? Are you ready?