Sermon-based Study Guide Sermon: I AM God of the Living. (Matthew 22:23-33) Sermon Series: If I should die before I wake SERMON SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY Question: What is our hope for the immediate hereafter? About the Lord and His children God is alive and eternal; so too His children. In fellowship with Christ now remain in fellowship then. God has the power to sustain life without end. Help for today Know Scripture. Remember the power of God. (God s love). God keeps His own. LET S REVIEW 1. What are 1 or 2 key truths you take away from this sermon? What questions do I have? I hope you will take time to write down some questions you have related to this subject. It would be great if you would send those questions in to the pastoral team. Chances are others may have similar questions. We will do our best to respond to you but also, we hope to respond to a few questions during our regular worship service too; for the benefit of all. Page 1 of 8
DIGGING DEEPER 1. Background. Read Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Exodus 3:1-6. 2. Human souls survive death. Read Psalm 16:10-11; 73:24; Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8. Describe what you notice about the human soul? By his writing it is clear the Psalmist assumes he will be with the Lord, in the Lord s presence when he dies; that is when his earthly life is over. Jesus, in speaking to the thief on the cross, says today, and with me, both are important. This speaks both to timing and also to fellowship with Jesus Christ. Paul, likewise is convinced he will be in fellowship with Christ, immediately hereafter. I believe the human person survives physical death; and I believe the human soul is capable of unending, conscious, existence. I believe the human soul departs from the human earthly body after death but remains conscious. I do not believe in soul sleep (a state of unconsciousness) after death, either for a follower of Jesus Christ or a person who rejects Him. I understand scripture uses the word sleep in speaking of death (Jer. 51:38; 57; Matt. 27:52; Acts 7:60; 13:36; 1 Cor. 15:6, 19, 20, 51); however, I believe the use of the word sleep applies to the human earthly body and physical death of each person (John 11:1-16). 3. God s power. Read Romans 1:20; 8:37-39; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 13:4; Ephesians 1:15-23; Numbers 14:21, 28; Revelation 4:9-10. Name at least 2 attributes or characteristics of God s power. There are quite a few descriptors or characteristics of God s power here; however a few strong themes come to the fore. The Lord continually, although I have only cited a few passages here, makes statements prefaced by the phrase, as I live. In this way we can understand God s power is rooted in His eternality. Another strong theme is God s love. Knowing love is a choice for God as it is for humans; God s love can be understood as God s will His decision His benevolent acts towards His children. In this way we understand God s power is rooted in His will. There are other themes as well which are well worth discussing and exploring. God s power is made evident visible in the raising of Jesus; in the sustaining of His elect; and later in the resurrection, New Heaven and New Earth. Page 2 of 8
4. What about people who reject Jesus Christ? Read Hebrews 9:27; Luke 16:19-31. I am most certain this question will arise in the discussion of the intermediate state. We touch on it only briefly here. It must be dually noted the sermon text does not speak about those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ. In point of fact, we must be very careful in this area of discussion, because the Bible speaks about those who specifically reject the Lord Jesus Christ. We can be certain, through reading Scripture about the plight of those who reject Him. One truth is certain, at the point after death, the future thereafter of every person is permanent. Eternal. There is no further opportunity for a change. Purgatory is not taught in scripture. I believe Jesus Christ is the One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 9:12; 10:14). I believe He administers His judgment upon each person at the time of their death (Heb. 9:27) based on each person s acceptance or rejection of Him as Lord and Savior. Christ s judgment determines each person s destiny in eternity (both the intermediate and eternal state). The parable of the rich man and Lazarus as it is commonly referred to is not in actuality about the intermediate state. However, it is very commonly referenced in this area of discussion. The main thrust of this parable is pointing out human stubbornness and receptivity (or lack thereof) to the gospel message. This is a very rudimentary summary. However, some information can be gleaned from Jesus parable, as long as we take this as implication rather than specific, absolute fact. The implications of this parable would include the aforementioned point, that there is no possibility for salvation after death; all people survive death and are immediately in a state of blessedness or horror. There are other implications which can be drawn from this text, however, I include it here to highlight the need for caution as much as to drawn any implications. MY LIFE 1. Am I open to God s word to inform my mind and change me? Describe how you plan to learn scripture. 2. Describe how you plan to remember the power of God s love; and how you plan to live it. 3. Praise: Sing praises to the keeper of your soul. Page 3 of 8
SEMC Statement of faith Article # THE RESURRECTION We believe Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead. All, believers and unbelievers, will be raised from the dead as well, the believers to the resurrection of life and the unbelievers to the resurrection of condemnation. We also believe that people already enter the eternal state at the time of death. The righteous go into the presence of their Lord and the unrighteous into conscious suffering (Dan.12:2; Luke 16:19-31; 23:43; John 5:28, 29; 20:20, 24-29; Acts 24:15; I Cor.15; Phil.1:19-26; Rev.20:11-15). SEMC Vision We envision an environment of openness with God and each other, - as we gather. becoming more like Jesus, - as we grow. being missionaries where we live and around the world, - as we go. (unabridged version) SEMC is a safe place where people gather in Jesus name. A place of openness and freedom to give and receive love and care, to share and pray with one another. We express ourselves to God honestly and we are willing to be changed by Him. We will grow as disciples becoming more like Jesus as we pursue spiritual maturity based on the Bible. We will go to our families, to our communities, and around the world, to share the love, forgiveness and grace of Jesus; and live each day with honesty, integrity, and boldness through the power of the Holy Spirit. Page 4 of 8
Word Study Died: (x11 in NT); (figurative extensions of meaning of τελευτάω to end and τελευτή end, not occurring in the NT) to come to the end of one s life, as a euphemistic expression for death to die, death. i Scriptures: (1) writing; (2) in the NT only of sacred writing scripture; used to designate the Scripture(s) as a whole or any particular part or single passage ii ; Holy Scriptures plural (also used in the singular); means all of scripture in its entirety and also the parts of scripture; Power of God: (C) Spoken of God, the Messiah, the great power of God, meaning His almighty energy iii - see scripture links Resurrection: (x4 in sermon text alone) standing; rising; to come back to life after having once died to come back to life, to live again, to be resurrected, resurrection. iv In a number of languages there is a difficulty involved in formulating some expression for resurrection or living again, since such a phrase may refer to what is technically known as metempsychosis, that is to say, the rebirth of the soul in another existence, a belief which is widely held in a number of areas of south Asia. This problem may be avoided in some languages by speaking of his body will live again or his body will come back to life or he will be the same person when he lives again. v Angel: An angel, a celestial messenger, a being superior to man. God is represented as surrounded by a host of beings of a higher order than man. These He uses as His messengers and agents in administering the affairs of the world and in promoting the welfare of humans vi Heaven: (singular or plural; there seems to be no semantic distinction in NT literature between the singular and plural forms): the supernatural dwelling place of God and other heavenly beings (οὐρανός b also contains a component denoting that which is above or in the sky, but the element of abode is evidently more significant than location above the earth) heaven. vii The phrase τρίτος οὐρανός the third heaven is a fixed phrase referring to the abode of God (ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ (a man) who was caught up as far as the third heaven 2 Cor 12.2), but in a number of languages it is extremely difficult to speak of the third heaven, especially if one uses a term for heaven which is the abode of God. Therefore, in many instances τρίτος οὐρανός is translated as heaven or the abode of God, and if necessary, a footnote may be added in order to indicate the literal meaning of the Greek expression. If a literal rendering is employed, it is usually equivalent to the third sky or above two degrees of sky. viii Living: In the sense of to exist, in an absolute sense and without end, now and hereafter, to live forever, of human beings (Matt. 22:32, God is not a God of the dead, but of the living ones ix Page 5 of 8
Text Study (Here are various Bible translations of the passage.) English Standard New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update The New International The New Revised Standard The Message 23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 23 On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, 23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 23 The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 23 That same day, Sadducees approached him. This is the party that denies any possibility of resurrection. 24 saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 24 asking, Teacher, Moses said, If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother. 24 Teacher, they said, Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 24 Teacher, Moses said, If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother. 24 They asked, Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies childless, his brother is obligated to marry his widow and get her with child. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. 25 Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. 25 Here s a case where there were seven brothers. The first brother married and died, leaving no child, and his wife passed to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 26 so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 26 The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. 26 The second brother also left her childless, then the third and on and on, all seven. 27 After them all, the woman died. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 27 Finally, the woman died. 27 Last of all, the woman herself died. 27 Eventually the wife died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her? 28 In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her. 28 Now here s our question: At the resurrection, whose wife is she? She was a wife to each of them. 29 But Jesus answered them, 29 But Jesus answered and said 29 Jesus replied, You are in error 29 Jesus answered them, 29 Jesus answered, You re Page 6 of 8
English Standard New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update The New International The New Revised Standard The Message You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. to them, You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. off base on two counts: You don t know your Bibles, and you don t know how God works. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 30 At the resurrection we re beyond marriage. As with the angels, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 31 But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 31 But about the resurrection of the dead have you not read what God said to you, 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, 31 And regarding your speculation on whether the dead are raised or not, don t you read your Bibles? The grammar is clear: God says, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living. 32 I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead but of the living. 32 I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is God not of the dead, but of the living. 32 I am not was the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. The living God defines himself not as the God of dead men, but of the living. 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. 33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. 33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching. 33 Hearing this exchange the crowd was much impressed. Page 7 of 8
Endnotes NT New Testament i Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996, c1989). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament : Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (1:264). New York: United Bible societies. NT New Testament ii Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. (2000). Vol. 4: Analytical lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Baker's Greek New Testament library (101). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books. iii Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G1411). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. iv Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996, c1989). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament : Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (1:261). New York: United Bible societies. v Ibid. vi Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). NT New Testament vii Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996, c1989). viii Ibidl. ix Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). Page 8 of 8