23-0409p Transcript

(1:12) So this evening I will be presenting a lesson on the great I am, where Jesus makes his statement, (1:22) I am the resurrection and the life.

(1:26) And this morning I brought to you the great I am, the land of Moriah. (1:34) And that was Jehovah. (1:37) A nice lesson for everybody.

(1:40) But this is part 12 in the series that I’ve been presenting. (1:46) The point of the lessons are to get us to have a better appreciation, love and understanding of the second person of the Godhead, Jesus. (1:59) And this evening we have a visitor with us, Josh Israel, who is a chaplain with the Army Reserve.

(2:06) Did I get that right? (2:07) Okay. (2:09) And Joshua shares a name with our Savior. (2:14) The Israelites knew him as Yeshua.

(2:19) And one of the many names that our Lord carries with him. (2:25) So this evening in our study, we just concluded, (2:30) I am the light of the world statement found in chapters 8 and 9 of the Gospel of John. (2:36) And I intended on going in order as they appear in the Gospel of John.

(2:42) So the next one logically would have been in chapter 10, where Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. (2:48) But since this is the time of year that Christ rose from the dead, (2:53) I thought I’d skip to the next chapter, 11, where he makes the statement, I am the resurrection and the life. (3:02) So the timing is better for this lesson.

(3:06) So death has always been the great unknown through the ages for all mankind. (3:12) Nobody knows for sure what awaits us after we die, until we die. (3:18) Unfortunately, no one knows.

(3:22) No one we know has ever died and come back again to share with us their experience of what the afterlife is like. (3:31) And God has created rules prohibiting people from coming back from the dead to write a tell-all book about their experience. (3:42) The afterlife is one of the secret things of God that Moses mentions in Deuteronomy 29, (3:51) where it says the secret things belong to the Lord our God, (3:56) but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow the words of this law.

(4:05) So what exactly it’s like on the other side? (4:08) Unless God reveals it in his Word, we don’t know for sure. (4:13) But we can try and piece together pieces of a puzzle to get somewhat of a look at the other side. (4:21) And it’s from the story of Lazarus and the rich man in the Gospel of Luke that we learn that people who have died are not allowed to come back to the living world.

(4:32) God does not want us to be totally ignorant of the afterlife or to be without hope of our future. (4:39) In fact, the resurrection of the dead is an elementary teaching of Christ. (4:46) God expects us to string together all the teachings on this matter to help us in our foundational understanding of the kingdom of God.

(4:56) He reveals to us little glimpses of our future without revealing too much. (5:02) He does want it to be a surprise when we get up there, I’m sure, to be in awe of the beauty. (5:12) Since the time of the patriarchs, he’s been letting us know that we live after this life.

(5:22) Job, who lived in the time of the early patriarchs, actually tells us of one who will redeem us after death. (5:31) In Job 19, 25 through 27, it’s written, (5:37) As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. (5:41) Sounds like a song we sing, doesn’t it? (5:44) And at the last, he will take his stand on the earth, even after my skin is destroyed.

(5:50) Yet from my flesh I shall see God, whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see, not another. (5:59) My heart faints within me. (6:02) So Job was looking forward to meeting the one who would redeem his soul from the grave, (6:09) believing that he will live again.

(6:12) During the Old Testament time, Isaiah spoke of the life after death by the power of the resurrection. (6:20) In Isaiah 26, 19, he records, (6:24) But your dead will live, their bodies will rise. (6:28) You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy.

(6:31) Your dew is like the dew of the morning. (6:34) The earth will give birth to her dead. (6:38) And who couldn’t forget Yahweh showing Ezekiel the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37, (6:48) where he asks the question, (6:50) Ezekiel, can these dry bones come back to life? (6:55) And of course, the answer was a resounding yes.

(7:01) When we get to the gospel era, and the Messiah is busy with his ministry, (7:06) and he starts teaching about the idea that the resurrection is real, (7:12) first by revealing in more detail about it than what he revealed to the prophets in the past, (7:20) then by demonstrating that he truly is God by bringing several people back from the dead. (7:29) Listen to the Lord’s words about the resurrection of the dead in John chapter 5. (7:35) In the story, we first have Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath who was sick and lame for 38 years. (7:44) And he was lying by the waters of Bethesda, waiting for an angel to stir the waters for a healing, (7:51) but he could never be the first one into the pool to receive it because he was lame.

(7:57) Jesus, being aware of the man’s situation, had compassion on him (8:01) and asked him if he wanted to be well, (8:04) and then told him to pick up his mat and walk, which he did. (8:10) When the Jewish leadership found out about what happened, (8:14) they were not happy for the man or in awe that a miracle had been done, giving God praise. (8:20) But as usual, they were more concerned about why this was done on the Sabbath.

(8:26) So they questioned Jesus about it. (8:29) But he answered them, (8:31) My father is working until now, and I myself am working. (8:36) And that statement really pushed their self-righteous buttons (8:40) because the Jews then got together and plotted to take Jesus' life (8:48) because Jesus was in essence telling them that he was on a level with God, (8:54) like begets like, if he called himself the Son of God.

(9:01) Jesus went on to teach them and the rest of the people there about the role and power of God and the Messiah, (9:09) and it is in this conversation Jesus reveals some striking details of the resurrection of the dead. (9:18) So if you’d like to read along, John 5, 19-29. (9:25) And I’ll be stopping occasionally to throw my usual two cents in.

(9:31) Verse 19, (9:32) Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, (9:35) Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself unless it is something he sees the Father doing. (9:42) For whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. (9:49) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all things that he himself is doing, (9:55) and the Father will show him greater works than these, so that you will marvel.

(10:01) These and the greater works than these are the making the lame walk type miracles, (10:07) the healing the sick, curing the lepers, and even giving sight to the blind. (10:10) The Lord is cluing them in on a greater work of raising the dead that will soon take place, (10:19) that will prove beyond doubt that he is God’s Son. (10:25) Verse 21 and following, (10:29) For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he wishes.

(10:38) For not even the Father judges anyone, but he has given all judgment to the Son, (10:45) so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. (10:49) He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. (10:54) Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life (11:03) and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life.

(11:10) Again, remember our past I Am lessons, the bread and the light, (11:16) both figuratively represented Jesus' words that lead to eternal life if they’re believed. (11:24) And here Jesus plainly says the same thing. (11:28) Jesus also tells us that he will be the judge, (11:33) and that those who believe won’t be judged but go on to life.

(11:39) Consider Jesus' statement from John 12, 48, (11:42) There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept God’s word. (11:49) The very word which I spoke will condemn him on the last day. (11:54) Frightening words if we reject the Christ and his teaching.

(11:58) Verse 25 and following, (12:00) Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, (12:03) and now is when the dead will hear the voice of God, (12:07) and those who hear will live. (12:10) For just as the Father has life in himself, (12:13) even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. (12:19) And he gave him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man, (12:25) and that is a term for the Christ, the Anointed One, meaning Jesus.

(12:31) Do not marvel at this, verse 28, (12:33) for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice (12:38) and will come forth, those who did good deeds to a resurrection of life, (12:44) those who committed evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. (12:51) Wow! (12:52) Jesus just shared with the crowd that God the Father has given Jesus the Messiah (12:58) power and authority to judge and to raise all the dead. (13:05) Jesus also reveals that during the resurrection, (13:08) those who believe go on to life, that’s eternal life in heaven.

(13:14) With the Father and the Spirit and Jesus and the angels and every other holy being up there (13:19) that call God their Father. (13:22) Also, the wicked too are raised. (13:26) They will participate in the resurrection.

(13:29) Only theirs is the resurrection to judgment (13:34) in which they will be condemned to hell for all eternity. (13:39) Is this not in total harmony with Daniel’s prophecy of Daniel 12, 2 and 3? (13:47) Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, (13:50) some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. (13:57) Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens (14:01) and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.

(14:07) Scary words from Daniel, almost echoing exactly what Jesus said. (14:13) But he also adds some words that Paul discloses to us about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, (14:21) which we’ll get to later. (14:25) So let’s examine Jesus backing up these words with action.

(14:31) So open up your Bibles to Mark. (14:34) We’ll be reading Mark 5, 21 to 24, and then we’re going to skip to 35 to 43. (14:43) And the reason I’m skipping some scripture is that I’m omitting the story of Jesus (14:47) healing the woman who had the bleeding issue just so that it reads as one story.

(14:54) And this is where Jesus is on his way to Jairus' house, (15:02) who was a temple ruler. (15:07) When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, (15:11) a large crowd gathered around him. (15:14) And so he stayed by the seashore.

(15:17) One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing him, (15:21) fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, (15:25) My little daughter is at the point of death. (15:27) Please come and lay your hands on her so that she will get well and live. (15:33) And he went off with him.

(15:34) And a large crowd was following him and pressing in on him. (15:39) Skip. (15:40) While he was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, (15:45) saying, Your daughter has died.

(15:49) Why trouble the teacher anymore? (15:51) But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, (15:56) Do not be afraid any longer. (15:58) Only believe. (16:00) And he allowed no one to accompany him except Peter and James and John, (16:05) the brother of James.

(16:07) Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. (16:13) Okay. (16:15) I thought I was seeing double there for a minute.

(16:17) They came to the house of the synagogue official, (16:20) and he saw a commotion and people loudly weeping and wailing (16:24) and entering in. (16:26) He said to them, Why make a commotion and weep? (16:29) The child has not died, but is asleep. (16:33) They began laughing at him.

(16:35) But putting them all out, he took along the child’s father and mother (16:39) and his own companions and entered the room where the child was. (16:44) Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, (16:47) To leave the coon, which translated means little girl. (16:50) I say to you, get up.

(16:52) Immediately the girl got up and began to walk. (16:55) For she was 12 years old. (16:57) And immediately they were completely astounded.

(17:00) And he gave them strict orders that no one should know about this. (17:05) And he said that something should be given her to eat. (17:09) There is perhaps nothing more painful than to lose a loved one, (17:14) especially a young child.

(17:16) Jesus said to them, Why make a commotion and weep? (17:19) She has not died, but she is asleep. (17:24) And on the surface of this statement, it almost appears insensitive. (17:28) Was it wrong to cry at such a loss? (17:31) Of course not.

(17:33) In a future lesson, we’ll see where even our Lord gets caught up in the emotion (17:38) of the moment and he himself cries over the death of a loved one. (17:43) Christ and Christians feel others' pain and enjoy others' joy. (17:49) When you think deeper on it, what he had said should have given them hope (17:55) and a deeper faith that death is not the end.

(18:01) Wherever she was, be it Hades, Abraham’s bosom, paradise, call it what you will, (18:07) she was at rest. (18:09) She was asleep. (18:10) That’s how God shows it here.

(18:14) And she was waiting to hear her Savior’s voice whenever that may be. (18:18) In her case, she didn’t have to wait long. (18:22) She was probably still in Abraham’s embrace where he was welcoming her in.

(18:28) When the Lord’s voice called her back from the dead, from her sleep. (18:33) The innocent ones, like this child, and those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah, (18:39) the Son of God, get a special greeting entering paradise by Abraham. (18:45) When we die, or when we sleep, I should say.

(18:50) That much we learn from Luke 16, the story of Lazarus and the rich man. (18:55) Listen to David’s word from Psalm 116.15. (18:59) These are comforting words. (19:02) Precious in the sight of God is the death of his holy ones.

(19:07) And some versions have the death of his saints. (19:10) Those are those who believe and are faithful to him. (19:15) And when we pass, it’s a precious moment for God (19:19) because we pass from this world into his world (19:24) where we wait until the final call of Christ, (19:29) where we all rise and meet him.

(19:33) And like we were talking earlier today, (19:36) we could very well be the generation that doesn’t experience death at Christ’s coming. (19:44) We may get caught up in the air (19:47) and be one of those that never die a natural death. (19:54) At least that’s my hope.

Wouldn’t that be nice? (19:58) This was a direct demonstration that Jesus is Yahweh. (20:03) The Yahweh of the Old Testament. (20:05) The powerful I Am.

(20:09) The resurrection and the life. (20:11) Emmanuel with us. (20:14) Now let’s look at Luke 7, 11-17.

(20:18) Another wonderful story. (20:24) Luke 7, 11-17. (20:30) I love Paul’s comment to Timothy.

(20:33) Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture. (20:37) So my lessons will always be loaded with Scripture. (20:43) Can’t go wrong reading from the Bible.

(20:46) Okay. (20:47) Soon afterwards, he went into a city called Nain, (20:51) and his disciples were going along with him, (20:53) accompanied by a large crowd. (20:56) Now as he approached the gate of the city, (20:58) a dead man was being carried out, (21:00) the only son of his mother, (21:02) and she was a widow.

(21:04) And a sizable crowd from the city was with her. (21:08) When the Lord saw her, he felt compassion for her, (21:11) and said to her, (21:12) Do not weep. (21:13) And he came up and touched the coffin, (21:16) and the bearers came to a halt, (21:18) and he said, (21:19) Young man, I say to you, arise.

(21:24) The dead man sat up and began to speak, (21:27) and Jesus gave him back to his mother. (21:31) Fear gripped them all, (21:33) and they began glorifying God, saying, (21:36) A great prophet has arisen among us, (21:38) and God has visited his people. (21:42) This report concerning him went out all over Judea (21:47) and in all the surrounding district.

(21:50) This time, Jesus has all his disciples with him, (21:55) not just the close three, (21:58) and they are out in public (22:00) with a large crowd for all to see. (22:03) Jesus had his reasons to limit (22:05) how many people knew about the raising of Jairus' daughter. (22:11) Perhaps the timing wasn’t right, (22:12) or maybe there was a concern for safety.

(22:16) Here, he has no such reservations. (22:19) He saw the widow who had just lost her son, (22:23) and she was facing a bleak future without him, (22:26) and Jesus had compassion on her. (22:29) Perhaps Jesus may have thought about his own mother, (22:34) who was a widow, (22:35) and would soon experience the pain of losing her son.

(22:40) Again, he said to the one grieving, (22:43) Do not weep. (22:45) Then, by his powerful word, (22:48) just as it says in Hebrews 1, (22:51) by his powerful word, (22:53) he holds all things together. (22:57) By his powerful word, (23:00) he commands the young man’s soul (23:02) to return back to his flesh, (23:04) and immediately his flesh is reanimated back to life, (23:09) and he raises up, and he starts talking.

(23:12) I would have loved to have heard what he was talking about. (23:19) This miracle produced the exact reaction (23:23) that the Lord probably hoped it would. (23:27) First, it created fear, (23:30) and not, oh my goodness, I’m going to die (23:33) because I’m a sinner, fear, (23:35) but godly fear that the people would feel (23:39) in the presence of God.

(23:40) Look at some of the great prophets (23:42) who were in the presence of God. (23:45) They felt like dirt. (23:47) Woe to me.

(23:48) I am a man of unclean lips (23:50) from a land of people with unclean lips. (23:53) You feel your worthlessness (23:56) in the presence of one so holy. (24:00) So it made them fear, (24:04) and it made them be full of amazement (24:07) and awe and reverence, (24:10) and they praised and gave glory to God the Father (24:14) for the Messiah whom they now believed in.

(24:17) Such a contrast between their reaction (24:21) and the Pharisee’s reaction. (24:27) That’s what God wants. (24:29) He wants us to have godly fear, awe, (24:35) amazement, reverence, (24:37) and love for the Messiah (24:40) to know that one day we’ll be called back, (24:45) and I’ll bring you to the conclusion (24:47) to I am the resurrection of the white (24:49) next time I speak in a couple weeks.

(24:52) So at this time we offer the invitation, (24:55) and if you need any requests from the congregation, (25:00) we’ll be glad to assist you. (25:03) Let’s sing.