sf769 - WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I DIE - 6 of 11 ANSWERING LIFES TOUGHEST QUESTIONS (Ecclesiastes 7 3-4)

Ecclesiastes 7:3-4

Introduction

Which section of the Newspaper do you read first?

As a society we are becoming more interested in death than ever before.

In the next ten years or so 70 million Americans will turn 50.

The closer we get to something the more interested we are in it.

Is this even a question we should talk about?

(Ecclesiastes 7:4 NLT) "A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now."

(Ecclesiastes 7:3 NLT) "Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us."

We're going to talk about how to get ready for what happens after you die.

How do you look at death?

Two perspectives:

Ø Man’s perspective – brings despair and confusion.

Ø God’s perspective – brings hope and joy.

1A. Man’s Observations Concerning Death.

1B. The medical view of death.

Death is inevitable.

(Ecclesiastes 2:16 NLT) "For the wise person and the fool both die…”

Death is just physical.

(Ecclesiastes 3:19 NIV) "Man's fate is like that of the animals… As one dies, so dies the other…."

Ø When Solomon looked at death from the physical side he saw not difference between man and animals..

Death is a mystery.

(Ecclesiastes 3:22 NLT) "… No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future."

Death is the end.

(Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 NCV) “… the dead know nothing. Dead people have no more reward, … {6} … they can no longer love or hate or envy…”

The look from the medical perspective will only bring despair.

2B. The philosophical view of death.

Man is a spiritual creature

(Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV) "…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; …."

Every civilization has believed in life after death.

Ø From the Egyptian pharaohs who built great pyramids to American Indians who had happy hunting grounds.

We long to know what happens after death.

Ø Lots of theories, re-incarnation…

The philosophical looks brings confusion.

2A. God’s Revelation Concerning Death

Solomon asked the wrong question. "What happens when we die?"

The question Jesus Christ answered for us is "What happens after we die?"

1B. What happens after we die?

(Hebrews 9:27 KJV) "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

Ø Either: We Suffer Separation in Hell or We Enjoy Celebration in Heaven

1C. Without Christ we will suffer seperation in Hell.

(2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV) "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. {9} They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power"

Hell is a real place.

Ø Jesus Christ believed in Hell. Twelve of the twenty direct references to Hell in the New Testament came from Jesus' lips.

He talked about it as a real, place.

What's the truth about hell? It's a place of suffering.

Ø Physical suffering (fire and worm).

Ø Emotional suffering.

Weeping, - a place of eternal sadness.

Gnashing of teeth - suffering over a decision made.

Ø Relational suffering.

Relationally it will be a place of loneliness.

Ø Spiritual suffering. (9)

It's a place where we're separate from God.

Ø Eternal suffering. (9)

Why does this happen to people?

Ø Because of the sinfulness of man

(Psalms 51:5 NIV) "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."

Ø Because of the justice of God

(Exodus 34:7 NLT) "I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished…"

Ø Eternity is a place where the choice you and I make on this earth is magnified.

If we choose to trust and serve God, we will be with Him for eternity.

If we choose to reject God, we will spend eternity seperated from Him.

2C. With Christ we will enjoy celebration in Heaven.

(Revelation 21:3-4 NIV) "…And God himself will be with them and be their God. {4} He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.""

Heaven is a real, eternal place.

What's heaven like? (John 14)

Ø It is spacious place – “many rooms”. (2)

Ø It is a special place – “to prepare…”. (2b)

Ø It is a secure place – “.. may be where I am”. (3-4)

What will we be like in heaven?

Ø Our bodies will be perfect.

Ø Our lifestyle will be glorious.

Ø Our character will holy.

Ø Our days will be endless.

What will we do in Heaven?

Ø We will worship.

Ø We will serve.

Ø We will fellowship.

What decides – seperation or celebration?

2B. What should I do to prepare for death?

(2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV) "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead."

1C. Trust in Jesus Christ alone.

(2 Timothy 1:10 NIV) "but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

Ø Jesus Christ didn't cheat death; He beat it.

John 14:6

Ø TILRP

2C. Invest in eternity.

(Matthew 6:20-21 NIV) "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. {21} For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Application

You're not ready to live until you're ready to die.

A lot of people make the same mistake that Solomon made.

He tried to find significance in life without looking at what happens after death.

You need to choose life.

You need to choose Christ!

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I DIE?
Answering Life's Toughest Questions - Part 6 of 11
May 31, 1998 - Ecclesiastes 7:3-4

1A. Man’s Observations Concerning Death.

1B. The ________________ view of death.

Death is inevitable.

(Ecclesiastes 2:16 NLT) “For the wise person and the fool both die…”

Death is just _____________.

(Ecclesiastes 3:19 NIV) "Man's fate is like that of the animals… As one dies, so dies the other…."

Death is a __________________.

(Ecclesiastes 3:22 NLT) "… No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future."

Death is the __________________.

(Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 NCV) “… the dead know nothing. Dead people have no more reward, … {6} … they can no longer love or hate or envy…”

The look from the medical perspective will only bring ___________________.

2B. The philosophical view of death.

Man is a _____________________ creature

(Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV) "…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; …."

The philosophical looks brings ____________.

2A. God’s Revelation Concerning Death

1B. What happens _____________ we die?

1C. Without Christ we will suffer ____________ in ______________.

(2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV) "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. {9} They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power"

Hell is a place.

What's the truth about hell? It's a place of suffering.

Ø _____________ suffering.

Ø ______________ suffering.

Ø Spiritual suffering. (9)

Ø ____________ suffering. (9)

Why does this happen to people?

Ø Because of the ______________ of man

Ø Because of the ______________ of God

2C. With Christ we will enjoy ________________ in Heaven.

Heaven is a , place.

What's heaven like? (John 14)

Ø It is ____________ place. (2)

Ø It is a ___________ place. (2b)

Ø It is a ___________ place. (3-4)

What will we be like in heaven?

Ø Our bodies will be _____________.

Ø Our lifestyle will be ____________.

Ø Our character will ______________.

Ø Our days will be _______________.

What will we do in Heaven?

Ø We will _____________.

2B. What should I do to prepare for death?

1C. ___________________ in Jesus Christ alone.

2C. ___________________ in eternity.