The Resurrection
-Introduction
-Last week, we considered the question, “What happens when a person dies?”
-This morning, we considered information regarding Jesus’ return.
-This evening, I would like to focus a little more on the topic of the resurrection.
-The Old Testament and the Topic of the Resurrection
-The topic of the resurrection was a topic of division amongst the Jewish leaders.
-The Pharisees believed in it while the Sadducees did not.
-Acts 23:6-8
-Note: The Sadducees were not the only ones to scoff at the idea of a
resurrection. There were others who did as well - i.e. Acts 17:16-18, 32.
-Obviously, the Jewish leaders had drawn different conclusions from the O.T.
-Even though the topic is not focused upon much in the O.T., it is still there.
-Job 19:26, Ps 17:15, Isa 26:19, Dan 12:2, Hos 13:14
-When Peter affirmed the resurrection of Jesus, he quoted from Ps 16 (Acts 2:27,31).
-Yet, when Jesus utilized the O.T. in making reference to the resurrection, He didn’t
refer to any of these passages.
-Matt 22:23, 29-34
-Exodus 6 - God had given indication of Abraham’s, Isaac’s and Jacob’s
continued existence after their deaths on earth. Had they not continued to exist,
God would have said, “I was” rather than “I am.”
-Notice the reaction of the people - Matt 22:33. They were astonished.
-“Indeed he taught them, not as their scribes, but as one who could speak with
authority. Jesus brought new truths from the Old Testament which the Jews
had not seen nor understood” (Boles, H. Leo, A Commentary on The Gospel
According to Matthew, Gospel Advocate Co, Nashville, TN, © 1976, pg 436).
-How many times have we read a passage (which we’ve ready numerous times
before) and then realized a truth within it with the words/thoughts “of course”?
-The New Testament and the Resurrection
-Of course, the topic of the resurrection is dealt with more directly and completely in the N.T.
-John 5:28-29
-Rev 20:11-13
-In this passage, death and Hades are personified.
-What had died? - the body
-The person had continued to exist spiritually.
-So, this passage shows that there will be a bodily resurrection and a uniting with the spirit.
-Phil 3:21
-Even though we cannot fully contemplate the scene which is portrayed, we should not
doubt it for it will take place through the “working” (KJV), “exertion of the power”
(NASB) of Jesus.
-1 John 3:1-2
-1 Corinthians 15
-1 Cor 15:1-19 - the resurrection of Jesus - fact not folly (notice vs 19)
-1 Cor 15:20-34 - In view of the coming resurrection, depart from sin & pursue righteousness.
-vs 20 - Jesus is the firstfruits. Therefore, there is a coming harvest for us.
-vs 34
-1 Corinthians 15:35-54 - physical body vs spiritual body
-vs 51-52
-dead raised incorruptible
-the living changed - “in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump...we shall be changed”
-Some scoff at this idea. Yet, where did they get their physical body? Clearly,
they wouldn’t scoff at the existence of the physical body. They shouldn’t scoff
at the idea of the spiritual body.
-1 Corinthians 15:55-58 - Victory for the faithful
-Summary and Invitation
-Following the resurrection, the Judgment Day will take place.
-Two options: spiritual life or spiritual death
-Rev 20:14-15 - second death - everlasting punishment
-Rev 21:27 - life - everlasting reward
-Are you ready?
-If you have not obeyed the Gospel, that’s where you must start: Believe (John 3:16, 8:24),
Confess Your Faith (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30),
Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Rom 6:3-4), Walk in Newness of Life (Rom 6:4, Eph 4:22-24)
-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, but haven’t remained faithful: Confess your short-
comings, repent of them and pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).