Sermon Summary: “The Resurrection Life” (Mark 12:18 –27)

Preached by Coleton Segars

Introduction: You Can Learn a Lot from an Argument

Coleton began with a story about a moment of conflict in his front yard—when someone yelled at his wife, and he immediately stepped in to defend her. His point was simple but powerful: you can learn a lot from an argument.

That’s true in life, and it’s true in Scripture. The argument between Jesus and the Sadducees in Mark 12 shows us a lot—not just about them, but about how our own beliefs about the resurrection shape the way we live today.

In this passage, the Sadducees—religious leaders who didn’t believe in resurrection—try to trap Jesus with a clever theological puzzle. They present an absurd story of a woman who marries seven brothers (following the Levirate law in Deuteronomy). Each brother dies without leaving children, and then they ask:

“At the resurrection, whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?” (Mark 12:23 )

They aren’t sincerely curious. They’re mocking the idea of resurrection.

But Jesus’ response reveals two deep truths about life after death—and why those truths matter more than we realize.

1. How We View the Resurrection Shapes How We Live

“Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” — Mark 12:24

Coleton explained that the Sadducees’ disbelief in the resurrection shaped everything about their lives. Verse 18 says they were known as “those who say there is no resurrection.”

Because they believed this life was all there is, they lived for this life only: chasing after wealth, status, and power. They looked down on others. They thought Jesus was foolish for believing in something beyond the grave.

Jesus told them they were badly mistaken—but their mistake wasn’t just intellectual. It was moral and spiritual. Their disbelief formed the foundation of how they lived.

Coleton showed that this is always true:

 What we believe about life after death determines how we live this life.

He illustrated it with examples from history and world religions:

Vikings believed dying bravely in battle led to glory in Valhalla—so they lived without fear.

Certain Islamic traditions taught that dying in holy war brought heavenly rewards.

Hinduism believe reincarnation depends on one’s karma—so kindness and duty matter deeply in this life.

Even for us, our view of the afterlife quietly directs how we spend our time, our money, and our energy.

Coleton then described four common ways people misunderstand or misbelieve the resurrection today:

“Never think about it” – Like the Sadducees, we live as if this world is all there is. “You only live once,” so grab what you can.

“Think about it too much” – Some see this world as disposable and stop caring about God’s purposes to renew it.

“It won’t be better” – Fear of the unknown or of death keeps us from living courageously like Paul, who said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.”

“Everyone goes to the same afterlife” – This leads to apathy about the gospel and the Great Commission.

Coleton’s conclusion was sobering:

“Our current life is shaped by how we view the life to come.”

So how should we view it?

1. Life After Death Is True for Everyone—Whether They Believe It or Not

“‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” — Mark 12:26 –27

The Sadducees didn’t believe in resurrection, angels, or spirits. They only accepted the first five books of Moses as authoritative. So Jesus met them on their own ground—quoting from Exodus, one of Moses’ books—to prove that even there, resurrection is implied.

When God said, “I am the God of Abraham…”, He used the present tense. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been dead for centuries—but God said He is their God, not was. That means they are alive to Him even now.

Jesus’ argument is brilliant—and undeniable:

 Resurrection life is real, and it’s true for everyone, believer or not.

Coleton tied this to John 5:24 –29, where Jesus says that one day all the dead will rise—some to eternal life, others to judgment. There is no “sleep of nothingness.” Everyone will live again.

That truth should stir two responses in us:

Urgency to share Jesus.



 “If you truly believe everyone will rise—either to life or judgment—you’ll want to tell people about Jesus.”



 Coleton asked, “Do you have people in your life who don’t know Him?” If we believe in a real resurrection, we can’t stay silent.

A call to make Jesus compelling.



 “Is the way you follow Jesus making Him beautiful or unappealing?”



 He warned that if Christians live joyless, judgmental, bitter lives, our witness turns people away from Jesus. Paul, though suffering, radiated peace and joy that made others want to know his Savior.



 The question Coleton pressed was:

 “Is your life a reason people would want to know Jesus—or a reason they’d want to reject Him?”

1. Life After Death Will Be Better Than We Can Imagine

“When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” — Mark 12:25

The Sadducees mocked the idea of resurrection by pointing out how complicated relationships would become. But Jesus’ response essentially says: “You’re assuming heaven works like earth—but it doesn’t.”

Coleton explained that Jesus isn’t attacking marriage. He’s saying that in the resurrection, all the brokenness and limitations of this life—our relationships, bodies, and systems—will be transformed.

He quoted several theologians to help make the point:

Mark Strauss:



 “Jesus does not claim that the intimacy of earthly relationships will be discontinued in eternity. He only says there will be no need for the institution of marriage… all relationships will exist on an even higher plane.”

D.A. Carson:



 “The greatness of the changes at the resurrection will make the wife of seven brothers capable of loving them all… like a mother loves all her children.”

Jesus’ main point:

 You think you’ll face problems in the life to come—but you won’t. It will be better than you can possibly imagine.

Coleton addressed the common fears people have about eternity:

The fear of forever (apeirophobia)

The fear of boredom (thinking heaven will be dull or repetitive)

The fear of losing relationships

But Jesus says we’ll be “like the angels”—not in form, but in fulfillment. Angels are fully satisfied in God. They sing not because they must, but because they want to. They’ve found the source of joy, meaning, and love—and they never tire of it.

Coleton quoted David Guzik:

“If it seems that life in the resurrection doesn’t include some pleasures of life on earth, it’s only because the satisfactions of heaven far surpass what we know here. No one will be disappointed with the arrangements.”

And Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:9:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”

CS Lewis put it beautifully:

“This life is only the cover and title page. Now begins Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever, in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

Coleton then told the story of the Christians during the plagues in ancient Rome. While the rich fled the cities, Christians stayed to care for the sick—even though many died doing so.

Why? Because they believed in the resurrection. They knew death wasn’t the end—it was the doorway.

“This belief freed them,” Coleton said. “They didn’t pursue death, but they weren’t enslaved by fear of it either.”

If we lived with that same confidence in the resurrection—believing the next life is better than we can imagine—we would live with joy, courage, and resilience in this one.

Conclusion: The Resurrection That Changes Everything

Everything Coleton said comes back to this:

 How you view life after death will shape how you live right now.

If you believe there is no resurrection, you’ll live for this life only.

If you believe there is one—but forget it’s better—you’ll live in fear.

But if you believe in the resurrection Jesus promised—real, physical, glorious, and eternal—you’ll live with purpose, peace, and courage.

Jesus has accomplished this for us in His death and resurrection.

“If Christ has not been raised, our faith is useless… But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17 –23

Because He lives, so will we.

Discussion Questions

How does your current view of life after death shape the way you live right now—your priorities, goals, and fears?

Which of the four modern “views” of the afterlife that Coleton described do you relate to most? Why?

How could believing that the resurrection is true for everyone change how you share your faith and how you live before others?

When you think about eternity, what fears or doubts arise—and how do Jesus’ words in Mark 12:24 –27 address them?

If you truly believed that the life to come is “better than you can imagine,” what would change in the way you approach suffering, relationships, and daily life?