Resurrection Significance
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· 13 viewsEaster, Resurrection, Restoration, Redemption
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Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Resurrection Day!
Resurrection Day!
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
All of history hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
It is the single most important event since time began
It is the turning point in the history of mankind
it is the turning point
it is the turning point
Until the bodily resurrection of Jesus, Satan thought he was prevailing
He had managed to crucify Jesus… burying and sealing the body in a tomb guarded by Roman soldiers
Since the Garden of Eden, sin has marred and permeated all of creation
since the Garden of eden, sin has marred and permeated creation
The resurrection changed everything
Suddenly, Satan realizes he has been defeated
The title of the message this morning is “Resurrection Significance”
We will be looking at together to learn about the incredible impact the resurrection has had
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
1 cor 15:1-
Paul lays the foundation of the gospel with three simple - and profound - statements ()
It is the single most important event since time began
it is the
it is the turning point
until that point, satan seemed to be prevailing
Jesus died for our sins (according to the Scriptures)
He died for the sins of the whole world
since the Garden of eden, sin has marred and permeated creation
Jesus was buried
Why is it important to state that he was buried?
The disciples knew he was dead… he was prepared for burial… he was buried
They were devastated but there was no question in any of their minds whether he was actually dead
Jesus was raised on the third day (according to the Scriptures)
Jesus was raised on the third day (according to the Scriptures)
Since the disciples knew Jesus had been dead, it was not difficult for the them to believe that Jesus was resurrected…
God
Any lingering questions about his death would have been amplified with His resurrection
Jesus was not raised like Lazarus… and other people who came back to life
Only a short time earlier (within several weeks), Lazarus was raised from the dead… in a mortal body!
Only a short time earlier (within several weeks), Lazarus was raised from the dead…
This is an important distinction…
Did Lazarus die again? Did the others die again?
Jesus had a resurrected body…
Jesus was the first human to be resurrected..
Jesus had a resurrected body…
He was not limited with human limitations…
He never died again!
Paul lists multiple appearances of Jesus to various people as a way of establishing the authenticity of the resurrection… including a group of 500.
Not all of these appearances are corroborated in the gospel accounts, and not all those recorded in the gospels are listed
Resurrection of the Dead
Resurrection of the Dead
Resurrection of the Dead
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
1 Corinthians 15:
Some so-called believers, possibly in Corinth, were saying there isn’t a resurrection…
Paul emphatically refutes by listing seven reasons why the resurrection is critical to the church in Corinth (and all other churches as well)
If Jesus didn’t resurrect - raise from the dead - we have a problem, a BIG problem!
If there isn’t a resurrection, Jesus is still dead! ()
If Jesus is still dead, our preaching is in vain / useless / a waste of time ()
Our preaching is vain
If Jesus didn’t resurrect, your faith is vain / useless / a complete waste of time / futile (, )
)
If Jesus didn’t resurrect, we are liars / false witness against God / misrepresenting God ()
If Jesus is still dead, we are unforgiven - we are still in our sins ()
If Jesus didn’t resurrect, everyone who has died in the past are eternally lost ()
If Jesus didn’t resurrect, Christians are the most miserable and pitiful people on planet earth ()
By making these statements about the negative consequences of Christ not being resurrected, Paul makes a compelling case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:20-
Jesus Christ was, in fact, the first human being to be resurrected and take on a resurrected immortal body
Firstfruits = references and the Feast of Unleavened Bread after Passover… the day after the Sabbath… where they were to bring the first sheaf of grain and offer it to the Lord…
Jesus rose from the grave on that very day!
He was the firstfruit of the resurrection… for everyone who had previously died
Through Adam (a man) came death… through Jesus (a man) comes the resurrection
At the end of time, Jesus will deliver His kingdom (the church) to God the Father…
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
A logical conclusion is that if there is no afterlife, we may as well indulge and enjoy life as much as we can today
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
At the same time, Paul warns that this is a lie… and Christians need to wake up
1 cor 15:12-
The Resurrection Body
it is the turning point
The Resurrection Body
The Resurrection Body
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
I don’t believe it is a coincidence that Jesus was resurrected in the spring...
Spring is the time when the things that appeared dead burst forth with life… flowers, leaves on trees, grass
:35-
Death is essential to resurrection… resurrection is impossible without death occuring first
Paul uses the example of the seed… when we put a kernel of corn or grain of wheat or acorn in the ground, that thing that was planted ceases to exist (it dies) and a very different green chute comes up through the ground and develops into a plant very different from - yet derived from that tiny seed
Our resurrected bodies will be derived from our mortal bodies, but they will also be distinctly different - exactly how, we don’t know
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
:41-
This is a paragraph of contrasts...
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
Perishable / imperishable
1 Cor 15:
Weakness / Power
Natural body / Spiritual body
First Adam / Last Adam
Living Being / Life-giving Spirit
Spiritual / Natural
Man of dust / man from heaven
We HAVE borne the image of Adam [the man of dust], we SHALL also bear the image of Jesus [the man of heaven]
until that point, satan seemed to be prevailing
Resurrection Victory
Resurrection Victory
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
:50-
Flesh and blood [our mortal bodies] cannot inherit the kingdom of God...
Paul reveals a secret / a mystery… Whether we are alive or dead at that point in time, WE SHALL BE CHANGED into a resurrected body
the trumpet sounds, and the graves will open and the bodies will be resurrected with immortal bodies
our earthly bodies [perishable] must put on eternal bodies [imperishable]… our mortal bodies that die must put on immortality (never dies)
When that happens… DEATH is swallowed up in victory!!
The fear of death will be eliminated
Paul concludes: THANKS be to God… who gives us the victory through our RESURRECTED Lord Jesus Christ@
God gives us… PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE… is giving, will continue to give… us the victory!
The last verse has been a favorite verse for many years…
be steadfast & immovable (on the resurrection)…
always abounding in the work of the Lord…
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain!
What an encouraging reality to keep on keeping on… it is not wasted effort…
The Resurrection and Restoration
The Resurrection and Restoration
:50-53
The Resurrection and Restoration
The Resurrection and Restoration
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The more I study scripture, the more I realize and understand that God restores!
Sin has broken this world in so many ways
Yet, in that brokenness, God reaches down and restores people to a better place if they only look to him for their help
A furniture restorer takes an old and often valuable piece of broken furniture and carefully strips off the old finish down to the raw wood, replaces missing or broken pieces - careful to match to the wood and grain, glues joints to make the piece solid, and finally re-finishes the piece… when completed, it looks as good as new!
Our next door neighbor in Arkansas, Ace Downes, had a body shop and he enjoyed restoring old vehicles. He restored an antique car or truck for each of his children for their 16th birthday… he would remove everything down to the very frame, removing rust and paint, repainting, and piece by piece, meticulously putting the vehicle back together. The result was an incredibly beautiful piece of artwork… glistening chrome bumpers and trim, a flawless paint job in which you could see your reflection, relentless attention to interior detail...
God created a perfect world — out of chaos… it was formless and void — and he placed Adam and Eve in this perfect paradise
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
They had perfect harmony and relationship with God Himself
Nature was perfect… wildlife wasn’t wild, but perfectly tame and at peace with each other and with Adam and Eve
There was no such thing as pain, no problems, no anger, no disappointments, no hurts… it was perfection in every way
Then Adam and Eve sinned against God - they broke this perfect environment, and all of creation suffered because of this
the relationship with God was broken
death and suffering became reality
Weeds, thistles, thorns came into existence
Animals became wild and violent
BUT GOD… didn’t forsake His creation… He worked in and through specific people to carry out a plan to restore and redeem
Through Noah, God brought salvation to his family even as the rest of the world was destroyed by a flood because of the wickedness in the world
God made a covenant with Abraham to select a group of people to bless and to work through to carry out the plan of redemption and restoration
Through judges, prophets, and kings, God worked throughout the Old Testament
At a point in history when the world is chaotic (and so far from perfection), Jesus comes!
His incarnation… is miraculous… God becoming man - on this sin-filled planet
His life was unremarkable in many ways in that we know very little until the last three years of his life
After three years of public ministry, he is falsely accused, convicted, beaten, and tortured
Then crucified
buried
and resurrected… before ascending back to the Father
In all of this, the RESURRECTION is the key…
Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God - a radically different reality than anytime before in history
Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God -
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is first MAJOR step we see what God is doing… HE is restoring...
The church is the visible expression of the Kingdom of God here and now… that is us!
The Kingdom of Satan continues as well… but there is now a clear distinction between the two kingdoms
REpent = turning away from
REdemption = purchasing back / saving from
REsurrection = coming back to life / immortality
REstoration = restoring to its original state
At the end of time…
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The Kingdom of Satan continues as well… but there is now a clear distinction
:
the kingdom of Satan will have a “resurrection of judgement” () and there will be eternal damnation
the kingdom of God will have a “resurrection of life” … eternal life… a restoration complete
A restoration of the original creation… without sin… in a state of complete perfection
The reason for the drastic movement toward God’s original purpose is because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and the resurrection
The reason for the drastic movement toward God’s original purpose is because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and the resurrection
REsurrection = coming back to life / immortality
REsurrection = coming back to life / immortality
REpentance = turning away from
REpent = turning away from
since the Garden of eden, sin has marred and permeated creation
REdemption = purchasing back / saving from
REdemption = purchasing back / saving from
REjoicing = a joy because relationship mended
REjoicing = a joy because relationship mended
REstoration = restoring to its original state
God
REstoration = taking back to its original state
REstoration = restoring to its original state
Repentence
Redemption
Rejoicing
Restoration
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Creation itself is described as “eagerly longing” … being set free from its bondage … groaning together
REsurrection = coming back to life / immortality
REpentance = turning away from
REdemption = purchasing back / saving from
REjoicing = a joy because relationship mended
REstoration = restoring to its original state
17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
Redemption of our bodies… not resurrection… and yet, it seems he is referring to our glorified immortal resurrected bodies… the ultimate redemption
God restores! He redeems… purchases back
Redemption for our sins on the cross is the first step of redemption… but redemption is not completed until our bodies are redeemed with immortal bodies
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
I believe this description points to an earth restored to perfection… where DEATH no longer exisits… where the resurrection has been ultimately fulfilled
BEHOLD I AM MAKING ALL THINGS NEW…
also has a beautiful description of a new heaven and new earth … restored
In conclusion -
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews