WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:05.580 Okay, we're going to get this morning right to the teaching, so I'm going to ask you to turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:00:05.580 --> 00:00:05.580 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.000 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:40.719 So as we've been doing now for a number of weeks, we are preaching a sermon from the Bible reading plan from this week. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:48.719 So from our reading this week, I thought that we may all be well served by a careful consideration of our blessed future hope. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:56.959 Paul has been laboring in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 to give evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in verses 1 through 11. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:01:57.959 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:02.379 To explain the implications of denying the resurrection in verses 12 through 19. 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:02.959 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:03.959 2 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:08.620 To speak to the plan and the incentives of the resurrection in verses 20 through 34. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:15.300 And a description and explanation of our resurrection bodies in verses 35 through 49. 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:22.219 Paul concludes this chapter with a proclamation of the wonderful victory that is ours in Christ Jesus. 00:02:22.300 --> 00:02:27.260 Because Jesus has been raised, we too shall be raised. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:36.899 Our hope is expressed by the epitaph engraved on the headstone of Benjamin Franklin, penned by Franklin himself. 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:38.840 I found this week. 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:40.480 I don't know if you've ever seen this. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:43.020 He wrote, and this is engraved on his headstone, 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:45.140 the body of Franklin printer. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:52.420 Like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding, lies here food for worms. 00:02:53.060 --> 00:03:01.759 But the work will not be lost, for it will appear once more in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the author. 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:06.719 Now, while we cannot be sure this sentiment was true of its author, 00:03:07.199 --> 00:03:13.079 we can be sure that it will be true for all who place persevering faith in Jesus Christ. 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:21.459 If we are in Christ, we will have a resurrection transformation and a resurrection triumph. 00:03:22.079 --> 00:03:28.919 And in light of these two future realities, we will presently live lives of resurrection thanksgiving. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:34.659 So you may have caught it there, the alliteration, as you know, good Baptists like to do. 00:03:35.099 --> 00:03:36.799 So that's our outline for this morning's text. 00:03:36.899 --> 00:03:38.519 Number one, resurrection transformation. 00:03:39.359 --> 00:03:41.139 Number two, resurrection triumph. 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:44.139 And number three, resurrection thanksgiving. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.219 So first, resurrection transformation. 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:54.560 In verse 50, Paul begins this section by telling us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 00:03:54.560 --> 00:04:00.479 This, of course, in light of the rest of chapter 15, cannot be a denial of bodily resurrection. 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:08.680 What Paul means by flesh and blood is to say our human nature as we know it, our mortal bodies, 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:11.460 these bodies that we currently inhabit. 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:18.259 It is this state in which we presently exist that cannot inherit the kingdom of God. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:26.339 Now, the kingdom of God here, the context helps us to understand, is not referring universally to God's present reign over the cosmos 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:33.779 or to his rule brought to bear in the human heart, right, as it's used in other places in the scripture, 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:42.899 but rather to his consummate reign on the glorious future day referenced in Revelation chapter 11 and verse 15, 00:04:42.899 --> 00:04:45.699 where loud voices declare, 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:51.379 the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, 00:04:51.799 --> 00:04:55.019 and he shall reign forever and ever. 00:04:55.299 --> 00:05:03.359 That's what our text looks forward to, and that's what Paul is saying that our flesh and blood cannot inherit. 00:05:04.359 --> 00:05:08.899 The human body in its present fallen state is perishable. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:10.819 It is marred by sin. 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:16.659 It is aging, deteriorating, and will one day cease to be. 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:20.300 Now, some of you are too young to feel this reality, 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:24.839 but I promise that one day it will become a stark reality for you. 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:29.920 You will know that your body is falling apart some quicker than others. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:36.420 Our perishable bodies cannot inherit the imperishable, Paul says. 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:43.420 So if we have any hope of inheriting the kingdom of God, we must be transformed. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:47.360 Paul has been making this case in the previous verses. 00:05:47.900 --> 00:05:52.740 Because Christ was raised, we too will be raised. 00:05:53.139 --> 00:05:59.540 He said of our resurrection bodies in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, beginning in verse 42 and following, 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:02.439 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. 00:06:02.840 --> 00:06:04.379 What is sown is perishable. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:06.740 What is raised is imperishable. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:08.680 It is sown in dishonor. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:10.060 It is raised in glory. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:11.879 It is sown in weakness. 00:06:12.140 --> 00:06:13.660 It is raised in power. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:16.200 It is sown a natural body. 00:06:16.320 --> 00:06:18.800 It is raised a spiritual body. 00:06:19.320 --> 00:06:23.820 If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:27.759 And beloved, this is glorious truth. 00:06:28.659 --> 00:06:34.620 We will one day have new, uncorrupted, and incorruptible bodies. 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:39.199 Just as those in Christ Jesus have souls set free from the bondage of sin, 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:43.879 we will one day have new bodies that are set free from the bondage of sin. 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:46.980 If you have suffered this week from any ailment, 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:50.879 if you have felt any discomfort whatsoever this week, 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:54.339 then I think we all could find ourselves in that place. 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:58.659 This text should be of great encouragement to you. 00:06:58.980 --> 00:07:03.319 One day you will suffer no more. 00:07:03.719 --> 00:07:07.279 We will be imperishable and immortal. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:09.279 Verse 53 says, 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:12.839 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:16.879 and this mortal body must put on immortality. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:22.620 Paul inserts a further encouragement in verses 51 and 52. 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:23.920 He says, 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:26.500 Behold, I tell you a mystery. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:30.620 We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:32.579 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:34.120 at the last trumpet, 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:35.439 for the trumpet will sound, 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:37.800 and the dead will be raised imperishable, 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:40.360 and we shall be changed. 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:43.300 Paul tells us that when Christ returns, 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:48.300 some believers will not have to die first before they will be transformed. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:51.280 On that wonderful day when Christ returns, 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:54.460 the trump will sound and he will come back. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:58.240 And those who are already dead will be raised, 00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.639 those who are in Christ, 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:03.680 and those who are presently alive will be transformed. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:08.759 Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 16 and 17, 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:13.139 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, 00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:15.519 with the voice of an archangel, 00:08:15.719 --> 00:08:18.000 and with the sound of the trumpet of God, 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:21.319 and the dead in Christ will rise first. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:24.000 Then we who are alive, who are left, 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:26.000 will be caught up together with him in the clouds 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:28.099 to meet the Lord in the air. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:31.920 And so we will always be with the Lord. 00:08:32.819 --> 00:08:36.360 Whether we suffer the decay and death of our mortal bodies, 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:40.680 or if the Lord returns before deterioration takes us, 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:45.100 we have great hope in resurrection transformation. 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:49.139 Jesus said in John chapter 14 and verse 3, 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:52.419 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:56.240 I will come again and will take you to myself, 00:08:56.800 --> 00:08:59.820 that where I am you may be also. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:04.500 This is the great and high hope of the Christian, 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:07.280 that one day we'll be united, 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:10.600 apart from our spoiled flesh, 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:13.000 in Christ forever. 00:09:13.900 --> 00:09:15.700 If we are in Christ, 00:09:16.160 --> 00:09:19.060 we will have a resurrection transformation. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:21.600 Also, if we are in Christ, 00:09:21.680 --> 00:09:24.300 we will have a resurrection triumph. 00:09:25.220 --> 00:09:28.280 While death will be experienced by most who are in Christ, 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:30.740 we must recognize that Christ's resurrection 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:34.459 broke the power of death for those who believe in him. 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:37.799 Paul makes two important points concerning this matter 00:09:37.799 --> 00:09:39.799 in Romans chapter 5. 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:42.519 First, Romans 5, 12, 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:45.659 sin brought death into the world. 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:47.079 There he says, 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:49.980 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:50.679 Adam, 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:52.679 and death through sin, 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:55.759 so death spread to all men, 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:58.239 because all sinned. 00:09:58.500 --> 00:10:02.719 This is Paul's very point in verse 56 of our text this morning. 00:10:03.239 --> 00:10:05.819 The sting of death is sin, 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:08.620 and the power of sin is the law. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:12.859 Death and the harm of it came into the world through sin, 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:16.079 and it, the knowledge of sin brought by the law, 00:10:16.319 --> 00:10:17.740 written on the human heart, 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:20.759 revealed man's sinfulness. 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:23.919 This is our great problem. 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.460 Sin brought death. 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:28.639 Also from Romans chapter 5, 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:29.620 in verse 17, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:34.059 secondly, Paul there says that Christ brought life. 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:36.539 In Romans 5, 17, he says, 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:39.700 For if, because of one man's trespass, 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:42.059 death reigned through that one man, 00:10:42.700 --> 00:10:45.480 much more will those who receive the abundance of grace 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.960 and the free gift of righteousness 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:50.179 reign in life through the one man. 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:51.699 Jesus Christ. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:54.679 And he is making this very same point 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:55.979 to the Corinthian believers 00:10:55.979 --> 00:10:59.839 in citing from Isaiah chapter 25, verse 8, 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:03.500 and Hosea chapter 13, verse 14, 00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:05.919 in verses 54 and 55, 00:11:06.199 --> 00:11:08.279 1 Corinthians chapter 15, 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:11.519 which just for repetition, 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:12.819 he says, 00:11:12.820 --> 00:11:15.680 death is swallowed up in victory. 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:17.840 O death, where is your victory? 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:21.180 O death, where is your sting? 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:26.400 This is precious at the middle of this text, right? 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:29.180 These rhetorical questions being asked. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:31.040 At the end of verse 54, 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:33.560 death is swallowed up in victory. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.180 And then these rhetorical questions, 00:11:35.280 --> 00:11:36.780 O death, where is your victory? 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:38.440 It's non-existent. 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:39.440 It does not exist. 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:41.700 O death, where is your sting? 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:45.340 There is no longer a sting of death 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:47.540 for those who are in Christ. 00:11:48.780 --> 00:11:49.680 R.C.H. Linsky, 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:51.400 who was a late 19th century, 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:53.200 early 20th century American pastor 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:54.420 and theologian, 00:11:54.520 --> 00:11:56.340 wrote this of this text. 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:58.620 Death is not merely destroyed 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:00.540 so that it cannot do further harm, 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:02.160 while all of the harm 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:06.100 which it has wrought on God's children remains. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.480 The tornado is not merely checked 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:10.360 so that no additional homes are wrecked, 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:12.600 while those that were wrecked still lie in ruin. 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:16.100 Death and all of its apparent victories 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:18.440 are undone for God's children. 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.440 What looked like a victory for death 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:22.639 and like a defeat for us 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.940 when our bodies die and decay 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:25.320 shall be utterly reversed 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:28.639 so that death dies in absolute defeat 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:30.600 and our bodies live again 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:32.279 in absolute victory. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:34.600 That is good. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.279 That is wonderful truth. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:39.419 O death, where is your victory? 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:42.559 O death, where is your sting? 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.779 So if we are in Christ, 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.500 we will have a resurrection transformation 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:49.860 and a resurrection triumph 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:51.860 that gives to us, 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:52.879 that births in us, 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:54.419 that becomes the foundation 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:59.319 for present-day resurrection thanksgiving. 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:00.620 So that's your third point. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:03.059 Resurrection thanksgiving. 00:13:04.099 --> 00:13:07.199 In light of the two aforementioned future realities, 00:13:07.659 --> 00:13:10.039 we ought to presently live lives 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.319 of resurrection thanksgiving. 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:16.099 Paul states it this way in our text, 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.179 verse 57, 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:19.259 But thanks be to God 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:20.839 who gives us the victory 00:13:20.839 --> 00:13:23.500 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:26.319 We should be thankful for a victory 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:27.120 that is sure, 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:29.639 and it is sure because it is through 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:32.079 our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:36.059 It is sure because He accomplished it. 00:13:36.599 --> 00:13:37.739 Aren't you thankful this morning 00:13:37.739 --> 00:13:39.659 that it is not left up to us 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:42.359 to accomplish our victory over sin 00:13:42.359 --> 00:13:45.039 because we have proven time and time again 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:48.679 that we would utterly fail at this, right? 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:51.579 But Jesus has accomplished it. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:55.399 Our victory is a divine reality. 00:13:56.319 --> 00:13:58.159 Here I would like to briefly describe to you 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:00.860 the doctrine of double imputation. 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:02.559 You don't have to know it by those terms, 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:04.219 but I would like for you to. 00:14:04.219 --> 00:14:07.379 So, the doctrine of double imputation 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:08.759 simply says this, 00:14:09.059 --> 00:14:10.139 By faith in Christ, 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.939 He takes our punishment in Himself 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:15.720 on the cross, right? 00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:17.720 We are most familiar with this, 00:14:17.760 --> 00:14:19.840 this accomplishment of Jesus. 00:14:20.060 --> 00:14:24.540 It's often called Christ's passive obedience, right? 00:14:24.660 --> 00:14:25.480 He died. 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:28.140 He gave Himself to the will of the Father, 00:14:28.260 --> 00:14:30.760 and He died on the cross, 00:14:30.880 --> 00:14:33.860 paid the penalty for our sin. 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:35.120 Galatians 3.13 says, 00:14:35.260 --> 00:14:37.060 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law 00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:39.460 by becoming a curse for us, 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.700 for it is written, 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:44.520 cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree. 00:14:45.020 --> 00:14:47.640 So, in Jesus' death on the cross, 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:49.180 because God is completely just, 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.720 He must punish sin. 00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:54.940 He punishes our sin in Christ. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:58.160 So, Christ takes that punishment from us. 00:14:58.520 --> 00:15:00.280 But this is not enough 00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:03.180 for us to be found pleasing before God. 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.759 This just brings us up to neutral. 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:07.379 The debt has been canceled, 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:09.299 but God still requires of us 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:11.220 perfect law-keeping. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.740 So, having the debt canceled, 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:15.980 we now can't live perfectly either. 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:18.620 We have no ability in and of ourselves 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:20.539 to now keep the law perfectly. 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:24.620 So, something else had to be accomplished, right? 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.279 So, in Christ's passive obedience, 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.559 we get our debt canceled. 00:15:27.700 --> 00:15:29.360 That's the first imputation. 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:31.299 The second is this. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:34.539 He gives to us His righteousness. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:37.959 Jesus' perfect law-keeping, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:42.079 often called Christ's active obedience, right? 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:45.159 The one who was without sin, 00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:46.279 kept the law perfectly, 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:48.539 and grants that to us, 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:51.159 so that we can stand before God 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:53.639 as perfect law-keepers. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.000 Romans chapter 5, again, verse 19, 00:15:57.539 --> 00:16:00.500 For as by the one man's disobedience 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.799 the many were made sinners, Adam, 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:05.719 so by the one man's obedience, 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:06.919 Christ, 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:10.539 the many will be made righteous. 00:16:10.979 --> 00:16:12.679 And that's this doctrine 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:14.799 of double imputation, right? 00:16:15.219 --> 00:16:18.240 Our sin given to Christ, 00:16:18.339 --> 00:16:19.659 imputed to Christ, 00:16:19.839 --> 00:16:23.039 His righteousness imputed to us. 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.559 Martin Luther called this 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:26.339 the great exchange. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:29.220 The resurrection of Christ 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:31.920 is the sign that these promises 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:35.360 are sure through faith in Him. 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:37.120 If He was not raised, 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:39.139 He did not fulfill all of 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.800 the Old Testament prophecies 00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:42.519 about the Christ, right? 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:45.340 He lived a life supposedly perfect, 00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:47.820 died a death supposedly for us, 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:49.540 but if He was not raised, 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.100 how could we know? 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:54.040 So the resurrection of Christ 00:16:54.040 --> 00:16:55.480 is the sign that He is, 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:57.120 in fact, the Christ, right? 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.980 That He did live this life 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.440 that we needed Him to live. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.700 He did die the death 00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:04.420 that we needed Him to die. 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:07.559 So His promises are sure 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:09.180 through faith in Him. 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.960 We have victory 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:13.160 through our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:14.279 through His life, 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.940 through His death, 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.880 and through His resurrection. 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:21.840 And we should thank God for this. 00:17:22.780 --> 00:17:24.860 I hope that you don't find in yourself 00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:27.760 a coldness towards these truths, 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.360 that you don't have a, 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:32.060 yeah, yeah, the gospel kind of mentality. 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:34.880 But the reality of what Jesus accomplished 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:38.860 for you is fresh and new to you 00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:42.480 each day and in each moment of each day. 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:44.320 We ought to always be, 00:17:44.540 --> 00:17:45.300 as God's people, 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:47.680 giving praise for what He has done for us 00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.860 in Christ. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.299 And we should thank Him 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:52.180 not only in word, 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:54.799 but also in deed. 00:17:55.820 --> 00:17:57.360 The last verse here, 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.200 verse 58. 00:17:59.320 --> 00:17:59.740 Therefore, 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:02.580 all that He said so far, 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.120 therefore, 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:05.240 my beloved brothers, 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.960 be steadfast, 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.860 immovable, 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.680 always abounding 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.940 in the work of the Lord, 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:13.440 knowing that in the Lord 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.140 your labor 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:16.279 is not in vain. 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:18.960 our lives should be lives 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:20.220 of praise, 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.379 enduring, 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.899 unshakable, 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.259 abounding 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.680 praise. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.859 This is what He's saying to us. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:30.660 Because of who we are in Jesus, 00:18:30.899 --> 00:18:32.399 we ought to live lives 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:33.299 that are oriented 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:36.119 in this thankful direction. 00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:36.539 Right? 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:38.519 Not to gain our salvation, 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:40.920 but because it's been accomplished, 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.420 because we have victory 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:44.619 through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:44.879 Right? 00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.659 It's a standing, 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.599 it's a status 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:48.039 that is ours. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.079 And as such, 00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:49.639 then, 00:18:50.219 --> 00:18:51.519 we turn ourselves outward 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.899 toward loving kindness, 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:56.179 abounding work 00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:57.879 in the Lord, 00:18:57.979 --> 00:18:59.039 that we're steadfast, 00:18:59.139 --> 00:19:00.759 that we're immovable, 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.219 right? 00:19:01.219 --> 00:19:02.779 That we press our lives 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.539 in that direction 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:06.000 without fail. 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.919 Gordon Clark, 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:09.699 a 20th century American philosopher 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.460 and theologian, 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:12.220 wrote a helpful paraphrase 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.900 of verse 58 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.660 in his commentary 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.860 on this text. 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.259 He says this, 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:17.600 therefore, 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:20.140 we should mortify emotion, 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.539 be steadfast, 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.600 unchangeable, 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:24.140 not erratic 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:25.539 and scatterbrained, 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:26.880 easily discouraged, 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:28.220 and should multiply 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.480 our good works 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.880 in the knowledge 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:32.039 that the Lord 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:33.100 will make them 00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:34.279 profitable. 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:37.599 God having saved us, 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.599 that doesn't snap 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.019 his fingers 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.720 and take us out 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.279 of this world 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.200 because he has chosen 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.920 to use us 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.619 as instruments 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:44.359 in this world, 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:44.920 that we would be 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.639 the means 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:47.119 to his end 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:48.119 of saving 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.819 a people 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.240 for himself. 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.700 What a wonderful 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.440 blessing this is 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.319 as we live 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:55.579 in these mortal bodies, 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:55.819 right? 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.839 As we suffer 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.740 in this world 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.399 to know that God 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.339 has left us here 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.539 for the great purpose 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.879 of glorifying him 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:04.920 amongst all peoples. 00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.980 We ought to joyfully 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.840 rejoice 00:20:07.840 --> 00:20:08.840 and celebrate 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:09.960 and join in 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.760 on this work, 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.020 right? 00:20:12.280 --> 00:20:13.280 Knowing that 00:20:13.280 --> 00:20:14.520 in the Lord 00:20:14.520 --> 00:20:15.220 our labor 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.840 is not in vain. 00:20:18.020 --> 00:20:18.220 Now, 00:20:18.260 --> 00:20:19.000 I'm going to 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.820 leave off 00:20:19.820 --> 00:20:20.700 this point here 00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.240 in the hope 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.940 of leaving 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.780 a bunch of room 00:20:22.780 --> 00:20:23.580 for fruitful, 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:25.060 continued thought 00:20:25.060 --> 00:20:25.720 and discussion 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.320 this morning 00:20:26.320 --> 00:20:27.860 around this text. 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.760 So, 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:30.260 if we are in Christ, 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.980 we will have 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.079 a resurrection 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:34.160 transformation. 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.879 We will have 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.839 a resurrection 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.859 triumph 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:39.559 and in light 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.259 of these two 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.180 future realities, 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:42.220 we will presently 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.180 live lives 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.440 of resurrection 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:45.879 thanksgiving. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.039 So, let's pray. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.099 Amen.