Dedicated To The Men of God
Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
The Return of Christ- Study #3
The Death of Christ assures us of the forgiveness of our sins: (I Cor. 15 :3&4 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.) (II Cor. 5:14 - For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead.)
The Resurrection of Jesus assures us of our Glorification: (I Cor. 15:20 - But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.)
I. THE COMFORT THIS HOPE BRINGS
A. Our present sufferings though many will be as nothing in contrast to our spiritual inheritance.
1. Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2. II Cor. 4:1 7& 18 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
B. God has promised us this hope. (Romans 8:29&30 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.)
II. THE ORDER OF THE RESSURRECTION
A. The resurrection is called a (TAGMA)--series--succession or troop or company. (I Cor. I 5:23&24 - But every man in his own order: (Tagma) Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.)
B. One of the seven feast days of Israel was called the FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS. It consisted of three parts.
1. The Israelites plucked some barley and brought it before the Priest which took it into the Tabernacle and waived it before the Lord. This was a thanks offering and a promise of the remaining harvest.
2. In the summertime, came the harvest.
3. After the harvest came the gleanings.
C. Now note our Lord s succession.
1. He was the first in order to arise bringing with Him the FIRSTFRUITS. (Mart. 27:52&53 -And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.)
2. Afterward they that are Christ s at His coming (RAPTURE)
3. Then the end: (gleanings)
a. Rev. 7:13&14 - And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
b. Rev. 11:11 & 12 - And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
III. WHAT TYPE OF BODY DID JESUS HAVE
A. A body not subject to the limitations of the natural.
1. He could stand in the presence of His own without doors or windows being opened. (John
20:19 - Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.)
2. He could defy the laws of gravity. (Acts 1:9 - And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of sight.)
B. A body subject to the natural.
1. If He so chose He could eat.
a. Luke 24:42&43 - And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.
b. Rev. 22:2 - In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve maimer of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
2. He could be touched. (John 20:27 - Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.)
3. The scars were visible. (Luke 24:39&40 - Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.)
C. A body that was somewhat different.
1. The Emmaus disciples at first did not recognize Him. (Luke 24:16 - But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.)
2. Not until He spoke did Mary recognize Him. (John 20:1 4& 15 - And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.)
A. Our bodies shall be like His body. (I John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.)
B. Sown in corruption raised in incorruption. Beauty, strength, and youth are all engulfed in the tomb. Resurrection morning will provide us with security and incorruption. (I Cor. 15:42 - So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:)
C. Sown in dishonor raised in glory. The body, even though a marvelous creation of God, has within it the instrument of sin and a rebellious will. Paul said he had to buffet his body. We shall be raised without spot or wrinkle to perform the perfect will of God in eternity. (I Cor. 15:43 - It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:)
D. Sown in weakness raised in power. Many are constantly tortured by suffering and even those that have good health find the body a prison house. However on resurrection morning we shall be raised without infirmity. (I Cor. 15:43 - It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness it is raised in power.)
E. We shall experience metamorphosis like the worm and butterfly. We will not always crawl in the dust of this world.
F. Our bodies will be different in glory as they are here. (I Cor. 15:40-42 - There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. SO ALSO IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.)
V. HAVE YOU BEEN CHANGED THROUGH SALVATION - TO BE CHANGED AT THE RESURRECTION
A. We are awaiting to be clothed with our building from Heaven; (II Cor. 5:4 - For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.)
B. An unbeliever trying to comfort a dying Christian said, "My friend I am sorry you have to leave the land of the living." Said the Christian, "You are wrong. I am leaving the land of the dying to go to the country of the living!"
C. As an unbeliever you will not get up in the first resurrection. (Rev. 20:5 - But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.)
SERMON BY DR. RON BAITY--PASTOR BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH- WINSTON-SALEM, NC- USA
