What Happens When We Die?

Luke 16: 19-31
written by pastor Freddie L Beard

Before we explore the Bible's answer to this o' so important question, I want to point out the fact that God loves you, and loves you so much, that He has made the way for you to not only have a happier, healthier life now, But He has made the way for you to live FOREVER in His presence. Free from the pains, sorrows, torments and the cares we now feel daily upon this Earth. Hear what the Spirit is saying to YOU today!

1. The Miracle Of Life. (God's desire for every man- is for them to live forever)

1Cr 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

a. When a child is born, this is one of life's most beautiful things.
b. Life is full of memories: good and bad.

Ecc 9:11

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

    c. The mystery of time: Time seems to fly, and yet it seems as if life goes on forever.
    d. And then suddenly one is old, and faces the reality that life must come to an end. And then some who are cut short, and are taken in their youth.
    e. The Bible says that "life is but a vapor, here for a moment and then gone".

Jam 4:14

Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

2. The Reality Of Death. (Satan longs to see every human in hell with him)

Luk 22:31

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:

1Pe 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

a. Death effects 1 out of every 1 person. Heb. 9:27
b. Death has a feeling of fear, and dread attached to it. For those who have no hope for the after-life anyway.

Hbr 2:15

And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

c. Death is only the beginning of an eternal consequence of pain, and torments for lost those who did not receive God's pardon, and were not saved from their sins. For as Luke 16 shows us the unredeemed are ushered immediately into hells flame, and torment.

Hbr 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

d. But for the Christian death is a momentary step from "life temporal" to "LIFE everlasting". "A small walk through the chilly Jordan! Then they arrive in the presence of Jesus!

2Cr 5:8

We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

3. The Assumption By Many.
a. Some make lite of the reality of their own death. Thinking that not giving it a thought will free them from the reality when they step over. (ignoring the Truth has no effect upon it! Heaven, and hell are still there)
b. Some mock, and say they want to "go to hell" to be with their friends". (one of Satan's greatest lies, he will enjoy these when he gets in hell with them.)

Isa 5:14

Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

    c. Some have a twisted view of life after death.
        they place their faith in their own good-works,
        or their own way to heaven. i.e. false religions

Pro 16:25

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.

d. Some say, "live for today, for tomorrow may never come."

Mat 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange forhis soul?

not heeding the Truths they had heard growing up.Many will appeal to God on that day.
Mat. 7:21     ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22     Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23     And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

    e. And still yet, Some do not know about life/death, heaven/hell, and God's Glorious Salvation plan!
       Luke 16:27-31
    f. But the bottom line is. We shall all live Forever! The only thing is... WHERE?

4. The Word Of GOD.
    a. The Bible is very clear on the after life.
John 5:24     Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25     Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
    b. God has set preachers in this world with the words of wisdom and the message of "The Gospel", to save them that would believe. (God-called preachers are all about trying to save souls!) To prepare them for their eternity.
Romans 10:9     That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10     For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11     For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12     ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13     For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14     How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15     And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
    c. And depending upon what the hearer does with the "invitation" from GOD and whether to make heaven their eternal home, Is directly connected to just where they shall spend their eternity.
    d. Jesus said "unless ye are born again you cannot even see the kingdom of God".
    e. It is all hinged upon the fact of one being saved, by the Savior Jesus Christ!
    f. And as the bible says we are all appointed "ONCE" to die, that... after this is "THE JUDGMENT".
    g. If you are "born once" you will "die twice".
        * The second death is "eternal separation from God.
        * A place where one will forever be exempt from God, his blessings, His presence, His eternal home of heavenly bliss.
        * It is a place where prayers can never be heard.
        * And where torment will never end.
        * A place where one will burn for all eternity.
        *And where worms will eat upon them for ever, and ever!
    h. But if you are "born twice" you only have to "die once".
        * And when you breathe your last breath. Angels come, and escort you into the presence of God.
        * Where you will await the resurrection; and upon that day you will go with The LORD JESUS and meet the born-again believers yet alive, and then all shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.
        * Your bodies will be changed into an eternal glorified body, Like The LORD Jesus Christ.
        * This body will give one the ability to see the FATHER in heaven, face, to face.
         * And this body will give you the ability to live forever, and ever. No pain, sickness, sorrow, or death.
        * We shall enter into that heavenly city, That God himself has made, and He will be the light in the midst of it. Hallelujah!

     Would you bow your heads, Saints pray.

You know I have been at the death bed of many people, I have seen the face of death come upon loved ones, and friends, and family of my friends. I have seen some appear as if they are in great anticipation of something grand. While still others appear to be experiencing something horrible.
My own dad, as he was upon his death bed, I recall some of the things he said. He spoke of stairs, streets, people, folks working on golden streets and other things. He even asked me one day if I could see that man behind me, and I turned and said no dad I can't He said "bub, please don't tell me that"! It seemed as if God allowed him to see over that River Jordan to let him see it would not be so bad, My friend as my dad drifted away, I said dad it is over. He looked up as if to be peering through the ceiling into heaven, and a smile like I had never seen before came upon his face. He laid his head back and passed on. I was deeply moved at the thing the LORD allowed me to see that day. I know God allowed me to see my dad step over, It also gave me a deeper desire to see others be ready. For them to know their sins are gone, and that they have a mansion under construction in glory! Are you ready, Is GOD calling you? Say yes today, For today is the day of salvation!

    I HAVE NOT QUITE FINISHED THIS OUTLINE, BUT YOU ARE WELCOME TO TAKE IT AS IT IS AND "FILL IN TE BLANKS" OR MARK THIS PAGE AND CHECK BACK SOON! GOD BLESS PASTOR F L BEARD

This message outline was written by Pastor Freddie L Beard It can used for the glory of God, but cannot be used in any book or mass production publication without the written permission of the said writer. all rights reserved
- copyright © 2009 -

Preaching the "Cross" 1 Corinthians 1:17-31