What Happens When You Die?

As we journey into the next day together, you may ask in the context of eternity: what does all of this mean for me? At the end of my life, what happens with everything I have achieved? If I know where I am ending up, why try in the meantime?

Why move beyond “enough,” enough acts of kindness, enough good deeds, and a good enough life? Because we have been invited to a better way of living. A Holy way.

Let’s get started.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Scripture tells us that if you have placed your hope in Jesus, you will stand before him and give an account at the end of your life. Maybe you read that statement with an excited expectation, or maybe you feel anxious under the weight of what it is you will have to say. 

The Lord is a righteous judge. He is not corrupted by culture or swayed by experience. He is perfect. Think of what that means for you. The weight of that revelation is not just a reminder of who He is but what is in store for us. 

The scripture we read together is not about punishment for sins but recompense, a reward for godliness, born out of grace. Maybe you read that and find that motive to be selfish. Why should my godliness be rewarded? What does that mean for my motive?

Stick with us here; there is good news around the corner.

Everything we are, everything we have, and everything we will be is because of the grace of God. All that we are is not a result of our natural abilities or talents but rather good gifts given by a perfect Father.

In Colossians 1:17, Paul unveils an incredible mystery, writing: To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Walking in the spirit means we will do the things of the spirit (See Galatians 5), living our lives aimed toward giving God the glory he deserves. His gifts, His glory. 

John paints a picture in Revelation 4 of this Heavenly reward system. 

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

     and by your will they were created

     and have their being.”

Revelation 4:9-11

Because God is a good God, he longs to reward us for how we have lived for him on earth. But we are not to take our rewards and file them away to a holy trophy room. They are not a keepsake for a life well lived for the kingdom. We will cast them at his feet.

He gives us our gifts.

We give him glory.

He crowns our head.

We cast them at his feet.

If you are in Christ, when you stand before his throne, what do you want to offer? 

Acts of kindness? Obligation? Insincerity? 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

1 Corinthians 9:24-24

The invitation for us today is to lace up our shoes and run our race well. Not for a fading medal, but an eternal reward. Run to when for the biggest crown you can get so that you can lay the biggest worship at the feet of the savior of the world.