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“SLEEPETH"

Thesis: To teach the hearers the truth about death, and to instill faith and hope in Christ concerning such.

Text: Luke 8:40-42, 49-56

Introduction,
1. In this section of Scripture our Lord is teaching and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, confirming His teachings and Himself as the Christ of God by performing a series of miracles (Matt 9:35).

2. He is then approached by a man, Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue, whose daughter was at the brink of death, evidently the fame of Jesus has been circulated and this man had faith in Him to heal his child.

3. Then a person came from the ruler’s house saying that his daughter had died, don’t trouble Jesus, all hope was lost.

4. Yet we know that this is simply not true, with Christ, there is always hope, in fact He is referred to as “The Blessed Hope” (Tit 2:14).

5. Jesus then instructed the man, went to his house, and the child was risen from the dead.

6. This matter concerns one of the most, if not “the” most, prominent feature in the Christian faith, “the resurrection of the dead” (actually “from” the dead in this case).

7. Thus, we will take a closer look into this text, and build our faith in “He Who is the Firstfruits of them that were asleep, raised to live forever more” (1 Cor 15:23; Rev 1:18)

8. We will take a threefold look at this passage . . .
1) FAITH IN JESUS’ AUTHORITY
2) THERE IS NO FEAR IN JESUS’ AUTHORITY
3) THE FACT OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY
I. FAITH IN JESUS’ AUTHORITY (Luke 8:40-42)

A. (v 40)

Luk 8:40 And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him; for they were all waiting for him.

In this verse the multitudes are seen waiting for Jesus in Capernaum in Galilee, He just crossed the Sea and they welcomed Him.

1. This quite a change from what just transpired across the Sea of Galilee in the country of the Gerasenes.

a. In that region Jesus had cast a legion of demons out of 2 men, the demons entered into a herd of swine, the swine then drowned themselves, thus the people lost the income that they would have gained as a direct result of Jesus’ actions,

b. They, instead of rejoicing in the fact that these two men were delivered from demon possession, cared more for their sausages than their souls, and asked Him to leave.

2. The same could be said today, some welcome Jesus and His teachings, selflessness, love, peace, and service unto God.

a. While at the same time another group abhors all that which Jesus stands for, and looks more to personal gain, competition, contention, and plentiful times of leisure.

b. Most will not be willing to give up a season of self (this physical life), for an eternity with the Almighty (Mt 16:25).

Mat 16:25 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.

c. Then there is another group that manufactures a different Jesus that we read of in the bible, a Jesus that requires little or nothing of them, these are only temporarily fooling themselves, for they will ultimately stand before the “real” Jesus, and be judged according to His New Covenant (the New Testament; John 12:48; Rom 2:16).

Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.

d. Yet there are some, a few, with open hearts, that good ground, who will hear and obey unto eternal life, for one soul is worth more than all the worldly possessions combined, the heavenly angels shout for joy when just one comes to Christ through the Gospel (Luke 15:7).

B. (v 41)

Luk 8:41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him to come into his house;

Here we see Jairus, a religious ruler, falling down at the feet of Jesus, Matthew’s account stated that he “worshipped Him” (Matt 9:18).

1. Let us think about the situation at that time; Jesus was certainly no friend of the religious leaders of that day, I am sure that anyone that followed Jesus was considered a traitor to the adherents of Judaism.

a. Thus we should conclude that this man’s knowledge of the teachings and miracles of Christ gave him faith, which combined with the love for his daughter motivated him to seek out Christ, worship Him as God in the flesh, and set his hope on Christ’s authority over disease, this is basically “faith working through love” (Gal 5:6).

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.

b. Also we must assume that because of his actions, this man would likely lose his seat of ruler-ship in the religious community at that time, seeing that Christ was considered an enemy to the Law of Moses by most, (yet in actuality He was an enemy of the traditions of men, not the Law of Moses).

2. The same is true to this day, God gave us His word which when studied and applied, gives us faith (“faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Christ),” Rom 10:17).

a. God also gave His Son (John 3:16) of which when one hears, and fully realizes that which Christ gave up (existing as God in heaven itself), and what He went through for you and me (the Innocent put to death at the hands of the wicked in one of the most heinous instruments of torture ever conceived by man, being hung upon a cross until dead), produces love in our hearts (We love because He first loved us; 1 John 4:19).

b. Which in turn motivates us to seek out Christ, and set our hopes on His authority, over sin, and over death (Mt 28:18; 16:18).

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

Mat 16:18b and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

c. This will be costly, at least from a worldly point of view, or it will seem so, it may cost us our pastimes, our friends, our pleasures, our associations with the religions of men, but is worth all this and more (Rom 8:18), for it is written (2 Cor 6:17-18) . . .

2Co 6:17 Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, 2Co 6:18 And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

C. (v 42)

Luk 8:42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him.

This man was desperate, this was his only daughter, and she was dying!

1. Desperation today, is that which drives many people to Christ, desperate for life, desperate for hope, desperate for rest, that which only God through Christ can give (He said) . . .

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

2. The multitudes thronged Christ, they crowded to Him, His teachings, His miracles . . .

a. Yet soon, He would be gone, so would the miracles, the teachings would seem hard, most would forsake Him, but a few would believe and continue to follow, thousands heard and saw and partook of the miracles, yet only 120 followed after over 3 years of intense preaching and teaching (John 6:66-68)

Joh 6:66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Joh 6:67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? Joh 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

b. Many at first are excited about being Christians, they feel alive, vibrant, yet when troubles come because of the word, they fall away, back into their old lives, without God, and without hope as depicted in the parable of the sower (Mk 4:16-17).

Mar 4:16 And these in like manner are they that are sown upon the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; Mar 4:17 and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble.

c. Yet with plenty of spiritual Food (God’s word; 1 Pet 2:2),
d. Exercise (application of that word; Ja 1:22),
e. Rest (hope in the promises of God, Who cannot lie Tit 1:2; 1 Pet 1:3), which produces “faith in Jesus and His authority”

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

f. Should lead us right where God would have us, walking in the light of His word, waiting and looking for, that great Day (Tit 2:13; 2 Pet 3:12-13).

Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2Pe 3:12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2Pe 3:13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

II. THERE IS NO FEAR IN JESUS’ AUTHORITY (Luke 8:49-50)

A. (Skip down to v 49)

Luk 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher.

Then the worse thing that could happen, did; the little girl died! Don’t trouble Jesus, there’s nothing He can do!

1. Many believe that there’s nothing Jesus can do today! Miracles have ceased (1 Cor 13:8-10; Eph 4:8-14), why trouble Jesus?

a. Those that believe such are oh so wrong! Jesus can give you what no one can take from you, peace in any circumstance (Phili 4:7), love for all, no matter how they act (Mt 5:44), and a hope that will never fade (1 Pet 1:3), only grow, eternal in the heavens, let us always trouble Jesus.

B. (v 50)

Luk 8:50 But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole.

Christ heard the bad news and told him “fear not”.

1. “Fear” does not mix with “faith”, Christ told this man to replace his fear with “faith” “belief.”

2. In His ministry thus far . . .
a. Christ had asserted His authority with His teaching and preaching,
b. He had asserted His authority over sickness and disease,
c. He had asserted His authority over the forces of nature,
d. He had asserted His authority over demons,
e. And now He is going to assert His authority over death itself, but it was conditional, this man had to “believe” in His authority over death, and then would his daughter be made whole.

3. We also must “fear not,” concerning death, Jesus came to take away that fear (Heb 2:14-15)

Heb 2:14 Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Heb 2:15 and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (and He did)

4. Under the authority of Christ not only will the fear of death be taken away, but there is a day coming, our God has promised that death itself will be conquered (as it is written 1 Cor 15:22-26),

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet. 1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

5. And He will do as He promised, at the 2nd coming of Christ the eternal state of God’s creation will commence,

a. The dead will be raised and rejoined with their changed new incorruptible bodies,
b. All will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, the verdicts will be issued, permanent separation between the redeemed and the worldly will be made,
c. No more infants will be born, and death will cease as we know it, all will live forever,
d. The only question is “where will you spend eternity?”
e. Those that subject themselves to the gospel of Christ (Rom 10:3) and place themselves under Jesus’ authority have no reason to fear but rather to REJOICE!!!(Phili 4:4)

III. THE FACT OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY (Luke 8:51-56)

A. (v 51)

Luk 8:51 And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother.

We should assume that the multitudes followed Him, He had them stay outside.

1. We can conclude that because Jesus told these select few “to tell no man what had been done.” (v 56), that the purpose was because “His time had not yet come” to be crucified.

2. For when the news of His raising of Lazarus from the dead spread among the people, the Jews purposed to kill both Jesus and Lazarus (John 11:53; 12:10-11), And Jesus could no more openly walk among the Jews (John 11:54), and because of this, was crucified shortly thereafter.

B. (v 52)

Luk 8:52 And all were weeping, and bewailing her: but he said, Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth.

We learn from Matthew’s and Luke’s account that this “wailing” was also accompanied by “flute playing”.

1. Back in those times, when a Jew died it was customary to hire professional mourners, and the fact that they are present is proof of this girl’s death.

2. When Jesus said, “she is not dead, but sleepeth” He did not literally mean this, this is a figure of speech, the Lord here is attempting to teach the people.

a. “She was not dead” in the way many of that day thought, remember at this time the Sadducean party was the ruling sect of the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:8),

Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit . . .
(This may have been the prevailing thought of the day)

b. “Sleepeth” here does refer to the physical death of the body, death is often figuratively described as “sleep” in the biblical text (John 11:11-14; Acts 7:60; 1 Cor 15:6; 18; 1 Thess 4:13-15; 2 Pet 3:4) for the body lying motionless in death does resemble sleep.

c. One of the main reasons this is termed so is because this is only temporary, on the Last Day that body and all who are in their tombs will arise!!! As brought forth by Martha concerning Lazarus (John 11:24; 5:28-29)

Joh 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, Joh 5:29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

D. (v 53)

Luk 8:53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

From Matthew’s account we learn that this was the professional mourners (Matt 9:23-24), not Peter, John James and the little girl’s parents.

1. Many today also “laugh to scorn” concerning the resurrection of the dead, yet this one of the principle facts of Christianity (1 Cor 15:3-4) . . .

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1Co 15:4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;

2. And if this is not the truth, Christians are most pathetic, basically giving up this life for another that does not even exist (1 Cor 15:12-20) . . .

1Co 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised: 1Co 15:14 and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain. 1Co 15:15 Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised. 1Co 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised: 1Co 15:17 and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 1Co 15:18 Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 1Co 15:19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

1Co 15:20 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

E. (v 54)

Luk 8:54 But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden (little girl), arise.

Here we see the power, the authority contained in the word of God.

1. In the creation account “God said” and it came to pass (Heb 11:3)

Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.

2. In the hundreds, if not thousands of prophecies contained in the Scriptures “God said” and it likewise came to pass.

3. There is “authority” in the word of God (John 1:14; Mt 28:18; 1 Cor 14:37).

Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us . . .

Mat 28:18 . . . All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.

1Co 14:37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

4. There is also “power” in the Word of God (Luke 1:37 (ASV); Isa 55:11; Heb 4:12).

Luk 1:37 For no word from God shall be void of power.

Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active (powerful), and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

5. And there is “life” in the Word of God (John 6:63; Heb 4:12).

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

6. The whole of creation shows forth this “life from life principle,” evolution is a unprovable farce, developed by men who refuse to align their lives with the commands of The living God, that life giving Spirit, Who is our origin, Who cares for us day by day, we are in his hands, we were created to do His will alone (Eccl 12:13; Col 1:16a; Rev 4:11).

Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man.

Col 1:16b all things were created by him, and for him:

Rev 4:11 Worthy art thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: for thou didst create all things, and because of thy will they were, and were created.

7. God’s Son has at this time all authority (Matt 28:18), and He will openly exercise that authority against the unbelieving world at His 2nd coming (2 Thess 1:8),

2Th 1:8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:

8. Then will take place the final judgment (John 5:26-29; Mt 25:31-46) . . .

Joh 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself, even so gave he to the Son also to have life in himself: Joh 5:27 and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.

Mat 25:31 But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: Mat 25:32 and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; Mat 25:33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels: Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

F. (v 55)

Luk 8:55 And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that something be given her to eat.

Death is not the end of ones existence, not for “any” period of time, it is merely a separation (Ja 2:26).

Jam 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

1. When a person is conceived within his mother’s womb, those united cells produce a soul (the life force, that which animates the body) at that time, God gives those united cells a spirit (Zech 12:1).

Zec 12:1 . . . Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him:

a. When a person experiences physical death, that animating force ceases to function, the body begins to decay back into the dust of the ground from which it came (Gen 3:19).

b. And the spirit of the person goes back into the hands of God, Who gave it (Eccl 12:7).

Ecc 12:7 and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.

c. But the question is what does He do with it? Luke 16:22 gives us that answer, (please turn to Luke 16:22).

Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

d. Angels carry the redeemed (in this case, Lazarus the beggar) to Abraham’s bosom, paradise, also known as the third heaven, which is in Hades.

e. Now concerning the lost, we are not given the specifics, all we know is that the rich man’s body was buried (v 22), while he (his spirit) was in Hades (look at Luke 16:23).

Luk 16:23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

f. The spirit of Jesus and of the thief on the cross went there when they experienced physical death (turn to Luke 23:43).

Luk 23:43 And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

And look at His next words in v 46 . . .

Luk 23:46 And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: . . .

g. Thus we must conclude that Jesus’ spirit was transferred into Hades by the Father through the agency of the angels.

h. Peter in his sermon on Pentecost stated that Jesus’ (His spirit) was not left in Hades “nor” did his flesh (body) see corruption, showing us the distinction between the two (Acts 2:31) . . .

Act 2:31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

i. Paul in 2 Cor 12 speaks of a place a man went which is referred to synonymously as “the third heaven” (2 Cor 12:2) and “Paradise” (2 Cor 12:4) that same place where Jesus and the thief on the cross went to at physical death; most believe it is Paul speaking of himself when he was stoned and left for dead at Lystra; Acts 14:19 (2 Cor 12:2-4)

2Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. 2Co 12:3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), 2Co 12:4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

j. The Scriptures teach that Hades consists of two compartments, one of comfort, one of torments and anguish (Look again at Luke 16:23-24)

Luk 16:23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

k. And there is a barrier between the two compartments, which is uncrossable (look at verse 26).

Luk 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.

l. All the spirits of mankind (except for the 1st century martyrs; Rev 20:4), both the obedient and disobedient to God, will remain in this place until Christ’s 2nd coming. at which time, it will be emptied, and destroyed (Rev 20:13b-14)

Rev 20:13b . . . and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Rev 20:14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire.

m. “All” the disembodied spirits (including the 1st century martyrs) will be reunited with changed incorruptible bodies, the bible teaches but one bodily resurrection (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).

Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, (in Jewish reckoning “hour” stands for the shortest increment of time), in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, Joh 5:29 and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

Act 24:15 . . . that there shall be a (one, singular) resurrection both of the just and unjust (together).

n. And this will take place at Christ’s 2nd coming (1 Cor 15:23-24).

1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.

o. Those Christians who are alive at Christ’s 2nd coming will not have to experience physical death (1 Cor 15:51-52).

1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

p. At this time the earth will then be destroyed (2 Pet 3:10; Rev 20:9b, 11).

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Rev 20:9b and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them. Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

q. And the whole of mankind with their incorruptible bodies, will stand before Christ and be judged according to Jesus’ words (John 12:48), the gospel Paul preached (Rom 2:16) and the books of the Bible under which each man lived (Rev 20:12).

r. The faithful and the unaccountable (according to God’s standards) will be with God for ever and ever (Rev 21:1-3; 22:1-5).

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: Rev 22:1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, Rev 22:2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Rev 22:3 And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him; Rev 22:4 and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads. Rev 22:5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

s. Then, that which was lost in the garden (intimate eternal fellowship with God and access to the tree of life) will be restored, this is “the restoration of all things,” as spoken of in Acts 3:21 (Acts 3:20-21).

Act 3:20 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: Act 3:21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.

3. Now back to Luke 8:56 (v 56)

Luk 8:56 And her parents were amazed: but he charged them to tell no man what had been done.

The girl’s parents were amazed, what about Peter, John and James? I supposed the truth about Christ is beginning to sink into them also.

a. Neither ought we to be amazed that God raises the dead (Acts 26:8), if He can raise children of Abraham out of mere stones (Matt 3:9), surely an all powerful, all knowing, all present God can do exactly what He said concerning the resurrection of the dead.

b. So let us strive (agonize) to do Gods will, walking, living, talking, even breathing, according to Christ’s all compassing authority (Matt 28:18) for it will be surly worth it in the end (Rom 6:5).

Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death (buried in the waters of baptism and thereafter walking in newness of life), we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;

c. For His resurrection is unto eternal life, while most, those that walk through that wide gate, who follow the broad way, who live according to the ways of this world will be resurrected unto eternal punishment (Matt 25:46), let us give the more diligence to make to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet 1:10)

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

Conclusion,
In this lesson we looked at . . .

1) FAITH IN JESUS’ AUTHORITY, He alone, His example, His doctrine, the Gospel, the NT, is the one Way, that one unsubjective Truth, they are the only commands, that will result in eternal life.

2) THERE IS NO FEAR IN JESUS’ AUTHORITY, when we obey, that form, pattern, tupos of teaching from the heart (Rom 6:17), and can read of it in the NT, we can know that we have eternal life waiting for us (1 John 5:13), what have we to fear? What in this world can phase our hope in Christ, God and His promises? Nothing!

3) THE FACT OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY, Our Lord has proved it, He raised the girl, His tomb was, and still is empty, (despite the recent secular news reports), and so will ours be, if we submit to His authority by obedience to the Gospel, It was revealed in the 1st century and recorded by inspired men, it is God's one and only plan of salvation

One must . . .

1) Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Christ).

One must . . .

2) Believe that Jesus is the Divine Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24); and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6). Jesus said . . .

Joh 8:24 . . . for except ye believe that I am, ye shall die in your sins.

One must . . .

3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) which is a change of mind that results in a changed life, no one is good enough for God, He needs to change every person and make them fit for the many mansions, Jesus stated

Luk 13:3 . . . except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

One must . . .

4) Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9) as did the eunuch, he proclaimed. . .

Act 8:37 . . . that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

So must you,

One must . . .

5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); at which point God adds you to the church (Acts 2:47) translates you into the kingdom (Col 1:13) adds you to that one body (1 Cor 12:13) which Christ promised to save (Eph 5:23).

Then one must . . .

6) Live a holy life unto God (1 Pet 1:15), separated from the ways of the world and separated to the ways of God (2 Cor 6:17), for He has work for every single Christian to do,

7) Then we must be determined to follow God’s divine instructions day by day, thereby demonstrating our faith in the authority of our King Jesus Christ, no matter what the cost, it will be worth all this and more.


"That in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written"

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Evangelist - Kenneth Windbiel
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