Sermon Title: Death and Resurrection Of The Believer
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Risen Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus is the source and foundation of the Christian Hope.
Christ’s Resurrection declares: Death does not get the last word!
For the believer, death is not the end of life; nor is it an escape from this fallen and wicked world to heaven.
Let’s be very clear.
Believers who die in faith in Jesus do ‘go to heaven’, but heaven is only the waiting room until such time Christ returns to the world “coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30 cf Daniel 7:13-14), and calls every true believer to Himself.
At that time, we will be resurrected in our eternal, New Creation bodies. (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:21, 1 Thessalonians 4:16)
Such is the joy of the Salvation and the promised Hope of our resurrection in Christ.
Sure, heaven may be great, but victory is not yet complete.
Physical death would have claimed our bodies but it is not the end.
Never forget that Friday is not the end of the story,
Our Sunday will come when the Son of God comes in glory and splendor – fulfilling every promise of God, and making right every evil and injustice to ever see the light of day.
Christ’s Resurrection declares: Death is dead!
Our Lord’s Resurrection reveals the destruction of death and the reversal of its indiscriminate effects on our lives.
Thus, to the believer of the Risen Saviour, death is dead to us; undone.
Just as Christ was raised from the dead on that fateful Sunday morning, so shall we be raised – perfectly healed from the devastations of the Fall and our fallenness - when the resurrected Christ reappears in glory.
Christ’s Resurrection declares: God brings His Greatest Blessings out of the worst of tragedies!
What is worse than the death of the Son of God – crucified on the Cross at Calvary?
Absolutely nothing!
And yet, through this darkest moment in human history, Christ’s death on the Cross became the atonement for every sin, the source of salvation and eternal life for all who repented and believed in Him.
Indeed, Christ’s Resurrection is the one and only linchpin for our own resurrection.
“For if... ...”
‘For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5)
Many would happily and readily prepare to be united with Christ “in a resurrection like His”.
However, it is crucial to be mindful that there is a pre-condition and premise that comes before the Promise and Power of Resurrection – and that is, our conscientious and eager preparation to be “united with Him in a death like His.”
To be “united with Him in a death like His” speaks to our fixation on Christ’s Death and finished work of substitutionary atonement for our sakes on the Cross; and requires that our lives be fully lived in a constant state of conscientious repentance before our Heavenly Father from whom we have received Salvation.
And it begins with the question:
How do you feel when you contemplate Christ’s death for you on the Cross at Calvary?
The Apostle Paul teaches us:
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Never ever feel sad, sympathetic, nor sorry for our Lord Jesus, that He died on the Cross – for any feelings of sadness, sympathy or regret for Christ is outright contempt for God’s loving kindness.
Instead, what we must feel when we think about our Lord’s death on the Cross is an utter sadness, brokenness and remorse that we have sinned against God. (Ref: Psalm 34:17-18, Psalm 51:17)
A life of repentance - that results in utter obedience and surrendered-ness - before God is what it means for us to be “united with Him in a death like His”.
And it is precisely to the outworkings of a life of true repentance before God that our Lord Jesus teaches us – His Disciples - in John 12:23-26:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.
My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24)
Repentance is dying to self (Ref: Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23)- to be utterly brokenhearted and crushed in your spirit for your sins against God (Ref: Psalm 34:17-18, Psalm 51:17), and be willing to let go of, and completely die to the things of this world; your sin and shame, your failures and inadequacies, your bitterness, hurts and pains, your sicknesses, mortality, and even the impending, moment of physical death – all, in favor of living for Christ and living in the Grace and Gift of God that comes from an eternal life of faith in Jesus. (cf: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 6:19-21, Philippians 1:21).
Repentance is to cease living as a single seed – which is, to immediately stop living selfishly for yourself, and being willing to “fall to the ground and die” for the sake of producing many seeds; in clear allusion that we must live solely for the Gospel of Christ Jesus and His Kingdom.
Repentance is to resolutely hate your life in this world; as you faithfully and actively anticipate your life in the eternal Kingdom of God.
Repentance is saying “I will stop serving myself; and start serving only Jesus”; which is, the only way to live truly as a faithful disciple of Christ.
Brethren, understand this well.
Christ not only died that we may live; He died and rose again to live for all eternity -that we may live with HIM for all eternity.
Repentance through Christ is key to the Christian Hope of Resurrection unto eternal life.
Are you willing to be “united with Him in a death like His”?
Are you prepared to be truly repentant before the Lord, your God?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, grant me resolve to live in the Power of Your Resurrection; in the deepest faith and hope in my own resurrection when Christ returns to the world “on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30) and calls me from the grave unto everlasting life in the Kingdom of God.
Indeed, death is dead to me; for I live solely for the sake and in the service of my Lord Jesus Christ!
But above all, convict me to be utterly united with my Saviour in a death like His – that I may be fixated on His finished work of atonement for my sins; and live fully in a constant state of conscientious repentance before our Heavenly Father from whom we have received Salvation.
Lord, I am utterly brokenhearted and crushed in my spirit for my sins against You.
Forgive me, and help me daily completely die to the things of this world – that I may live solely for You, my Lord; in Your Grace and Gift of eternal life.
Forgive me, and help me cease living selfishly as a single seed; but instead live for the sake of Your Gospel and Your Kingdom.
Forgive me, and help me resolutely hate my life in this world; as I faithfully and actively anticipate eternal life in Your Coming Kingdom.
Forgive me, and help me to immediately stop serving myself; and start serving only the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, Lord Jesus!
May I live a life of true repentance – being united in You in a death like Yours; that I will certainly also be united with You in a resurrection like Yours! (Ref: Romans 6:5)
Come, Lord Jesus!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5)
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Risen Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus is the source and foundation of the Christian Hope.
Christ’s Resurrection declares: Death does not get the last word!
For the believer, death is not the end of life; nor is it an escape from this fallen and wicked world to heaven.
Let’s be very clear.
Believers who die in faith in Jesus do ‘go to heaven’, but heaven is only the waiting room until such time Christ returns to the world “coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30 cf Daniel 7:13-14), and calls every true believer to Himself.
At that time, we will be resurrected in our eternal, New Creation bodies. (Ref: 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:21, 1 Thessalonians 4:16)
Such is the joy of the Salvation and the promised Hope of our resurrection in Christ.
Sure, heaven may be great, but victory is not yet complete.
Physical death would have claimed our bodies but it is not the end.
Never forget that Friday is not the end of the story,
Our Sunday will come when the Son of God comes in glory and splendor – fulfilling every promise of God, and making right every evil and injustice to ever see the light of day.
Christ’s Resurrection declares: Death is dead!
Our Lord’s Resurrection reveals the destruction of death and the reversal of its indiscriminate effects on our lives.
Thus, to the believer of the Risen Saviour, death is dead to us; undone.
Just as Christ was raised from the dead on that fateful Sunday morning, so shall we be raised – perfectly healed from the devastations of the Fall and our fallenness - when the resurrected Christ reappears in glory.
Christ’s Resurrection declares: God brings His Greatest Blessings out of the worst of tragedies!
What is worse than the death of the Son of God – crucified on the Cross at Calvary?
Absolutely nothing!
And yet, through this darkest moment in human history, Christ’s death on the Cross became the atonement for every sin, the source of salvation and eternal life for all who repented and believed in Him.
Indeed, Christ’s Resurrection is the one and only linchpin for our own resurrection.
“For if... ...”
‘For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5)
Many would happily and readily prepare to be united with Christ “in a resurrection like His”.
However, it is crucial to be mindful that there is a pre-condition and premise that comes before the Promise and Power of Resurrection – and that is, our conscientious and eager preparation to be “united with Him in a death like His.”
To be “united with Him in a death like His” speaks to our fixation on Christ’s Death and finished work of substitutionary atonement for our sakes on the Cross; and requires that our lives be fully lived in a constant state of conscientious repentance before our Heavenly Father from whom we have received Salvation.
And it begins with the question:
How do you feel when you contemplate Christ’s death for you on the Cross at Calvary?
The Apostle Paul teaches us:
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Never ever feel sad, sympathetic, nor sorry for our Lord Jesus, that He died on the Cross – for any feelings of sadness, sympathy or regret for Christ is outright contempt for God’s loving kindness.
Instead, what we must feel when we think about our Lord’s death on the Cross is an utter sadness, brokenness and remorse that we have sinned against God. (Ref: Psalm 34:17-18, Psalm 51:17)
A life of repentance - that results in utter obedience and surrendered-ness - before God is what it means for us to be “united with Him in a death like His”.
And it is precisely to the outworkings of a life of true repentance before God that our Lord Jesus teaches us – His Disciples - in John 12:23-26:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.
My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24)
Repentance is dying to self (Ref: Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23)- to be utterly brokenhearted and crushed in your spirit for your sins against God (Ref: Psalm 34:17-18, Psalm 51:17), and be willing to let go of, and completely die to the things of this world; your sin and shame, your failures and inadequacies, your bitterness, hurts and pains, your sicknesses, mortality, and even the impending, moment of physical death – all, in favor of living for Christ and living in the Grace and Gift of God that comes from an eternal life of faith in Jesus. (cf: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 6:19-21, Philippians 1:21).
Repentance is to cease living as a single seed – which is, to immediately stop living selfishly for yourself, and being willing to “fall to the ground and die” for the sake of producing many seeds; in clear allusion that we must live solely for the Gospel of Christ Jesus and His Kingdom.
Repentance is to resolutely hate your life in this world; as you faithfully and actively anticipate your life in the eternal Kingdom of God.
Repentance is saying “I will stop serving myself; and start serving only Jesus”; which is, the only way to live truly as a faithful disciple of Christ.
Brethren, understand this well.
Christ not only died that we may live; He died and rose again to live for all eternity -that we may live with HIM for all eternity.
Repentance through Christ is key to the Christian Hope of Resurrection unto eternal life.
Are you willing to be “united with Him in a death like His”?
Are you prepared to be truly repentant before the Lord, your God?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, grant me resolve to live in the Power of Your Resurrection; in the deepest faith and hope in my own resurrection when Christ returns to the world “on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30) and calls me from the grave unto everlasting life in the Kingdom of God.
Indeed, death is dead to me; for I live solely for the sake and in the service of my Lord Jesus Christ!
But above all, convict me to be utterly united with my Saviour in a death like His – that I may be fixated on His finished work of atonement for my sins; and live fully in a constant state of conscientious repentance before our Heavenly Father from whom we have received Salvation.
Lord, I am utterly brokenhearted and crushed in my spirit for my sins against You.
Forgive me, and help me daily completely die to the things of this world – that I may live solely for You, my Lord; in Your Grace and Gift of eternal life.
Forgive me, and help me cease living selfishly as a single seed; but instead live for the sake of Your Gospel and Your Kingdom.
Forgive me, and help me resolutely hate my life in this world; as I faithfully and actively anticipate eternal life in Your Coming Kingdom.
Forgive me, and help me to immediately stop serving myself; and start serving only the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, Lord Jesus!
May I live a life of true repentance – being united in You in a death like Yours; that I will certainly also be united with You in a resurrection like Yours! (Ref: Romans 6:5)
Come, Lord Jesus!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.