1 Beyond Death Two Destinies Criteria for Life and Death A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

2 Beyond Death  Death is not the end of existence  Jesus told this about Himself  He now tells it about us  Not life after death, but existence  Old Testament teaches of “Sheol”  Ne plus ultra to plus ultra = resurrection

3 Two Destinies  O.T. characters believed in resurrection Job 19:25,26 Psalm 49:15  Jesus teaches of two resurrections a resurrection to life a resurrection to condemnation A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

4 Two Destinies  Man created as a trinity – spirit, soul, body  When man sinned, he died as a trinity spirit died immediately – hiding from God soul began to die body died eventually A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

5 A Resurrection to Life  What happens when God saves a man?  God replaces each part with a new one!  Man is now resurrected to eternal life with God. A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

6 A Resurrection to Life  God does this in the order we lost it! new spirit – the life of God within, a “new birth” begins to form a new soul – conformed to the image of Christ called the “new man” new body is created that will unite with soul and spirit at the resurrection A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

7 A Resurrection to Life  A new spirit = regeneration, conversion, justification and adoption  A new soul = sanctification  A new body = glorification A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

8 A Resurrection to Condemnation  John 3:18  We will all be judged!  We are eternal beings!  An eternity separated from God! A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

9 Criteria for Life and Death  Criteria for life: God’s mercy and grace given to you Christ’s righteousness thru His sacrifice  Criteria for death: Dependence on self and our own works God’s justice A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30

10 Application Do you want God’s justice? Do you want God’s justice? Or, do you want His mercy and grace? Or, do you want His mercy and grace? Are you ready to give a good account of the hope that is within you? Are you ready to give a good account of the hope that is within you? A Matter of Life and Death John 5:28-30