YOU DON’T YOU DON’T HAVE TO FEAR HAVE TO FEAR

DEATH!DEATH!

I Corinthians 15:16-19I Corinthians 15:16-19

For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. pitied more than all men.

I Corinthians 15:20-23I Corinthians 15:20-23

But Christ has indeed been raised from the But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. when he comes, those who belong to him.

Because Lord Jesus came forth from Because Lord Jesus came forth from that tomb alive - you can be that tomb alive - you can be

resurrected too!resurrected too!

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. - v22-23who belong to him. - v22-23

I. How Did Physical Death Come I. How Did Physical Death Come About?About?

A. A. In Adam all In Adam all diedie! - v22 ! - v22

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

A. A. In Adam all In Adam all diedie! - v22 ! - v22

1. God created a 1. God created a perfectperfect worldworld..Genesis 2:16-17 - And the LORD God Genesis 2:16-17 - And the LORD God

commanded the man, “You are free to eat commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but from any tree in the garden; but you must you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely diewill surely die.”.”

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

A. A. In Adam all In Adam all diedie! - v22 ! - v22

1. God created a 1. God created a perfectperfect worldworld..Genesis 2:16-17 - And the LORD God Genesis 2:16-17 - And the LORD God

commanded the man, “You are free to eat commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but from any tree in the garden; but you must you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely diewill surely die.”.”

2. God had to 2. God had to cursecurse it! it!

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

A. A. In Adam all In Adam all diedie! - v22 ! - v22

3. What was the result?3. What was the result?

The Second Law of Thermo-The Second Law of Thermo-dynamics dynamics = all things run down - = all things run down - complex systems become simple complex systems become simple - everything deteriorates - death - everything deteriorates - death happens.happens.

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

B. Social & moral B. Social & moral barriersbarriers came into came into existence.existence.

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

B. Social & moral B. Social & moral barriersbarriers came into came into existence.existence.

1. What happened between man 1. What happened between man & woman?& woman?

Genesis 3:12 - The man said, “Genesis 3:12 - The man said, “The womanThe woman you you put here with me — put here with me — she gave me some fruit she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”from the tree, and I ate it.”

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

B. Social & moral B. Social & moral barriersbarriers came into came into existence.existence.

2. What happened between 2. What happened between cultures?cultures?

The Tower of BabelThe Tower of BabelGenesis 11:1-9Genesis 11:1-9

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

B. Social & moral B. Social & moral barriersbarriers came into came into existence.existence.3. What happened between man 3. What happened between man

& animals?& animals?Genesis 9:2 - Genesis 9:2 - The fear and dread of you will fall The fear and dread of you will fall

upon all the beasts of the earth upon all the beasts of the earth and all the and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your fish of the sea; they are given into your hands.hands.

I. How Did Physical Death Come About?I. How Did Physical Death Come About?

I. How Did Physical Death Come I. How Did Physical Death Come About?About?

II. How Do You Know There’s a Life II. How Do You Know There’s a Life After Physical Death?After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?I Kings 17:20-22 - I Kings 17:20-22 - Then he cried out to the Then he cried out to the

LORD, “O LORD my God, have you brought LORD, “O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” Then he with, by causing her son to die?” Then he stretched himself out on the boy three stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” God, let this boy’s life return to him!” The The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he livedreturned to him, and he lived..

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?II Kings 4:32-37 - II Kings 4:32-37 - When Elisha reached the house, there When Elisha reached the house, there

was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he got on the bed and lay upon the LORD. Then he got on the bed and lay upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy’s body grew warmboy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and . Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then walked back and forth in the room and then got on got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyeseyes..

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?II Kings 13:20-21 - II Kings 13:20-21 - Elisha died and was buriedElisha died and was buried. .

Now Moabite raiders used to enter the Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feetcame to life and stood up on his feet. .

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?Luke 7:11-15 - Luke 7:11-15 - Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town

called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out — the gate, a dead person was being carried out — the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with And a large crowd from the town was with her . . . Then he went up and touched the coffin, her . . . Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up The dead man sat up and began to talkand began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to , and Jesus gave him back to his mother.his mother.

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?Mark 5:41-43 - He took her by the hand and Mark 5:41-43 - He took her by the hand and

said to her, said to her, “Talitha koum!”“Talitha koum!” (which means, (which means, ““Little girl, I say to you, get upLittle girl, I say to you, get up!”). !”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked Immediately the girl stood up and walked around around (she was twelve years old). At this (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to this, and told them to give her something to eat. eat.

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?John 11:43-44 - John 11:43-44 - When he had said this, When he had said this, Jesus Jesus

called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came outThe dead man came out, his hands and feet , his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”off the grave clothes and let him go.”

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?Acts 9:40-41 - Peter sent them all out of the Acts 9:40-41 - Peter sent them all out of the

room; then he got down on his knees and room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat upeyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took . He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. widows and presented her to them alive.

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

1. How do we know this?1. How do we know this?Acts 20:9-11 - Seated in a window was a young Acts 20:9-11 - Seated in a window was a young

man named Eutychus, who was sinking man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, When he was sound asleep, he fell to the he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked ground from the third story and was picked up deadup dead. Paul went down, threw himself on . Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and atebroke bread and ate. .

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

A. God A. God resurrectedresurrected people! people!

2. What happened to all these 2. What happened to all these people?people?

They all died again!They all died again!

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

1. The soldiers declared Jesus 1. The soldiers declared Jesus dead & drove a spear into His dead & drove a spear into His side to guarantee it!side to guarantee it!

John 19:31-37John 19:31-37

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

2. Joseph & Nicodemus em-2. Joseph & Nicodemus em-balmed Him.balmed Him.

John 19:38-42John 19:38-42

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

3. This could not have been a 3. This could not have been a “Near Death Experience” (NDE) “Near Death Experience” (NDE) because of the time involved.because of the time involved.

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

4. There was an 4. There was an emptyempty tombtomb early Easter Sunday morning!early Easter Sunday morning!

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

5. What gives this credibility?5. What gives this credibility?

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

5. What gives this credibility?5. What gives this credibility?

Two disciplesTwo discipleson the road to Emmauson the road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35Luke 24:13-35

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

5. What gives this credibility?5. What gives this credibility?

The disciplesThe disciplesin the upper roomin the upper room

John 20:19-23John 20:19-23

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

5. What gives this credibility?5. What gives this credibility?

ThomasThomasin the upper roomin the upper room

John 20:26-28John 20:26-28

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

5. What gives this credibility?5. What gives this credibility?

The disciplesThe disciplesin Galileein Galilee

John 21:1-4John 21:1-4

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!How do we know?How do we know?

5. What gives this credibility?5. What gives this credibility?I Corinthians 15:5-8 - and that he appeared to I Corinthians 15:5-8 - and that he appeared to

PeterPeter, and then to , and then to the Twelvethe Twelve. After that, he . After that, he appeared to more than appeared to more than five hundred of the five hundred of the brothers at the same timebrothers at the same time, most of whom are , most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to Then he appeared to JamesJames, then to , then to all the all the apostlesapostles, and last of all he appeared , and last of all he appeared to me to me also, as to one abnormally born. also, as to one abnormally born.

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

B. Lord Jesus B. Lord Jesus resurrectedresurrected Himself! Himself!

How do we know?How do we know?

6. What happened to the Lord 6. What happened to the Lord Jesus?Jesus?

He never died again!He never died again!

II. II. How Do You Know There’s a LifeHow Do You Know There’s a LifeAfter Physical Death? After Physical Death?

I. How Did Physical Death Come I. How Did Physical Death Come About?About?

II. How Do You Know There’s a Life II. How Do You Know There’s a Life After Physical Death?After Physical Death?

III. How Do You Know That You Will III. How Do You Know That You Will Have Eternal Life After Death?Have Eternal Life After Death?

A. Lord Jesus proved that resur-A. Lord Jesus proved that resur-rections from the dead can rections from the dead can happen by doing it Himself!happen by doing it Himself!

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

B. What are the promises?B. What are the promises?

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

B. What are the promises?B. What are the promises?John 14:1-3 - Do not let your hearts be John 14:1-3 - Do not let your hearts be

troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s housemy Father’s house are many rooms; if it are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. were not so, I would have told you. I am I am going there to prepare a place for yougoing there to prepare a place for you. And . And if I go and prepare a place for you, if I go and prepare a place for you, I will I will come back and come back and take you to be with metake you to be with me that that you also may be where I am.you also may be where I am.

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

B. What are the promises?B. What are the promises?John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world that John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world that

he gave his one and only Son, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever whoever believes in him shall not perish but have believes in him shall not perish but have eternal lifeeternal life. For God did not send his Son . For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.save the world through him.

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

C. What will happen to God’s C. What will happen to God’s children?children?

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

C. What will happen to God’s C. What will happen to God’s children?children?

1. “To be 1. “To be absentabsent from the body is from the body is to be to be presentpresent with the Lord” with the Lord”

II Corinthians 5:6-8 - Therefore we are always II Corinthians 5:6-8 - Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as confident and know that as long as we are at we are at home in the body we are away from the Lordhome in the body we are away from the Lord. . We live by faith, not by sight. We are We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be confident, I say, and would prefer to be away away from the body and at home with the Lordfrom the body and at home with the Lord..

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

C. What will happen to God’s C. What will happen to God’s children?children?

2. Your body will be 2. Your body will be instantlyinstantly changedchanged!!

I Corinthians 15:51-52 I Corinthians 15:51-52 - - Listen, I tell you a Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all we will all be changedbe changed — — in a flashin a flash, , in the twinkling of in the twinkling of an eyean eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet , at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and imperishable, and we will be changedwe will be changed..

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

3. What happens when the Lord 3. What happens when the Lord comes again?comes again?

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 - I Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the For the Lord himself Lord himself will come down from heavenwill come down from heaven, with a loud , with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and and with the trumpet call of God, and the the dead in Christ will rise firstdead in Christ will rise first. After that, . After that, we we who are still alivewho are still alive and are left and are left will be caught will be caught up together with themup together with them in the clouds in the clouds to meet to meet the Lord in the airthe Lord in the air. And so . And so we will be with we will be with the Lord foreverthe Lord forever. .

III. III. How Do You Know That You Will HaveHow Do You Know That You Will HaveEternal Life After Death? Eternal Life After Death?

You can live with God forever!You can live with God forever!

It’s the empty tomb & the It’s the empty tomb & the resurrected Lord that gives that resurrected Lord that gives that

promise credibility!promise credibility!

You can live forever!You can live forever!