If This Is True: Heaven & Hell

July 23rd, 2023/Casey Middle School

Intro:

The Bible - can it be trusted?

Origin - where do we come from?

Purpose - does life have meaning?

Morality - can we know right and wrong?

Destiny - where am I going?

These are 5 critical questions to consider as you pursue knowing God, understanding the world around us, and living for all eternity.

The questions we’ve wrestled with matter because they speak to our reality which is supernatural.

Title: Heaven & Hell

Big Idea:

My hope for our time together is to provide some biblical clarity on the afterlife and how we can know where we are going when we die.

Passage: Genesis 3:17-19

And he said to the man, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘Do not eat from it’: The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust.”

Pray:

Background:

This is the beginning of time, God creating humanity in His image. In this perfect creation, God gives humanity a choice. They were given all of freedom to live and dwell in His presence, free of sin, death, and shame, but Adam and Eve chose to sin against God by disobeying His clear command in Genesis 2:16-17 that said ““You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.”

This choice led Adam and Eve to be removed from the garden of Eden and came with severe consequences. The relationship with God and humanity was now broken and in need of restoration and redemption. Here’s how I’d apply that: God’s love toward humanity has always been a choice to either receive or reject. We can know God, abide in His presence, or we can reject God and the gift He offers us, and live separate from Him.

This story offers clarity of God’s original design and how humanity chose then, and still chooses today to disobey and disregard the commands and grace of God.

Main Ideas:

1. The afterlife from 5 major worldviews

   1. Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. 15 You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. 16 For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins. 17 My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt” - Job 14:14-17 NLT
   2. Even thousands of years ago a man named Job was asking this same question. Can we live again? What’s next for me? For my parents? For my loved ones that have passed away? Will we see them again?

   3. The most dominant views in the world as it stands today are atheism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. According to Pew Research, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism together cover about three-quarters of the world, and most of the rest have no religion. So I think it’s fair to take a look briefly at what the majority of human beings are saying about this question of destiny.

      1. Atheism:
         1. First of all, let’s look at atheism. Atheism says when you die, you die. This life is all there is. It’s dust to dust. We all live and die until the universe eventually continues to expand until one day it self-destructs.
         2. Richard Dawkins, arguably the leading representative for modern atheism was asked the question we’re asking today, “Is there an afterlife?” Dawkins answered: “Let’s be realistic about this. We have brains. Our brains do the thinking. Our brains are going to decay and that will be that.”
         3. Sam Harris, a neuroscientist and one of the younger leaders in modern atheism says: “Death is a fact. And we don’t know what happens after death. I simply don’t know. I don’t know what I believe about death. And I don’t think it’s necessary to know in order to live as sanely and ethically and happily as possible. You don’t get anything worth getting by pretending to know things.”
         4. The late Stephen Hawking was a brilliant astrophysicist and also an atheistic writer said: “I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.” Atheism says death is the end.
      2. Buddhism:
         1. Customarily, Buddhism teaches that after death the goal is to reach a state of Nirvana or spiritual bliss by following the Eightfold Path of moral living. Hopefully, if you manage to live a good enough life and free yourself of all desires, you are released from the cycle of rebirth.
         2. Buddha taught that humans are born an infinite amount of times until they reach the state of nirvana.
         3. Life and death is a continuum and your next life is determined by your accumulated karma, how well you lived in this life will determine your next.
         4. Bodh Gaya: is the most important religious site and place of pilgrimage, the Mahabodhi Temple houses what is believed to be the Bodhi Tree where Prince Siddhārtha attained enlightenment.
         5. I’ve visited this site, and have studied the core tenets of the religion. As a follower of Jesus, it was heartbreaking and emotionally overwhelming to see thousands of people that traveled from all over the world to worship the false gods, seek spiritual development, and fulfill vows.
      3. Hinduism:
         1. Hinduism is very similar to Buddhism. Hindus believe salvation or “moksha” as they call it, is gained when a person completely frees themselves from bad karma or evil actions.
         2. They believe that god is in everything, so they worship literally millions of different gods, trees, rocks, stars… you name it god’s in it… So by serving one of those millions of gods in the right way, the cycle of reincarnation is broken and the person becomes one with god.
         3. These views may be very foreign to us; but there are billions of people who believe this is what lies ahead for them.
         4. Varanasi Ganges River: is the most sacred tradition in Hinduism. It is the personification of the goddess Ganga. Bathing in the Ganges River is a purifying ritual meant to wash away sins. But more than washing in the river, it is known for its tradition of spreading one's ashes in the river that it may improve their karma and hasten salvation. The presence of Ganga at the time of death is believed to help ensure a soul's transition to a more favorable next life.
         5. For the Hindu, it is the most sacred place, but for me it was heartbreaking. I wept as I saw countless families and travelers walk into the water, knowing that only the blood of Christ could cover their sins.
      4. Islam:
         1. How does Islam answer the question of the afterlife? Muslims trust in the mercy of Allah while striving to obey his will. Since nobody did that better than Muhammad, the main prophet of Islam, they try to repeat Muhammad's actions hoping that will be enough to get them into heaven.
         2. This involves reciting prayers, fasting, going on pilgrimages, and doing good deeds in an effort to live in obedience to Allah.
         3. They believe God will judge every deed, and those who lived rightly will go to heaven and those who did not, will go to hell.
      5. Christianity:
         1. And finally Christianity. What sets the Christian gospel apart is that salvation is a gift paid for by Jesus, received by faith, not earned. In other words, no matter how good a person lives their lives, they cannot earn their way into heaven.
         2. People are saved from their sins only by faith in Jesus Christ who died to take the sins of humanity on himself.
         3. Then after death, the souls of those who accept Jesus Christ go to be with God in a place called paradise or heaven; then one day the body will be resurrected as Christ was resurrected and there will be a new heaven and earth united as one.
         4. According to Scripture, people who choose to reject the one true God in this life, their spirit goes to a temporary holding place the Bible calls Hades. At the final judgment, those who have rejected God are separated from God for eternity in hell.
         5. Story: sharing the Gospel with a man at Advance Auto Parts. He said “well that’s pretty good news”

2. All major religions cannot be right at the same time

   1. “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:11-13 NLT
   2. Where are we going after we die, if anywhere? And how can we know?

   3. So, with all the different beliefs, who’s right? And how do we know? Can’t we just pick the one that makes the most sense and go with that? Or better yet, can’t we just affirm that all beliefs are equally true and not be closed minded? Doesn’t it feel better to just go with the flow and say “don’t all roads lead to the top of the mountain or heaven or nirvana or whatever you want to call it?”

      1. Question: Do all roads lead to the top of the mountain?
      2. It is a very common position to say, “Well we can’t know, so as long as a person is doing their best and trying to live a good life, they will be okay in the end.” So the “all roads lead to the top of the mountain” sounds appealing and feels good, but it simply cannot be true. And here’s why. Atheism says when we die we turn back to dirt. Hindus say you’re reincarnated. Buddhists say you reach a state of Nirvana. Islam says you go to heaven or hell determined by your works. Christianity says you spend eternity with God or without God dependent on God’s grace. These claims all oppose each other. Not only do all these “roads” not lead to the top of the mountain, they are all holding up signs that point in completely different directions.
      3. *Image of all road sign

      4. After death, a person could either turn to dust, or reach Nirvana, or go to purgatory, or go to heaven, or go to hell…. But you can’t do them all at the same time can you? It’s a logical contradiction. So what are we left with?

         1. We can say one of these is right.
         2. Or we can say that they’re all wrong.
         3. We cannot say that they’re all true at the same time.
            5. So the idea that we’ll all make it to “heaven” in our own way simply can’t be true. So where do we go from here?

3. We all have a choice

   1. “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16 CSB
   2. Heaven:
      1. Randy Alcorn explains that God’s plan for Heaven is “a resurrected life in a resurrected body, with the resurrected Christ on a resurrected Earth.”
      2. Heaven as God's dwelling place: The Bible describes heaven as the dwelling place of God. It is a realm or dimension that is beyond the physical world. (Psalm 33:13-14, Matthew 6:9)
      3. Paradise and the presence of God: Heaven is often referred to as paradise, a place of ultimate joy, peace, and perfection. It is where believers are in the direct presence of God and experience His glory. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Revelation 2:7)
      4. Eternal life and rewards: Heaven is portrayed as a place of eternal life, where believers will experience the fullness of life and fellowship with God. It is also associated with rewards for faithful service and perseverance in earthly life. (John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Matthew 5:12, James 1:12)
      5. Communion with saints and angels: In heaven, believers are depicted as being united with fellow believers and the angels in worshiping and praising God. There is a sense of community and fellowship among the redeemed. Not in the “little babies playing harps on clouds” sense, but in an unimaginable sense of awe and wonder. (Hebrews 12:22-23, Revelation 7:9-12)
      6. No more pain, sorrow, or sin: Heaven is described as a place where all the pain, sorrow, and effects of sin are absent. There will be no more tears, death, or suffering. It is a place of complete restoration and wholeness with God. (Revelation 21:4, 1 Corinthians 15:54-55)
      7. New heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem: The book of Revelation describes a heavenly city called the New Jerusalem, which is depicted as the dwelling place of God and the redeemed. It is described as a magnificent and glorious city, adorned with precious stones and filled with the light of God's presence. (Revelation 21:1-4, 21:9-27)
      8. “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 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:1-4

4. Hell:

   1. “Eternal, conscious punishment for the wicked” - Nathan Finochio
   2. A place of punishment: A place of punishment for the wicked where the unrepentant and those who reject God's salvation face eternal consequences for their sins. (Matthew 25:46, 2 Thessalonians 1:9)
   3. Separation from God's presence: Hell is characterized by the absence of God's presence and fellowship. It is a state of separation from God, experiencing His righteous judgment and wrath. (2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 25:41)
   4. Eternal conscious torment: Suffering and torment that is eternal in nature. The language used to describe it includes images of fire, darkness, weeping, and gnashing of teeth, conveying intense anguish and remorse. (Matthew 13:42, Mark 9:48)
   5. Unquenchable fire: Hell is often described as a place of unquenchable fire, signifying the eternal nature of the punishment and the severity of God's judgment. (Matthew 25:41, Mark 9:43)
   6. Just retribution: Hell is portrayed as a just retribution for those who persistently reject God's grace and refuse to repent. (Romans 2:5-6, Revelation 20:12-15)
   7. Eternal separation from God and the righteous: Hell involves being separated not only from God but also from the righteous and the redeemed. It is a state of isolation and exclusion from the presence of God and His kingdom. (Luke 16:26, Revelation 21:8)
   8. “If we regard hell as a divine overreaction to sin, we deny that God has the moral right to inflict ongoing punishment on any humans. By denying hell, we deny the extent of God’s holiness. When we minimize sin’s seriousness, we minimize God’s grace in Christ’s blood, shed for us. For if the evils he died for aren’t significant enough to warrant eternal punishment, perhaps the grace displayed on the cross isn’t significant enough to warrant eternal praise.” - Randy Alcorn

5. There’s a choice:

   1. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” - 2 Corinthians 5:10 CSB

   2. Paul wrote that to believers, and every one of us will stand before God. So where are you going when you take your last breath?

      1. If you were to die today, and stand before the judgment of God and He asked “Why should I let you in?” What would you say?
         3. The Bible says this, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And there is no one who is righteous, not even one. That means we’re all guilty. And the Bible says, The penalty for our sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. You say how could God send anyone to hell? But you see the question is loaded when it says God SENDS people to hell. Love demands a choice. God didn’t create robots. He gives you a choice. The choice to live forever in relationship with Him; or the choice to reject Him and live an eternity separated from Him.
         4. But God doesn’t leave us on our own. The Bible says, But God poured out His love on us, that even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Maybe you’re sitting there today and you’re asking this question, “What do I have to do to know where I’m going when I die.” The Bible makes it simple, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Closing: Present the Gospel

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. Those who knock it is opened.” - CS Lewis (The Great Divorce)

“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:13 CSB

“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7 CSB

Communion is recognizing the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.