Life after death right?
Did you know that Jesus, as reported by John, actually gives a direct and bold definition of what he means by eternal life?
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3
What is eternal life? Knowing (the word of deep relationship) God.
This is what disciples of Jesus experience.
Discipleship is real relationship now for the benefit of now.
In discipleship – real relationship we learn to abide in Jesus (John 15).
So what does this have to do with life after death? The well known and beloved John 3:16 does tell us that one of the major implications of this eternal life (knowing God) would be that we would not perish.
This, of course, is not merely an add on. It’s the reality that when we come to know God now, the death of our bodies cannot interrupt that relationship. It continues when our bodies lay in the ground and yet we are ‘with the Lord.’ It certainly continues when he returns and we’re raised to new life.
But it starts now.
What Jesus came to do is about now – which extends into forever.
Eternal life is going on now. The question is whether we’re a part of it.
Going Deeper 
Very nicely stated, Dan! You are definitely gifted by God!
One small typo I noticed below:
“It [eternal life] continues when our bodies lay in the ground” might better be stated, “It continues when our bodies lie in the ground.”
It was super to worship with you in your sanctuary last Sunday!
Richard