Thursday: A Better Resurrection
Read Hebrews 11:32-12:4. What do these verses say to you, personally, about the cost and the reward of discipleship?
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.comWhat a powerful concept this passage reveals, especially in the verse that says: Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection
(Heb. 11:35, NKJV).
In a sense, being both a disciple and disciple-maker can be boiled down to one thing: a better resurrection.
We follow Christ because we have the promise, the hope, of redemption of a new life in a new world, one without sin, suffering, and death. At the same time, because we have been given this hope, this promise-made certain by the life, death, resurrection, and high-priestly ministry of Jesus-we seek to point others to the same hope, the same promise. In the end, before the great controversy is over unless we’re alive at the second coming, we will face either the first resurrection or the second resurrection with the wicked. We know, for sure, which is the better one. What else matters other than not only being in that resurrection ourselves, but doing whatever we can to lead others to it, as well?
The harvest has ripened; millions await the call to discipleship. We have been blessed not only with the gospel, but the gospel in the context of the present truth
-the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14, God’s last warning message to the world.
What are we going to do with these truths that we love so much? Thus, we ask: where are the reapers? Where are those willing to come alongside Christ and share the risks? Will you accept God’s invitation not to only be a disciple but to make disciples, regardless of the cost to yourself?
Think through the implications: the first resurrection, the second resurrection. In light of these options, what else matters other than being in the better
one and helping others to get there too?
(13)
Those who live godly will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), not because they are nice and loveable and please everyone, but because they stand by the truth in word and deed. Their testimony is faithful.
There were naysayers who felt that Noah’s message was too strong and resisted; perhaps suggesting he should just preach ‘positive’ stuff which would reflect well on God, and thereby gain a large following. Sadly, they did not make it into the Ark. The scorned and abused but faithful preacher made it.
Although some may be as unswervingly committed to ‘soft’ doctrine, as the compass needle to the North Pole, let those who still believe in proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages tenderly bear the last solemn warning message to the world. In spite of the cost, compassion demands it.
The cross and the cost may be heavy, but it pays to serve Jesus. There is joy in doing God’s will. It pays, not just at the Resurrection, but every day.
To Hugh Dalhouse. Is that what happened in Noah's day?
it look like to me that they were so bad there weren't trying to hear anything
Brother Brett,
The Bible does not fill in all the details. However Noah preached for more than a century. A lot transpired during that time. Some people believed, but died before the flood, like Methuselah (his name was actually prophetic of the Flood). Some believed and then gave up under pressure (cost was too much). Some helped build the Ark (church), but were found outside when it mattered.
EGW shared insights in Patriarchs and Prophets pp. 90-104. Below are helpful short excerpts from Signs of the Times, April 18, 1895:
"The message given by Noah, the building of that strange boat, called forth questions, just as God designed it should, and excited the curiosity of the people. Crowds of people came from all parts of the world to see the strange and wonderful structure, and heard the message of condemnation and the promise of deliverance...
But the men who were accounted wise were sought, and were urged to present arguments by which the message of Noah might be counteracted...
The talented men of Noah’s time set themselves in league against God’s will and purpose, and scorned the message and the messenger that he had sent. When they could not move Noah from his firm and implicit trust in the word of God, they pointed to him as a fanatic, as a ranting old man, full of superstition and madness...
Noah did not mix the soft, pleasing deceptions of Satan with his message. He did not utter the sentiment of many of his day who declared that God was too merciful to do such a terrible work. Many asserted that God would grant the wicked another season of probation; but Noah did not indulge them in the faintest hope that those who neglected the present opportunity, who rejected the present message, would be favored with another opportunity of salvation."
Can we use 2 Tim 3: 12 to measure our status as a disciple? If we have not yet experienced persecution, can we say that we have not yet reached the kind of disciple Jesus is desiring us to be?
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I would like to say I'm a born again but I think I was not really born again with the correct way. Today I decided to correct all my mistakes and be born again coz of the lesson for today. It lifted me up in my spirit and it was touching my heart. Thank u guys for allowing God to use you. No more turning back.
Praise be to God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ in his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1peter 1:3
I'm so blessed with the topic for today, the issue of resurrection is so touchable.
Hi Lydia; Being born again is not just about correcting the mistakes of the past but living life to the full in the future. One phrase that springs to mind is "realizing your potential". Each new day has its own set of opportunities and the reborn Christian has the opportunity to seize these opportunities and use them. And we need to remind ourselves that these opportunities are not necessarily ground-shaking, earth-shattering opportunities, but little things taken one step at a time. The great sculptural masterpieces were created one careful chip at a time; not by a single hammer-stroke!
A touch of kindness here, a careful word there, a smile, a hug, a short affirming email, all have the potential to share your experience in Jesus.
The better resurrection is when Christ comes to receive and reward the righteous dead and the righteous living."I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again so that you can be with me." What a joy looking for that moment!! But...... wait a moment! We have families, friends, and associates who aren't looking for the better resurrection. Just think for a moment how much it can cost to do the advertisement. I have started, please get excited!!!
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I am looking forward to the better resurrection, when Jesus come to take us home! I am praying that I get to stand before his throne. I agreed with you about families and friends that do not share the same hope, that the Holy Spirit touches their hearts and they can surrender their hearts to Christ before is too late. Please help me pray for my husband, my sisters, my coworkers and friends. Amen
I personally do not follow Jesus because I have a promise, the hope of redemption, of a new life etc....If so be it, I will stop following him when hope seems to die, when promises fails. I follow Jesus because we (Christ and me) have a relationship. Because of this relationship I do what He asked me to do in His word to the best of my ability, what I cannot do He comes and helps me to do and teach me how to do them. As a result, I allow Him to come and live in me and I in Him. This is then fulfilled the words of Jesus in John 17 when Jesus prayed to His father "I will that the be with me in heaven. He then takes me to heaven to spend a vacation with Him (1000 years).
I am sorry Marva, but you do follow Jesus because you have a promise, otherwise what is the worth of the relationship. Satan says that God cannot be trusted. God makes the promise that he will be with you to the end. You say, "what I cannot do He comes and helps me to do and teach me how to do them". This is the promise realised. You have proven Him to be trustworthy. Therefore hope will never die, His promises will never fail. You trust Him in regard to his promise that He return for you and take you to heaven.
Our faith in God is not a blind faith. Blind faith is a very dangerous thing.
What else in this world is worth our life,our sacrifice,our time on this earth is borrowed time why not give it all to Jesus the authorand finisher of our faith let us putaway the things that can cost us eternal and hold on to the one true God,who died for our sins,andwaiting to recieve us as hisown,the sacrifice is big but the reward is great
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God & our Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13
All in the fullness of time we shall be changed this corruptible shall put on incorruption, the resurrection is true..
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I'm tell you there is no bargain great like this one. Eternal life for free, you are asked just to sacrifice your life of sin, pain, heart aches, broken hearts, broken marriages, guilt, endless bills and a bag full of stress. Just for a bran new and sweet life. we can not pay Jesus for being a human just for us.
Love is my motivation and reward. The reurrection is such the icing on the cake.