Returning Home

Rebuilding by Faith

Ezra 1-2^[1]

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, September 30, 2012

We are studying through Ezra and Nehemiah, where the theme is Rebuilding by Faith. We saw last week that the reason Israel went into captivity in Babylon was because of their sin; God had promised to punish idolatry and disobedience. God was fulfilling His promises. The reason they came back out of captivity was that God loved His people, and was fulfilling His promises.

Today we will read through the first two chapters of Ezra and consider the concept of Returning Home.

The exiles returned in three waves…

·      Under Sheshbazzar in 536 (decree in 538) BC, recorded in Ezra 1-2

·      Under Ezra in 458 BC, recorded in Ezra 7

·      Under Nehemiah in 445 BC, recorded in Nehemiah 2

So this returning and rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem recorded in these two books took place in three phases which took around 90 years.

We're looking at the first wave of returnees who came with Sheshbazzar (a.k.a. Zerubbabel, 'a stranger in Babel')[2] today. Follow along as I read chapter 1.

[Read Ezra 1:1-11]. This first chapter has three portions; the proclamation, the preparation and separation, and the arrival.

The Proclamation. In fact, through both prophets the Isaiah and Jeremiah God had predicted the restoration of Israel to the land before the captivity of Israel! Listen to this…

Isaiah 44:28 who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.'"

Isaih 45:1-3 Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: "I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.

These prophecies were spoken and written approximately 150 years before Cyrus became king. Josephus wrote in his excellent Jewish Antiquities, 11:5-7 that Cyrus read the prophecy by Isaiah and was so impressed with the divine power to tell the future that he eagerly sought to fulfill what was written about him here.[3]

The Preparation and Separation. Notice how Cyrus had simply said, "Whoever is among you" (v 3), and the writer noted, "…everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem." This was a free will situation, not a mandatory return. These brothers and sisters willingly took up the long journey to a place that was burned down and desolate. It wasn't a romantic return to glory; it was a humbling, hard, long trip back to start with nothing at ground zero. They chose to take up this work to be identified with God, to renew the worship of the God of the heavens.

The separation was displayed in the vessels. Nebuchadnezzar had taken them away to his idolatrous house of worship in 586 BC, and evidently cut up some of them (2 Kings 24:13). To the tune of 5400 articles of gold and silver, Cyrus meticulously separated them and generously sent them back with the returning exiles. It makes me think of 2 Tim 2:20-21.

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

Everything in Cyrus' collection wasn't honorable! You see, God was calling Israel to return home to renew worshipping Him; their covenant worship was centered in the temple and on the sacrifices and offerings. The vessels were needed to offer sacrifice to God; of animals, incense, and bread.

When these vessels were taken away they had been only tokens of history. The common inhabitant of Jerusalem had not appreciated them. With the exception of Josiah, no kings in Judah had worshipped Jehovah as their God in Jerusalem for many decades. Josiah's grandfather Manasseh had been the worst idolater king ever; he had sacrificed many of his children to idols, and had 'filled Jerusalem from end to end with innocent blood'. When they were brought back they were carefully catalogued, transported, and stored until the temple was rebuilt – all 5400 of them. God had chastised His people, and in great humility they diligently cared for these vessels. And so they arrived in Judah. Let's move on to chapter 2. 

[Read Ezra 2:1-70] Zerubbabel is the governor and Jeshua is the priest. Notice how diligently the Jews kept records of their lineage! It wasn't this just for fun or for tax purposes; it was for proof of their heritage. Two groups were noted: ordinary Israelites and temple servants (priests and Levites, singers, general servants).

Without direct proof the priests and Levites couldn't serve God at the temple. They weren't outright rejected; they were told to wait until a priest could consult God with the stones of Urim and Thummim. These were the stones in the breastplate of the high priest, and how the he often sought direction from God. Thank God we have grace; we can't know a man or woman's heart; we have to accept their confession of faith. But we are required by God to judge fruit.

So the entire group who came home was numbered 49,697 people, with 8,136 animals. About these people.

When they had been in Israel before the captivity the people were defined by their idolatry, pride, and arrogance; all connected directly to their rejection of God's Word. When they came back they were humble, serious, and devoted to the worship of God. Why else would you travel the length of Syria, through what is Jordan, and into Jerusalem, a journey taking months through dangerous territory?

God knows His own. Neither a vast nation nor seven decades could hide God's people from His eyes. God was at work to bring them home. But what they came home to was only a shred of what they left, and work was ahead of them. Never again would they see the glory of the temple Solomon built, and the city of David as it had been.

But they came back to the place of The Name. This is where God had said Abraham's descendants would worship him. And they had returned to renew worshipping God. They were returning home.

Hard to get back once you've strayed. You don't realize what you're leaving, do you? But God sees, and has mercy. This was an entire cavalcade of humble prodigals! Folks, are we humbled at what we have as believers? They had returned. In Ezra 3-6 they will rebuild. Let's pray.

 

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] Ironside, H. A. Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther. United States, Loizeaux Brothers, 1905, 1913, 1914; 1941 combined edition

[3] As noted in the ESV Study Bible Notes on Isaiah 44:28

Act Like Men

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

1 Corinthians 16:12-24^[1]

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, August 26^th, 2012

Scriptures

12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

14 Let all that you do be done in love.

15 Now I urge you, brothers--you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints--

16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.

17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence,

18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.

19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.

20 All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

As Paul closes this letter, he gives the church at Corinth at least three things to take with them. 1) Some Fellowship Reminders, 2) Exhortation to Obedience, and 3) a Curse and a Blessing. Let's pray and then walk through these closing words of the Apostle, which our Lord has inspired.  So, first of all…

Vs 12-20 Some Fellowship Reminders:

Vs 12, 15-18 On Christian submission.  Apollos considered Paul an equal, it seems; he felt free to disagree with Paul. It might have been because of the immature practice of the Corinthians in comparing Paul to Apollos (1:11-13). Whatever the reason, Apollos chose his own time. There is a submission won out of superior strength. Admiral Nelson of the British Navy fighting off France in 1796 won a battle over a French officer. When the defeated opponent was brought into the presence of his enemy he strode boldly up to Nelson and held out his hand. Admiral Nelson stepped back and said, "Give me your sword and then I will take your hand." But the Christian submission is different; we submit to men who won our respect out of loving service, not superior strength. This is a different submission; one given as willing adults, not as conquered opponents. Maybe because they're considered equals, but Apollos rejected Paul's strong urging. On the other hand, in verses we are to be subject to such as Stephanas.

Vs 18 On Christian Recognition. See, acknowledge, and recognize those who serve faithfully. These are the ones you look to, as opposed to those who greatly desire to be looked to. Servants are putting others above themselves; we are free to recognize them. Selfish people only have their pride fed when we acknowledge them.
Vs 19-20 On Christian Unity and Love. Love and respect are obviously broader than the local church; unity was felt with believers in other cities - other churches, we would say today. We enjoy good unity with other evangelical churches in our city, brothers and sisters. We are also joined, through mission giving, basic beliefs, and through prayer with other churches in our association. We are also united with churches throughout the states of MN/WI. Whereas we aren't called to literally kiss the brothers and sisters, we are called to warmly greet them in our current manner, and to show Christian hospitality and love when we have opportunity. Those are the fellowship reminders that Paul brings out as he closes this letter. Now back to what I consider the meat of this passage…

v 13-14 An Exhortation to Obedience. This is nothing but a call to Christian character and virtue. Obey by faith, men! What do men act like? Who do you consider to be manly? Jesus Christ? Watching

Be watchful. Vigilant, awake. This phrase, throughout the NT, has to do with vigilance against spiritual enemies, and apathy and complacency; with persistence in prayer, and doctrinal accuracy against the labors of false teachers. In this letter Paul had already given the church in Corinth many warnings to consider, reproofs to take in, and corrections to be made in the church. Don't go to sleep on these - be awake! You have enemies – be watchful!

Stand firm in your faith. As JAM[2] says, stand firm in the truth of the faith, not just the trust of the faith. "The Faith" here is referring to the truth of the gospel, faith in Jesus Christ as belief, not just as trust. Stand firm in the truth of the gospel.

Act like men, be strong, show mature courage. This is the same sense that you get from reading Joshua 1:1-9 where God says to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous!" three times. In the context you could say that Joshua was to strengthen himself in the promises of God, the presence of God, and the power of God as he set out to obey God. It is similar here. Paul gave many commands and corrections in this book. So be strong, act like men, get about doing what you have to do!

Let all that you do be done in love. Now in our world this may seem to be out of place on this list! Be watchful, stand firm, act like men, do everything in love. Love? This is what our Lord did – everything courageously, and in love. There is no contradiction.

Vs 21-24 A Curse and A Blessing

If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. It is good to believe the gospel. Let's say a person answers the gospel test questions accurately, but has no affection for Jesus; is that saving faith? We can't assure him or her! According to Paul in chapter 13, Love is very important – more important than faith and hope. Cursed is the one who doesn't love Jesus! It is good to ask ourselves again today - do I love Jesus, the person, the Savior, the One who absorbed the wrath of God that I was due? And this while I fought against Him? Do I love this God who calls me to believe and follow Him? To hold fast to Him despite what others around me may do? 

The Grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. At the end of the day, this is what we need, isn't it? The grace of Jesus Christ! This is where we have hope, cleansing, life, forgiveness, and sonship – in the grace of Jesus Christ. Receiving all that we do not deserve through Jesus who deserved none of our punishment – but received it all! Help, strength, and life are here.

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Paul, despite his heated reproofs, loved this church. This closing reminds us that a struggling church isn't an unloved church. A sinful church isn't a rejected church - only a corrected church. Consequently, struggling believers aren't unloved believers. Isn't this good to know, to be reminded of?

As Paul closes this letter, he gives the church at Corinth at least three things to take with them. 1) Some Fellowship Reminders, 2) Exhortation to Obedience, and 3) a Curse and a Blessing.

Do these fellowship reminders help you?

Are you acting like men – courageous, and loving? Are you carrying out the words and the works of our Lord Jesus Christ – because you love Him? He certainly loves us!

Are you losing battles against sin? Will you receive the correction of those who love you enough to call you out on it? Will you humble yourself and respond rightly? The option is to harden your heart in defiance, to hold out against God's words to you.

 

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1 Corinthians. MacArthur, Chicago, Moody Press, 1984. Page 473

Christian Generosity

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

1 Corinthians 16:1-11^[1]

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, August 19^th, 2012

As we're going through 1 Corinthians I hope you are seeing this truth; God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness. It is a constant drumbeat, bass and snare, throughout this book. Unity. Holiness. Unity. Holiness. So far that has involved being unified in Christ over commitment to leaders, brokenness over sin and holiness in moral purity, unity in working out differences, holiness in marriage, holiness and unity against idolatry, unity in worship of God, holiness and unity concerning the resurrection of Christ.

Today, in chapter 16, we will see that God's people must be united and growing in holiness in another area of our lives… Christian Generosity. I'm gonna change things up from my normal routine of reading the text then outlining it; I want to give you the message statement, then go through the text itself in two portions. Here is the message of 1 Corinthians 16:1-11: Since God has been so generous to us, let us intentionally be generous to believers in need and ministers of the gospel. We will examine verses 1-4 on Christian Generosity to Believers in Need, and then verses 5-11 on Christian Generosity to Ministers of the Gospel. I warn you ahead of time that point one is much longer than point two, so don't get nervous when you see me finish point one late in the game, OK? Let's pray.

1 Corinthians 16:1-4 Christian Generosity to Believers in Need

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

What drove this offering: Christians in need, blessing those who bless us. A little history will help us get the context of these rather direct words.

Acts 11:27-30; Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Antioch heard of a coming need in Judea, and they by faith determined to send help to those saints in Jerusalem. Done. Paul will spell out to the Romans why Antioch did this.

Later on Paul decided to take another offering to Jerusalem, this time from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia. It seems the saints in Jerusalem were unusually poor; we don't know why. But we do know Paul's response.

Romans 15:25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.

Principle of giving: it is good for believers to share material goods with those from whom they receive spiritual goods. From the Jews came Jesus; from Jerusalem to Macedonia came the gospel. The call for help wasn't "You owe them!", but rather, "Let's help them while they're in need." Humility, gratitude, and unity were on display, weren't they? From 1 Cor 16 we know that Paul called the Corinthian church to give. Evidently it didn't get done, for we learn more in 2 Corinthians 8 about this offering.

8:1-4 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Paul is telling Corinth of the gracious, joyful generosity of the Macedonian churches. He has a reason; Corinth had yet to follow through on their giving.

8:10-11 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

Corinth had talked giving, had good intentions, but had not followed through. He is motivating them to do it. But lest they get to grumbling at their loss for Judea's gain…

8:13-15 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."

You see, Corinth was rich; Judea was poor. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

He showed both accountability and his intention to go on to Jerusalem himself. This he did; when this offering came to Judea, Paul was taken into custody. This eventually led to him being imprisoned in Rome, then, as I believe, beheaded there.

Acts 24:17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.

So we can look at this text, consider the context, and learn this; we should give generously out of our abundance to meet the needs of believers. With humility, gratitude, and unity. Jesus and James would question our love if we had the means to help a brother and did not. Jesus humbles us in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), about helping those you'd naturally disdain. Folks, the poor in our day and area are often poor out of laziness or some unhealthy dependence on alcohol or drugs. Often – not always. They are easy to naturally disdain. May God help us be supernaturally sensitive, and willing to err on the side of generosity. I try to verify the story and the need before I help someone with the church funds; and I check with other churches to see if they're hitting us all up. Sometimes I'll get played, even when I try to be diligent. Oh well; we err on the side of generosity. We don't give to support laziness and irresponsibility, but we humble ourselves, and give to those in true need. Let us do the same personally. James (2:14-17) warned us against telling a brother in need to "go, be warm, be filled", while doing nothing to help him do so. Do you remember who is the least of these that we help in Matt 25? Jesus. So we see Christian generosity to believers in need in verses 1-4.

1 Corinthians 16:5-11 Christian Generosity to Ministers of the Gospel

5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,

6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.

7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,

9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.

11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Listen to these phrases: "so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go", "Help him on his way in peace". To us this may sound a bit arrogant when Paul says "perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter". As I hope you've seen time after time in this book, Paul was not arrogant at all. In those days pastors, teachers, evangelists, and church starters traveled a good deal. People also traveled with messages or letters, as we see often in Paul's writings. These people were walking, camping, or staying with whoever would open their home to them in order to advance the gospel. Paul expected the church to show hospitality, and to fund their work of preaching Christ. It was normal.

You do well to support your gospel minister in this church; I am well blessed and very grateful; make sure you know that. Sincerely, I thank you.

Because we believe Jesus, and believe in a Christ-less eternity in hell is real as well, we would want others to hear that, right? That is right. It is why we budget the first portion of our church giving to missions – local, national, and international. We give faithfully as a church family, and I am grateful; I have a holy pride about your generosity.

This is also why we pray for missions weekly, and hear reports from those who have gone. Many of us give faithfully to the church, and then give above that to other gospel ministers, helping poor children, and various other gospel-sending works. God has given so much to us – how could we spend all that we earn on ourselves? Especially when we are so wealthy in America. By any standard, in any time, in any place – we are wealthy. And we are Christians. So in supporting gospel ministers in their labors, I say to you that you excel. With Paul's words to the Thessalonians on loving one another, I say to us all – may we excel still more! Generosity shows gratitude, humility, and promotes unity. It also shows that we believe God; we give out of faith. Are you a giver? Are you grateful for those who have told you of Christ? Are you living on less than you earn so you can support others in need, and in gospel ministry? Are you intentional?

Since God has been so generous to us, let us intentionally be generous to believers in need and ministers of the gospel.

Of course your generosity might be contingent upon one simple thing; have you repented of your sin, and received the grace, the forgiveness, the new life that comes through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Savior of all who believe? Let's pray.

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

Steadfast, Immovable, and Abounding in the Lord's Work

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

1 Corinthians 15:35-58^[1]

In Paul's day there were a few different thoughts about the afterlife that we might find helpful to know.

1) Many Jews from Greek backgrounds thought that their spirits or souls (both) were trapped in this earthly, sinful body of matter, and they would be immortal once they were free of it. Bodiless forever. This kind of connected with Gnosticism, dualism (matter = evil, spirit = good). Paul called this, "to be found naked", and obviously abhorred the idea (2 Cor 5:3).

2) Some believed that there would be a general resurrection; that God would indeed resurrect their bodies.

3) Some thought that their souls would simply die when their bodies did, ending their lives.

4) Romans and Greeks has all kinds of weird afterlife beliefs.

5) Paul came teaching, as had Jesus, John, and Peter, that there would be a complete resurrection – body, soul, and spirit.[2] Example: 1 Thess 5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was into such a crazy mix of beliefs that Paul marched with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth about the resurrection of Christ AND of the church. A complete resurrection.

1 Cor 15:35-58

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.

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.

Message: In full faith that Christ will resurrect you when He returns, leave your fears and devote yourself to fruitful, useful ministry on earth!

Now since Paul began this talk with a supposed question which he obviously was annoyed with (You foolish person!). Paul's not against questions, just… foolish ones. So…

V 54-58: Question #1: How can we devote ourselves to Christ's kingdom work when death hovers over us?

Answer: it does not. You will live. Death has been defeated. You will receive a new body.

V 51-53 Question #2: When will we get this new body?

Answer: a) after you die and sow the old one, and b) on the day of Christ's return!

Matt 24:31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

V 35-50 Question #3: What type of bodies will we have?

Answer: A new body, like that of Jesus after the resurrection, not like Adam's. Let's compare the bodies, just based on this text:

Present bodies are..

Natural, of the dust, mortal, perishable, sown in weakness, before the spiritual. Must die (be sown) in order to give way to the spiritual, new, resurrected body.

Resurrected bodies are…

Spiritual, immortal, imperishable, raised in power, given after the natural (death) is sown, of, in, and for heaven. It won't come to life unless it dies. It is not like what was sown. It will be as God has chosen; to each kind of seed it's own body.

Folks; let us neither worship nor disdain this body. Let us care for it wisely, but not put all of our hopes or confidence in this body. It is frail, weak, and it will pass. We will receive an eternal body!

Because of the Second, Superior Adam, we can know that we will live forever.

First Adam became a living being; Second Adam a life-giving spirit.

First Adam from earth, a man of dust: the Second Adam from heaven.

As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust. As is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven.

We have borne the image of the man of dust: we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. Which Adam are you in? Which Adam carries your hope?
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.

Folks, today isn't a day to shrink back because of building resistance and brewing rejection. Today isn't a day to play it safe; today is a day to live in Christ, to serve Christ, to remain steadfast despite the drift that opposes us. We don't have to. Our lives are hidden with Christ, in God.

Steadfast. Immovable. Your anchor holds, despite the currents or winds of doctrine. Christ has you anchored – if you're indeed tied to him. If you're just tied to church, boy – the winds and the waves of USA 2012 will seem very, very fierce indeed!

Instead of shrinking back we are always abounding. We are full-crop service. There will be fruit from the seeds we sow. When we sow our earthly bodies, then so be it.

We will experience a complete resurrection.

Well done! We look forward to putting on the spiritual, immortal, imperishable, raised in power body!

 

In full faith that Christ will resurrect you when He returns, leave your fears and devote yourself to fruitful, useful ministry on earth!

 

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2]Elwell, Walter A., Ed. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Baker, Grand Rapids, 2001. 1017-1019.

Do Not Be Deceived – He Has Been Raised!

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

1 Corinthians 15:20-34^[1]

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, August 5^th, 2012

Scriptures

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.

Christ has been raised: believe this truth, which gives such hope and such promise!

V 20-23 Christ has been raised – as the first of many.

Adam brought death, Christ brought life.

In Adam all die, in Christ all (who believe in and follow) live. One man brings death; one man brings victory over death. To be born in Adam is to be born under the curse, the lineage to whom all sin and death is due. To be born in Christ is to be born again, to life forever as God intended for mankind. Not all people – there is no 'universalism'; but all who are called, all who believe. We have to take v 23 with v 22. John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Look to this truth, church; Jesus has been raised, we also will be raised.

Christ has been raised as the first of many.

V 23-28 Christ has been raised – to lead and to hand over a kingdom.

He is the One sent to gather all whom God gives Him John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 10:28-29 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

Daniel 7:14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Some have called this The Restoration.[2] What Adam lost in the fall Jesus will restore and bring back to God.  Jesus our Lord will conquer every enemy that ever raised its head to oppose God. He will make war on all sin, rebellion, and ungodliness. He will finally conquer death, and then when all is subject to Him, he will subject Himself and all to God, who reigns forever.

Christ has been raised as the first of many. To lead and to hand over a kingdom.

V 29-32 Christ has been raised – or we are both foolish.

You are foolish for being baptized for the dead. I am foolish for fighting for the gospel, living in danger, and for not just kicking back and taking it easy. We have no idea what Paul was writing about here with this 'baptism for the dead'. Probably some of the Corinthians, who were in a world of error according to this book, were doing this, and if so, it was most likely for those who had believed Christ but were not baptized before they died. Either way, the whole of Scripture teaches believers' baptism, that is one is baptized after giving sufficient evidence/testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul, of course, was persecuted from the time he began preaching Christ in Damascus (Acts 9:22-25). He lived with a continual burning call to reach the nations with the gospel, and that call was fueled by love for Christ and hatred for his former zeal to wipe out the church. He knew that life was on the other end, and that death could do nothing to him. His point here is that the resurrection of Christ assured him of his own resurrection, and that of the elect – all who believe in Jesus for forgiveness of sin and eternal life! So his zeal couldn't be quenched. He would be foolish to endure all that he had if Christ had not been raised.

Christ has been raised as the first of many. To lead and to hand over a kingdom. Or we are both foolish.

V 33-34 Christ has been raised – wake up from your sin!

Shake off the deception! Stop listening to lies!

Shake off your unbelieving friends. Do not keep bad company – unbelieving, lie-loving company.

Shake off the drunkenness.

Do not keep living in sinful unbelief.

Stop seeking willful ignorance – both for you and others! You live foolish and call your faith into question (15:2), and you allow those around you who are in ignorance to continue in ignorance!

You don't have to live this way, church – there is hope, there is promise of life!

Christ has been raised as the first of many. To lead and hand over a kingdom. Or we are both foolish. So wake up from your sin!

Christ has been raised: believe this truth, which gives such hope and such promise! Live this hope promise, church!

Share this hope and this promise – the dying world needs to know!

And celebrate this hope and this promise of the resurrection. Today we will do that by taking the bread and the cup, what is also known as the Lord's Supper.

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] MacArthur, John A. New Testament Commentary, 1 Corinthians, Chicago, Moody Bible, 1984. Page 419

Hold Fast to Your Hope of Resurrection

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

1 Corinthians 15:12-19^[1]

As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, July 29^th, 2012

Last week Matt brought us a solid challenge to walk in humility and repentance, and I'm grateful for that, brother. The week before we studied 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 where we observed the non-negotiables of the gospel you received, the testimony of Christ's resurrection, and the negotiable of the gospel, the 'if', which is 'if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain' In that passage Paul declared in writing to the believers in Corinth what he has already declared to them in person – the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was buried in the tomb, and He rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Scriptures. Then he strongly supported the case for the resurrection of Christ as the focus of the gospel.

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. Let's pray. I've summed this passage up with this sentence. Stay away from the folly and the fruit of rejecting the resurrection; and hold fast to your hope of resurrection. So first…

Verse 12 Folly of Rejecting the Resurrection

Why don't you think? I believe this is a good way of re-wording, "How can you say that?"

Why don't you let go once and for all of whatever you believed before? There is a very good chance that Greek and Roman mythology affected the views of some of these church members. Dualism (matter/body is bad, spirit is good) was huge in their paganism, and possibly influencing the weaker Corinthians[2].

Why don't you let go once and for all of what pagans around you believe? Forget your synchronism, and your pluralism, and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Why don't you receive the gospel as it is, complete and unadjusted?

Why don't you hold fast to the OT?, Daniel 12:1-2 "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Also the story of The Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37, and Job's belief that he would be raised to see His redeemer, 19:25-26 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,

Why don't you hold fast to the words of Jesus? John 2:19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Luke 9:22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."

Why don't you hold fast to what we preached and what you believed/received?

Why don't you think first? It's not logical. It is like today's PC crowd screaming that people who disagree with homosexuality therefore hate people who claim to be homosexual. Not true! To disagree with someone or to believe that their belief is wrong is not to hate them. THINK. This is sheer folly to reject the resurrection of the body.

Verses 13-19 Fruit of Rejecting the Resurrection: if there's no resurrection…

Christ hasn't been raised. No resurrection for you, no resurrection. It won't start and stop because your friends reject it.

Our preaching and your believing were useless. "in vain", same as your belief, v 2.

We are proven to be liars. All this labor and suffering for the spreading of a lie!

You're still in your sins. All this freedom, all these gifts – vanished, nothing.

Dead brothers and sisters have perished. No eternity in heaven, unknown end.

We are the most foolish, pitiable people on earth. We have the least hope, most loss.

 

Paul was saying Corinth, stay away from the folly and the fruit of rejecting the resurrection, and hold fast to your hope of the resurrection.

 

Don't let the lie that this life is all there is sink into your soul. Look up, look to Christ, look ahead, and look in faith! Let the testimony of the Old Testament, The Lord Himself, and the apostles strengthen your faith that you will be raised!

 

Rolling Hills Church, stay away from the folly and the fruit of rejecting the resurrection, and hold fast to your hope of the resurrection.

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.

[2] Page 407-408 of John A. MacArthur's New Testament Commentary, 1 Corinthians, © 1984 Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.

The Negotiables and Non-Negotiables of the Gospel You Received

God's People Must Be United and Growing in Holiness

1 Corinthians 15:1-11^[1] As preached at Rolling Hills Church on Sunday, July 15^th, 2012

When I lose something important and begin looking for it, Felicia will inevitably ask, "Where did you have it last?" As I stand biting back the sarcastic, not-helpful-at-all-retort, I acknowledge that she has a good point; I need to retrace my steps to figure out where I left that thing. That's becoming a more common practice these days…

When you read chapter 15 of this first of Paul's two letters to the church in Corinth, you discover that the Corinthian believers were in danger of losing something very significant; their confidence in the physical, bodily resurrection of the saints. When we have troubles with our lives that seem to baffle us, or when we get to looking at this world, or listening to the many lies available, let us go back to the foundation upon which our lives are built.

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.

Let's pray. We're going to look at the non-negotiables of the gospel you received, the testimony of the resurrection, and the negotiables of the gospel you received.

Non-negotiables of gospel you received

It came with apostolic authority. Paul received it from Christ. It is the same gospel all the apostles preached – no exception, no distinction.

It is how you are saved. Only by believing this gospel of Jesus Christ will any man, woman, or child have hope of escaping God's wrath for our sin.

It was the priority of all of life. If the rich young ruler had walked away from this world's riches he would have become tremendously more wealthy with believing and following Christ! It is the central thing of life;  it is, as Paul writes, "of first importance" – the critical thing.

It was simple. Christ Jesus died for our sins. He was buried. Christ was raised from the dead on the third day. Paul was, at this point in his letter, keeping things simple; but there are implications here…

Jesus' death was capable of completely paying for all of the sins of all who believe.

Someone had sinned. Someone was in danger and needed saving. Someone provided that salvation, at the expense of His own life.

It was received. As true, as old-life-destroying and new-life-giving true. You hear it, you believe, and receive it as true. John uses the word 'receive' interchangeably with 'believe'. John 1:11-13. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

With these truths there are no 'ifs', 'ands', or 'buts'. Non-negotiable. Never changing. Concrete but much moreso!

Testimony to the Resurrection

Prophesied in the Scriptures. Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Ps 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

Witnessed by Peter and the apostles. Preached it clearly, strongly. Suffered greatly for it – yet with joy, and no thought of denial of it.

Witnessed by over 500 people, many of whom still were alive.

Witnessed by James and the apostles. Those who went out with the apostles might have been counted by Paul here when he says, "then to all the apostles". That is a lot of people to call crazy in any generation.

Witnessed by Paul. As if he was born in the wrong time – the only post-ascension appearing of Jesus was to this apostle.

It is important to see that Paul was making the case for the resurrection, and why he was. We didn't preach this because it sounded good, church – but because it happened, beyond any human explanation or power, by God's power – it happened! THIS is the retracing their gospel faith steps to find what they lost, where they were when they misplaced it. They were standing on the solid truth of the gospel with an emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, when the lies of the devil began to take root in their thinking, and cause them to question their bodily resurrection.

Negotiables of the gospel you received (actually only one)

It can be believed in vain. There is a faith that looks good but is not saving faith. We have to face the possibility that these two words, 'vain' and 'unless', throw in our face. Let's turn to Matthew 13:4-9 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear."

The seed was good; it was an issue of the soil (hearts) on which it fell. Seed fell on four types of soil.

Along the path. Hard ground. Hard hearts. This was heard, but never understood.

Rocky ground. Started to grow, but didn't have the soil, but didn't outlast the scorching sin. Tribulation or persecution comes on account of the gospel truth, they peel away.

Thorny ground. Received it, but the cares for this world and the deceitfulness of riches choked out the gospel, and it proved unfruitful.

Good soil. They heard the gospel and understood (received, believed), and this faith in Jesus bore fruit in their lives. Change began, transformation, and it became evident in their lives.

Think this through, church; three out of four who professed didn't have genuine, saving faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul put it in verse 2, they "believed in vain." They agreed with the propositional truths of the gospel until pressure hit, or until something that looked better and better right now came along. They held fast until the whispers started, then they loosened their grip.

Their faith was in vain.

Paul, on the other hand, was determined that God's grace in his life would NOT be in vain! "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." The truth is that there are no 'negotiables' about the gospel, no ifs; only ifs with our faith in this gospel, in this person of Jesus Christ.

Listen church family, friends, and guests…

Do lies whispered in your ear at night in the dark ever take root in your soul?

Have lies shouted, printed, videoed for YouTube, made into books, movies, commercials, games, or ad campaigns ever taken root in your mind?

Instead of looking at this world and thinking, "There must be more", do you look at God's Word, at Christianity and sadly think, "There must be more"?

Do you say you believe but find yourself not really caring that Christ rose from the dead? Do you go through church motions because you prayed some prayer, went through some class or ritual, or joined a church through their required process?

Church, are you in danger of losing your faith in Christ? If so, it's a good day to go back to the foundation, back to where you think you last had it.

Back to the truth.

Christ died for our sins.

Christ was buried.

Christ was raised from the dead on the third day.

 

Our lives, our salvation, our hope for and promise of eternal life, freedom from bondage to sin, and a better, eternal life in and with Him await us!

 

So walk back through the house. Go back to the truth of the gospel, where you first heart and believed it, and what truth you saw about yourself that made you cry out to God for the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.

And hold fast. Believe until you die. Follow daily. Love. Rejoice in. Endure. Soak in. Worship because of.

 

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[1] All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved. I paste them in red for distinction.