Death is not a popular subject to talk about… nor is it a comfortable subject for many people. But scripture gives us hope in the fact that we can have freedom from death.

What are some ways that people show that they think they will live forever?

Each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. —Hebrews 9:27 (NLT)

What is this passage saying?

Our Creator did not make us to simply die. He made us for life and fellowship with Him forever.Paul spends some time explaining this in 1 Corinthians 15.

 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. —1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NLT)

What does Paul consider “most important”?… Why?

If our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. —1 Corinthians 15:19 (NLT)

Why is this true?

Near the end of this chapter, Paul comes to the climax of his argument. We can have victory over death.

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. —1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (NLT)

What do you notice here?
In what ways do you think we will be changed?

We often look at death as a bad thing, but for the Christian it’s a good thing. We are not properly equipped to enter the kingdom of God in our current condition. These bodies we have cannot inherit eternal life.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” —1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NLT)

What does it mean that the “sting” of death is taken away?

Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. —1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NLT)

What you do in this life matters. What you do for the Lord is never in vain. In fact, it echos into eternity and not even death can stop it.

How might this impact how you live today?