“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15:14
Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die, I risk my whole eternity on the resurrection.” -Charles Suprgeon via @SpurgeonBooks
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.” -Philippians 3:21
Often when we are racked with pain and unable to think or worship, we feel that this indeed is “the body of our humiliation,” and when we are tempted by the passions which rise from the flesh we do not think the word vile at all too vigorous a translation. Our bodies humble us; and that is about the best thing they do for us. Oh, that we were duly lowly, because our bodies ally us with animals and even link us with the dust!
But our Savior, the Lord Jesus, shall change all this. We shall be fashioned like His own body of glory. This will take place in all who believe in Jesus. By faith their souls have been transformed, and their bodies will undergo such a renewal as shall fit them for their regenerated spirits. How soon this grand transformation will happen we cannot tell; but the thought of it should help us to bear the trials of today and all the woes of the flesh. In a little while we shall be as Jesus now is. No more aching brows, no more swollen limbs, no more dim eyes, no more fainting hearts. The old man shall be no more a bundle of infirmities, nor the sick man a mass of agony. “Like unto his glorious body.” What an expression! Even our flesh shall rest in hope of such a resurrection!
[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.” -Philippians 3:21
Often when we are racked with pain and unable to think or worship, we feel that this indeed is “the body of our humiliation,” and when we are tempted by the passions which rise from the flesh we do not think the word vile at all too vigorous a translation. Our bodies humble us; and that is about the best thing they do for us. Oh, that we were duly lowly, because our bodies ally us with animals and even link us with the dust!
But our Savior, the Lord Jesus, shall change all this. We shall be fashioned like His own body of glory. This will take place in all who believe in Jesus. By faith their souls have been transformed, and their bodies will undergo such a renewal as shall fit them for their regenerated spirits. How soon this grand transformation will happen we cannot tell; but the thought of it should help us to bear the trials of today and all the woes of the flesh. In a little while we shall be as Jesus now is. No more aching brows, no more swollen limbs, no more dim eyes, no more fainting hearts. The old man shall be no more a bundle of infirmities, nor the sick man a mass of agony. “Like unto his glorious body.” What an expression! Even our flesh shall rest in hope of such a resurrection!
[from Morning & Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves.” -Ezekiel 37:13
Indeed it must be so: those who receive life from the dead are sure to recognize the hand of the Lord in such a resurrection. This is the greatest and most remarkable of all changes that a man can undergo—to be brought out of the grave of spiritual death and made to rejoice in the light and liberty of spiritual life. None could work this but the living God, the Lord and giver of life.
Ah, me! How well do I remember when I was lying in the valley full of dry bones, as dry as any of them! Blessed was the day when free and sovereign grace sent the man of God to prophesy upon me! Glory be to God for the stirring which that word of faith caused among the dry bones. More blessed still was that heavenly breath from the four winds which made me live! Now know I the quickening Spirit of the ever-living Jehovah, Truly Jehovah is the living God, for He made me live. My new life even in its pinings and sorrowings is clear proof to me that the Lord can kill and make alive. He is the only God. He is all that is great, gracious, and glorious, and my quickened soul adores Him as the great I AM. All glory be unto His sacred name! As long as I live I will praise Him.
[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,” -1 Peter 1:3-4
“I’m not suffering from anything that a good resurrection cannot fix.” –D.A. Carson
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain…” -Hebrews 6:19
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. -John 20:13-14
The first witness to the Resurrection of Christ was Mary Magdalene, a woman whose life had been transformed (7 demons had previously possessed her) and who greatly loved the Lord Jesus Christ.
We see her weeping at the tomb of Jesus. There is no thought of God in her mind at this point. Death had brought her despondency. Her mind rushed to a quick judgment and wrong perceptions.
Our vision is often blurred like Mary Magdalene’s and we don’t see the big picture.
When you lose sight of Christ in your life, you will start making bad judgments. Your life will be out of focus. When you lose sight of God’s sovereignty, you will suffer. Are you looking beyond the cross and the grave? -excerpts from Pastor Steve Wainright’s Sunday Evening Sermon
“So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. 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.” -John 19:42-20:1
We left off in chapter 19 of John’s Gospel where death had come and we read of the burial of Christ. But as chapter 19 does not end the gospel, even so, death does not end eternal life! –excerpt from Pastor Steve Wainright’s Sunday Evening Sermon
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” -1 Corinthians 15:17-20
Genesis ends with Joseph’s death. Deuteronomy ends with Moses’ death. Joshua ends with Joshua’s death. Gospels end with Jesus’ resurrection. And that changes everything. —Tony Merida
New Life Baptist Church 