Three Attitudes Toward the Resurrection

Rev. Leonard Reiss

Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

Acts 17:32–34

Resurrection

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Because Jesus is the Resurrection and the life, all are required to give a response to this.

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Ever since the beginning, humanity has been fascinated by the afterlife. Does it really exist? If it does, what is it like? Are there different levels? Is there really a heaven or a hell? Job even asked a similar question in Job 14:14.

Job 14:14 NASB95

“If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes.

His conclusion was that there really was. He believed that a person would indeed be renewed. In other words, all humanity would live again.

There are many who totally reject the idea of our living after we die. They suggest that we are only here on earth for a short period and then we’re worm food or ashes. Their conclusion is that since this is the case, then we ought to live it up with no boundaries or concerns.

There are a good number of people who have a quite unique twist to their understanding of the afterlife. Their theory is that of a belief in reincarnation. This provides a multitude of opportunities to improve themselves. It’s almost like getting a mulligan in golf. If things don’t go right the first time, it doesn’t really count against you. Their philosophy seems to have unlimited “redos.” Yet , the author of Hebrews strongly disproves that.

Hebrews 9:27 NASB95

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

Hebrews 9:27 NASB95

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

Jesus Christ Himself stated that we will have an afterlife. The reason is because of Who He is. Jesus speaks of this truth in John 14:19.

Jesus Christ Himself stated that we will have an afterlife. The reason is because of Who He is. has Jesus speaking this truth.

It really doesn’t matter what any one person thinks; the fact of the matter is that we are responsible for our lives here on earth. We will live after we die. Some will live eternally in judgment and condemnation and punishment. Others will live eternally in the presence of Jesus Christ in fullness of joy. What we know from the Bible and multiple first person witnesses is that Jesus is alive now. He is the resurrection and the life.

Jesus Christ Himself stated that we will have an afterlife. The reason is because of Who He is. has Jesus speaking this truth.

John 14:19 NASB95

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.

It really doesn’t matter what any one person thinks; the fact of the matter is that we are held accountable for our lives and choices here on earth. We will live after we die. Some will live eternally in judgment and condemnation and punishment. Others will live eternally in the presence of Jesus Christ in fullness of joy. What we know from the Bible and multiple first person witnesses is that Jesus is alive now. He is the resurrection and the life.

Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, everyone is required to give a response to this.

Today, we’ll be briefly looking into , as we look at three different attitudes toward the resurrection.

Acts 17:32–34 NASB95

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Acts 17:32-34

Some Mocked at the News of the Resurrection. - 17:32a

Even though there were multiple, astounding, undeniable proofs of Christ’s resurrection, quite a few people refused to believe. In fact, they not only mocked the news of His resurrection, they actually rejected it. They were not at all open to consideration of basic facts, much less to taking a faith leap.

We recall quite vividly the fact that while Jesus was alive and ministering, He was mocked quite frequently by many people. This, in spite of all that He did with signs and wonders and miracles. He had healed the sick; cleansed lepers, gave hearing to the deaf, provided sight for the blind, enabled the mute to speak. He even raised people to life. Nobody else could do these things; only God could do this. Yet, He was rejected and mocked by many.

Is it any different today? Not at all. People still mock Him and all those who follow after Jesus. Those who think that their intelligence is so great refuse to believe that He will return. They would suggest that such thoughts are beyond a normal reasonable approach to life.

However, if one chooses to deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ, that certainly cannot prevent His return. Listen to what Peter writes in .

2 Peter 3:3–4 NASB95

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”

Though many mock at the news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible gives a warning about that attitude. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. When a person mocks the good news that Jesus is alive; when they mock the resurrection, they are left only with the option of an eternal destiny in hell. Would that people should realize this before it is too late.

Another attitude which can yield the same results is found in the last half of verse 32.

Some Delayed at the News of the Resurrection. - 17:32b

Delay in many situations can mean the difference between life and death. Getting to shelter from a tornado, stomping on the brakes to avoid an accident, ducking as a rock goes hurtling towards you—these and many other situations are earthly examples of what can happen if you delay proper action.

It is the same, but with an even greater impact with relation to this wonderful good news. Again, this good news is that Jesus is alive and lives forever more. Choosing to believe or not believe this truism can mean the difference between life and death.

So why would anyone dare to delay making a decision for Jesus Christ? There are three reasons which I want to share, though there might be more. First is the concern that many seem to have with the things of this world. This attitude can be seen way back in , when Lot hesitated to leave the horrible, sinful city in which he had settled. He was enjoying his worldly living too much, it seems. Yet, because of God being merciful to him, he was led to escape.

Genesis 19:16 NASB95

But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.

Genesis 19:16 NASB95

For many today, the things of this world can cause them to delay. They feel as though they will miss out or have to sacrifice it all. They don’t understand the riches in Christ, nor do they understand the spiritual poverty that is theirs and will be for eternity.

Personal convenience is a very self-centered cause of delay. We are reminded about this in .

Acts 24:25 NASB95

But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”

You see, if a person isn’t comfortable with a situation, the tendency is to avoid it, hoping it becomes more comfortable. Sadly, if this is the case, a person will never believe because they are waiting until it is acceptable to them.

Finally, we find that unbelief is another cause for delay. Sadly, people have a tendency to not accept anything unless it can be logically and scientifically proven. Interestingly, even when that is done, the rules change for this type of person. A person can choose to hold out and continue to wait for just the right proof to convince them, then they will most likely demand another proof. But then, it may be too late.

My friends, to delay is dangerous and most likely detrimental. Look at the question the writer of Hebrews asks and try to answer it:

Hebrews 2:3 NASB95

how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,

A person can choose to ignore the good news that Jesus is alive, but they shall not escape their fate by delaying.

However, there is a good example of a proper attitude in this passage. This attitude is one which I trust most of you have experienced.

Some Believed at the News of the Resurrection. - 17:34

What does it mean to believe? If you want to hear the Gospel message in a nutshell, let me share with you .

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB95

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

In other words, if you truly believe that Jesus died for your sins, that in fact He was buried and that He is alive today and forevermore, then you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. It has to be more than head knowledge though. It must be a personal application to your own life. We have to ask for forgiveness and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Because of believing in Jesus Christ, we have eternal life. Look at

John 3:16–18 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Summary

Peter shared in a dramatic manner what the resurrection means. Look carefully at .

Acts 2:22b–39 NASB95

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. “For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence; For He is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken. ‘Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. ‘You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence.’ “Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

All who are listening, whether in this auditorium or online; what is your attitude? Do you find yourself mocking? Are you dragging your feet in delay? Know this—either of these attitudes will leave you with hell as your eternal destiny.

Or is your attitude a willingness to believe? The vast majority could not and do not understand what Jesus was doing. They even tried to guard the tomb to prevent the possibility of Him being taken away. Many don’t want to admit that Jesus is truly the resurrection and the life. They simply didn’t want to and still don’t.

However, it is a fact regardless of what the attitude might be. Believe in Jesus today. Jesus stated: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.

Because Jesus is the resurrection and the life, everyone is required to give a response to this.