Sermon Tone Analysis

Take It In

7 Evidences of Life After Death

Nature

Anthropology

Psychology

Ethics

Philosophy

Science: Near-Death Experiences

Jesus and the Bible

What happens when a person dies?

Four Basic Truths

1.

At death, every person’s soul enters immediately and consciously into relational aspects of eternal existence.

The prevailing idea in our society is that entrance into heaven comes automatically with death.

We like to believe in heaven; we hate to think of hell.

But now is the time to think about it.

If we will not believe Moses, and we will not believe the prophets, and we will not believe Jesus who has come down from heaven, what will persuade us?

What will prepare us for that moment when we will be placed on one side of that gulf or the other?

My prayer is that you will press into the kingdom of God, now, before it is too late.

2. One day everyone will be resurrected and live forever.

[1.]

That there shall be a resurrection of the dead, the dead bodies of men, of all men from the beginning to the end of time.

It is certain, not only that the soul does not die with the body, but that the body itself shall live again; we have not only another life to live when our present life is at an end, but there is to be another world, which shall commence when this world is at an end, into which all the children of men must enter at once by a resurrection from the dead, as they entered into this, one after another, by their birth.

[2.]

It shall be a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust, the sanctified and the unsanctified, of those that did well, and to them our Saviour has told us that it will be a resurrection of life; and of those that did evil, and to them that it will be a resurrection of condemnation, Jn. 5:29.

See Dan.

12:2.

This implies that it will be a resurrection to a final judgment, by which all the children of men will be determined to everlasting happiness or misery in a world of retribution, according to what they were and what they did in this state of probation and preparation.

The just shall rise by virtue of their union with Christ as their head; the unjust shall rise by virtue of Christ’s dominion over them as their Judge.

[3.] God is to be depended upon for the resurrection of the dead: I have hope towards God, and in God, that there shall be a resurrection; it shall be effected by the almighty power of God, in performance of the word which God hath spoken; so that those who doubt of it betray their ignorance both of the scriptures and of the power of God, Mt. 22:29.

[4.]

The resurrection of the dead is a fundamental article of our creed, as it was also of that of the Jewish church.

It is what they themselves also allow; nay, it was the expectation of the ancient patriarchs, witness Job’s confession of his faith; but it is more clearly revealed and more fully confirmed by the gospel, and therefore those who believed it should have been thankful to the preachers of the gospel for their explications and proofs of it, instead of opposing them.

[5.]

In all our religion we ought to have an eye to the other world, and to serve God in all instances with a confidence in him that there will be a resurrection of the dead, doing all in preparation for that, and expecting our recompence in that.

3. Every person will be judged and granted the “extended capacity” to fulfill in eternity the deepest yearnings and desires of their heart while on earth.

Heaven is won or lost on earth.

The possession is there, but the preparation is here.

Christ will judge all men according to their works on earth.

“Well done, good and faithful servant,” must go before “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,” goeth before “the crown of righteousness which God, the righteous Judge, will give.”

All that ever must be done for salvation by us, must here be done.

It was on earth that Christ himself wrought the work of our redemption, fulfilled all righteousness, became our ransom, and paid the price of our salvation, and it is here that our part is to be done.

4. Every person will spend eternity in heaven with Christ and fellow believers, or in hell separated from God forever.

A Preview of Heaven: The Great Adventure

Eternal life doesn’t begin in heaven.

Eternal life begins the moment we believe.

God is There ()

Warmth, Beauty, and Light (, )

Wonderful Relationships ()

Incredible Accommodations ()

A Fresh Start

A New Nature ()

A New Body ()

A New Vocation (; )

Rewards ()

Purpose, Complete Rest, Protection, Commitment, and Peace ()

Unbridled Joy, Celebration, Worship, and Laughter (; )

Learning, Growing, Friendship, and Discovering the Infinite Majesty of God and His Universe (Yet Unrevealed to Us) (, )

Forever and Ever (Revelation 22:5)

A Preview of Hell: The Horrible Choice

God is Not There ()

Punishment and Torment ()

Varying Punishment ()

Outer Darkness ()

Weeping ()

Wailing ()

Gnashing of Teeth ()

Forever (; )

Why must there be a hell?

Man’s dignity and freedom demands a hell.

God’s holiness and justice demand a hell.

Sin’s seriousness demands a hell.

Evil’s defeat demands a hell.

Talk It Over

1.

Share with the group.

Who is one person you will be praying for, doing acts of kindness for, and eventually sharing your faith with?

2. Share your story.

While growing up, what were your thoughts of life after death?

What influenced you?

Explain.

3. Chip shared seven evidences for life after death.

Which evidence did you find most convincing?

Why?

4. Chip shared four basic truths about life after death according to the Bible.

Which one of those truths impacted you the most?

Why?

How could that truth change the way you see life and live each day?

5. What aspect of heaven stood out to you the most?

Of hell?

Were any of them a surprise to you? Explain.

6. See the C.S. Lewis quote a few pages back about two kinds of people.

Do you agree with Lewis’s statement?

Why or why not?

Explain.

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’

All that are in Hell, choose it.

Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.

No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it.

Those who seek find.

Those who knock it is opened.”

- C.S. Lewis

7. How has this session broadened your view of heaven?

Of hell?

Explain.