What Happens when a Christian Dies? 2nd Corinthians 5:1-10
(1) “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2) For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, (3) if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. (4) For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened–not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. (5) He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. (6) So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, (7) for we walk by faith, not by sight. (8) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (9) So, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
(10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
These are the Words of the LORD.
Thanks be to God for HIS Word.
Sermon: “What Happens When a Christian Dies?”
#1: When a Christian dies, our soul and spirit are separated from our physical body! * Definition of death.
Cf. 2nd Corinthians 5:6-8 (6) “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, (7) for we walk by faith, not by sight. (8) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
#2: When a Christian dies physically, we remain alive spiritually!
Cf. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
#3: When a Christian dies, we go to heaven!
Cf. Acts 7:55-56 (55) “But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (56) And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Cf. 2nd Corinthians 5:6-8 (6) “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, (7) for we walk by faith, not by sight. (8) Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
#4: When a Christian dies, we go to be with God!
Cf. Revelation 21:1-3 (1) “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. (2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God”
#5: When a Christian dies, we begin to worship God face-to-face!
Cf. 1st Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
#6: When a Christian dies, we go to be with our Christian family and friends who have passed away before us!
Cf. 2nd Samuel 12:21-23 (21) “Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” (22) He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ (23) But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
#7: When a Christian dies, we are relieved of all sickness and suffering forever!
Cf. Revelation 21:4b “and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Cf. Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
#8: When a Christian dies, we receive our eternal inheritance as Children of God!
Cf. Romans 8:16-17 (16) “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (17) and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
#9: When a Christian dies, we receive our rewards for our faithful living and service!
Cf. 1st Corinthians 3:11-14 (14) “11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—
(13) each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (14) If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.”
Cf. 1st Corinthians 9:25-27 – “Victor’s Crown” for self-discipline!
Cf. 1st Thessalonians 2:19 – “Crown of Rejoicing” for leading people to Jesus!
Cf. 2nd Timothy 4:8 “Crown of Righteousness” for those who stay faithful to the faith!
Cf. James 1:12; Revelation 2:10 – “Crown of Life” for those who persevere under persecution!
Cf. 1st Peter 5:4 – “Crown of Glory” for faithful Elders!
#10: When a Christian dies, we begin to serve God forever!
Cf. Revelation 7:15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.”
Amen.
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