I'm Still Standing Because of CHRIST
Introduction
THE VOICE OF LIFE AND JOY THAT WAKENS THE DEAD. ATHANASIUS: I am the voice of life that wakens the dead. I am the good odor that takes away the foul odor. I am the voice of joy that takes away sorrow and grief.… I am the comfort of those who are in grief. Those who belong to me are given joy by me. I am the joy of the whole world. I gladden all my friends and rejoice with them. I am the bread of life.14 HOMILY ON THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUS.15
RESURRECTION From the Latin resurrectio, meaning “rising again.” A return to life after having died. Mainly refers to the resurrection of Christ—the central event of the Christian faith. Also refers to the Christian doctrine of corporate resurrection, which is connected to the judgment of both the living and the dead.
Introduction
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the New Testament and foundational for the theology of the Church. These events have been acknowledged as paramount from the early church to the present.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of central importance to the NT. It affirms the divinity of Jesus Christ, marks the words and deeds of his ministry with God’s seal of approval and opens the way to the future resurrection of believers.
“… I am the resurrection, and the life.…”
A. Salvation—2 Cor. 5:17. With salvation come many new things. A new heart, head, hope, habits, and home.
B. Sustainer. Not only does He save from sin, He keeps us from failing. Note these verses: 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24; 2 Tim. 1:12.
II. THE PLAN
“… He that believeth in me.…”
Man must believe in his heart (Rom. 10:9, 10). When He does this, he will practice the teachings of Christ.
A. Practice by having faith—Heb. 11:6. Though we can’t see, we will believe (Heb. 11:1). Increase your faith (Rom. 10:17).
B. Practice by being faithful. The Bible warns us to be faithful until death (Rev. 2:10). Remember, you do not believe in something you don’t practice.
C. Practice by fellowship. We must have fellowship with the Lord, as well as with one another (1 John 1:7).
III. THE PROMISE
“… Though He were dead, yet shall he live.”
A. A life with happiness—Ps. 16:11. Happiness can only be had by being satisfied. Man cannot be satisfied until he knows Christ.
B. A life of hope—Rom. 6:23. Though the wages of sin is death, God’s gift is eternal life. Death is not the end for the Christian, it is the beginning of eternal life.
The Christian is not better than the sinner, he is different. He has the peace of God. He looks forward to death, whereas the sinner has no hope or real happiness.
IV. THE POWER
“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.…”
A. The provision—Isa. 53:5. The prophecy of the death of Christ. His death brought life to mankind.
B. The promise—John 5:24. By believing in Christ, we pass from death to life. Simple faith in Christ means man will not stand at the judgment with sinners (Rev. 20:11–15).
C. The plan—Isa. 55:7. Man must be willing to leave his wicked way and trust in Christ. It is not enough to feel sorry for your sin, you must be sorry enough to stop sinning.
God does not ask that man understand all things. All He asks of man is to believe.
the unitary personality of Christ that unites the divine and human natures
If the earth and heaven are renewed, why should we doubt that man, on account of whom heaven and earth were made, can be renewed? If the transgressor be reserved for punishment, why should not the just be kept for glory? If the worm of sins does not die, how shall the flesh of the just perish? For the resurrection, as the very form of the word shows, is this: that what has fallen should rise again, that which has died should come to life again.
a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of mankind specifically: any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment
4409 πιστεύω (pisteuō): vb.; ≡ DBLHebr 586; Str 4100; TDNT 6.174—1. LN 31.35 think to be true, to believe, implying trust (Mt 24:23; Lk 1:20; 1Co 11:18; Jas 2:19; Mk 16:13, 14 v.r.); 2. LN 31.85 trust, faith, believe to the extent of complete trust (Mt 18:6; Ro 4:3; 1Pe 2:6; Mk 16:17 v.r.); 3. LN 31.102 have Christian faith, become a believer of the Gospel (Ac 4:32; Ro 1:16; Mk 16:16 v.r.); 4. LN 35.50 entrust, put something into the care of another (Ro 3:2; Gal 2:7; 1Th 2:4; 1Ti 1:11; Tit 1:3)
4409 πιστεύω (pisteuō): vb.; ≡ DBLHebr 586; Str 4100; TDNT 6.174—1. LN 31.35 think to be true, to believe, implying trust (Mt 24:23; Lk 1:20; 1Co 11:18; Jas 2:19; Mk 16:13, 14 v.r.); 2. LN 31.85 trust, faith, believe to the extent of complete trust (Mt 18:6; Ro 4:3; 1Pe 2:6; Mk 16:17 v.r.); 3. LN 31.102 have Christian faith, become a believer of the Gospel (Ac 4:32; Ro 1:16; Mk 16:16 v.r.); 4. LN 35.50 entrust, put something into the care of another (Ro 3:2; Gal 2:7; 1Th 2:4; 1Ti 1:11; Tit 1:3)
vWhen I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But vhe laid his right hand on me, wsaying, “Fear not, xI am the first and the last,
18 and the living one. yI died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and zI have the keys of Death and Hades.
The promises of God reveal his particular and eternal purposes to which he is unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend. These promises are, however, conditional upon obedience on the part of believers.
God’s promises are irrevocable
He is absolutely trustworthy Nu 23:19 See also Tit 1:2; Heb 6:13-18
He is unchanging Ps 110:4; Mal 3:6-7; Jas 1:17-18
He has the power and will to fulfil his promises Isa 55:11 See also Ro 4:21
He is faithful in keeping all his promises Jos 21:45; 23:14-15; 1Ki 8:56; Ps 145:13; Heb 10:23
In the darkest days of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, God asked Jeremiah to go out and buy a piece of real estate—complete with witnesses, a deed, and money (Jeremiah 32:6–15). This act seemed to make no sense, since Judah was about to be conquered and its people taken into exile. But in seventy years, as God reminded Jeremiah, the people would be set free and return to the land to rebuild homes and replant vineyards. Jeremiah’s purchase of land was to provide a beacon of hope during the long years of captivity.
My father, at age seventy-five, planted a number of small fruit trees. “What an optimist,” I said to him, somewhat mockingly. Dad passed away a few years ago. Now when I return to the old homestead, I have an option. I can go to the grassy cemetery on top of the hill and brood over his grave, or I can eat the fruit of his trees and reflect on a man who knew a great deal about hope.
1: not ever: at no time 〈I never met her〉
2: not in any degree: not under any condition 〈never the wiser for his experience〉
Scripture stresses the power of God, demonstrated in Jesus Christ’s resurrection and bestowed through the Holy Spirit.
God is all-powerful (that is omnipotent), and is able to do whatever he wills. His power is limited only by his character.
God is all-powerful
Mk 10:27 pp Mt 19:26 See also Ge 18:14; Ps 93:1; Mk 14:36; Lk 1:37; 2Co 4:7
God cannot be thwarted
Job 42:2 See also Job 9:12; Isa 14:27
God’s names denote his power
The uniqueness of God’s power Jer 10:6
He is the Almighty
“the Almighty” is Hebrew “El Shaddai”: Ge 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; Ex 6:3; Job 11:7; 31:2
He is the LORD Almighty and God Almighty
“Almighty” in these verses is usually Hebrew “Sabaoth”: Ps 24:10; 89:8; Jer 10:16; 2Co 6:18; Rev 11:17; 19:6