Rev. David Holwick K 2 Corinthians sermon series
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
March 28, 1999
2 Corinthians 5:1-10
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SERMON SUMMARY: What happens when a Christian dies? Ultimately we are
resurrected, but in meantime deceased believers are present with
Jesus in heaven. Short sermon due to baptism, but very well received.
I. Naked nightmares.
A. Nightmare in grade school (really a day-mare).
I am sitting in class, and realize I have no clothes on.
What do you do? Where do you run?
(very common fear of children [but no one in congregation
admits to it])
B. Driving kids to tennis practice.
One of them doesn't have tennis clothes on.
Child crawls to the back of the van.
The real back - behind the last seat.
- and disrobes!
"What are you doing back there?"
"Don't look back - look straight ahead."
(I find myself staring straight into the rearview mirror.)
"What in the world are you doing??"
"Changing."
"What if someone drives up alongside us?"
"I'LL MOON THEM."
There is a deep theological issue revealed here.
II. What happens when we die?
A. Many people fear death.
1) Woman in nursing home dying of cancer this week.
a) Scared, angry, talks for hours.
2) Early in ministry, Paul expected to live to Second Coming.
a) Now he can envision death - "tent is destroyed."
B. Questions about death.
1) What will we be like?
2) Is it immediate, or in stages?
3) Will eternal life be fulfilling or sheer boredom?
4) If it is better than our present life, better in what way?
III. Christians believe in a good life and a better death.
A. Contrast with other philosophies.
1) Greeks despised physical existence, longed for death.
2) Buddhists anticipate becoming one with universe.
a) Eternal, but impersonal.
b) Drop in ocean of existence.
3) Modern skeptics expect nothing.
a) Lights go out, body decays.
b) Funeral of neighbor - "we have her in our memories".
c) True, but is there more?
B. Christian attitude.
1) Life is good and a gift from God, but frustrating, too.
a) We "groan". 5:2
1> Our heavenly life pulls us.
b) We don't want to be naked.
1> Refers to this life?
2> Better, applies to moment after death.
2) Our heavenly existence is better.
a) It is eternal and built by God.
[could be expanded a great deal in longer sermon]
3) Two options: home in body or home with Jesus. 5:6
a) No intermediate soul sleep or purgatory envisioned.
b) We live by faith. 5:7
1> Verse 6 mean we are separated from God?
2> No, but our communion is spiritual now.
A> In future it will be physical, face-to-face.
C. Reality of resurrection.
1) Home with Jesus is more than being in heaven.
a) Life with God will be fleshed out, not disembodied.
2) New earth, heavens, city.
a) Multiple images means we shouldn't limit our perspective.
b) "Pearly gates" only begins to do it justice.
IV. How Christians should view death.
A. Make most of life. Enjoy life.
B. Be ready to die. Don't worship life.
1) Don't rush death.
2) Kevorkian conviction - did man with Lou Gerig's disease say
"Wait..." at last minute?
3) Christians believe God should set the time.
C. The body is temporary.
1) No matter how it is preserved. (embalming, funerals)
2) Resurrection will reach all believers.
a) Even those lost at sea can be resurrected. Rev 20:13
b) What we do to body does not affect our future.
3) Cremation is acceptable. [mentioned in response to questions
previous week]
a) Frowned on in past due to Old Testament restrictions.
1> Don't pass kids through fire. (pagan practice)
b) But some kings were cremated. (Saul and sons)
V. The way you live matters.
A. Saved people should want to please God.
1) A key sign of your genuineness is your motivation.
2) Do you really care what God thinks of you?
B. The judgment seat of Christ.
1) This involves not merely an "appearance" in the court of
heaven (cf. Rom 14:10) but the divine illumination of
the actions and motives hidden by darkness. 1 Cor 4:5
2) After being scrutinized we will receive our due.
C. All are accountable to God their maker and judge. Rom 2:1-11
1) Christians primarily in view here.
2) It is an assessment of works and, indirectly, of character,
not with the determination of destiny.
3) It focuses on reward, not status.
a) Some Christians will barely squeak by. 1 Cor 3:15
b) How will YOU be assessed by Almighty God?
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