Five Minutes After We Die

Five Minutes After We Die... Luke 16:19-31

1. Heb.9:27 says, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."

It is a scientific fact that someday you and I and everyone who lives will die.

Our hearts will stop beating and blood will stop coursing through our bodies.

2. Millions of people will die this year in the U.S.A. alone.

3. Few subjects interest men more than life after death.

Most people have considered the question of the ages found in Job 14:14, "If a man dies, shall he live again?"

4. The question we must ask of ourselves today is:

What will happen to me five minutes after I die?

The only place we can find an accurate answer to our question is in the Word of God.

Let's learn five realities of what happens after we die.

I. Five Minutes after We Die We will Still Be Alive.
A. Both Lazarus and the Rich Man Experienced Life After Death.

1. Often this passage is referred to as a parable,

2. The "rich man" had a life of luxury.

3. "Lazarus" on the other hand was "a beggar."

4. Both died and received different types of burial.
B. All People Experience Death.

1. Death is the GREAT EQUALIZER. It is no respecter of persons.

2. Death is PERSONAL. It will happen to you. It will happen to me.

3. Death is CERTAIN. You can't avoid it. It will come!

4. Death is SURPRISING. Very few people plan to die. It just happens.

Sometimes it happens when we least expect it.

C. All People Experience Life After Death.

1. For those who have been saved by Jesus Christ, 2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2. The Apostle Paul said of his own life in Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

3. Moses and Elijah were OT believers and we see they were alive and well at the Mt. of Transfiguration in the NT in

Mt 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4. Heb.12:1 tells us of a "great cloud of witnesses" that surround us.

These are faithful believers who have gone on to be with the Lord.

5. Yes, true believers live on after death in heaven.

However, those who refuse Christ live on in judgment.

Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

D. Death is not Extinction, but Separation.

1. Adam, in the day he ate the forbidden fruit died. Physically he didn't die until 900 years later. The day he ate of the fruit, he was separated from God.

2. Mankind has been separated from God by sin. People w/o Christ are dead while they live. Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened,(made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins;

II. Five Minutes After We Die We Shall be Conscious.

A. The Rich Man and Lazarus were Conscious.

1. In vv.24-26, the rich man was conscious.

2. Lazarus, on the other hand was comforted "in Abraham's bosom."
B. After Death, we are Conscious of our PAST.

1. Abraham reminded the rich man of the "good things" he received in his life.

However all the "good things," the material wealth of this age will be worthless in eternity.

2. Someone who ignores this message today may remember it for eternity!

C. After Death, we are Conscious of our PRESENT.

1. The rich man begged for a drop of "water" to ease his torment.

Lazarus enjoyed the peace, forgiveness and joy of heaven.

2. The roles are reversed. The rich man has become the beggar,

Lazarus has become the rich man .

III. Five Minutes After We Die We Shall be with Christ.

A. Lazarus was Escorted into Heaven by Angels (v.22).

1. The Bible suggests that believers have guardian angels.

Perhaps their last duty is to escort us home.

B. At Death, Believers will be Escorted into the Presence of Jesus.

1. Jesus said to the thief on the cross Lu 23:43, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

2. Let me ask you the most important question of life. If you were to die today, do you know FOR CERTAIN that you would go to heaven?
IV. Five Minutes After We Die Our Earthly Opportunities will be Gone Forever.

A. The Rich Man wanted to Send Someone Back to Speak to His Brothers.

He knew his destiny was sealed.

B. Our Opportunity to WITNESS for Christ will be Gone.

C. Our Opportunity to GROW in Christ will be Gone.

D. Our Opportunity to SERVE Christ will be Gone.

V. Five Minutes After We Die Our Destinies will be Fixed For Eternity.

A. The Rich Man and Lazarus were Eternally Separated. v.26 (a great gulf)

1. The rich man would have given everything at this point.

B. Our Eternal Destinies Hinge on our Choice about Jesus.

Conclusion: Five minutes after we die, we shall be alive; we will be conscious.

Our destinies will be fixed for eternity. Are You Ready?