Children of Resurrection

Children of Resurrection: Awaiting His Coming

Bible Passage: Luke 20:27–40, 2 Thessalonians 2:1–5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17

Summary: These passages collectively focus on the promise of resurrection and the return of Christ, emphasizing the hope and transformation that believers possess as children of God.

Application: This sermon can encourage Christians to live with the knowledge of their future resurrection and the return of Christ, prompting them to examine their lives and actions in light of this truth. It challenges them to consider how they are living each day and how they will be found when Christ returns.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that as believers in Christ, we are not only promised eternal life but also called to live in a way that reflects our identity as children of the resurrection. We are reminded of the importance of standing firm in faith and being prepared for the second coming of Christ.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the narrative of the resurrection and the teachings about the second coming, Christ is shown as the very reason for our hope. His resurrection guarantees our own, and His promise of return assures us that we will be united with Him in glory.

Big Idea: As children of the resurrection, we must live with expectancy and purpose, ensuring we are prepared for the day Christ returns.

Introduction:

(Goal: Establish the stakes—accountability and hope.)

Opening Hook: John Wesley taught that we must grasp two fundamental truths: Justification (what God does for us) and the New Birth (what God does in us). Both are essential understanding because judgment awaits.

Text Introduction: Our future hope rests on the certainty of Christ's return and resurrection. Today, we examine Luke 20, where Jesus spoke to the reality of the resurrection, and 2 Thessalonians 2, where Paul demands our readiness for the return based on Christ’s teaching.

State the Thesis (Big Idea): Resurrection is real, and the Judge is coming, we must live with prepared hearts, anchored in this hope.

1. Skeptical Questioning—The Truth of Resurrection

Luke 20:27–33

(Goal: Address the common misconception of eternal life as merely an extension of the current age, as noted in the source outline.)

I. The Sadducees, who "say there is no resurrection", ask Jesus a trick question based on levirate law.

Their concern is not loving relationships, but earthly inheritance and social obligation.

The question of the Sadducees reveals a misunderstanding about the resurrection and eternal life. The point of their question was to make a mockery of the ideas of eternal life.

II. The challenge here is that many fail to grasp that the divine reign extends beyond what we see.

If we only believe in the physical, we miss the spiritual.

Is marriage only about having children? Is it not in some sense to find happiness in relationships. What happens when our happiness is wrapped up in God?

In God’s reign judgment extends to the "thoughts and intents of the heart". We cannot use earthly customs to define God’s eternal plan.

III. Jesus corrects their flawed perception by emphasizing the reality of the resurrection life.

It seems they either didn’t know the Scriptures or didn’t take them seriously, nor did they recognize the awesome power of God.

As children of resurrection, we need to take the time examine our beliefs about the afterlife to ensure they are rooted in God's power, not superficial desires.

Transition: The Sadducees missed the power of God. But we are compelled to ask what does God have prepared for us, and who gets to participate in it?

2. Transformational Reality—The Nature of the Resurrected

Luke 20:34–40

(Goal: Define the resurrected state using Luke, and apply Wesley's insistence that one must be internally transformed—born again—to attain it.)

I. Jesus reveals that the resurrected life is wholly different; those who are "considered worthy of a place in that age" do not die anymore.

They are "like angels" and are called "children of God, being children of the resurrection".

This transformation ensures they "cannot die anymore", fitting the description of the new heaven and new earth where there is "no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying".

But is not dying it? I sure hope not. Hope for more of the same is no hope for most.

II. The Criterion: If the resurrected are "children of the resurrection" and considered "worthy" of the eternal age, we must ask:

How is that worthiness attained?

The New Birth is necessary for holiness, without which "no man shall see the Lord". It is when the soul is instantly renewed in the image of God.

Does that mean you are instantly perfect? No.

III. To be children of God in the future, we must be "born of the Spirit" now.

This change transforms the mind from "earthly, sensual" desires to the "mind which was in Christ Jesus".

This future hope demands that the soul be made holy in the present; otherwise, we cannot be happy in this world, much less an eternal one.

Transition: We know resurrection is real, and we must be renewed to participate in it. But, Scripture also warns us against distraction and deception as we await the glorious return of our Judge.

3. Standing Firm—Vigilance for His Coming

2 Thessalonians 2:1–5

(Goal: Shift focus from the nature of the resurrection to the attitude required while waiting for Christ’s coming, drawing on the need for vigilance against deception.)

I. Paul urges the Thessalonians not to be "quickly shaken in mind or alarmed" about the timing of the day of the Lord.

He warns against those who deceive others regarding Christ’s return.

He insists on clear and sober understanding concerning the future.

We must not let fear or distraction sway us from Christ’s promise.

II. The "coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him" is the same event: the shout, the trumpet, and the gathering of the elect.

This event is fixed and unmovable.

The Judge stands “at the door". We are remain on this earth until we are brought before him.

III. We are warned of rebellion and the revealing of the "man of lawlessness".

This calls for sober discernment. If we are focused on the false claims of this age, we are unprepared to meet the true Judge.

Our challenge is to hold fast to the teachings of the Gospel, ensuring our hearts are not swayed by distractions, so that we might be found to be "without spot and blameless".

Transition: We must be vigilant against deception, but we do not wait in fear. Our vigilance is fueled by the assurance that God has called us for so much more, provided we embrace the spiritual transformation he requires.

4. Comforted by what is Coming—The Purpose of God's Choice

2 Thessalonians 2:13–17

(Goal: Conclude by grounding the hope of future glory (Assize reward) in the present spiritual work (New Birth/Sanctification).)

I. God chose believers for "salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth".

This links faith (belief) directly to the necessary process of being made holy (sanctification).

The New Birth is “the gate" or “the door” to sanctification.

God’s choice means we are destined "to share in His glory".

II. God called us through the Gospel so that we may share or "obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ".

This is the eternal reward that follows the final judgment.

Because we receive "comfort and good hope" through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, it can certainly be described as eternal.

Those who are pronounced righteous go into the "life eternal" and "shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father". This is the outcome of God’s grace working through us.

III. Present Action: Paul urges us to "stand firm and hold fast" and prays that God will strengthen them (and us) "in every good work and word".

We are judged by the one who knows our every work, word, and hearts, and since he has captured our hearts, we need not live in fear.

Instead, we live in love through our present diligent works to make prove the effectiveness of his grace.

Conclusion:

(Goal: Summarize and reiterate the urgent call for the New Birth.)

We are the children of the resurrection. We have the certainty of our eternal life affirmed by Christ. We know He is coming as our Judge, and we know the standard is perfect holiness.

If you are remain in sin, if you rely only on outward duty, moral conduct, or even baptism, realize "you must be born again" in your heart. Nothing else under heaven will suffice.

The future hope in Christ is secure, but our participation is conditional.

Let us, therefore, give ourselves to God now in humble faith.

Trust in Christ, follow him, and He will lead you through any and all judgments, so that when the Lord returns, we may rejoice with exceeding joy and be led to our eternal home as His Children.