Sermon nuggets Thur March 27, 2008
Theme – Easter Benefits
Verses John 5:28-30 "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Our Resurrection
Another Easter benefit is the confidence of our personal resurrection. -But maybe not. Yes, there is a time when Jesus returns and at his return all believers will rise again. But notice in this teaching on the resurrection unbelievers will rise to life again too. Believers will be for eternal blessing and joy in heaven with God. The Bible teaches elsewhere that most others will rise to eternal condemnation and hell.
Other religions will teach about an afterlife. Many teach about the continuation of the soul, or reincarnation in various forms, but the doctrine of the bodily resurrection is unique to Jesus’ teaching. The body will rise again, not in its corruptible form, nor in any of the limitations of this earth. We will have new bodies. The way Scripture portrays it, there will be an opening of the graves, as His tomb was opened. No need to concern yourself with cremation or Christians who were eaten by lions or cannibals or all the other questions that some people ponder. God will bring to life, physical life again, all people. Jesus is coming again, there is no question about it.
But, why would Jesus say, “those who have done good will rise to life, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”? Hasn’t the teaching of Jesus been clear that it is faith, belief and receiving Christ? What place does “done good” or “done evil” have in our living or condemnation?
Let me answer in two ways. First in the next chapter Jesus gives us His answer, John 6:28-29 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." That is pretty simple and straightforward. Faith is the works!
Secondly, we are told in further Biblical teaching we will be judged in two parts-faith and works. There is, I believe, a temporary heaven. I have just been reading “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn who prefers to use that term than “paradise”. This intermediate place is clearly reserved for people of faith. Later, according to 1 Thess 4 and Revelations and other places in the Bible, Jesus will return and the bodily resurrection will result to judgment based on our works. We are saved by faith. But where we go immediately after death is a judgment of what we have done with Christ. And so we are with the Lord immediately as people of faith, or hades is where the unsaved souls go. You could call this an intermediate hell, I suppose. But our bodies do not come out of their graves until Jesus returns. That will be a time for our rewards or our condemnation. But that is a study for a different time.
Jesus teaches we will rise again and He will be our judge. Now is the time to put our faith to action and knowing Christ results in serving Christ. There are two options with the resurrection. Jesus wants everyone to be sure they are ready today. If you are, then be encouraged. All those who are dead in Christ will rise again to live. Those who are dead to Christ will rise again to condemnation. Are you ready?
Pastor Dale.
