Hope of Life After Death 1Corinthians 15:14-19 Hope of Life After Death Many do not believe Jesus was raised from the dead yet, still teach His good life & great ethical truths If He was not raised, was fraud & liar & entire gospel system fails Basis of Gospel is life after death, founded on resurrection of Jesus, the basis of all Christian faith and hope Without the resurrection of Christ, Christianity is nothing; If Christ was not raised, our preaching, faith, hope & all else is vain. The resurrection, must be the central theme of the gospel of Christ

Our Assurance Jesus Apostles Gospel Mark 10:29-30; Matthew 19:16 Acts 2:21-36; Revelation 14:13 1Corinthians 15:20-22, 42-44 Gospel Hebrews 6:19-20; 5:8-9 Our Assurance of Life after Death Jesus often spoke of life after death When apostles spoke of what they had given up Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. His emphasis on this caused a rich young ruler to ask: Matthew 19:16 "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" The apostles also preached and wrote of life after death Peter preached the resurrection of Jesus on Pentecost Acts 2:21-36 Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" 1Corinthians 15:20-22 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Corinthians 15:42-44 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Gospel constantly emphasizes hope of life after death: Hebrews 6:19-20 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Theme of hope presses need for faithful obedience Hebrews 5:8-9 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Our Present Life Different Goal Meaning & Purpose Promises Hebrews 9:27; James 4:14-15 Luke 12:15; Matthew 6:20 Meaning & Purpose Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Promises Philippians 1:21-23 Our Present Life and Life after Death The worldly-minded person lives for the now, not the future, usually his morality (or lack thereof) shows that His experiences in life show him that he is going to die; but he simply rejects what follows Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, If this is it & no life after death, do what you want. Foolish not to "live to the fullest" & indulge fleshly desires; Measure "success" by his accumulation & pleasures; at death, he is just wishing that is the end The Christian lives with a different goal James 4:14-15 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." Christian's attitude toward life is based in hope of hereafter Luke 12:15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Solomon's search for meaning & purpose concludes Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Christian looks forward to life after death because of Lord's promises Philippians 1:21-23 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. For those who really believe in Resurrection & Promises, there is no comparison between this life & eternal life Lord promises.

Our Hope Incentive Value Light Hebrews 11:26; 2Timothy 4:7-8 Philippians 1:20; 1John 3:3; Hebrews 6:19 1Thessalonians 4:13; Titus 2:11-12 1Corinthians 15:58 Light Philippians 2:16; 2Corinthians 2:11 Our Hope Is a Powerful Incentive If we have living & abiding hope in anything, will arrange priorities so that hope can be realized Nothing has more power to motivate & inspire righteous living than hope in life after death Hebrews 11:26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 2Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. Scriptures reveal value of this hope of life after death Philippians 1:20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 1John 3:3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Hebrews 6:19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 1Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Hope in Christ is light shines thru darkness of world of sin Philippians 2:16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Hope has given strength to millions that then enabled them to fight and win their battles over fear and evil Hope enables us to see the golden opportunities of life, empowers us to seize these opportunities & persevere to victory over Satan and all of his wicked devices 2Corinthians 2:11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. Hope of life after death is the comforting hand in the sickroom, the consoling voice at funerals, the zeal in the church, our anchor during the storm and the bond in marriage

Our Victory Glory 1Peter 1:3-5 1Corinthians 15:55-57 Philippians 1:21-23 Revelation 14:13 Life after Death Is the Ultimate Victory Some day all Christians shall follow the glory of Jesus Christ and share in His triumph in rising from the grave 1Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Many think death is ultimate failure & loss, not Paul 1Corinthians 15:55-57 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:21-23 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" Blessed, or happy, because they still live for God, with Jesus; free from anxiety, conflict & temptation; now enter into peace, security, & perfect holiness

Trust Jesus 1Peter 1:22 1Peter 2:21-25 2Peter 1:11 Put our trust in Jesus, commit ourselves to Him & live as He directs us to live 1Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 1Peter 2:21-25 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 2Peter 1:11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Clem Thurman