01-11-09 Sermon Review

Resurrection, Judgment, and the Glory of Christ
John 5:19-30

There not many things in Scripture that are more certain than the resurrection and judgment in the last days. Paul so authoritatively writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Yet, there are many today, even in evangelical circles, who are willing to say that the certainty of judgment cannot be maintained because Scripture speaks of a God who loves all people. I can understand why people do not like to preach on the matter; it doesn't make you popular. But it amazes me that there are “Christians” who downplay such an important doctrine of Scripture for the sake of popularity. They regard it as a dispensable teaching. Today, I would like not only to show you the certainty of the resurrection and judgment through the text, but also its importance and beauty.

But before I do, let's talk about the incredible assertions Christ made in conjunction with the resurrection and the judgment. There are at least two amazing statements Jesus says of Himself in relation to the Father.

Jesus is equal with God – Jesus had just offended the Jews by calling God Father. But His “outrageous” statements do not end. He does not intend to apologize for a possible misunderstanding. Actually, He argues even more strongly for His equality with the Father. Jesus claimed 1) that He was equal in His person. He was the same nature as God. Unlike us who are children of God by calling, Christ is the Son of God by nature. Not only this, but Jesus also claimed 2) that He was equal in power. In verse 21, Jesus makes the assertion that He is able to give life as life is in the Father! What a claim to His omnipotence. Jesus goes further by claiming 3) that He is equal in His sovereignty. In the same verse, Jesus claims He gives life to whomever He wishes. Jesus has the sovereign choice to give life or to take life. Lastly, and this is where I am just struck by Christ's boldness, Jesus claims 4) that He is equal in honor. How dare He say that if He is just a man? God does not and will not share His glory with another. Yet, here is Jesus saying, “I will receive the same honor as my Father God.”

Jesus is in perfect unity with God – Not only does Jesus enjoy equality with God, He experiences intimacy with God in His unity with the Father. In verse 30, Jesus claims, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” His will is perfectly in line with the Father. He also states, “for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner” (v. 19). This extraordinary unity between Father and Son is explained by the deep love that exists between them. Jesus says, “For the Father loves the Son, and shows shim all things that He Himself is doing” (v. 20). The Father and the Son experiences perfect unity through their perfect love for one another. Jesus was not only saying that He was equal with God, but also that He had a relationship with God that the Jews could not even conceive of. He was that extraordinary of a man.

Now why did I spend the whole sermon talking about Jesus' claims to deity when this sermon is about resurrection and judgment? After saying all this about Himself, He says, “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment” (vs. 28-29). Why does He say this? Here is my thesis from the text: Ultimately, the resurrection and judgment is a display of the glory of Christ through the manifestation of His unity with the Father for the joy of His people. The Father giving over the judgment to the Son was a manifestation of His love for His Son. So what do we do when we take the resurrection and judgment lightly? We take Christ's glory lightly. We make the Trinitarian love and unity so beautifully expressed into nothing, as if throwing a Picasso into the trash not knowing its value.

Christian, the resurrection and judgment is not a pretty topic, but it is a necessary topic. The Father has ordained it to be a means by which we will marvel at His glory. So then Christian, marvel. Eagerly wait for this glorious event. And until that day, may He sustain you and keep you blameless. Stay strong in the Lord and God bless!