The Hope and Reality of Heaven: Life After Death

Devotional

Day 1: God is the God of the Living, Not the Dead

Jesus reveals that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living, and that to Him, all are alive. This means that the story of each person continues beyond death, and our relationship with God is not ended by the grave. The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—are still alive to God, witnessing the ongoing fulfillment of His promises. Death is not the end, but a transition into a new chapter with God, where the adventure and relationship continue. This truth gives hope and assurance that our lives have eternal significance and that God’s promises are never cut short by death. [12:58]

Luke 20:37-38 (ESV)
"But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him."

Reflection:
How does knowing that your story with God continues beyond death change the way you approach your daily life and relationships today?

Day 2: Heaven is a Place of Freedom and Equality

In heaven, the oppressive structures and inequalities of this world are overturned. Jesus teaches that in the resurrection, there is no marriage as we know it, and no one is given in marriage—meaning that the systems that treated women as property or perpetuated inequality are abolished. Heaven is a place where all are free, where no one is owned or oppressed, and where each person is valued as a child of God. This vision invites us to imagine a future where justice, equality, and freedom are fully realized, and to long for a world where everyone is treated with dignity. [18:43]

Luke 20:34-36 (ESV)
"And Jesus said to them, 'The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.'"

Reflection:
Where do you see inequality or oppression in your community, and how might you work toward freedom and dignity for all, inspired by the hope of heaven?

Day 3: Our Resurrection is Bodily—Bodies Matter to God

The resurrection is not a disembodied existence, but a renewal of our physical bodies. God created our bodies, Jesus was raised in the body, and heaven is described as a place where we eat, drink, touch, and use all our senses. This affirms the goodness of creation and the importance of caring for our bodies and the bodies of others. In heaven, our bodies are renewed for full enjoyment of God’s creation, and we are invited to imagine a future where we are whole, energetic, and fully alive. [22:26]

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV)
"So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."

Reflection:
What is one way you can honor and care for your body—or the bodies of others—today, knowing that God values our physical selves?

Day 4: Heaven is Centered on God’s Presence and Relationship

Heaven is not just a place of endless activity or pleasure, but a place where God is at the center and our relationship with Him is fully realized. Whether pictured as a throne room, a banquet, or a city, the heart of heaven is living in God’s presence, seeing Him face to face, and discovering new depths of His love each day. This vision calls us to center our lives on God now, worshiping Him not only in church but in our daily actions and relationships, anticipating the day when we will know Him more fully. [26:09]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV)
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection:
What is one practical way you can center your day on God’s presence, inviting Him into your routines and relationships?

Day 5: Living Toward Heaven—Working for God’s Will on Earth

Because we know the reality of heaven—a place of justice, peace, equality, and wholeness—we are called to live toward that vision here and now. Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and to work for justice, care for the physical needs of others, and make this world more like the place to which we are going. Our hope in heaven inspires us to feed the hungry, house the homeless, and heal the sick, embodying God’s love and hope in tangible ways today. [28:47]

Matthew 6:10 (ESV)
"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Reflection:
What is one concrete action you can take this week to help make your community more like the vision of heaven—where all are cared for and God’s will is done?

Sermon Summary

Today’s worship centers on the hope and promise of resurrection, the reality of heaven, and how these truths shape our lives here and now. We began by acknowledging our need for God’s mercy, confessing our sins, and receiving the assurance of forgiveness—a reminder that our story with God is always one of grace and new beginnings.

Reflecting on Jesus’ encounter with the Sadducees, we see how skepticism about resurrection is not new. The Sadducees, unable to imagine a reality beyond the structures and limitations of this world, tried to trap Jesus with a question about marriage in the afterlife. Jesus’ response reveals that the life to come is not simply an extension of this life’s customs and hierarchies. In the resurrection, the oppressive systems that have defined so much of human experience—like women being treated as property—are abolished. Instead, all are made equal, like angels, as children of the resurrection.

This vision of heaven is not one of boredom or endless repetition, but of vibrant, embodied life. Jesus affirms that our bodies matter, that resurrection is not a disembodied existence but a renewal of creation itself. Heaven is a place of play, adventure, and ongoing story—a place where our relationships with God and one another continue and deepen. The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob—are alive to God, their stories ongoing, their relationships with God unbroken by death.

Heaven is centered on God’s presence. It is a place of justice, equality, and freedom from oppression. There, every tear is wiped away, and God dwells with us. This hope is not just for the future; it shapes how we live today. We are called to work for justice, care for the physical needs of others, and center our lives on God, striving to make earth more like heaven. Our hope in resurrection and life after death gives us courage and purpose, guiding us to live with compassion, generosity, and a vision for God’s kingdom here and now.

Key Takeaways

1. Heaven Transcends Earthly Structures Heaven is not bound by the customs, hierarchies, or injustices of this world. Jesus reveals that oppressive systems—like treating women as property—have no place in the resurrection. In God’s kingdom, all are equal, free, and beloved. This challenges us to imagine a reality beyond our current limitations and to work for justice and equality even now. [18:43]
2. Resurrection Affirms the Value of Our Bodies The resurrection is not a disembodied spiritual existence, but a renewal of our physical selves. God created our bodies, values them, and will restore them. This truth calls us to honor our bodies and the bodies of others, caring for physical needs and celebrating the goodness of creation. Our hope is not escape from the world, but its transformation. [22:13]
3. The Story with God Continues Death is not the end of our story with God. The patriarchs are alive to God, witnessing the ongoing fulfillment of God’s promises. Heaven is a place of continued relationship, growth, and adventure. Our lives are part of a larger narrative that God is still writing, and this gives us hope and purpose beyond the grave. [23:33]
4. Hope in Heaven Shapes Life on Earth Knowing the reality of heaven calls us to live differently now. We pray and work for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven—pursuing justice, caring for the vulnerable, and centering our lives on God. Our hope in resurrection empowers us to act with courage, compassion, and generosity, making this world more like the world to come. [27:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:53] - Online Worship and Connection
[04:28] - Commitment Sunday and Announcements
[04:59] - Confession and Forgiveness
[11:40] - Gospel Reading: The Sadducees’ Question
[13:20] - Growing Up Among Different Faiths
[14:27] - Debating the Trinity and Sincere Questions
[15:23] - The Sadducees’ Ridicule of Resurrection
[17:07] - Jesus’ Vision of Heaven
[18:43] - Freedom and Equality in the Resurrection
[19:46] - Imagining Heaven: Common Questions
[21:42] - Glimpses of Heaven from Jesus
[22:13] - Resurrection of the Body
[23:33] - The Ongoing Story with God
[25:50] - Heaven Centered on God’s Presence
[27:52] - Living Toward Heaven on Earth
[29:38] - Closing Blessing and Hymn

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 20:27-38 (ESV) — Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. And the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”
And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV) — And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Observation Questions

What question do the Sadducees ask Jesus, and what is their attitude behind the question? (Luke 20:27-33; [15:23])
How does Jesus describe relationships and life in the resurrection? (Luke 20:34-36; [17:38])
According to Jesus, what is the significance of God being called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? (Luke 20:37-38; [23:33])
In Revelation 21, what are some of the promises about life in God’s presence? (Revelation 21:3-4; [26:09])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Sadducees struggled to imagine a reality beyond the customs and structures of this world? ([16:49])
Jesus says that in the resurrection, people are “like angels” and “children of God.” What does this suggest about equality and freedom in heaven? ([18:43])
The sermon mentions that heaven is not a place of endless boredom, but of vibrant, embodied life. How does this challenge or affirm your previous ideas about heaven? ([22:13])
The ongoing story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is highlighted as continuing with God. What does this say about our relationship with God after death? ([23:33])

Application Questions

The sermon points out that oppressive systems, like treating women as property, have no place in heaven. Are there systems or attitudes in your own life or community that you feel called to challenge or change in light of this vision? ([18:43])
Jesus affirms the value of our bodies and the goodness of creation. What is one practical way you can honor your own body or care for the physical needs of others this week? ([22:13])
The idea that our story with God continues after death can bring hope. How does this perspective affect the way you view your current struggles or disappointments? ([23:33])
The sermon says, “Heaven is centered on God’s presence.” What is one way you can center your life more on God this week, both in worship and in daily routines? ([27:35])
“We pray and work for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What is one specific act of justice, compassion, or generosity you feel prompted to do in your neighborhood or church? ([27:52])
The pastor described heaven as a place of play, adventure, and ongoing story. Is there an area of your life where you need to recover a sense of joy, play, or hope? What step could you take toward that this week? ([22:52])
The sermon encourages us to let the hope of resurrection guide our living. Is there a decision or challenge you’re facing where you need courage or hope? How might the promise of resurrection shape your response? ([29:38])

Sermon Clips

And then Jesus says that God is the God of the living. And he name-drops the patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and even Moses. And I don't know if you caught this one little phrase. He says that to God, all of them are alive. That means their story continues. Their relationship with God continues. [00:23:22] (24 seconds) #KnowingGodMore

When we think of heaven and the resurrection, so often our imagination stalls out. We think that the story comes to an end, that there's no more adventure, there's no more forward movement, there's nothing new. And that's why we worry that heaven might be boring. But that's what death is. Death is the ending. Death is when everything stops. Death is when the story's over. And death is anathema, anathema to God. There is no place for death in God because God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. [00:24:23] (36 seconds) #HeavenIsJustice

The one consistent thing in scripture about heaven is that it is centered on the person of God. Whether it's a picture of a throne room where the angels worship the Lord or a banquet table where Jesus sits at the host, heaven is where God is front and center and our relationship with God is fully realized. Here we know in part, we see in part, but then we will see face to face. [00:25:47] (29 seconds) #ServingLikeHeaven

In heaven, God dries every tear. Death is no more. And God lives with us. Revelation talks about heaven being like a city, the new city of Jerusalem coming down from heaven. But in the new Jerusalem, there's no temple in the center of the city because God is there in the center living with his people, walking with us. [00:26:15] (24 seconds) #HeavenBoundHope

Finally, we will know God fully, or maybe more accurately, we will live fully in God's presence and get to know God more each day. I don't think we can ever know God fully because we are creature and he is creator, but every day he will be new to us, every morning as we explore some new facet of who God is. [00:26:39] (21 seconds)

And because we know these things about heaven, we know how to live toward heaven today. What do we pray every Sunday? God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So let's be heavenly-minded here on earth in this life, working for justice and peace and equality for all people today because we know that's the reality of heaven. [00:27:46] (27 seconds)

We are heaven-bound. Jesus has died on the cross for our sins to forgive us and pave the way to heaven. The Father has adopted us as his own children and he has prepared a place for each one of us. [00:29:02] (15 seconds)

There is a heaven. There is life after death. There is resurrection. There is more to this world than we can see and touch right now. And that gives us hope. Let that hope fill your heart. And let that hope guide your living. [00:29:32] (22 seconds)

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