Where Do We Go When We Die?
What Happens When We Die? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 6 viewsDeath is not the end. For the faithful, to die is to be with Christ. For the unprepared, it is separation and regret.
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Today’s Reading from God’s Word
Today’s Reading from God’s Word
So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Introduction
Introduction
Last week, we took a hard look at the question: “What happens when we die?”
Hebrews 9 reminds us that death is certain, judgment is coming, and Christ is returning.
This truth, sets the stage for everything that follows in our September sermon series.
However, there is another question that we need to address: What happens in between?
Where do we go the moment we breathe our last breath?
Is there any awareness beyond the grave, or is death a long sleep until the resurrection?
To me, Scripture does not leave us guessing.
Look again at Paul’s statement in our scripture reading:
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
And Jesus, in Luke 16, speaks of two men who died, and immediately their destinies were revealed - one in comfort, the other in torment.
And finally, Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 shows us that when the faithful leave the body, they are “at home with the Lord.”
So, today, we continue our journey.
We know that Christ has secured the victory, but what does that mean at the moment of death?
Today, we’ll see that for the child of God, death is not the end, it is a doorway into the presence of Christ.
For the unbeliever, it is a time of separation and regret.
Death is Not The End
Death is Not The End
Again, we look at Paul’s writing in Philippians:
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Here, we learn of Paul’s perspective on life and death.
Paul is imprisoned. And it is clear through His writing that Paul knew the one purpose for his life: Christ.
Every breath, every act, every relationships was centered on Jesus.
And it is because of this, that he viewed death, not as a tragedy, but as gain.
Why is death gain?
Why is death gain?
Because death brings us closer to Christ.
I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—
In death we go from:
faith to sight
service to rest
struggle to victory
For us, death is not losing everything, but gaining what matters most.
Contrast this with those in the world:
for the one outside of Christ, death is loss:
Loss of opportunity
loss of hope
loss of eternal life.
This is why Paul could rejoice — even when facing execution — while others feared.
So:
How we view death depends on how we live.
If life is Christ, then death is gain.
If life is self, then death is loss.
The way to die well is to live well — in Christ, with Christ, for Christ.
This is what frees us from fear.
Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?
Last week, I mentioned the last recorded words of D. L. Moody: earth recedes, heaven opens before me.
There are others like him, Charles Spurgeon, who said: I can hear them coming, they are calling me home.
And think of Stephen’s last words recorded in Acts 7:59:
While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”
these were men who could say with Paul, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
But for those without Christ, death often brings fear and despair
Voltaire, the skeptic, who reportedly cried out in terror: I am abandoned by God and man! I shall go to hell!
Sir Thomas Scott (Lord Chancellor of England): Until this moment, I thought there was neither God nor hell. Now I know and feel that there are both, and I am doomed to perdition.
David Hume (atheist philosopher) is said to have cried out with desperate cries and horrors of the dark.
The difference is striking.
For one, death is terror.
For the other, it is triumph.
The Reality of the Afterlife (Luke 16:19-31)
The Reality of the Afterlife (Luke 16:19-31)
“There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.
But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was lying at his gate.
One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.
What do we see here? Basically, two lives and two destinies.
The rich man lived in excess, ignoring the needs of those around him. His life was centered on self.
Lazarus, who spent his life in misery, depended on crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.
Did you know his name means “God has helped”?
Death comes.
Notice how it strips away all the externals. Titles. Wealth. Privilege. Poverty.
None of it can follow us.
The only question that remains is whether we belong to God.
Immediate Awareness Beyond Death
Immediate Awareness Beyond Death
Let’s look again at v. 22:
One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.
No delay. No wandering. No purgatory.
Now, the rich man:
The rich man also died and was buried.
And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.
The rich man “looked up,” or “lifted up his eyes” (ESV) in torment.
He was aware. He felt pain. He longed for relief.
What we have here destroys the idea of soul sleep. Jesus presents to us conscious existence after death — either rest or anguish.
I think Paul agrees when he says what he does in Philippians 1:23: My desire is to depart and be with Christ — which is far better.
A Great Reversal
A Great Reversal
“ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.
In life: the rich man had everything. Lazarus nothing.
In eternity: Lazarus has everything. The rich man nothing.
Jesus touched on this theme elsewhere:
“So the last will be first, and the first last.”
Eternity reveals the true value of life — not riches, not comfort, but only righteousness and faith.
Destiny is Fixed at Death
Destiny is Fixed at Death
Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’
The “chasm” is impassable and irreversible.
There are no second chances, no opportunities to repent after death.
For if you do not believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.
The Sufficiency of Scripture
The Sufficiency of Scripture
“ ‘Father,’ he said, ‘then I beg you to send him to my father’s house—
because I have five brothers—to warn them, so that they won’t also come to this place of torment.’
Note especially, Abraham’s answer:
“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’
Even if someone rose from the dead, unbelieving hearts would not be persuaded.
You know, Jesus proved this when He was resurrected. Many still rejected him.
God’s word is enough.
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
What we learn here is not given to satisfy curiosity. Rather, it is a call for decision.
We cannot live for self and expect heaven in the end.
Your eternal destiny is set by the choices you make now.
The tragedy of the rich man was not his wealth. It was his neglect — the neglect of God, neglect of compassion, and the neglect of obedience.
The hope of Lazarus was not his poverty, but his faith. He trusted God when all else failed.
The Cry of Too Late
The Cry of Too Late
The regret of the rich man is one of the most striking points of this story.
He wasn’t asking for a second chance for himself — he knew it was too late.
Instead, his plea was for someone to warn his brothers.
He remembers his family, but he remembers them too late.
Opportunity is only in this life.
Many people intend to get serious about God “someday.”
But someday often never comes.
Health fails. Life ends. The chance is gone.
Here we see that regret is a part of eternal torment — remembering what could have been, wishing for another chance, but knowing the door is shut.
The only way to avoid that regret is to act now.
For he says: At an acceptable time I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!
To Be With the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
To Be With the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)
So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Right now, life is a walk of faith.
As long as we are in this body, we are “away from the Lord.”
We experience His presence through faith, through the Spirit, by the Word, and through prayer.
But there is a longing for something more — not just faith, but sight.
Now, note v. 8 especially.
Paul uses “home” language.
Life in the body is temporary lodging. Death brings us into our true home.
Just as we long for home after a long, exhausting journey, so the Christian longs for heaven.
You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Confidence in the Face of Death.
Confidence in the Face of Death.
Twice in this passage Pauls says “we are confident.” How could he be so confident and assured?
Because of Christ’s resurrection.
But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man.
For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
The empty tomb guarantees that death does not have the last word.
And think about our immediate hope:
Go back to 2 Corinthians 5:8:
In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Cannot get any clearer. To be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord.
In the presence of Christ.
Couple that with Luke 23:43:
And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This promise is for every child of God.
And this should strengthen us in grief with our loved ones die.
We, as Paul wrote, do not sorrow as those who have no hope.
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
This life is not all there is.
We need to live courageously and faithfully.
The best is yet to come.
death is not an exile, it is a homecoming.
The moment we trade:
faith for sight
absence for presence
longing for fulfillment
As We Close…
As We Close…
So, where do we go when we die?
Philippians 1 reminds us that for the Christian death is gain. It is the doorway into something better.
Luke 16 shows us two men, two destinies, and two eternal realities. One in comfort, the other in torment.
2 Corinthians 5 assures us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
This leaves us with one final question: What about you?
The rich man’s story is a warning.
His regret was over the missed opportunities. He waited until it was too late.
Lazarus, though weak and broken, trusted God and in the end was carried to comfort.
This is why Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 6:2
See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation!
There are no second chances after death.
Your eternal destiny is sealed the moment you die.
So heres the urgency:
If life is Christ, then death is gain.
If life is self, then life is loss
If you are in Christ, death means going home.
If you are outside of Christ, death means eternal separation and regret.
Death is certain. Eternity is real. Where you spend it depends on what you will do with Jesus now.
