How Do I Prepare for Death? Spiritual Preparations

Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind Episode: How Do I Prepare for Death? Spiritual Preparations
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Speaker: Dr. Guy Waters
Date: August 27, 2025

Overview

This episode of Renewing Your Mind focuses on the vital topic of preparing spiritually for death. Dr. Guy Waters delivers a thoughtful and biblically grounded message on how Christians should approach the end of life, not just in the final weeks or months, but as a lifelong practice woven into the pursuit of faithful Christian living. Through five key principles, Waters urges believers to set their minds on eternity, deepen their union with Christ, cherish fellowship, and keep their eyes fixed on the hope of heaven.

“Living the Christian life well is the best way to prepare yourself for death whenever it comes.” – Guy Waters (01:22)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Attending to the Means of Grace (01:20)

Regular Public Worship: Waters stresses the importance of worship as a primary means by which God prepares His people for death.
- Worship involves reading and preaching the Word, singing biblical hymns and psalms, and prayer.
- The weekly rhythm of worship is both a source of spiritual rest and a reminder of the eternal rest that awaits believers:
  
  “There remains, then, Hebrews tells us in chapter four at verse nine, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” (01:48)
Necessity of Spiritual Nourishment: Just as we need daily food, we need regular spiritual input to stay healthy and strong for whatever lies ahead:

“We need that regular diet of the ministry of the Word of God to keep us spiritually well and healthy, not least to ground us as we prepare for death and as we look to our heavenly hope.” (03:33)

2. Commuting with Jesus Christ (06:07)

Union with Christ: The assurance of gain in death is rooted in living in Christ now—"to live is Christ, to die is gain" (Philippians 1).
- Fellowship with Christ is described as ongoing, daily communion, anchored in faith rather than self-confidence.
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit: The indwelling Spirit is evidence of union with Christ and the guarantee of resurrection.
- Spiritual signs include a “mindset of the Spirit” and a life shaped by the Spirit (Romans 8).
Living by Faith: Not in self, but openly dependent on Christ:

“Paul does not say I live by faith in myself. I do not put faith in faith. My faith is in Christ.” (10:31)
Assurance in Resurrection: The Spirit who raised Christ will also raise believers, ensuring inner renewal is one day matched by bodily resurrection:

“If the Spirit is at work in you now, God always finishes what he starts. He will see the work through to its completion.” (15:02)

3. Enjoying Fellowship with God’s People (16:10)

Pilgrim Community: Hebrews emphasizes the journeying nature of the church, encouraging mutual help and accountability:
- Christians are to “stir one another up to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another...” (Hebrews 10:24, 16:32).
Worship and Fellowship: Weekly gathering is both for worship and encouragement, with a heightened awareness as “the day drawing near.”
- The communal aspect is likened to traveling together, lightening both the burdens and enjoying shared joys:
  
  “Traveling in a group is much more enjoyable. You share the burdens and the joys that come with travel, and that’s what God has called us to do. We travel together heavenward.” (18:28)

4. Holding This World Loosely (19:21)

Redefining Our Relationship to the World: Christians are “strangers and exiles,” no longer bound to the fallen world but awaiting restoration.
- The world is transitory and was “never designed to be permanent,” whereas God offers “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12).
Biblical Perspective: The impermanence of the world should help Christians let go and hope for something better:

“Don’t try to grasp onto something that was never designed to be permanent when God has something far better in store for you.” (22:10)
Thomas Boston’s Insight: Living here is compared to living in a diseased house; there are sorrows in letting go, but greater gain ahead.

5. Thinking Often of Heaven (23:28)

Heavenly Citizenship: Philippians 3:20—our true home is heaven, and our hearts should long for it.
Pilgrim Longing: The natural desire for home surpasses even the best of earthly enjoyments. Waters shares a personal analogy:

“It has never once occurred to me to pick up the phone, call my wife, and say, I’m not coming home. ...I want to be home. And that’s the heartbeat of every Christian.” (24:47)
Contrast with the World: Heaven is everything the fallen world is not—imperishable, undefiled, and utterly satisfying.

“Fellowship in that assembly is wonderful. No sin, only holiness and joy in the Lord. And of course, the best thing of all is that we enter straight into the presence of God to be with our Savior.” (00:00, 26:05) “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness. When I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.” (Psalm 17, 25:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Centrality of Worship:
“The most important thing we do is to gather together with God's people to worship our God.” (02:22)
On Living by Faith:
“I live by faith. And notice Paul does not say I live by faith in myself. I do not put faith in faith. My faith is in Christ.” (10:31)
On the Assurance of the Resurrection:
“If the Spirit is at work in you now, God always finishes what he starts.” (15:02)
On Believers as Pilgrims:
“We are a pilgrim people and we are on our way to our heavenly home.” (16:13)
On Loosening Ties with the World:
“The world in that sense has only hindered our fellowship with God, our service and love to God.” (21:16)
On Longing for Heaven:
“You're not going to find satisfaction in this world. You have satisfaction in Christ, and that's what awaits you after death.” (25:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Opening & Theme Statement: (00:00–01:05)
1. Attend to Means of Grace (Worship): (01:06–06:03)
2. Commune with Jesus Christ (Union and Spirit): (06:04–16:08)
3. Fellowship with God’s People: (16:09–19:20)
4. Hold the World Loosely: (19:21–23:27)
5. Think Often of Heaven: (23:28–26:05)

Episode Tone and Language

Dr. Waters’ delivery is pastoral, biblically rich, and comforting, blending theological depth with practical wisdom. The teaching is accessible for everyday Christians yet rooted in classic Reformed insights. The tone throughout is hopeful, urging listeners not to fear death but to anticipate it as a passage to ultimate joy in the presence of the Lord.

Conclusion

This episode draws on scripture, church history, and personal reflection to equip believers for the reality of death—not as a grim end, but as the culmination of a life shaped by faith in Christ, fellowship with His people, and hope in a lasting inheritance. Dr. Waters’ five principles offer a spiritual roadmap for Christians to live—and die—well, with eyes fixed on Jesus and the home that awaits.

For further resources, listeners are encouraged to consult Guy Waters’ series Facing the Last Enemy and to reflect anew on what it means to be “citizens of heaven.”