November 23, 2025
Life After Death
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 12:18-27
And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”

I. Theological Error Exposed: Knowing Scripture Matters

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

When people neglect God’s Word, they walk in the dark.

II. Resurrection Reality Clarified: Heaven Is Different

Philippians 3:20–21
He will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.

III. God’s Identity Revealed: He Is the God of the Living

Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

The resurrection means real life now because God isn’t done with us yet.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I commit to studying God’s Word every day.
• I choose to allow the hope for my future to impact my outlook on life today.

Deep Dive

1. How can misunderstanding Scripture lead to theological and practical error?
2. Read Romans 6:5. How does being united with Christ in resurrection impact how we live right now?
3. How can we better reflect resurrection hope as individuals and as a church?

Springboard

1. Read John 1:14-18. What does it mean that Jesus “dwelt” among us?
2. Compare John 1:18 with Colossians 1:15. What do we learn about Jesus’ role in revealing God?
3. How can we bring Christ’s presence into our neighborhoods and workplaces?