Special Study Outline

LIFE AFTER DEATH
Recently, while driving through town I spotted a sticker on the window of a passing pick-up truck. The message from the obviously proud owner was: “Is there life after death? Mess with this truck and find out”. Even though I had no intention of “messing” with his truck - the little sticker did get me to thinking. Life after death. It is a concept that we don’t like talking about too much because it involves talking about death. Sure we don’t mind talking about heaven but it’s the “death talk” we struggle with. The cold, hard fact is this: we are all going to die! The Bible clearly states, in Hebrews 9:27, “everyone must die once…” (NCV). Job tells us that “man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble…” (Job 14:1-2). We have example after example in the Bible of people who died. From the great leaders of the Old Testament like Joseph and Moses to the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist right on to the Lord Jesus Himself. So people die...but then what? The Bible speaks often of eternal life, that is, life beyond this earth. In the “golden text” of the Bible Jesus promises eternal life: “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NCV). Scripture tells us of only two possible dwelling places after death. In Luke 16 Jesus tell us of the story of a rich man and a poor man, named Lazarus. They both died. The rich man was buried and later the text tell us that he was in a place of torment (16:23-24). It also tells us that Lazarus was in a place of comfort, peace and rest, called Abraham’s bosom (16:22). Jesus tells us in another passage (Matthew 25) that he would eventually divide all of mankind in to two groups. Those who have never trusted in Jesus would be cast in to “outer darkness” and those who have trusted in Jesus would “receive the kingdom God has prepared for you…” (Matt. 25:34 NCV). There is life after death. You and I will live on after we depart this life. Shouldn’t the primary question then be: “Where will I live eternally?” The apostle Paul knew without a doubt where he would go when he left this earth: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8 NKJV). Have you put your trust in what Jesus did for you 2,000 years ago on a cross? Have you been immersed into Christ to inherit all spiritual blessings? Are you walking with Him daily? If so, be as confidant as Paul and look forward to that homecoming in the sky. If not, turn to Jesus today and heaven can be yours! Richard O'Connor

Recently, while driving through town I spotted a sticker on the window of a passing pick-up truck. The message from the obviously proud owner was: “Is there life after death? Mess with this truck and find out”. Even though I had no intention of “messing” with his truck - the little sticker did get me to thinking.

Life after death. It is a concept that we don’t like talking about too much because it involves talking about death. Sure we don’t mind talking about heaven but it’s the “death talk” we struggle with. The cold, hard fact is this: we are all going to die! The Bible clearly states, in Hebrews 9:27, “everyone must die once…” (NCV). Job tells us that “man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble…” (Job 14:1-2). We have example after example in the Bible of people who died. From the great leaders of the Old Testament like Joseph and Moses to the forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist right on to the Lord Jesus Himself. So people die...but then what?

The Bible speaks often of eternal life, that is, life beyond this earth. In the “golden text” of the Bible Jesus promises eternal life: “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NCV).

Scripture tells us of only two possible dwelling places after death. In Luke 16 Jesus tell us of the story of a rich man and a poor man, named Lazarus. They both died. The rich man was buried and later the text tell us that he was in a place of torment (16:23-24). It also tells us that Lazarus was in a place of comfort, peace and rest, called Abraham’s bosom (16:22). Jesus tells us in another passage (Matthew 25) that he would eventually divide all of mankind in to two groups. Those who have never trusted in Jesus would be cast in to “outer darkness” and those who have trusted in Jesus would “receive the kingdom God has prepared for you…” (Matt. 25:34 NCV).

There is life after death. You and I will live on after we depart this life. Shouldn’t the primary question then be: “Where will I live eternally?” The apostle Paul knew without a doubt where he would go when he left this earth: “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8 NKJV).

Have you put your trust in what Jesus did for you 2,000 years ago on a cross? Have you been immersed into Christ to inherit all spiritual blessings? Are you walking with Him daily? If so, be as confidant as Paul and look forward to that homecoming in the sky. If not, turn to Jesus today and heaven can be yours!

Richard O'Connor