Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc03/v05600

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 7KB | 116 lines

05609
 #35-50 1. How are the dead raised up? that is, by what means?
 How can they be raised? 2. As to the bodies which shall rise.
 Will it be with the like shape, and form, and stature, and
 members, and qualities? The former objection is that of those
 who opposed the doctrine, the latter of curious doubters. To the
 first the answer is, This was to be brought about by Divine
 power; that power which all may see does somewhat like it, year
 after year, in the death and revival of the corn. It is foolish
 to question the Almighty power of God to raise the dead, when we
 see it every day quickening and reviving things that are dead.
 To the second inquiry; The grain undergoes a great change; and
 so will the dead, when they rise and live again. The seed dies,
 though a part of it springs into new life, though how it is we
 cannot fully understand. The works of creation and providence
 daily teach us to be humble, as well as to admire the Creator's
 wisdom and goodness. There is a great variety among other
 bodies, as there is among plants. There is a variety of glory
 among heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead, when they rise,
 will be fitted for the heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead,
 when they rise, will be fitted for the heavenly state; and there
 will be a variety of glories among them. Burying the dead, is
 like committing seed to the earth, that it may spring out of it
 again. Nothing is more loathsome than a dead body. But believers
 shall at the resurrection have bodies, made fit to be for ever
 united with spirits made perfect. To God all things are
 possible. He is the Author and Source of spiritual life and
 holiness, unto all his people, by the supply of his Holy Spirit
 to the soul; and he will also quicken and change the body by his
 Spirit. The dead in Christ shall not only rise, but shall rise
 thus gloriously changed. The bodies of the saints, when they
 rise again, will be changed. They will be then glorious and
 spiritual bodies, fitted to the heavenly world and state, where
 they are ever afterwards to dwell. The human body in its present
 form, and with its wants and weaknesses, cannot enter or enjoy
 the kingdom of God. Then let us not sow to the flesh, of which
 we can only reap corruption. And the body follows the state of
 the soul. He, therefore, who neglects the life of the soul,
 casts away his present good; he who refuses to live to God,
 squanders all he has.

05625
 #51-58 All the saints should not die, but all would be changed.
 In the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made
 known. Death never shall appear in the regions to which our Lord
 will bear his risen saints. Therefore let us seek the full
 assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, and in
 the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of the
 tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the mean
 time our souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives
 death all its hurtful power. The sting of death is sin; but
 Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made
 atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength
 of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its
 curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and
 anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the
 impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him
 in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of
 thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection,
 the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! In verse #58|, we
 have an exhortation, that believers should be stedfast, firm in
 the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they
 received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of
 this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and
 immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing
 the Lord's service, and obeying the Lord's commands. May Christ
 give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be
 safe, but joyful and triumphant.
05633
 * A collection for the poor at Jerusalem. (1-9) Timothy and
 Apollos commended. (10-12) Exhortation to watchfulness in faith
 and love. (13-18) Christian salutations. (19-24)

 #1-9 The good examples of other Christians and churches should
 rouse us. It is good to lay up in store for good uses. Those who
 are rich in this world, should be rich in good works, #1Ti
 6:17,18|. The diligent hand will not make rich, without the
 Divine blessing, #Pr 10:4,22|. And what more proper to stir us
 up to charity to the people and children of God, than to look at
 all we have as his gift? Works of mercy are real fruits of true
 love to God, and are therefore proper services on his own day.
 Ministers are doing their proper business, when putting forward,
 or helping works of charity. The heart of a Christian minister
 must be towards the people among whom he has laboured long, and
 with success. All our purposes must be made with submission to
 the Divine providence, #Jas 4:15|. Adversaries and opposition do
 not break the spirits of faithful and successful ministers, but
 warm their zeal, and inspire them with fresh courage. A faithful
 minister is more discouraged by the hardness of his hearers'
 hearts, and the backslidings of professors, than by the enemies'
 attempts.

05642
 #10-12 Timothy came to do the work of the Lord. Therefore to vex
 his spirit, would be to grieve the Holy Spirit; to despise him,
 would be to despise Him that sent him. Those who work the work
 of the Lord, should be treated with tenderness and respect.
 Faithful ministers will not be jealous of each other. It becomes
 the ministers of the gospel to show concern for each other's
 reputation and usefulness.

05645
 #13-18 A Christian is always in danger, therefore should ever be
 on the watch. He should be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and
 never desert or give it up. By this faith alone he will be able
 to keep his ground in an hour of temptation. Christians should
 be careful that charity not only reigns in their hearts, but
 shines in their lives. There is a great difference between
 Christian firmness and feverish warmth and transport. The
 apostle gave particular directions as to some who served the
 cause of Christ among them. Those who serve the saints, those
 who desire the honour of the churches, and to remove reproaches
 from them, are to be thought much of, and loved. They should
 willingly acknowledge the worth of such, and all who laboured
 with or helped the apostle.