Good Hope Baptist Church

Decatur, Tennessee

What Happens When We Die?

Jesus — The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

The Way

Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). He carried His cross toward Calvary — at first bearing it Himself (John 19:17), and then receiving help from Simon of Cyrene when His strength failed (Matthew 27:32).

The cross never changed. His strength did.

Our “cross” is a cross of Love that we struggle with against sin in our human flesh (Romans 7:18–25). But God does not leave us alone:

• Christ has lifted the weight of our guilt (Isaiah 53:4–6).
• The Holy Spirit helps us daily (Romans 8:26).

The Love cross; Vertically, it is Love for God the Father; horizontally, it is Love for one another.

These are the two greatest commandments; to love the Lord your God with your whole heart, mind, sole, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31).

The Man of Love carried the cross of sin so the man of sin could carry the cross of love.

The Truth

Jesus truly died. He was buried (Matthew 27:59–60). He rested in the tomb (Luke 23:52–56). He did not ascend to the Father until after His resurrection (John 20:17).

Scripture teaches: “The dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Their thoughts perish (Psalm 146:4).

For the dead, time does not exist. Death is simply: Eyes closed… then eyes open to new life.

In His final breath, Jesus said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Our spirit rests safely with God until He calls us again (Job 14:12–15; Daniel 12:2).

The Life

When God calls, we will rise (John 5:28–29). We will open our eyes again. We will receive comfort, guidance, and a white robe (Revelation 7:9–14).

Just as the Old Testament saints rose after Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 27:52–53), so will all God’s people rise together (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

This is our hope. This is our faith. This is the promise of Jesus — the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Continue Your Study
Romans 3:23 Romans 5:8 Romans 10:9 Romans 10:13 Rev 20:11-15
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