A Better Resurrection

Temple Baptist Church - 4-23-2017

Hebrews 11:32-40

Introduction:

A.  Over the past few weeks, we have seen the Cross of Christ.  A place called Calvary.  A suffering Saviour.  A wonderful redemption.

B.  We have been at the Garden Tomb very early in the morning on the first day of the following week.  We have seen an empty tomb and a risen Saviour. 

C.  We have seen the Priesthood of Christ as He applied the blood to the Mercy Seat and is now seated at the right hand of God as our Advocate, ever living to make intercession for the saints of God.

D.  This morning, I want to look at the result of the Gospel: Christ’s death according to the Scriptures, His burial in a garden tomb, and His glorious bodily resurrection according to the Scriptures.

E.  Hebrews, chapter 11, has often been called the “Hall of Faith.” 

1.  The word “faith” is found 24 times in 40 verses in chapter 11.  Most of these 24 uses are preceded by the words “through” or “by.”  God’s people have always lived through and by their faith.  That is what makes them exceptional! 

2.  We do not have to see to believe.  We do not have to have everything our way to believe.  We endure, often not having seen the promise but persuaded of it and embrace it! 

Hebrews 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, andconfessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

3.  The faith life is one of tribulation, persecution, and perseverance!  The end result of the faith life of God’s people, from the blood of Abel (the first man to die did so because of persecution for his faith) to the un-named multitude of those who have accepted Christ and died for their faith, is a “better resurrection!”

Hebrews 11:32-40  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 ofthe 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:  (36)  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  (37)  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;  (38)  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.  (39)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:  (40)  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

F.  One thing that the Bible constantly affirms is that eternity awaits each of us!  God breathed into Adam the “breath of life.”  He gave animals and plants life but the life that God gave Adam was eternal in nature. 

1.  The key word in the Book of Hebrews is “better,” which is used 13 times in 13 chapters.  Paul is writing to the saved Jews and contrasts the Old Testament economy with the New Testament economy.  Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament and everything is better. 

2. “A better resurrection” indicates more than one resurrection and draws a stark contrast between them.

John 5:28-29  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 (saved); and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (unsaved). 

1.  The Power of the two Resurrections is the same. “all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.”

a.  The Resurrection of Life, which is better, is the resurrection of the children of God: it is to die in hope.  1 Thessalonians 4:16  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:

Job 14:15  Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

b.  The Resurrection of Damnation, which is to be shunned, it the resurrection of the unsaved: it is to die without hope.  Daniel 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Revelation 20:11-12  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

2.  The Period of the two Resurrections is different.  In John 5:28-29, not only is the theology right concerning the two resurrections, the order is also right! 

a.  The resurrection of life at the Rapture of the church and pre-tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 4:15-18  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are aliveand 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.  The resurrection of damnation 1,000 years later at the end of the Millennium and the beginning of eternity.    Revelation 20:12-13  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

2.  The People of the two Resurrections are different.  “life … damnation”

a.  The Resurrection of Life is for those who have placed their faith in the finished work of the gospel.  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?

b.  The Resurrection of Damnation is for those who have rejected Christ and the gospel.  2 Thessalonians 2:12  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

3.  The Purpose of the two Resurrections is different.  “life … damnation”

a.  The Resurrection of Life brings the blessedness of an eternity in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ.  John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

b.  The Resurrection of Damnation is for punishment of sin and an eternity in hell without Christ.  Revelation 20:14-15  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

4.  The Product of the two Resurrections is different.

a.   The Resurrection of Life brings joy and peace to the children of God.  Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

5.  The Resurrection of Damnation brings the horror and suffering of an eternal hell.  Matthew 13:50  And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

5.  The Permanence of the two Resurrections are the same.

a.  The Resurrection of Life is eternal.  Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

b.  The Resurrection of Damnation is eternal.  Revelation 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Conclusion:  Our resurrection is eternally better!