The Budding of Aaron’s Rod & Christ’s Resurrection | Easter Sunday | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

This afternoon, I want to draw your attention to a story from

the word of God that at first, may seem totally irrelevant to

the very subject and the reason why we are celebrating today and

it could be for some that what you are about to hear is

something familiar to you while for others.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's the first time you've ever heard

the story shared from the Bible. And they count that.

I'm speaking of as, you know, is found here in the Book of

Numbers in the 17 chapter and what you're going to read here

with me is one of the most Monumental Miracles that has

taken place in Israel's history. Monumental because the outcome

of this Supernatural occurrence was asked of the people to be

preserved and guarded. As a testimony for future

Generations. There was something being

communicated through this miracle that had to be held and

remembered for the ages to come. But before you and I expound on

what this miracle is. And what it is saying, we have

to have a simple background behind it.

We have to understand the context of and here it is.

And God wanting to deliver the nation of Israel from the

tyrannical oppression of pharaoh.

He raised up to men. These two men were brothers,

their names, Moses and Aaron, He sent them with Assurance of his

power and of his presence that they would be successful and

seeing the people of Israel released from captivity and

after a series of amazing powerful glorious interventions

from God eventually Pharaoh gave in.

And the people of Israel were, in fact, released, they were

sent out and not only were they sent out, they went through the

Red Sea and they were brought safely Into the Wilderness.

Des, but the Wilderness was not the final destination for this

people. There was a land that God had in

mind. There was a broad place that the

Lord had promised and prepared for this people group a place

flowing with milk and honey. A place filled with joy and

security. It was theirs.

He had sought it out for them and he had given them the exact

blueprint of what to do when they got there.

But unfortunately, The student of the Bible knows that the same

people who were saved from slavery.

Through a series of events, disobeyed and rebelled against

the very same God who saved them one.

After the other different episodes, different tests of

Faith were were failed because of their stubbornness and

because of their unbelief and one of the most serious

offenses, one of the most stumbling decisions that they've

ever made, were here in this neighborhood of the book of

numbers. And this is what happened.

At some point, unfortunately, you had a group of men within

the camp who had prominent positions by the way.

That allowed jealousy to take over their hearts and Vita rise

up. And they begin to challenge The

Authority, that God established over them through Moses and

Aaron. And so this, this band of rebels

attempted to cause an uprising and they specifically

challenged, the Priestly Duty that has been exclusively

assigned to Aaron, and his descendants, only Aaron and his

descendants were called by God. God to be the mediators between

the people and God himself. They were the connecting factor

between these two parties and and these men Cora and others

were disturbed by that. And so they attempted to bring

division within the camp and it wasn't very soon after God

intervene in a very frightening way toward these instigators and

their supporters. What did he do?

He opened up the Earth beneath them and And swallow them alive.

Now you would think after witnessing such a spectacle,

such a terrifying ordeal that, that would convince you that God

is really backing up. Backing up.

This aaronic priesthood and we have no right to challenge.

God, we're going to trust God, and we're going to be content

with whatever Lottie is assigned to us.

But know the Israelites are like you and me, we're stubborn no

matter how many warnings God gives us, no matter how many

sermons we hear. No matter how many Social events

occur to get our attention. We're still headstrong head

towards our will. And so what does God do, while

he brings another event of judgment?

And there is still believe it or not, murmurings in the camp, you

still had people talking whether or not Moses and Aaron were

really the ones who are called by God, we're holy to, we're

called people too. So how is the Lord going to

settle this dispute? How is he going to put this to

rest, while he's going to do something that we're going to

read here number 17, instead of coming in judgment, he's going

to provide another miracle. But oh, he's going to come and

great gentleness and though it is going to be a gentle

demonstration of his power, it is nonetheless, powerful.

I want you to read with me. The first few verses number 17

verse 1, the Lord spoke to Moses saying, speak to the people of

Israel and get from them. Staffs one for each father's

house from all their Chiefs, according to their fathers

houses, 12 staffs right. Each man's name on his staff and

right Aaron's name on the staff of Levi's.

For there shall be one staff for the head of each father's house.

Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the

testimony. Where I meet with you and the

staff of the man whom I choose shall Sprout.

Thus, I will make to cease from me, the grumblings of the people

of Israel, which they Grumble against you.

Trust me, this is going somewhere.

The instructions are straightforward, are they not

God tells Moses to call for each chief of the tribes to bring

forth a staff, a staff, with the name of the chief on the staff

itself and when it came to the tribe of Levi, Aaron was to put

his name on his Rod. Now, why would the Lord demand

these kind of instruments? Because again, if you're

familiar with the Bible, you understand that a staff, a rod

was a symbol of authority. You see it being exercised

throughout the Exodus where many, many of the Miracles were

used through what Moses would wield when that was the staff

and God honored that and even the staff early on, in The

Exodus Journey or at least the attempt to bring about an exodus

swallowed up, the other staffs of the Servants of pharaoh.

And so you see, this picture in the context of The Wider

context, that our staff speaks of dominance and superiority,

you see it even in some of the Psalms the famous Psalm Psalm

23. With a Shepherd, has a staff and

that staff also speaks of authority of leadership

comforting and guiding the Sheep.

You read, also in prophecies in a different examples and

scenarios where there are rulers and commanders of Clans and

kingdoms who had a scepter and that scepter again speaks of

authority. So this was not a strange thing

for the Lord to request from these leaders of these Twelve

Tribes. He was asking to bring these

emblems of authority to bring about a demonstration.

That would prove which Each one was in fact chosen by him to be

the Priestly line. And so they come forward with

these staffs and before exploring that concept further,

let's understand the nature of these staffs their branches.

They weren't very sophisticated, but they were a part of a Life

Source at one point in obviously, they were cut off

from that Life Source. They dried up, and they

withered, and they were used as as these kind of instruments.

So in essence, when you realize, what these staffs are, they're

just dead sticks, but they hold so much representation

especially in this moment. And so these sticks are going to

be brought and they are going to be in the presence of God and

overnight. We hurt rear.

It. The Lord will choose one of

those staffs to sprout and the one that would Sprout would

indicate his will his consecration his purpose for

this nation. Now, you're beginning, hopefully

to see the universal application of this true though.

It is a unique incidents. Essentially what the Lord is

saying. To this nation is I'm going to

take a rootless sapless, lifeless stick And I'm going to

resurrect it. And when I bring it back to life

then you will know. My will you will know whom I

have chosen. And though, God raise the dead

on many occasions. Throughout the word of God.

There is something about this particular Resurrection doesn't?

It doesn't seem like there's a connection.

It seems insignificant. It seems like a random Miracle

but no, it points to the resurrection that you and I are

singing and celebrating about today.

Would you believe it? Yes.

Christ is the theme of The Bible and look here again in chapter

17 verse 6. Moses spoke to the people of

Israel and all their Chiefs gave him staffs one for each Chief,

according to their fathers houses, 12 staffs and the staff

of Aaron was among their staff eyes.

I love that phrase. The staff of Aaron was among

their staffs. It's not very difficult to see

how this points to some measure of the nature of our Lord Jesus

Christ. That Jesus the one that we

worship. The one that we adore became

like one of us and physically dwelt among us, he was in our

midst and what the people saw with Aaron's Rod at this point

as well. Most men witness and be held

while Jesus was on the earth a Jewish man.

Who carried the physical features of of a human who

operated as a true man. Who ate, who grew who worked?

Who is weary? Who thirsted?

Who eventually died? And he had no former Majesty

that we should look at him and he was tempted in every respect

though without sin. But Christ, not only had a human

life Christ, actually died a very human death.

He was nailed with real nails, and it penetrated real flesh.

He did sweat. He did shed blood.

He was bruised, he was beaten and eventually he was laid

bodily in a real tomb. And so, like Aaron's Rod among

the other stash, the physical expiration of Christ's body was

not really perceived as any different of someone else's.

His greatest enemies and his most faithful followers really

believe that that he died. That he died until a short

amount of time has passed come here and read what happens in

verse 7 of this chapter and Moses deposited the staffs

before the Lord in the tent of the testimony.

Remember that was the place of worship that did not have an

open entrance for just anybody to come in know, there were

priests who can come in only and among the priests.

There is only the high priest who can go to the most holy

Place, Moses takes these staffs. These dead dry withered. 6.

And he brings them into the very presence of God as close as he

can get, and he just laid them there.

He walked out, look what happens in verse 8 on the next day,

Moses went into the tent of the testimony and behold the staff

of errand for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth Buds

and produce blossoms and it bore ripe almonds.

What was Moses face like? When he realized that early

morning, that there weren't just Little Sprouts that came out,

but you had the full maturation of an almond Branch right there,

fully developed in one night. And yet, you see here that these

branches were brought into the tent of the meeting. and in

secret in seclusion and intervention of God took place,

No I beheld it, there is no external elements, that

influenced it and in like manner, when Christ was buried

and sealed from the outside world, the exact moments of

Animation entering into his frame.

The precise details of him, removing those burial cloths.

Him standing up from that slab that they placed him on was not

observed by any human eye, though.

The evidence of his resurrection was perceived very clearly

afterwards. All that the people knew with

those rods that entered in is that those rods went in as dead

rods and one came out back to life.

And someone already observed The God Who worked in the sanctuary

to bring life to this staff is the same God who worked in that

tomb to bring Jesus back to life.

Resurrection Life. Is there more to say about this

miracle? Oh, you better believe it.

Out of all the manifestations that could have occurred out of

all the fruits and of all the vegetation.

We are told to very plainly and clearly that it bore ripe,

almonds almonds. And if you come here on Friday,

you know, that there's no detail in the Bible, that's by

accident. I've looked at this and I

thought almonds, I've all things almonds and there's a scriptural

evidence of what that reveals but want to go a little deeper

and think almonds of all things, why almonds?

So I decided to look up, almond, trees, and I realized that

almond trees and I confirmed it with Pastor Daniel who's very

familiar with the agriculture there in Israel.

That the Almond Tree was special in this, that it would Blossom

very late into the winter. The Almond Tree was in essence,

one of the first plants that would reveal life.

In a very unusual time of the year and on average, you would

see the almond trees, begin to show their beautiful white and

pinkish colors in February of all times of the year.

And this has become for many of the Jews and assemble an ancient

symbol of Hope. Because what this almond tree

would do is bring about some reminder that spring is soon

coming. That this, this harsh and cruel,

winter is soon over, and that there is something to come and

there is something to look forward to and there's something

to anticipate and the joy that this almond tree would bring was

not just the obvious fruit that it would offer at some point.

But it's very presence in the midst of again, a very Bleak and

gloomy time of the year. The almond tree at that time.

And in this time, even not part of the world was God's natural

signpost. That spring is on its way.

You can endure a little longer. You can believe that there is

more to come. And do you think that the

resurrection of Jesus has a different message?

It has the very same message for you and I first Corinthians

1 Corinthians 15:20

15:20, Paul tells us this but in fact Christ has been raised from

the dead. The first fruits of those who

have fallen asleep. That's that's the Holy Spirit

giving language to a very practical thing that we should

adopt in our own thinking the first fruits.

Of those who have fallen asleep, meaning what, that Jesus dying

and Rising again. Should create the same kind of

anticipation that Israelite would know when they would begin

to see the first fruits of their crop in their Harvest.

And they've been called by God in the law to bring that first

fruits to the house of God and to dedicate it to recognize God

for it. But also in faith to believe

that there is more to come, that there is a harvest to be

expected and they would celebrate God for that.

And this is the language that the Holy Spirit has given Paul

to ascribe to Jesus. Resurrection.

His resurrection is The first fruits.

And so you and I also have to understand that when we meditate

and rehearse and reflect and sing about the resurrection, we

are also believing for something to come for something to arrive.

And what is it? That is arriving.

Well, again the firstfruits predicted and pledged a harvest

to come and it is no different for Resurrection Life.

Jesus died and rose again. Indicating what?

There is a great Resurrection to arrive.

Bye. Among whom the redeemed.

And so here's the thing, we look at the resurrection, we hear

about the resurrection, we preach the resurrection not as a

past event, But also as a promise for something tomorrow

and in the same way that almond tree.

Promised. During a cruel time of the year.

A wet time. Very difficult time for just

even daily activity promised. There is a season coming spring

is coming. Christ's Resurrection promises

in Eternal spring. Christ's Resurrection assures us

that there is a Time coming in which you and I will be able to

escape the brutality of this broken world that this long

chapter of human history. Will eventually come to an end

and we will enter into a new age with new bodies and we will be

delivered from all time. And for all time the very things

that we try to whether an indoor day after day that is what

Christ's Resurrection does. And so when you see this concept

of an almond tree, you are seeing something that these

people would have been very familiar.

Her with there is something ahead.

Something happened? Yes.

But there's something also ahead.

If you're in Christ, you can believe that.

If you're in Christ, that's what the resurrection means to you.

How can you say, you 66% of Americans that there is no

practical implication of the Resurrection?

It is the very anchor of your hope.

It is the very source that you refer to Moment by moment saying

this is not it, there is more to come.

There is something that I have in terms of a future and a

future that is secure and a future that delivers in a future

that promises spring Paul uses this language.

And so what you see here with number 17 is a miracle of

Resurrection. Yes, of a staff but preparing us

for a greater Correction preparing us for something more

significant than an almond tree, promising, warm weather, and

bright scenery. Now, there is heaven to come,

there is a saving from this body that is fractured and broken by

the fall. And where do we look to that?

Not a staff. But A Savior Jesus Christ.

But remember, God called for air and staff to be inscribed with

his name. That represented the tribe of

Levi for for a specific purpose and this context these people in

every single tribe apparently were not content with one.

What God had put them in, in terms of their position of

leadership in terms of their service.

And they wanted to use syrup they wanted what these men had

specifically Aaron. And so God was coming to his

defense because it wasn't about Aaron, it was about God's

election over Aaron as a priest. And so God is doing this whole

thing to authenticate the priesthood of Aaron as

descendants. Now in reading into this and

looking into this, I'm aware that we're now getting into

deeper waters. So if you have questions, see

Pastor Daniel after the service and he'll be more than willing

to answer these questions. I feel like the author of

Hebrews when he began to speak about what I'm about to speak

about was hesitant because Again, we're now going into

meat. This is not milk.

So I will try to present it in the form of milk as milky as

possible. But if you're going to get it,

it will bless you. Remember, we see here that God

wants to put his Mark of approval, on the priesthood of

Aaron. And it worked, it worked you

read at the end of it, you realize that these people were

humbled, they were broken and they stopped with the Rebellion.

They just they were satisfied with what they have seen.

Okay. Aaron and his descendants, their

priesthood. That's God's choice and that

they were silenced and the murmuring ceased.

But something happens as you read on throughout the Bible, as

you progress throughout the narrative, you also see that

there is greater divine revelation being granted to this

people group called Israel. And one of the revelations

that's given to this People. Israel is that there is another

priesthood to come. As binding as they erotic

priesthood. Was.

This nation was told of a messiah to come.

And they were told that a king would arrive on the scene and he

would bring an eternal Dominion. But when you read and explore

this in detail, you realize that this king would also be a

priest. That was contradictory to the

system. Here of Israel, you didn't have

Kings who were priests or priests or Kings.

You're either a priest or you're a king, and those are two

different, two different roles all together.

And yet, in Psalm 110, we are told about the Messiah and at

one point in verse 4, we are told that he would be priest

forever. Priest forever, according to the

order of who not Aaron Melchizedek.

Now, you see my struggle here. Now I got to tell you a

Melchizedek is and have to keep you here.

You're gonna have to miss lunch. I won't do that Melchizedek.

Not a foreign idea to the Old Testament, though.

His appearance is rare. It is absolutely significant.

It held prophetic. Power and prediction after the

order of Melchizedek, and I believe that God knew the

difficulty that his own people. At this time, would have an

embracing this idea of a priesthood apart from Aaron.

I mean, this is the system that they've known for hundreds and

hundreds of years, the Levites, this sacrifices, the offerings,

the order the furnishings and now, God is telling us that

there is a messiah to come and when This Messiah comes, he will

not just sit on a throne but he will assume the role of a

mediator. If you don't believe that there

was a struggle, all there was a struggle because we have a whole

book about that struggle. The book of Hebrews in the New

Testament, the whole point of the book of Hebrews is you had

Jewish Christians, who did acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah

but we're being tempted, not to revert back to the judicial the

Jewish system They wanted to go back to the law, go back to

acknowledging Aaron as a superior priesthood, and they

were experiencing persecution. And there is internal strife.

And so this author inspired by the Holy Spirit comes in and he

makes this glorious case in the book of Hebrews of why Jesus is

greater than Moses. An amazing study.

Maybe you didn't know this. I'll just throw it in there.

People believe that the book of Hebrews was actually a sermon is

actually a sermon and so if you read the book of Hebrews out

loud it is estimated that you can complete it around 60

minutes. When I learned that I was very

comforted because I learned that I have 60 Minutes to preach a

sermon, and nobody can say anything.

It's in the Bible. It's this Rich in-depth study

where the author is using what they were understanding to be

their Authority. And it is Authority the the

Hebrew scriptures and he showed Jesus being Superior from the

Hebrew scriptures and in this is one of the arguments he makes to

persuade these Believers to be Concrete in their faith that

Jesus, as their mediator sufficed.

And not only suffice was Superior to any other

priesthood. Hebrew seven.

Look at this. In verse 22.

All I want you to see it. Turn your pages there.

Hebrews 7:22. Hebrew 7:22 reads, this makes

Hebrews 7:22

Jesus the guarantor of a better Covenant.

The former priest were many in number because they were

prevented by Death from continuing in office but he

holds his priesthood permanently because he continues forever.

Yes Hallelujah indeed, I love the rumbling of your amens this

afternoon. Is it not true?

And why does Jesus continue forever?

Because he has been raised to life I've never to die again.

And so here's what the author is saying, why would you, you

Jewish Christians go back to a system in which the priest

cannot continue and hold office. When you now have in the New

Covenant, a priest who Remains the Same priest?

The same high priests with the one single offering sufficient

for all of eternity. Why would you go back to that?

Why And you see the connection that I'm trying to make here

with number 17 in what way that God in this Covenant

authenticate to a skeptical and critical crowd that the ironic

priesthood was his choice. Resurrection.

He raised a staff to life and it's silence them.

And now we come to the New Covenant.

A covenant that was predicted in the old and Jesus.

Our God consistent with his ways.

Now looks to a skeptical crowd Jew and Gentile.

How am I going to authenticate that the priesthood of Jesus is

superior to that even of Aaron's Resurrection.

I've raised him from the dead and because he is risen, he is

greater than all and not just greater than the aaronic

priesthood. There are many staffs there are

many rods. There are many expressions and

ideologies and even faiths that attempt to challenge the

exclusive message of the gospel. And they are lay it out there

and many attempt to say look like Aaron staff.

He is numbered among others. They all look the same.

They all point to the same reality, they all share

Authority. But may I add this afternoon

boldly without fear with the courage that I have here in the

scriptures. And by the Holy Spirit, no

matter what kind of authority claims whatever they want, none

of them have risen from the dead not Muhammad.

Not Buddha. Not Joseph Smith, no one has

risen from the dead except our God, our Christ, Our Messiah

Jesus, so let them claim all they want their in the Tomb.

Still, they did not come out. Sprouting with life.

They did not predict their own death and not just their own

death but they're right. Rising from the dead and Christ

not only predicted. He says I have the authority to

lay it down and I have the authority to rise it up again,

that's our Christ. And so we see here that in the

same way this staff coming to life authenticated a priesthood

of the past that priesthood is now obsolete because a greater

Resurrection has taken place, the resurrection of our Lord and

savior, We look at this and we think this is glorious.

Yes, it is glorious. But there's even more we come

here to verse 10 of our text. And what do we read?

That's actually read verse 9, then Moses brought out all the

staffs from before the Lord, to all the people of Israel and

they looked. And each man took his staff.

I love that. I love that the Holy Spirit

included that Moses goes in that next morning.

He gathers all these sticks and he brings it out and publicly

displays and before all the people and they all with their

own eyes recognized, as they looked at the names on each

staff, Aaron staff has come to life.

And we have our Christ who resurrected.

Yeah. Although it was secluded and the

immediate infusion of that animation and energy that

brought his body at up. Again, although that was

concealed. He came out.

And when he did come out, he showed himself publicly and when

he showed himself publicly, there was no denying, this is

the same man that I saw crucified.

This is the same man, that was buried in.

Joseph's, tomb, why did he lie? Care and staff?

Have his name inscribed on him? No, he had marks.

And he came to a doubting disciple and he says, put your

finger here. Touch my side.

And so these Apostles and many other disciples as Paul said,

500 at one time beheld him, he came out of the Tomb like how

Aaron came out? His staff came out of this tent

and there is no denying. This is God's choice.

This is God's doing. This is a miracle from heaven.

We read on. And what do we see in verse 10?

And the Lord said to Moses, put back the staff of Aaron before

the testimony to be kept as a sign for the rebels that you may

make an end of their grumblings against me.

Lest they die. So, Moses was called to take

that one staff that miraculous rod and to return it into the

tent of meeting and to place it in the very presence of God and

it's not difficult to see how that applies to our

understanding of the Resurrection.

Does it? Yes, Jesus.

In a tomb hidden. New resurrection and Jesus left

that tomb and he showed his marks and people saw and

believed that he is indeed raised from the dead.

His identity cannot be mistaken. But Jesus, just like this Rod

returned into the presence of God.

And he did not just resurrect but he ascended on high and as

he ascended he entered into the very throne room of God and is

seated at the right hand of majesty and though he is hidden

from our sight, we believe he is coming back again and so we see

this staff. It goes back into the very

throne room of God at that time, which was the Ark of the

Covenant and it was in close. Proximity to him, isn't the

Bible amazing? But this is what I want to bring

your attention to in closing, something happens to these

people as they witnessed this miracle, what did they witness?

We read here. And the people verse 12 of

Israel said to Moses behold. We perish, we are undone, we are

all undone. Everyone who comes near, who

comes near to the Tabernacle of the Lord shall die.

Are we all to perish? And that's how the story ends.

And so you obviously see a Contrition here, there is a

humbling that's taken place with these Rebels.

That were very bold and accusing God and questioning his ways.

But after this particular miracle, They had this

overwhelming sense that they were going to be judged.

They realized their fault, they realized their mistake, they

realized their error and now they are living with this

anticipation. That God is going to do

something to us. And I want to make this point

and it might be contrary to what you might hear on Easter

weekend. This is not an unreasonable

reaction. Because there is an element of

the Resurrection that we must consider and that is the return

of Jesus in judgment. Now, that's not my own idea.

It's not because I love preaching judgment.

It's because in the minds of the Apostle, they could not

disassociate the doctrine of the resurrection and the reality of

a returning, King, who is come to vindicate.

Can I prove that to you in closing, meet with me here?

In Acts 17. And as you turn there, I want

you to see something that Paul preached to Gentiles and verse

30. Acts 17:30.

Acts 17:30

He's at the Apostle says, the times of ignorance God,

overlooked. But now he commands all people

everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will

judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed

and of this, he has given Assurance to All by raising him

from the dead. So, you understand here that the

the idea of a coming judgment is fixed and assured pain.

The resurrection So the disciples understood Christ,

Rising bodily. They've been promised, he's

returning bodily and he's not returning bodily to died for

sins again. He is returning Bali to judge

sin, especially the sin of those who have not repented when they

had the chance. So, here's how they're thinking

because the resurrection is true, you 66% of Americans who

don't understand the Practical implications, listen, because

the resurrection is true. Repentance is necessary.

That's the idea. So Easter is not about figuring

out that week. What kind of cute dress you're

going to wear for that Sunday? So what Easter is about some

about wearing bright colors, it's not about singing more

lively songs. It's not about having a special

Pollock after the service. No, because the resurrection is

true repentance. Must be declared And that's what

these men preached. Do we want to be like the New

Testament Church? We need to get back to the New

Testament Church. Okay.

Then, let's see how they preached.

This passage might ruffle some feathers, especially our

traditional view of what Easter is all about.

But Paul shares another dimension of what the

resurrection is proof of, and that is a future coming

judgment. The world both Jew and Gentile.

Small and great will be examined and evaluated in righteousness,

by a man whom God has chosen, and the evidence of this

Universal ruling being a certainty, is that God exalted

him and we'll be the judge of the Earth.

And that is why they emphasized the resurrection because it is

again, Inseparable from repentance.

That's the pattern of preaching throughout the Book of Acts,

they preached resurrection. And in the same breath they

could say Repent Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Now repent you don't hear that

second part usually but that's how they preached that's how

they preached. The grave is empty.

Hallelujah. So surrendered to the Lord who

has the keys of death and Hades. so, when we go about telling

others, Christ has resurrected, which we should.

We are also informing them. Of a returning judge.

And now we hear that and we think to ourselves and closing,

what are the practical implications of that?

Well, you heard it and unfortunately you're going to

get different responses to it. And I want to show you the three

different responses that Paul experienced when he preached

this very same message that I'm preaching to you.

So you're there in Acts 17 right now look here in verse 32. now,

when they heard of the resurrection of the Dead, some

mocked, Okay, pause some here. I'm fully aware though.

My prayer is not for this. I am a realist and I understand

that there are different soils and this place this afternoon, I

would not be surprised if leaving this place, some Will

Mock and maybe not outright blaspheme, but you're just,

you're indifferent to this. You could care less.

You see this as a silly myth, this is just a tradition, you're

just no different than any other religion with their High

holidays, in the year. So So yeah the resurrection okay

judgment men we've developed we're past that.

Okay, let's move on here, let's catch up with the times, raising

of the Dead, what are you? What are you speaking about?

So I'm fully aware that there could be some God forbid but

they can be some who will mock you will walk and leave right

out of here with no hint of conviction.

And you'll be just fine and you might show up again next year

and the same thing will happen but God forbid.

Some mocked look at the second part of the verse but others

said, we will hear you again about this.

So unlike the first crowd you had some where their interest

was sparked, huh? Resurrection from the dead, huh?

A coming judgment. Hmm.

Fascinating, you know, you have people like that today who are

were just caught up in philosophy and love debate and

and try to reason everything. And so they're intrigued by this

kind of conversation. And that's what you have here,

whether they were sincerely skeptical, or they were just

trying to be nicer than the first crowd.

I don't know. But here's the one thing, Thing

that I can say for certain this kind of attitude as much as it

is. More honourable than the former

is dangerous. Because it's a delay.

This is delaying. And as one person said,

procrastination is the recruiting sergeant of hell.

We will hear you again about this.

But here's the problem with that, as much as they intended

to have this conversation again conversations about your soul.

The truth about eternity may never happen again and that's

what happened here, verse 33. So Paul went out from their

midst. The preacher left town, he went

on, he moved out with his missionary Endeavors.

No indication that he came to the same group of people at all.

And so there is a sense in which people understand the urgency

and perhaps even in this time of History more than ever realizing

that all the promises of this life are in fact lies.

So there are existential questions, being asked.

And so may God use this weekend to really stir Hearts, but if

your heart is stirred, would you please not?

Leave this place. Delaying what this means for

your soul. Would you instead stay, would

you instead talk to the person who invited you?

That, you know, as a Christian would you meet with some of the

leaders here and and deal with those skeptical things and have

some clarity on where there might be confusion?

Because your soul is at stake. Your Eternal destination is at

stake? Not church membership, not you

doing something on Sunday, afternoon your soul, Your

Eternal Soul. And what do we see here?

Verse 34? But some men joined him.

And believed joined him and believed among whom were also

died. Nauseous and areopagite and a

woman named Damaris and others with them.

Some joined him. And believed Jesus said, I am

the resurrection and the life whoever believes in me though.

He die. Yet shall he live?

Do you want to be in that number?

Do you want to be able to look at the resurrection?

Not just, as some cultural American tradition, that 66

percent of people believe in and observe year-round.

Do you want to go beyond that? And say, I want to see the

resurrection of Jesus as the first fruits of my future.

That even though I may die and I'll tell you this death is

promised to all of us. It is a plague with 100%

fatality rate. Though, that is my inescapable

future that will not be my final destination.

I'll tell you what you need to do repent and believe, that's

what you need to do. Say well what is demanded of me,

I'll tell you what's the matter of you give up, give up what?

Stop trying to make your way to heaven.

Release your self-righteous Tendencies and come to the foot

of the cross and surrender and acknowledge that what Christ has

done, he did on your behalf and that you cannot attain eternal

life by your own Merit but that you have been forgiven freely by

God that in his love, he extended his son to you to live

a life that you could not live and to die to death that you

deserve to die and you come into that place of faith and you

acknowledge my sin, put them on that.

Cross and yet, because he's on that cross his righteousness.

Can now be mine. That's the gospel.

It's not do this and hopefully you will make it to Heaven.

It's not in sha Allah. It's not.

I hope it's not maybe it's not when I stand there.

I'll figure it out. You will know, I am saved.

It's a free gift. It's a free gift unto eternal

life. And I want to extend that gift

to you today, you don't have to come to a priest, you don't have

to jump through hoops, you don't need to stand on your head, you

need to believe in your heart and confess with your mouth,

that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that God raised him from the

dead. And the moment that your heart

truly believes that God will justify you.

In that very second, you will be seen as forgiving the sight of a

holy God and you will have your name inscribed in the Lamb's

Book of Life, you will have a hope for tomorrow and even

though tomorrow is not promised, there is a promise for your

tomorrow and it is this that you will have eternal life with God

in Christ Jesus. That's it.

This is why we Christians call The Gospel.

Good news. It's not kind of good news, nor

is it old news. It's good news for today.

And I want to tell you this, that he has risen from the dead,

and he will return, but when he returns, will he find you?

Waiting for him. Will he find you expecting him?

Will he find you washed by his blood?

I pray that today. You would make that decision.

I want this Jesus to be my Lord, and my savior, I want to be

forgiven, I'm a sinner, I've done so much.

I've grieved God, I've grieved man, I've grieved the law of

God. I read the law of man, and I

know that if I were to stand before God, I would be judged.

no matter what, you've done name that sin and I can tell you with

confidence in return, it can be forgiven And you can be restored

and reconciled to a holy God where you walk with a no longer

as your judge. But as your father Can I pray

with you? Well, we thank you for the

Glorious. The Glorious gospel.

Even seeing a glimpse, a shadow. Of the Resurrection in Numbers

Numbers 17 · chapter mention

chapter 17. Lord.

We ask that the joy of our Salvation would not just be

renewed for this afternoon, but that it would be taken to a new

height that we can live in, and we realize That spring is

coming. That the warmth of your presence

over us will remain forever. And everything, all the pain,

all the scars, all the hurts, all the Betrayal.

All the trauma will be a memory of the past and a memory that

will not really haunt us anymore.

It will be swallowed up by the Bliss of Heaven.

The joy of your presence. Lord, we just ask that for the

believer, they would be strengthened again in their

faith. And that they would be anchored

in the truth of the first fruits of the Resurrection for the

person in this place that we are so happy as visiting.

But perhaps does not know you or have the Assurance of knowing

you may they not be like those first two groups who mocked or

delayed What to do with their souls in whose hand to place

their souls and may today, be the day of salvation.

And may, they realize that in your goodness, you have set them

up to be here to hear this news because you love them and you

want them. Lord, we sing to you Because we

believe this is true and we sing to you because you are worthy of

Glory. Give us eyes to see That you are

the resurrected King and that you are the returning judge to

redeem your bride and to vindicate, your name in Jesus

name. Amen.

Let's stand together and sing to the Lord.