Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection

Believe Lesson for Easter Morning, 

April 16, 2017

Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection

-------------------------Key Question-------------------------

How does Christ’s bodily resurrection from the dead impact my life, my faith and my future?

-------------------------Key Idea-------------------------

With the proof, power and promise of the resurrection, we believe in an abundant life now and eternal life in the future

-------------------------Key Verse-------------------------

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

When we Christians are called to believe in Christ and the resurrection, are we called to hope against reason? Believe without any evidence? The recent release of the movie, The Case for Christ, which tells the story of Lee Strobel’s conversion from atheism to faith, highlights a major part of Christianity: apologetics. There are reasons to believe in Christianity; and in the words of another apologist, Josh McDowell, the evidence is so overwhelming, it demands a verdict.

So what are the reasons to believe in Christianity? The Apostle Paul is the ultimate example of a skeptic who converted to Christianity. In his case, however, he was so opposed to the newly formed faith of Christianity that God had to miraculously appear to him on the Damascus road. Once converted, Paul realized that this method of evangelism (Jesus Himself appearing in overwhelming light that results in three days of blindness) was the exception and not the normal method. Therefore, the apostle lays out specific reasons to believe and more than any other part of the faith, nothing is more central than Christ rising from the dead.

The word “apologetics” comes from the Greek word which means “to make a defense.” It literally means to make a case for a religious faith through a series of systematic arguments and reasoning. It dates back as old as Christianity itself, with Paul going to synagogues and public discourses to give reasons to believe. For instance, Acts 17:2, 17 says, “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures… Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.”

Paul wasn’t the only one making a defense for Christianity. His traveling partner, Luke, the beloved physician, wrote the entire gospel after interviewing eyewitnesses “from the beginning.” He explained: “I have followed all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account … so that you may know for certain the things you were taught.” (Luke 1:3b-4, NET)

Another doubter who was converted to faith was the famous Doubting Thomas, who would only believe if he could see the nail prints in the hands of Jesus and put his own hand in his side. And while we all know that Jesus did appear to Thomas, like the conversion of Paul, Thomas’ conversion from doubt to faith is not the normal way of defending our beliefs. Even Jesus commended those who are converted without having incontrovertible faith: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Peter perhaps gave the greatest call for apologetics in 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” In that one sentence, Peter says first, set apart the Lord in your own heart; then second, be ready to defend (Greek: apologia) to everyone who questions us; lastly, he says we should give our reasons not in combative or argumentative fashion but rather in humility. 

Paul wrote several letters to the Corinthians as a result of their many problems that they had. Divisions, immorality, even instructions on how to partake of communion. But perhaps most troubling of all, Paul concludes 1 Corinthians addressing a huge problem…some did not even believe in the resurrection.

1. Proofs  Exposition of the Scriptures, Empty tomb, Eyewitnesses, and the Example of Paul

The Scriptures. The Apostle Paul ends his first letter to the Corinthian church by reminding them what he had taught them “first of all.” The gospel in a nutshell is found in 1 Cor. 15:3-4 as one of the earliest summations of the “good news” of the resurrection. Twice Paul appeals to “the Scriptures” (what we now call the Old Testament) as a proof of the resurrection.

³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹ Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

How are Old Testament prophecies that the Christ would rise from the dead, given hundreds of years earlier, a “proof” for us to believe?

Paul was not the first to appeal to the Old Testament prophecies to help people believe in the resurrection. Jesus Himself, on Resurrection Sunday, appeared to two persons mourning over the death of Christ on the road to Emmaus. In Luke 24:13-27, Jesus began with Moses and the Prophets to expound to them “in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” The Bible prophetically foretells of events hundreds of years beforehand in such vivid detail. For those events to come to pass is strong evidence that the Bible is reliable.

In Romans 10:17, Paul stated that “faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is living, powerful and sharp; it also divides and discerns. Even if people do not believe the Bible, the word of God is still supernaturally powerful and should be used even with skeptics. Someone said, “Even if you don’t believe in a knife, it still will cut you.”

The Sepulcher. Another defense Paul used was the empty tomb. It is interesting that from the beginning, the defense of the Jewish leaders was to explain why the tomb was empty. A great way to have squashed the rumors of Christ rising from the dead would have been to simply produce the body. Instead they paid soldiers to say that the disciples stole the body. However, Paul’s appeal to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is foundational to Christianity, Paul said. “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:17)

The Sightings. Thirdly, Paul, like his friend Luke as we said earlier, appealed to eyewitnesses. Peter and the twelve apostles (this would include Thomas, who saw Christ a week after the resurrection and also Matthias who was selected to replace Judas and was a “witness…of His resurrection.” See John 20:26-29, Acts 1:22). He also included 500 others who saw Christ all at once, James, the half-brother of Jesus who did not believe until after the resurrection, and then also all of the apostles or sent out ones, which could mean as many as 70 more who were the ones sent out (Greek: apostello) during Jesus’ earthly ministry (see Luke 10:1). Add all of those appearances up and you have nearly 600 times of Jesus being seen.

The Salvations. Lastly, Paul gives himself as an example. A persecutor of the church, Paul deems himself as least of the sent-out apostles. And yet he himself is an example that anyone can go from an unbeliever to believer. The changed lives of a believer can sometimes be the most convincing example of all. Jesus said they (meaning the unbelieving world) will know us by our love and changed lives.

For me, all of the apologetics in the world and all of the reasons for faith is not why I am a believer. It is the grace, the gift of God, which saved me. I know I can’t explain it enough. I know can’t show people what is in my heart. But like the old hymn says, “You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.” The changed lives of Paul and me and you and the millions who have been changed are perhaps the greatest arguments that the world can never explain away.

Do you have a personal testimony of why you believe in Christ? A testimony is a quick summation of explaining why you became a Christian and how your life has changed as a result of your salvation.

2. Protests. If tomb was not empty, then you have an empty foundation, an empty faith, an empty falsehood, an empty future, and an empty forgiveness

Proofs alone are not going to stop a skeptical world. There are protests from outside the church and in the case of the Corinthians, even inside the church. Paul was amazed that even after all that he had taught them, that there were “some among you” who did not believe in the resurrection. Specifically, some in the church may have believed Christ was raised, but they did not believe that they themselves would be raised.

In Judaism such persons were called Sadducees and it was against those that Paul argued in one of his defenses (see Acts 23:6-8, Acts 24:15-21).

But also in the Gentile culture, there was a great deal of skepticism against the resurrection (see Acts 17:32).

Worst of all, Paul found that he not only had to fight the doubters of the resurrection in the Jewish faith, in the Gentile faith, but now in the church?? He was almost beside himself!

¹² Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵ Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

It was as though was saying, “If you don’t believe in the empty tomb, you have then you have 

• empty foundation (“our preaching is empty”), 
• empty faith (“your faith is empty”), 
• empty falsehood (“we are found false witnesses”), 
• empty future (“the dead do not rise”), and an 
• empty forgiveness (“you are still in your sins”).

If this passage teaches us anything, it is that we should be absolutely assured of the resurrection, both Christ’s and our own!

Which argument have you heard against eternal life or the resurrection that leads you to doubt your faith in eternal life?

Which defense for the resurrection gives you the most encouragement and “blessed assurance”?

3. Power. Despite the protests against the resurrection, Paul appeals to the fact that if God did in fact raise Jesus from the dead, then He will also give life to the believers. Romans 8:11 (But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you) is very similar to 1 Corinthians 15.

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death….

³¹ I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. ³²If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” ³³Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” ³⁴ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

The power of the resurrection is not just the fact that there is life after death, but that there is also resurrection power within us right now. That power gives us strength to overcome sin, and it also gives us the power to live a righteous life, even if it means “fighting with beasts at Ephesus.” Paul was referring to a time in which he and others were so discouraged that “we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” (see 2 Cor. 1:8).

Again, there is a parallel in this passage and in Romans chapter 8—“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Believing in the power of the resurrection gives us power internally to overcome the discouragements of this life. Paul said that those who did not believe in the future resurrection were not admirable. Such false beliefs only lead to sin, corruption of morals and shame.

What is the most discouraging thing you face in your Christian walk?

Does it surprise you that the Apostle Paul felt so discouraged that he even “despaired of life”?

How do you think his faith in the resurrection gave him power and strength to go on?

Does your faith in the resurrection give you power? How?

4. Promise Of the Resurrection. Perhaps more than any other section of Scripture, this passage is frequently used at funerals. It gives us faith and hope for the future.

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ ​​“O Death, where is your sting? ​​O Hades, where is your victory?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The promise of the resurrection does not simply give us faith to sleep at night. It not only gives us encouragement to look death squarely in the eyes when we or our loved ones face the inevitable fate of the end of life. The promise gives us a victory not only in death, but also in this life to be steadfast and immovable, to be always abounding in the work of the Lord. The hope of the resurrection gives us a motivation that the work we are doing is not in vain.

In nursing homes, one of the most popular songs is “I’ll Fly Away,” an upbeat song about death and the victory that comes with it. Have you felt the advancing approach of age and mortality?

What do the proofs, the power and the promise of the resurrection mean to you?

The Revelation Song and Revelation 7:12

    Today we look at the sixth and seventh virtues extolled to God in Rev. 7:12. This verse is tied to Rev. 5:12, when all the world will be praising the Lamb of God who was slain. That chorus and choir gets even larger and is repeated when those from the Great Tribulation come before God's throne. John the Revelator saw possibly three and a half billion people and possibly more singing a song about the Lamb. 

    I do not know what the song will sound like from every nation, tongue and tribe. If you have not seen the story behind "The Revelation Song," watch the link below.

     6. POWER. This is the fourth and final word that is used in Rev. 5:12, Rev. 5:13, and Rev. 7:12. Those four virtues (Blessing, Honor, Glory and Power) of God are especially significant. 

     This is the dunamis power from which we also get the word “dynamite.” The explosive was so named because when it was invented, the power seemed massive considering its relatively small size. It was as though the power came from beyond itself. 

     Likewise, dunamis power is not from within, but rather from God. The sixth virtue of God is often linked with the seventh “might” or “strength”. The relation can be seen in a car engine as being the dunamis source of power and then the strength is when that power is implemented when the car actually moves and the “rubber hits the road.” 

     God not only has the power within Him, but He also has the strength and might to put that power into action.  Of all of the words used for power and might, dunamis is the most miraculous and other worldly!

     How have you seen God’s dunamis; that is, supernatural power, at work in your life? 

     Is it possible for God to put the “engine” of power in us and for us to only rev our engines but never “put the pedal to the metal” and go somewhere?

     Is God’s spirit a “dynamic” power within you? Why or why not? How can it be shown more dynamically in our lives?

     7. MIGHT/STRENGTH. There is not only power that belongs to God, He implements that power through His strength. After Paul spoke about the Armor of God, he concludes with a three fold power challenge. “Finally, my brethren, be strong (with dunamis power) in the Lord and in the power (forceful power as seen in Rev. 5:13) of His might (strengthening might).” Another way of looking at the difference between “power” and “might/strength” is “God has the power (dunamis) and He knows how to use it!”

     We know how to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, but what does it look like to love God with all of our “strength” (Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27), the word used in Rev. 7:12?

     As little children we would sing, “They are weak but He is Strong.” What does that mean to us as adults?

     Conclusion: Tim LaHaye, the late End Times author of the Left Behind book series, wrote exhaustively on Christ’s second coming and the prophecies of the Bible. He lists in his Prophecy Study Bible 125 specific prophecies of Jesus first coming (see pages 1547-1551).  LaHaye specifically lists 329 direct Biblical prophecies of Christ’s Second Coming (see pages 1547-1599).

How do the nearly three times as many prophetic Scriptures promising Jesus return impact your desire to praise God for his “virtues” of Blessing, Glory, Wisdom, Thanksgiving, Riches, Honor, Power and Might?

The Revelation Song in Many Languages

Thanksgiving and Honor

     When you think of Thanksgiving, what food do you think of? When you think of turkey, what holiday do you think of? When Israel celebrated with palm branches, the people naturally thought of giving thanks, especially when they would think of the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths. 

    4. THANKSGIVING. The fourth virtue in Rev. 7:12 is Thanksgiving and it is the only one that is not also contained in Rev. 5:12. In Greek, it is eucharistia. When we think of the saints being welcomed in to heaven as they are shown in Revelation 7, it is easy to imagine them (and us) as having an attitude of thanksgiving to God. 

     Palm branches reminded the Israelites of their 40 years of wandering in the desert and living under the tabernacles and temporary shelters thatched with palms leaves and branches of trees. 

     The people ushered Christ into Jerusalem, honoring him by laying down their outer garments on the road before Jesus. Imagine the waving of palm branches coinciding with the parade and the shouts of “Hosanna” filling the air.

   That image of praise and thanksgiving is carried forward to Rev. 7:9-13. In heaven, John saw a multitude which no one could number appearing before God. They will be the believers who die during out of the Great Tribulation. 

    It is estimated that half of the world’s remaining population, currently more than 7 billion people, will die in this short intense seven-year period. Just as their white robes are miraculously furnished, the palm branches in their hands would be a natural sign to John and any Jewish reader to symbolize the thanksgiving to God. Jesus described this time in Matthew 24:21 as this: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

    Romans 1:20-23 says, “²⁰For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” 

    What is generally a cause for a lack of thanksgiving? 

    What causes a spirit of thankfulness?”

    

     1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

    How is it possible to give thanks in everything? 

     What is the difference in giving thanks in everything rather than for everything.

    5. HONOR. The fifth godly attribute ascribed to God in Rev. 7:12 is "honor." To honor something is to give it value, or to recognize the value of something. The word used here is sometimes translated as “price,” such as the price or value of land. 

     In the parable of “The Pearl of Great Price,” the word "price" is the same word as is translated in Rev. 7:12 as "honor." The lesson to be learned here in our study is “Do we value God? What is the ‘price’ of God? What is His honor worth to us?” 

     From our perspective, the “Pearl of Great Price” should be about Jesus. However, even if we sold everything we owned to purchase our salvation, we could not do so because our righteousness is like filthy rags before God. The true meaning of this parable is that the Kingdom of God is like God being the merchant, and seeing our lives so valuable to God. 

     1 Cor. 6:20 uses the same word for "honor" found in Revelation 7:12, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. ” 

    In 1 Cor. 7:20, it says, “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 

     How is the honor we give to God related to the price He paid for us?

    God gave His only begotten Son to purchase us for His Kingdom. We honor and value God because He first valued us with so great a price!

     When Mary extravagantly poured out the spikenard oil to anoint Jesus' feet, some criticized her for her extravagant gift. And yet she did it because she apparently understood what the disciples seemingly missed: that Jesus Himself would soon be buried (See John 12:7, “But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.”)

     As we look towards this next week being "Holy Week", how do we express that we value and honor God? 

    The price God paid for us was the price of His only begotten Son. What honor should we give back to God in return for our salvation?

Wisdom belongs to the Lord

    What is true wisdom? Have you known people who are educated beyond their intelligence? Mark Twain said the sad thing about common sense is that it is not so common.

    Proverbs says the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. You may find numerous wise sayings, but true godly wisdom begins with knowing reverence of God.

    3. WISDOM. In Revelation 7:12 the third attribute to God praises God for His wisdom or in Greek “sophia.” This attribute of God is listed as the third attribute here and also third in Rev. 5:12. The Bible says in Luke 2:40, and again in 2:52 that when Jesus was on earth, He grew in wisdom. 

     Philippians 2 explains that Jesus who was God and equal with God, made Himself of no reputation, or as the Holman Christian Standard Bible translates it, “He emptied Himself” of some aspects of His omniscience or all-knowing attributes of wisdom when He took on flesh. If Christ grew in wisdom, how much more should we?

     While there is a realm of man’s wisdom, only God is truly wise (see Rom. 16:27). Jude 1:25 says that “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” (Found in the KJV and NKJV, but omitted in later versions).  God’s wisdom is wiser than that of man’s wisdom 

Read 1 Cor. 1:17-30. 

¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. ¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." ²⁰ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. ²⁶ For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence. ³⁰ But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

     When the saints in Revelation extol God’s wisdom, it means that Christ possesses and exemplifies the wisdom of God which is hidden and a mystery to the world.

     Col. 2:2-3 says, “¹ For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for … (those who) have not seen my face in the flesh, ² that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

    In what ways is God’s wisdom greater than that of the wisest of all humans? In what ways is human wisdom different than God’s wisdom?

    If Jesus grew in wisdom while on earth, what are ways we also can grow in wisdom? Will there ever be a time in which we can stop growing in wisdom?

I clapped my hands and sang Glory!

    I cannot adequately explain "glory" but this past Tuesday, when Johnny Memphis sang "I Bowed My Knees and Cried Holy" at in our Fellowship Hall, it is a pretty good example!

    Johnny Memphis, the son of a long-time Killeen pastor and now an 'Elvis Tribute Artist,' sang for the Jesus Hope and Love Benefit and I immediately signed him up to sing at our Senior Adult Banquet on May 7. The song (click here to hear it) depicts what it will be like when we come into the presence of God in His Glory.

    2. GLORY. The second Greek word used for God by those holding palm branches also is a word we know in English, “doxa” from which we get the word “doxology” and “orthodox.” It means Glory, Splendor, Radiance. 

     Second on this list, it is also second from the last in the Rev. 5:12 passage, and like “Blessing” it is repeated in Rev. 5:13. We glorify God by praising Him for His glorious radiance and essence. 

     Paul told Titus that we are looking for the “blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). 

     Matthew 25:31 says that Jesus will come “in His glory, and with all the holy angels with Him, and He will sit on the throne of His glory.” Peter also spoke of Christ’s return as being the “glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

    Glory will come at Christ's Second Coming but it also was manifested at His First Coming, both in proclamation to and shining on the shepherds (see Luke 2:9, 14). During Jesus' earthly ministry, this glory was foreshadowed at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:31-32) and will be consummated at His Second Coming. For the New Jerusalem, the Bible says there will be no need for the sun and the moon to shine upon it for the glory of God will illuminate it.

    “What does the glory of God mean to you? In what ways can we glorify God or bring Him glory?”

    In John 17:24, Jesus prayed, “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.” What are some practical ways that we can not only bring glory to God but that He can give us or let us share in His glory? How can we reflect His glory in our lives?

    Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” 

   2 Cor. 4:17 says, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” How does God’s promised glory help us go through the hard times of this life?

Are you Blessed? Then be a blessing!

Seven praise-worthy attributes of God

     Today’s devotional and all this week is not about the specifics of the End Times, but rather an overview of praise-worthy attributes of God, as found in Revelation 7:9-12. 

     The exclamation of seven “virtues” of God in this passage is different than the song of the Redeemed found in Revelation 5:9-10, which will be sung by all of those who are redeemed by the Lamb of God in heaven at the beginning of the tribulation on earth. It is also a different but very similar to the praise given to Christ, the Lamb, found in Rev. 5:12-13. 

    Revelation 7:12 is specifically given by the martyrs who will sacrifice their lives during the Great Tribulation, the seven years after the rapture of the church but prior to Jesus’ Second Coming when He will establish His rule on earth. These Tribulation martyrs will be clothed in white robes in heaven and hold in their hands palm branches.  So, what are the seven praise-worthy attributes of God and how do they compare to Rev. 5:12?  

Revelation 7:12

1.       Blessing (praise, NIV) (eulogia)

2.       Glory (doxa)

3.       Wisdom (sophia)

4.       Thanksgiving (Thanks, NIV)(eucharistia)

5.       Honor  (timē)

6.       Power  (dynamis)

7.       Might (Strength, NLT, NIV, HCSB)  (ischys)

Revelation 5:12

1.       Power

2.       Riches

3.       Wisdom

4.       Strength or Might (ischys)

5.       Honor

6.       Glory

7.       Blessing or praise

    1. BLESSING. The first virtue or praise-worthy attribute of God listed is “blessing” or in the New International Version, it is translated “praise”. It is the final of the seven attributes listed in Rev. 5:12 sung by the 24 elders and angels. The Greek word is familiar to us: “eulogia” from which we get the English word “eulogy,” meaning good words, often spoken at a funeral. In this listing, praise or blessing is not what we receive from the Lord, but rather what we give to the Lord. It will be distinct from the fourth attribute of  “thanksgiving.”

    Thanking someone else shows your appreciation for that person. It shows how their goodness has blessed you. Praising someone, especially God, is different. You are simply extolling their goodness and saying "good words" about who they are. Think about times when people have said good things about you or when you have praised your child or someone else.

    How is praising God for who He is can be different from thanking God for what He has done, especially what He has done for you.

    All of these seven “virtues” or seven praise-worthy attributes are given to God in Revelation 7:12, but can also be reflected in our lives. There are numerous commands for us to give “blessings” to others (“Bless those who curse you,” Luke 6:28, for instance). 

    What are ways we can reflect the attributes of blessings or praise of God in our lives? In other words, how can we be a source of blessings to others?

    Blessing and Palm Sunday. Exalting God with “good words” of praise and blessing is different from thanking God in that we are proclaiming the good virtues of God in His character. This same word can be found in a verb form specifically used on Palm Sunday in John 12:13, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel” (see also Luke 19:38 and Matt. 21:9). 

     Blessing and the Second Coming. When Jesus lamented over Jerusalem and the destruction that would come upon the Jewish people, He said that this phrase of “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” would not be used again until His Second Coming. 

    “See,” Jesus said in Matthew 23:38-39, “Your house is left to you desolate, for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

     The New Testament in Rev. 1:7 states explicitly that at Jesus’ Second Coming, “Every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.” The Old Testament in Zech 12:10 also affirms that specifically the “house of David” will see Christ when He returns, and know it was they, the Jewish people, who pierced Him: “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced.”

    How does the fact that Jesus is coming again make you want to praise and bless Him?

Palm Branches remind us our earthly "tents" will one day be "mansions"

     Why Palm Branches? When Jesus rode in to Jerusalem they waved and laid palm branches on the road before Him. True, they are a naturally made pennant banner, fit for "fans" of Jesus to wave. And in the spring warmth/heat, they also are fit for fans to wave to beat the heat. (Okay, don't groan, I promise no more puns...this devotional gets better.)

     For the next two Sundays, in observance of Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, we are taking a break from BELIEVE (the book) to concentrate on some “beliefs” we have that are not necessarily stated in our study on “BELIEVE.” This Sunday, April 9, we are at the mid-point of the final third section concentrating on ten virtues of our faith. I suggest that we look at the prophetic return of Christ and the seven “virtues” of God proclaimed by those with palm branches in Revelation 7:9.

     I use the word “virtues” in quotes because we typically think of virtues as being for people and not the Lord. Thematically, we are discussing the human virtues in chapters 21 through 30, so what better time to discuss the morally praise-worthy attributes of God?

Lesson for Adults

Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017

25.5 Seven Key “Virtues” of God

---------------------------------Key Question---------------------------------

How do worship attributes of God relate to and reflect in me?

-------------------------------Key Idea---------------------------------

By faith and obedience, God’s glorious attributes can be reflected into virtues in my life.

-----------------------------------Key Verse---------------------------------

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, ​​Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, ​​Be to our God forever and ever. ​​Amen.”
Revelation 7:12

Background of Palm Branches and Palm Sunday

     Palm branches are prophetic of the first and second comings of Christ; that is, palm branches were used in the Triumphal Entry of Christ to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, just a week before His resurrection nearly 2,000 years ago. Also, palm branches are prophetically stated in Revelation 7:9 as being held by those who will be delivered from the Great Tribulation, just prior to Christ’s Second Coming. 

     The Old Testament prophecy can be found in Leviticus 23:40, where the Israelites were to initiate the feast of booths or tabernacles in September by taking palm branches as a symbol of rejoicing and triumph:

“‘And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.”

     Dr. Henry Morris, a prolific Biblical scholar of the early 20^th century, said the Feast of Tabernacles has great prophetical significance. As the seventh and final of the Levitical feasts, “The Feast of Tabernacles speaks of the coming eternal rest in the holy city when ‘the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people’ (Rev. 21:3)”. 

     The gospel of John records the people in Jesus’ day taking specifically “palm branches from palm trees” for His triumphal entry on the Sunday prior to His crucifixion. It appears to be a significant parallel, particularly noted by the Apostle John, who wrote both the final gospel and the final book of the New Testament.

     Palm branches remind us of the temporary tabernacles or “tents” we currently have (that is, our bodies) and that these bodies will someday be replaced with a permanent dwelling. In a sense, Christ dwelling in us is a temporary dwelling in our mortal, finite, feeble bodies. At the end of Peter’s life, he twice referred to his body as a “tent” (2 Peter 1:13, 14), the same word he used when he wanted to build a tabernacle for Moses and Elijah at the Mount of Transfiguration (see Matt. 17:4). 

12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things,
though you know and are established in the present truth.
13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent,
to stir you up by reminding you,
14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent,
just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.
15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you
always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

     Both the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus 23:40 and the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday cause us to look forward to Jesus’ second coming, as seen in Rev. 7:9. In that passage, it says that a “great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues,” will be in heaven before the throne of God and before Jesus, the Lamb of God.

     Also, those people will be clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands. Like at the Triumphal Entry, where the people shouted “Hosanna,” or cries for salvation, the people in heaven who have come out of the Great Tribulation (see Rev. 7:14) are also proclaiming triumph to God for the “Salvation of our God.”

    As you prepare for Palm Sunday, rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for His Salvation. 

Week 25 Hope -- You Can Cope Because of the Hope

     Sunday in three different LifeGroups, I taught on what it means to “believe.” We discussed briefly that to believe (a verb) is essentially the same as trust (generally a verb) and faith (generally a noun of the same word believe). So what is hope?

     It's sometimes hard to see the difference in faith and hope. Perhaps it is easier to see the difference if we look at the opposites. The opposite of faith is doubt and the opposite of hope is despair. Thus, faith speaks to the intellect or understanding, and hope speaks to the emotions. Both are battles within the soul, the seat of our intellect, will and emotions. Martin Luther said that faith rests with the understanding, and teaches and prescribes; hope rests in the encouragement of the soul and gives strength and courage.

     Hope brings joy and its opposite, despair, brings sadness. Faith is an “evidence,” (see Hebrews 11:1) and its opposite, doubt, is also fueled by conflicting evidence. But Paul adds a third part to the faith and hope discussion--love (1 Cor. 13:13). All three must be used in the battle within our souls. Faith fuels the battle of the mind with unseen evidence; Hope fuels the battle of our emotions with courage and joy; Love fuels the battle of our will with a sacrificial motivation for all we do. Love is greater than faith or hope and it will also endure. 

The above was originally published on September 5, 2016, when Believe was just starting. We are now in Week 25 of 30 weeks of studying our basic core beliefs. The following devotional comes from Zondervan in preparation for BELIEVE.

It is impossible to cope without hope.

False hope causes people to plan, build and risk for something that is not likely to happen. The Bible identifies several things humans unfortunately place their hope in only to be disappointed in the end.

False hope ... in riches.

Because of his fearless confidence in God, David is able to hurl condemnation at his enemy who trusts in wealth. (See Psalm 52:1–9.)

False hope ... in people.

The psalmists tell us that we will be disappointed if we place our hope in people rather than God.

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. (Psalm 146:3–4)

False hope ... in idols.

An idol is any object we place above God. The prophet Habakkuk declares how foolish it is to place our hope in such man-made inventions. (See Habakkuk 2:18-19.)

Hope is only as good as the power and character of the one who offers it. Since God’s character is rock solid, trustworthy and true, we anchor our hope in his promises to us.

KEY VERSE

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. (Hebrews 6:19–20)

KEY IDEA

I can cope with the hardships of life because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ.

KEY APPLICATION: What difference does this make in the way I live?

Hope in Christ gives us a different place to look.

The author of Hebrews describes how hope gives us a different place to look: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).