Resurrection - Part 6. There are two types of people in this world: “Saints, and Aints”. In Philippians 3:7-14, the apostle Paul is addressing
the Saints when discussing the status of “perfect”. We know that no one is perfect for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
(Romans 3:23). Yet “Saints” are perfected by Christ in salvation and are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). The pursuit of “being perfect”
is the race of Saints in the pursuit of the calling of God. Life in the Christian realm is a race for inheritance. The reward for the winning the race
are crowns. To run in the Christian race, you must do so according to the rules in order to be approved unto God. Now
the first race is against sin to defeat death and join the “Saints” team. As hebrews 11:6 says “...for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” The second race excludes all of the “Aints”, and is the race where you press towards the
mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). This is where Paul talks about attaining perfection. Positionally, we’re complete (perfect) in Christ as a “Saint”. This Saints race is being run to be approved unto God
and receive the rewards of running faithfully. One of these rewards is the out-resurrection. The lesson on Mar 2, 2003 is part 6 of a series on resurrection.   Click here to listen now.
 Resurrection - Part 7.
Only on half of one verse in scripture does God give to the athiest. In Psalm 14:1 (KJV) “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God...” The fool doesn’t believe
there will be a resurrection yet we know that the blessed hope of the resurrection will happen
to everyone. Why? Judgement for everyone will be judged of God. When you become a Christian, God will judge you according to Christ as Hebrews 9:27-28 (KJV) says “And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to
bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” The fact of the resurrection was widely known throughout scripture. Many of Pauls testimonials
peeked interest because of his assertion of the resurrection. Yet in Philippians 3:7-14, Paul talks about not having obtained
something. Was this the resurrection? Apparently not since the inclusion in the resurrection was assured of in 1Thes 4:18 (KJV) “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” The pursuit of the “resurrection of the dead” in verse 11 is
a different event than the resurrection of believers in John 11:24. This is better clarified in the greek as “the out-from resurrection of the dead ones, or out-resurrection.” Paul explained his pursuit and participation in this event was a reward
for his faithful pursuit of Christ through the specific truth that was given to him for his faith obedience. That’s why in Phil
3:14 he said “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The lesson on Mar 9, 2003 continues the resurrection series of audio lessons. Click here to listen now.
 Resurrection - Part 8.
It’s our responsibility as Christians.to approach scripture and determine how it should apply in our lives. The resurrection is one of the key topics that we
should study. For example, Martha in John 11:23-24 (KJV) demonstrated her understanding of a resurrection f when talking about her brother Lazarus “Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother
shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” As Martha demonstrates, it was widely known among the believers that there is
a resurrection of the dead. However, we learn in Philippians 3:7-14 of another resurrection out
from among the dead ones. These are different resurrections and the one in Philippians was one that Paul was hoping to
attain as a reward. Why did Paul question his participation in this resurrection? This event is reserved as a reward for
faith obedience as he showed while he was pressing towards the mark of the high calling. This is not an uncommon
thought as we find in Hebrews 11:32-35 that the great heroes of faith were in pursuit of a better resurrection. This better
resurrection for the Hebrews is similar to the “out-resurrection” for the Body of Christ. The lesson on Mar 16, 2003 continues the audio series on Resurrection. Click here to listen now.
 Priorities. Leland Maples of LOOPS Ministries delivered a lesson on priorities. Leland shared
his recent fight with lung cancer and the insights this gave him into setting proper priorities.
Everybody has responsibilities in their lives that change over time. From being a student to
becoming a parent, responsibilities change. Yet we need to keep in mind that responsibilities
are not priorities. Our priorities need to dictate which responsibilities come first. As Christians,
we should know our spiritual priorities just as the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV) “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the
quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season,
out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Do you preach the word? Are you doing the work of an
evangelist? We often act like we will live forever yet we never know when our time on this earth will be over. We
usually make it a priority to get a will and make other preparations if we think we’re going to die but what about our
priorities if we find we’re going to live?. Consequently, we better take an inventory of our priorities and realize to live is
Christ, so take every opportunity to share Christ Jesus with others in service to God as our Chrisitan duty. The lesson on
Mar 23, 2003 teaches on Christian priorities. Click here to listen now.
 Resurrection - Part 9.
In scripture, we learn of a resurrection of an individual unto life, and a
resurrection of an individual unto damnation or condemnation. It’s differences like this that
should provoke us to study the word of God and compare the things that differ so we may
learn more about what God has said. The lesson on Mar 30, 2003 provides a recap of the Resurrection series and reviews the high points of the series. The belief in a resurrection was
first demonstrated by Abraham in Genesis when he was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV) tells us about his faith ”By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered
up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it
was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” The resurrection was validated by Christ and is the
bedrock of the Christian faith. This is our hope and the remeedy of our sin. The resurrection of Christ is our life for those who accept it. Be sure and listen to all of the lessons on Resurrection. Click here to listen now.
|
Audio Lessons for this Month
