Sermon #791 Hebrews Notes

Title: "A Better Resurrection"

Text: Hebrews 11:35

Subject: Christ Our Resurrection

Date: Tuesday Evening – March 26, 2002

Tape # W-93a

Introduction:
My text tonight is Hebrews 11:35. We will begin our reading at verse 32.

(Hebrews 11:32-35) "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:"


We must not forget that these Old Testament believers were men and women of like passion with us. They were made of the same stuff as we. Their bodies were the same tender and sensitive flesh as yours and mine. They felt pain just like we do.

Yet, the care they had for their souls was so great that they chose to endure the tortures of their persecutors, rather than deny their God and Savior. Their faith in Christ was so dominant in their lives, and their hope of a better resurrection was so confident and sure that they refused to accept deliverance from the persecutor’s torments at the cost of denying the gospel, "not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection."

As I read those words, I ask the Lord God to grant me such confident faith and such a sure hope.

You see the issue is really the same today. Those believers described in Hebrews 11:32-35 preferred the loss of all things temporal, the loss even of life in this world, to the loss of Christ, the loss of their souls, and the loss of eternity. I cannot help thinking, "What countless multitudes, like Esau, lose their souls eternally for the temporary gratification of the flesh!"

The issue was crystal clear.—Which did these saints of God esteem more highly: the present comfort of their bodies or the eternal interests of their souls? The issue is just as clear today. Which do you esteem the more highly, your body or your soul? Which do I esteem more highly? The question is not hard to answer. Which receives the more thought, care and attention; which is "denied," and which is chosen?

These men and women refused to accept a temporal "deliverance," (when it could have been obtained easily – at great cost – but easily!) because to have obtained deliverance would have meant the renunciation of their faith and apostasy from God.

It was "through faith" that they made their costly, but noble choice. It was love for Christ, love for the truth, love for the gospel, that caused them to hold fast that which was infinitely dearer to them than an escape from bodily suffering.

A. W. Pink wrote—"They had bought the Truth, at the price of turning their backs on the world and their former religious friends, and bringing down upon themselves the scorn and hatred of them. And now they refused to sell the Truth (Pro. 23:23) out of a mere regard to bodily ease."

Here is the thing that sustained them.—"Not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection!" The language here is figurative. They were offered a "resurrection" on the condition of denying Christ. They were offered a "resurrection" from reproach to honor, from poverty to riches, from pain to ease and pleasure. It was a "resurrection" from the physical torture and presumed death to life and ease (Compare Hebrews 11:19). But they refused that for "a better resurrection."

Their hearts were occupied with something far greater than earthly comfort and honor, or even earthly life! Their faith anticipated that morning without clouds, when Christ shall appear without sin unto salvation, when their bodies would be raised up in glory and made like Christ’s. They endured their great trials with patience, because they hoped for that great day when they would be taken up to glory to be with Christ forever. It was this hope that sustained their souls in the face of extreme peril and horrible sufferings.

"That they might obtain a better resurrection."—Never imagine that the saints of God in the Old Testament were ignorant of these things. Nothing could be further from the truth. The resurrection has always been the top-stone in the building of faith (Job 19:25, 26; Acts 24:14-16). The faith of the "fathers" embraced "a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust." This glorious resurrection will more than compensate for any pain, persecution, or loss we must endure here for Christ’s sake.

I live in hope of the resurrection. With Paul, I say, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor. 15:19). In making that statement Paul does not mean that:

  • The believer’s life in this world is a sad, morbid life.

  • It is really more delightful and pleasurable to live in this world without faith.

  • Were it not for the hope of eternal glory, the people of God would prefer not live as they do in obedience and submission to our heavenly Father.—We do not serve Christ for gain!


When Paul says, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable," he simply means this – If there were no eternal life in Christ, no eternal bliss of life with Christ in glory, and no resurrection, then the believer would be the most miserably frustrated person in the world.

  • We would never have that which we most earnestly desire.

  • We would never see the end of our hope.

  • We would never embrace Christ, or be embraced by him.

  • We would never see our Redeemer.


Such a thought is the most distressing thought I have ever entertained. Nothing could be more cruel and miserable than to live in hope of seeing Christ, being life Christ, and spending eternity in the presence of Christ, only to die like a dog! "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." What a horrible thought! What a tormenting supposition!

But it is not so. I live in hope of the resurrection; and my hope is both sure and steadfast – "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me" (Job 19:25-27).

  • In sickness I am calm, because I live in hope of the resurrection.

  • In sorrow I am peaceful, because I live in hope of the resurrection.

  • In trial and affliction I am at ease, because I live in hope of the resurrection.

  • In bereavement I am confident, because I live in hope of the resurrection.

  • And I hope to die in confidence and joy, because I live in hope of the resurrection.


Our assurance of the resurrection is much more than belief in a point of orthodoxy. It is faith in and hope in a Person – Christ is Himself our Resurrection!

This is not some fool’s philosophy. It is not a mere religious tranquilizer by which I am able to cope with the trials of life. This is the calm, confident assurance of my heart. It is the necessary, inevitable result of faith in Christ (John 11:25-26).

(John 11:25-26) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Proposition: The Lord Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life of all who trust him; and all who trust him shall in the last day be resurrected with him.—All who trust Christ shall, indeed, "obtain a better resurrection!"

Divisions: Let me show you why I hope to obtain this "better resurrection." I live in hope of the resurrection for three reasons:

1. I have been resurrected with Christ representatively.

2. I have experienced the resurrection of Christ in regeneration.

3. I believe God’s revelation concerning the resurrection.

I. I have been resurrected with Christ representatively (Eph. 2:5-6; Rom. 8:29-30).

(Ephesians 2:4-6) "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"

(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. 30 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."


When the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the grave, he arose as our Representative. All that he has done and all that he had experienced, all of God’s elect have done and experienced in him, by virtue of our representative union with him.

  • His obedience to the law was our obedience (Rom. 5:12, 18-21).

  • His death as a penal sacrifice for sin was our death (Rom. 6:6-7, 9-11; 7:4). This is our atonement!

  • His resurrection was our resurrection.—This is our life!


A. The resurrection of Christ is an indisputable fact of revelation and history upon which we rest our souls (1 Cor. 15:1-8).

Disprove the resurrection and you disprove the gospel – "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor. 15:17).

B. The bodily, physical resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ necessitates the resurrection of all who are in Christ.

Five arguments:


1. That which as been done for us representatively must be experienced by us personally.

2. We are members of Christ’s mystical body, the church.

  • If one member of the body were lost, the body would be maimed (1 Cor. 12:12, 27).

  • If one member of the body were lost, the Head would not be complete (Eph. 1:22-23).

  • These bodies of ours must be fashioned like unto his glorious body (Phil. 3:21; John 17:24).

(Philippians 3:21) "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

(John 17:24) "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."


3. Christ was raised as the firstfruits of them that sleep (1 Cor. 15:20). The full harvest must follow!

(1 Corinthians 15:20) "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."


4. Christ is the Second Adam. As we have born the image of our first covenant head, we must bear the image of the second (1 Cor. 15:21-23, 47-49).

5. Christ has obtained the victory over all that could hinder the glorious resurrection of his people – Sin – Death – Hell – The Grave – The Devil (Col. 2:13-15; Heb. 2:14-15).

C. Above all else, the covenant engagements of Christ as the Surety of God’s elect are not complete until the hour of our resurrection (John 6:37-40). -- "Holy and unblameable." -- "Lo, I and the children thou hast given me." -- "There shall be one fold and one Shepherd."

(John 6:37-40) "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."


II. I have experienced the resurrection of Christ in regeneration.

The new birth is nothing less than a resurrection from the dead. To be born again by the Spirit of God is the first resurrection (Rev. 20:6; John 5:25; 11:25-26; Eph. 2:1-4).

(Revelation 20:6) "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."

(John 5:25) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."

(John 11:25-26) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

(Ephesians 2:1-4) "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,"

Illustration: Ezekiel’s infant (Ezek. 16).

The dry bones (Ezek. 37).

Lazarus (John 11).

A. Lazarus’ Condition (v. 14) – "For the glory of God" (v. 4).

B. Lazarus’ Calling (v. 43).

  • Personal

  • Irresistible

  • Effectual


C. Lazarus’ Conversion (v. 44).

The grave clothes that bound him must be taken away.

  • Ignorance

  • Superstition

  • Tradition

  • Fear


D. Lazarus’ Communion (12:2).

E. Lazarus’ Conflict (12:10-11).

III. I believe the revelation of God concerning the resurrection (John 5:28-29).

(John 5:25-29) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."


"Whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die." God’s elect never die!

A. There shall be a resurrection of life at the second coming of Christ (1 Cor. 15:35-44, 51-59; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

This will not be a secret rapture, but a glorious resurrection.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words."


B. There shall also be a resurrection of damnation (John 5:29).

  • The wicked and unbelieving shall be raised by the power of Christ, in order to be judged and condemned.

  • The believer shall be raised by virtue of his union with Christ, in order to be judged and rewarded with everlasting glory.

  • The wicked shall be raised in wrath.

  • The believing shall be raised in love.

  • The wicked shall be raised for execution.

  • The righteous shall be raised for a wedding.


"Prepare to meet thy God." Soon you and I will stand before the living God in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10-11).

(2 Corinthians 5:10-11) "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences."


Illustration: Rowland Hill’s Dream.

Application:

1. Let us comfort one another with these words.

  • Those Who Are Sick And Suffering.

  • Those Who Fear Death.

  • Those Who Are Bereaved.


2. Let us be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. What we now do is not vein!

3. Would you have part in the first resurrection and in that glorious resurrection to come?

    1. Awake (Eph. 5:14).

    2. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

    3. You shall never die.


Illustration: "I heard a choir singing."

 
Don Fortner