Sermon Archive

It’s good to welcome you as we come together for worship, and as we do, we’re beginning a new series called: One Minute After You Die.

You might wonder, why study this subject? With all the things we could be looking at why this? The short answer is that we’re looking at this subject because what you believe about death and eternity will determine how you live. What you believe about death and eternity will make a difference when it comes to how you live your daily life, and the fact is that different people believe some very different things. Some people believe that this life is all there is. Your life is like a candle, when you are born it’s lit, and when you die... Pfff it’s blown out.

Years ago, back in 1969, Peggy Lee sang a song called “Is That All There Is?” It was a big hit back then, and it’s a big question that has been asked by many over the centuries. What is the meaning of life? People ask themselves: Why am I here? What’s life all about? What’s the purpose of my existence? The lyrics of the song went like this:

Is that all there is?

Is that all there is?

If that is all there is, my friends

Then let’s keep dancing

Let’s bring out the booze and have a ball

If that’s all there is.

That song is asking whether there is any meaning to life, or whether in fact, life even has to have meaning. I don’t know if the writer of that song had ever read the words of the Apostle Paul because he in effect said the same thing. When it comes to the big question about life and eternity, Paul said, "If this life is all there is. . . If nothing happens after we die, and we just cease to exist. Then you ought to live your life trying to fill it up with as much pleasure as you possibly can. You should take your 70 or 80 years on earth and just try to FEEL every possible good feeling that you can feel." The Apostle Paul says it this way,

“If there is no resurrection, ‘Let's feast and get drunk, for tomorrow we die!’” - 1 Corinthians 15:32

You may not have known that is in the Bible, but it is, and Paul is saying, if this life is all there is, then that’s the most logical way to live. IF there's no resurrection... But if there is a resurrection, that changes everything. That question that we’re considering today. The question, "We Die, Then What?", is an important question to consider because different people believe some radically different things when it comes to what happens after we die.

For example, atheists believe that when you die, it’s over. There is no eternity, and so if you are an atheist, you just believe that when you die, you’re dead, you’re worm-food, you are pushing up daisies, and there’s no reason to live with an eternal motivation because there’s no eternity.

Some people believe in Purgatory, and this is the belief that when people die, they suffer for a while in kind of a hellish time-out. And once you’ve spent enough time in purgatory to pay for your sins, then you get to go to Heaven. This idea really didn’t become popular at all until 1439 at the Council of Florence, but it’s not found in Scripture. It’s not biblical. In fact, The New Catholic Encyclopedia says (and I quote), “The doctrine of purgatory is NOT explicitly stated in the Bible.” It’s not in Scripture. It’s kind of been handed down as a tradition, but we don’t read about it in the Bible. In fact, I would take it a step further and say it really contradicts what we do read in the Bible, because if Purgatory is true then what we are told about the death and the sacrifice of Jesus in Scripture can’t be true.

Because we’re told that Jesus died once for all. We’re told that His sacrifice has made a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to receive the free gift of eternal life through faith in Him. But if Purgatory is true, then it’s like God is charging double. It’s like, Jesus paid for your sins, but you’re gonna pay, too. And that’s NOT what we read in Scripture. In fact, when Jesus died on the cross, one of the last things He says (is) “It is finished.” In other words, the bill’s been paid in full. Zero balance. It’s been taken care of. Yet, today different people believe some very different things.

Islam teaches that at the end, Allah will judge the works of those who have gone before. If your good works outweigh your bad, you’ll go to paradise. If your bad works outweigh your good, you’ll go to Hell.

Some people believe that when you die, you will become angels. So, when you die, you can picture yourself as one of those fat, bald, naked baby angels playing a harp and sitting on a cloud.

Other people believe in reincarnation. They think if you’ve been really good, you come back as a higher life form. If you’ve been really bad, you come back as a lower life form. Like a mosquito, or a cockroach, or a cat. So again, different people, different beliefs, and where you land on the question, “We die, then what?”, is going to make a difference when it comes to how you live your life in the here and now.

So, to build a foundation to answer that question, let’s begin with another question, which is “What do we know about death?” Because the truth is... We don’t know a lot! The Bible is very clear on some things, and some things are not quite as clear, so let’s wrestle with what we do know about death.

The first thing, if you are taking notes, is this. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt, number one, that DEATH IS CERTAIN. 

Studies at this point are conclusive. The research has been compiled and the results are in And what it reveals is that approximately one out of one people will die. It’s a fact. In fact, you’re going to die. I’m going to die. We’re all going to die. Unless you are a believer and Jesus returns in your lifetime, you are going to die.

Scripture says it very clearly in Hebrews 9:27-28, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

So, what do we know? Scripture says that you are destined to die. You’ll face the judgment. And what will happen at the judgment? It depends on what you did with Christ in your lifetime. Why is Jesus so important to your eternal destiny? Because of our sin, we are all sinners, we are all born with a sin-nature. Our sin separates us from a holy God, but here’s the good news is that God so loved the world, so loved us, that He sent His only Son, Jesus, who was born of a virgin; therefore, not inheriting the sin-nature, but lived the perfect and sinless life. And Jesus shed His innocent blood, died on a cross, but here’s the awesome part. He didn’t stay dead.

On the third day, He rose again, and because of His perfect sacrifice, by faith, when we believe in Him, we are called righteous by God and we are adopted into the family of God by our faith in Christ. In fact, scripture says that anyone, and that includes you, no matter what you’ve done, no matter how dark your life has been, no matter how messed up it is right now, ANYONE who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. Your sins will be forgiven and gone forever.

Scripture says they will be cast into the sea of forgetfulness as if you’ve never ever sinned, and you will be filled with the Holy Spirit of God, and you will be able to pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you’ll be able to hear His voice, and you can pick up His word and it will come alive inside of you, and you will live eternally forever.

As you pray and turn your life over to Jesus, your name will be written in the Book of Life. Your name can never be blotted out, and the angels in Heaven will rejoice today, when you call on God’s Son, Jesus. And then, when you do die the physical death, you will NOT die eternally. You’ll live with God in Heaven. That’s great news! What, what do we know about death? First of all, we know it’s CERTAIN Second, we know that at the moment of death, THE SOUL AND THE BODY SEPARATE.

You are not your body. This is skin. This is flesh. This is not the real me. Your body, in the Bible, is referred to as a tent. It’s an outer covering. It is a house for the real you, but it’s not the real you. Some of you are going, “Oh, that’s such good news. I’m so happy about that.” When you die, your body dies, but you continue to live. Jesus said this in Matthew 10:28. He said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul" Those are two different things… "Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” 

One day, when your physical body dies, you will be as alive as you ever have been, and even better than that. We will be alive in brand new bodies. Which for some of us is really good news, because we wouldn’t necessarily want to spend all eternity in the body we have now. 1 Corinthians 15:42-43 says, “Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory.” 

The body we’re in right now may die, but the soul lives on. Jesus said it this way when speaking about the resurrection. “…He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; Now don’t miss this. . . He said. . . and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

What do we know about death? First of all, we know it’s certain. Second, we know that at the moment of death, the soul and the body separate. Number three, we know that eventually, YOU WILL FACE THE JUDGMENT.

Hebrews 9:27, again. “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face the..." what? 

If you enjoy those stories, don’t feel alone. I do too, but what those people have experienced is not death. Death comes once, then the judgment. Now, if you are like me, the thought of being judged by God is very sobering. I mean, to be judged by people is nerve-racking.

I remember the first time that I was judged for something. I was in the fifth grade, I was trying out for our elementary school talent show - and trust me - I had no talent. But instead of just saying “Take a Hike” The teacher in charge of the auditions had something even better for me to do in the show, but none of us like being judged. But like it or not we will.

What does the Bible say about judgment? Well, some people differ on their opinions, so I am going to show you what most conservative Bible scholars believe, and I will tell you that I agree with these beliefs. Now, some people have different views, and we will all figure it out one day, but this is what I believe...

I believe there will be two different judgments, and the first one is known as The Great White Throne Judgment. Now, the question is, “Who will be there?” And again, there’s, there is some debate, but most people believe that only non-believers will be at the Great White Throne Judgment. Believers, most people think, won’t be there. So, let’s read a little bit about the Great White Throne Judgment.

Revelation 20 tells us that John had a vision under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and he wrote that I saw a what? A Great White Throne and Him who was seated on it…And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. Now the dead were judged according to what? The dead were judged according to what they had done They were judged according to their works as recorded in the books. Verse 15 says, "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

So, what do we know? Great White Throne Judgment, dead people are there. There’s books. There’s the Book of Life, and then, there are other books, which evidently contain our deeds, our good works, and maybe even our, our sins. If your name is not found written in the Book of Life… Apparently, you are judged by your works. Were you good enough by your works to qualify for Heaven? And scripturally, we know that no one is.

The Bible says very clearly that we are only saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and that alone. Ephesians 2 tells us that we are not saved by our works. No one is, so that no one can boast. So, if your name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you are judged by your works And you’ve met many people, and sadly so have I, who will tell you, “I don’t see a need for Jesus in my life.” I believe that when my life is over, and I stand before God, if there is a God, he can judge me based on my works based on the life I’ve lived." And God respects that decision and allows people to make that choice...

But sadly, everyone who is judged by their works, whose name is not in the Book of Life, will be thrown into what is called there the Lake of Fire. And I could tell you all about that in great detail, but that’s what Pastor Andrew is going to do next week, so join us then.

So let me just say that The Great White Throne Judgment is a place you do not want to be. You would rather be in the Book of Life, so you are not judged by your works, because you will not qualify for Heaven, no matter how good you are.

The second judgment mentioned in scripture is known as The Judgment Seat Of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 

Now the word that's used here for judgment seat. In the first century, it was called the Bema Seat, and the judge who would sit on the Bema Seat would sit there during the Grecian games, which was sort of like our Olympics. In other words, this was not a judgment of innocence and guilt. That's not what he's talking about here. This was a judgment, not of innocence and guilt, but over rewards.

The judge would sit on the Bema Seat and he would hand out rewards to the athletes who had competed. When followers of Christ are judged, they will be judged at the Bema Seat. It won't be a judgment of innocence and guilt, that issue was settled at the cross, but, people sometimes ask, “Are Christians gonna be judged after we die?” And the answer is yes. But we're not judged on Heaven and Hell…

Innocence and guilt has been taken care of through Christ. We are judged for the purpose of rewards. Some will receive more rewards than others. Which means, by extension, that others will receive less.

Whatever you believe when it comes to the details, or the order of events when it comes to what happens after we die. I believe that there are two questions we all have to answer...

#1 Can I TRUST God with my LIFE?

The Bible says that God loved this world so much, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Can you trust God for what he says about this? Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” I can’t show it to you. I can’t prove it to you. You’ve got to trust Him? You’ve got to answer the question, Can I trust Him? And then a second question...

#2 What step of faith am I BETTING my ETERNITY on?

I say “Step of Faith” because that’s what it is. Do you believe that this life is all there is and that when you die and you are gone? You can’t prove that, to believe that you need an element of faith. And if that’s the step of faith you are betting your eternity on, then that’s your choice. If you want to believe that when you die we all keep going around like a merry-go-round and we come back with some second or third chance at reincarnation, then that’s your choice. But it takes an element of FAITH to believe that.

So, what step of faith are you betting your eternity on? For 2,000 years, millions of people have bet their eternity on what God has told us in His Word. It’s seen them through tough times here, and it’s given them hope for a future that makes everything they experience here pale by comparison.

In just a moment, we’re going to invite you to come to a table that points us to a cross and reminds us of what it cost for God to make it possible for you and me to have an eternity with him. In the beginning, God created us sinless. He placed us in a perfect environment so that we could walk with him. We rebelled, we sinned.

God said “Our relationship can’t continue. I’m holy, and I can’t be with sin.” We couldn’t RESTORE that relationship, we couldn’t heal it. God sent His Son to do for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves.

In the same way, we read in Genesis 3 that God killed animals to clothe Adam and Eve, to cover them. He provided animal sacrifices for generations after as a covering for sin. Until one day, He sent His Son as the one pure sacrifice for sin, available for all who believe. When you invite Him to become Lord of your life, it changes everything. It changes the way you see life here and now. God offers it as a gift. It’s a gift that’s available to everyone, but it’s a gift that HAS TO BE RECEIVED.

Romans 10 says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). God tells us what we need to do to make sure we are going to get there. It’s more than saying “I want Heaven”, it’s saying “I want Jesus as my Lord, here and now.”

If you’ve never said that to him, you can say it. Right here, right now. Let’s bow together...

More Messages from Dr. Rick Mandl

From Series: "One Minute After You Die"

For centuries, humans have tried to figure out how to live longer and avoid this inevitable fact: we all die.
When faced with that reality, how do you feel? Fearful, hopeful, somewhere in-between?

Join us for our new sermon series "One Minute After You Die" beginning July 3rd!

How to join: In-Person during our Outdoor Worship Service on Sundays at 11 am (click here for details)
or…
Watch online at www.erockchurch.com/live

Live Stream Service Times: Saturday at 5:30pm Sunday at 9am, 11am, 1pm, 6pm Wednesday at 7pm For more information on our worship services click here.

Sermon Notes