The Afterlife, Part 3: Age To Come
March 24, 2024

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Message Review

Many people are fascinated by the concept of the afterlife, specifically heaven. There is a lot of interest in heaven, but at the same time, there is also a lot of misinformation, speculation, and confusion about it. We must put aside this misinformed vision and come to a true understanding of the realities of heaven. The second reality of heaven is here at another time and when you think that you only live forever it will affect your view of Heaven. 

Main Point: Your belief about the afterlife will impact how you live today; how you live today impacts how you experience the afterlife.

Scripture References: Colossians 3:1; 1 Thess. 4:13-14; 1 Cor. 15:42-43; Revelation 21:1, 10, 23; 22:1-3, 12; Romans 8:19-23; Matthew 19:27-29

Bible Study      

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was Romans 8:19-23. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

  • Context: Discuss the context of this passage (Use the Bible Overview to learn the context) 

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage? What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was the author’s original intent in this passage? What main point(s) was he trying to communicate, and why is that important? 

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you would like to discuss?

Discussion Questions

  • What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon and why?

  • When you think about heaven, what's one thing you envision?

  • Read the following 5 passages as a group. Revelation 21:1, 10, 23; Revelation 22:1–3, 12 

    • What words or phrases stick out to you about the Heaven that is to come? 

    • What is one thing you look forward to about the Heaven that is to come? 

  • Jesus is going to bring Heaven down to the new earth, what's something about life on earth that you hope carries over into heaven? Why? (ex. Sunsets, Your Favorite meal) 

  • Many of us believe in life after death and think of going to heaven. However, it's not until Jesus's return and our physical resurrection that we will fully enjoy the new heaven and new earth. Do you spend more time thinking about what happens immediately after death, or what happens when Jesus returns and there is a bodily resurrection?

  • Pastor Matt ended his sermon with an illustration of our life on earth compared to eternity.  As followers of Christ, what are the consequences of only focusing on the red part of the rope, which represents your current life on earth, instead of keeping your eyes focused on heaven? 

  • We’ve all heard the phrase, “You only live once.” But what if we considered the phrase, “You only live forever.” How would our lives change if we embraced that phrase?

  • What are practical ways that we can live today to make sure we are focusing only on living forever?

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.