Kitchen Table Theology
Where Coffee, Conversation, and Theology Meet. During my 40 years in ministry, I’ve developed an increasing burden for what I sense to be an increase in biblical illiteracy, not only among those in our churches, but also in the young men and women entering the ministry. Conversely, I am hopeful, because I also sense a hunger from people to learn and know biblical truth and the things of God has revealed to us in Scripture. Our Kitchen Table Theology team has developed a list of over 150 doctrinal topics which I, along with one of my cohosts, Jen Denton or Tiffany Coker, examine weekly. Our goal is to educate and share biblical truth on the same level as if we were sitting at your kitchen table with a Bible and a pot of southern pecan coffee in front of us. Welcome to the table!
Kitchen Table Theology
095 Bonus Q&A
What happens when we die? Do I need to be a missionary in order to obey The Great Commission? On this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Jen Denton take a break for a special bonus episode of answering your questions.
[00:01] What Happens Immediately After a Believer Dies?
- In a previous podcast, it was mentioned that at the rapture Jesus will raise the dead. So where are the dead right now?
- When a believer dies they enter the intermediate state
- The time in which the soul of that believer exists between physical death and the resurrection of the body
- What is the Intermediate State?
- Upon death, the spirit of the believer goes immediately to be with the Lord (Ecc 12:7)
- The believer goes to be with Christ at death. entering into Christ's presence (Luke 23:43, 2 Cor 5:8)
- Believers are in a state of awareness and consciousness in the intermediate state (Mark 12:27)
- Not the believers' final reward (Revelation 6:9-10)
- After we die with the Lord, we are also blessed (Rev 14:13)
- A place of waiting and a place of activity (Rev 7:15)
- a state of holiness(Rev 7:14)
- We will never truly know until we are there (2 Cor 12:2-4)
[10:50] Is the Great Commission for Everyone?
- In Matthew 28:19 Jesus instructs His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. Is this only a call to the mission field to other nations? Or is this a call to each one as God has given the relevant gifts and the Holy Spirit to make disciples even in our local churches?
- In Matt 28: 16-20 Jesus tells His disciples to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey the commands of Christ
- What the early Christians did in obedience to this commandment
- The Great Commission is for all believers
[19:25] Closing Up
- If you were stranded on an island, what 3 books would you want to have with you?
- See the links below for books mentioned!
- Tune in next week for our continuation of Eschatology
Key Quotes
“Jesus never made the Great Commission and exclusive commission. It's for all of us.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston
Resources Mentioned
- Desiring God by John Piper
- A History of the English-Speaking Peoples by Winston S. Churchill
- Frank W. Boreham
- The Guardian: Growing as an Enneagram 6 by Elisabeth Bennett
Join the Conversation
We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today’s episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org
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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!