Basic Questions About Death, Part 2

In this part of the sermon: For those prepared to die, their souls go immediately and consciously into the presence of God, Christ, and other redeemed spirits. This is supported by Jesus' promise to the…

A young preacher struggles to comfort a dying old saint. The saint, sensing his awkwardness, tells him, 'young man, stop troubling yourself. In a very short time, I'm just going to cross over the river, and my father owns the land on both sides.' This illustrates the immediate conscious presence of the redeemed soul with God after death.

that I've listened to many times, and I may have shared this incident, but it bears repetition because I've listened to the sermon at least four or five times, and each time I hear the incident, I either shout or weep. The young preacher was by the bedside of an old, mature saint who was struggling with her remaining moment. It was evident that the moment of her death was drawing near. Her breathing was becoming more labored.

32:04 - 32:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: For those prepared to die, their souls go immediately and consciously into the presence of God, Christ, and other redeemed spirits. This is supported by Jesus' promise to the…

Martin quotes John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, describing Christian and Hopeful entering the river of death, finding ground to stand, and being met by two shining men on the other side. This allegory illustrates the temporary separation of body and soul at death and the immediate conscious entrance of the redeemed into God's presence, without their 'mortal garments.'

Of the river and surely John Bunyan had it straight did he not when in his immortal allegory he describes Christian and hopeful entering the river of death and in that description he says and with that Christian broke out with a loud voice. Oh I see him again and he tells me when thou passes through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee. Then they both took courage and the enemy was after that is still as a stone until they were gone over the river.

33:34 - 34:14 Read in full sermon

The point: Look at the hands that you now possess. Look at them. Fold them and feel. Touch your ears. Be conscious of your physical constitution. Think of the most intense pain you've ever known. Think of the most intense grief you…

Martin instructs the congregation to look at their hands, touch their ears, and recall the most intense physical pain and emotional grief they have ever known. This serves as an analogy to help them grasp the unspeakable, exquisite torment of hell for those unprepared to die, contrasting it with the glory of heaven.

Ushered into the eternal joys of heaven or cast into the torments of hell forever. I want every person here, I can't force you, but I urge you, look at the hands that you now possess. Look at them. Fold them and feel.

52:55 - 53:20 Read in full sermon

Driving home: and I saw that there was a way to hell from the very gate.

Martin references John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, where Christian's burden rolls down at the cross and sepulcher. This illustrates that the sinner's acceptance before God is grounded in Christ's work alone, leading to an exclamation of blessing for the one who died there.

the same shall be saved. Dear people, if you think you're going to find an easy way to heaven, an easier way than old John Bunyan set out in his Pilgrim's Progress, you're deluding yourself. For John Bunyan had soaked his soul in his Bible in those years in a Bedford jail. And while in his Pilgrim's Progress he has some of the most beautiful teaching on the great reality that the sinner's acceptance before God is grounded in the work of Christ alone, it is only when he beholds the cross and the sepulcher

73:24 - 74:09 Read in full sermon

Driving home: and I saw that there was a way to hell from the very gate.

Martin refers to Bunyan's character 'Talkative,' who knew all the doctrine but never had his heart changed. This illustrates that intellectual assent to doctrine without a renewed nature is insufficient for salvation.

unless you have a renewed nature from God by the Spirit of Christ, you are a mere talkative. You see, talkative knew all the doctrine of imputed righteousness. He knew the doctrine of original sin. He knew the doctrine of justification.

74:52 - 75:09 Read in full sermon

Driving home: and I saw that there was a way to hell from the very gate.

Martin refers to Bunyan's character 'Mr. Facing Both Ways,' who had the appearance of being a Christian but loved something more than Jesus. This illustrates that a persevering attachment to Christ, not mere outward profession, is necessary for entering heaven.

The problem was, he never had his heart changed. And certainly Bunyan knew of no way to the celestial city other than that of persevering attachment to Christ in spite of all opposition. He doesn't describe Mr. Facing both ways as a man who crosses the river and enters heaven.

75:09 - 75:35 Read in full sermon