Death: The Final Foe

Dennis McCallum

John 11

Death is heart breaking and unavoidable. But God has given us the solution to death through His son's payment of our sins on the cross. Jesus conquered death through his resurrection. We now have the option to live forever with Him.

The Crucifixion

Chris Lang

John 19:31-33

Throughout the Bible we see that Jesus going to the cross was God's ultimate plan for salvation. In the details of Jesus' crucifixion we see the lengths that God went to, to forgive humanity's sin. Jesus experienced scourging, mocking, humiliation, and ultimately death on a cross. Through His death God demonstrated His perfect love and forgiveness.

Meager Faith Richly Rewarded

Jim Leffel

1 John 5:13

The miraculous healing of Jairus' son and the unclean woman demonstrate that Jesus has the power to overcome death, and his resurrection gives purpose to our lives as Christians. Both Jairus and the woman approached Jesus from a position of weakness and trusted that he would be faithful to his promises to them, and since they acted in faith before seeing God's provision, they both grew in their trust and intimacy with Him.

Is Death's Separation Permanent?

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

There are two kinds of grief: 1) sadness because of temporary separation; and 2) hopelessness because of permanent separation. Paul explains that while believers may grieve the loss of a loved one, our separation is only temporary. God promises a personal embodied reunion for those who believe in Him. The promise of our future resurrection is rooted in Christ's past resurrection.\r\n

Finishing the Course

Jim Leffel

Acts 20:24

As Paul's life comes to a close, he reflects on his past, present, and future in his last letter to Timothy. \r\nPaul's past demonstrated faithfulness to what God entrusted to him, and in the present Paul continued to live a life characterized by sacrifice for God. Lastly, Paul looked forward to the crown of righteousness that God promised him in eternity. All of these reflections enabled Paul to fulfill his ministry, and modern Christians can likewise have the same hope and motivation to be faithful to Christ in their own lives.

The Christian View of the Afterlife

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 1:19-26

Paul finds that faith in Jesus Christ offers a foundation of joy not found anywhere else. Through Jesus' forgiveness, Christians are provided deliverance from the fear of death, a new perspective in adverse circumstances, and motivation to serve God and other people. This is unlike anything other worldviews present. Christians have a God who is personal, who offers us assurance of salvation and eternal life, and who gives us plenty of evidence for His existence. This is what makes Christianity unique.

Aftermath of the Cross

Dennis McCallum

Luke 23:50-24:8

The claim that Jesus literally rose from the dead after his death on the cross is the center of Christianity. Without this completed resurrection, our faith in Jesus and justification by his blood would be empty. There are numerous negative implications if the resurrection did not occur, each with serious consequences. The evidence shows, however, that this bodily resurrection did occur, and there are many positive implications following this truth, including that we can have a personal relationship and eternal life with the risen Christ.