The Pilgrim Path---First Corinthians 15: 3 – 6, 12 – 14, 19

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep…

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied…

“HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY…”

Just a brief time ago I was informed that a fine man in the class ahead of me (Buster) in High School had died. Seems he had a long bout with illness. Reminds you of your mortality. As I mentioned to my dear wife, there were only around 25 students in my High School graduating class. These guys have already died: Stan, Mark, and Marlon. There were not that many males among us. They have joined the Church Triumphant. Seems to me, if we had done some polling back in the early to mid-70’s---about everybody in my class would have said they would have lasted much longer in this ole world. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. Which is why so many Puritans placed “D. V.” at the end of their letters---deo volente---“God being willing” or LORD Willing…

The Apostle Paul was no believer in, “Jesus of Nazareth came alive merely in the hearts and lives of His people.” Paul knew that a perfect man had to die in the place of imperfect people---AND if the Holy God of Heaven were pleased with the sacrifice---the man---would rise again, because He was HIS Son. The God-Man is the Savior---who imparts eternal life to His own---and enables them to live as holy people in a sinful world. They do not have to be afraid of death because the LORD Jesus Christ has removed the stinger (First Corinthians 15: 54 – 57). When you run from your sin---to receive and rest in Jesus alone as He is offered in the Gospel---you receive eternal life. It begins now---and will become more wonderful than you can imagine---ALL because of Jesus Christ the Ever Living One!

From Richard Sibbes: Make up your accounts daily. When sickness comes, you will not have the hardest work yet to do…Everyday we are affected by the world, and we need to wash ourselves daily for cleansing…A good death is prepared for in a good life. Store up with Joseph against times of famine, sickness, and of death, and prepare such cordials as will strengthen you in sickness.

From John Duncan: I am quite persuaded that the occupations of time will have an influence on the occupations of eternity, that they will be in the same train.

From William Penn: This is the comfort of the godly: the grave cannot hold them, and they live as soon as they die. For death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity.

From St. Cyprian of Carthage: Who wouldn’t make speed to better things? Who wouldn’t wish to be transformed, renewed into Christ’s likeness, and reach more rapidly the majesty of heaven’s glory? Paul the Apostle declares, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we look for the LORD Jesus Christ, who shall change our lowly body, and conform it to Hos glorious body” (Philippians 3: 20). Christ the LORD promises that we will experience this. That we may be with Him, and live with Him in everlasting dwellings, and exult in a heavenly kingdom…

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

HYMN:

Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest,

Beneath your contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed.

I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there;

What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.

O sweet and blessed country, the home of God’s elect!

O sweet and blessed country that eager hearts expect!

Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest;

Who are, with God the Father and Spirit, ever blest.

Bernard of Cluny, 12th Century

Translated by John Mason Neale, 1851; alt; mod.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason