The Last Days, Death & Judgment Primary Scripture: John 5:24–29 Big Idea: Our response to Jesus shapes the trajectory of our lives today and into the future. 1. The Christian Story Is Bigger Than Heaven or Hell Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 2:7; 15-17; 1 Corinthians 15 God created a physical world and called it good. Humanity was created in God’s image to live in relationship with him and represent him throughout creation. The Christian story is not simply about choosing between heaven and hell after death. Our ultimate hope is the resurrection of God’s people. 2. Eternal Life Begins Now Genesis 3; John 5:24–25; 1 Timothy 5:6; Ephesians 2:1–5; John 6; 14:6 Sin brought brokenness, separation from God, and death. Scripture refers to both physical death and spiritual death. Jesus offers us a way to move from death to life. Eternal life is not primarily defined by immortality, but by relationship with God. Through Jesus, we can begin experiencing God’s eternal life today. 3. Death Does Not Have the Final Word Philippians 1:21–24; Luke 23:42-43; 1 Corinthians 15:26 Those who belong to Jesus will be with him when they die. Being with Christ after death is not the end of the Christian story. When Jesus returns, believers will be raised and receive transformed bodies. Death is an enemy. Christians can grieve its reality without losing hope. Death does not get the last word. Jesus does. 4. We Are Living in the Last Days Acts 1:7–8; Acts 2:17 The last days began with Jesus’ first coming and will conclude when he returns. Our calling is not to predict when Jesus will return, but to live faithfully until he does. As God’s image bearers, we participate in his mission and represent him to the world. Even in suffering, we live with the assurance of Christ’s ultimate victory. 5. God’s Judgment Is an Expression of His Love and Justice John 5:22–30; 2 Corinthians 5:10 God is a righteous judge who sees injustice, suffering, and evil. God’s judgment is not the opposite of his love. It is the way his love confronts evil. Judgment is not only about the evil around us, but also the evil within us. Our choices and actions matter, and we will all stand before Christ. Our ultimate hope rests in God’s grace. 6. Living in Light of Eternity John 5:24; 1 Corinthians 15:58 The Christian story is about a good God who created a beautiful world and refuses to give up on it. Through Jesus, God has confronted sin and death, and one day Christ will return to bring his work to completion. Eternal life begins now. The question isn’t simply, “Where will I go when I die?” The deeper question is: “Am I learning to live in the life of Jesus today?” Additional Resources: https://www.mennonitebrethren.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FL001_cof_A18_notes.pdf The Great Divorce – C.S. Lewis Surprised By Hope - N.T. Wright Heaven by Randy Alcorn The Weight of Glory - C.S. Lewis Prayer in The Night - Tish Harrison Warren (can listen for free on the Libby App) The Divine Conspiracy - Dallas Willard https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/heaven-hell-1-life-and-death-genesis-1-3/ https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/heaven-hell-2-heaven-and-zombies/ https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/heaven-hell-3-divine-judgment-and-resurrection-hope/ https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/heaven-hell-4-renewed-creation/ https://bibleproject.com/videos/heaven-and-earth/ Questions for Personal Reflection & Group Discussion When you were growing up, what did you imagine heaven, hell, or life after death would be like? What do you think formed those ideas? Why do you think bodily resurrection is so central to the Christian hope? What difference does it make that God's ultimate plan is to redeem his creation rather than abandon it? Jesus says that eternal life begins now (John 5:24). How does this impact the way we live today? Does knowing that we are already living in the last days impact how we live? Why do you think some people get really focused on looking for signs of the end? How have you typically thought about death? How does thinking about death as an enemy impact the way we grieve and comfort others? In what ways does judgement in the Bible make you uncomfortable? Why do you think God's judgment is important? How can judgment be an expression of God's love? The sermon emphasized that our relationship with Jesus today shapes the people we are becoming for eternity. What are some things in our culture that compete with our desire to know Jesus more deeply? How might you practically apply what you heard in the sermon?