366: Bryan Styles - Exhortation: Comfort One Another with These Words

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1. 0:03

   Welcome to good Christophian talks. Thank you for joining us this week. On this podcast, we select one talk a week to help us get the Bible in our Daily News feed. Each week we post a talk that we previewed from suggestions sent in by listeners from. Around the world. Then we record a short intro beforehand as a personalized recommendation to you on why we are sharing the talk. And now let’s talk more about this week’s talk. Hello all, and welcome back.

2. 0:35

   This is brother Benji. I’m so excited to be joining the Good Christadelphian Talks podcast as one of your new hosts. I’ve been listening to GCT for many years now, weekly. I’ve been encouraged by these good talks and I’m abundantly grateful for the spiritual lift they bring me every time, right when I need it.

3. 1:01

   I’m honoured and privileged to play a small part in its function now, and I hope to continue sharing with you all this same encouragement. This week’s talk will be an exhortation given by Brother Brian Styles at the Livonia Ecclesia in Michigan on the 26th of January earlier this year to the theme Comfort one Another. With these words, Brother Brian walks us through the resurrection accounts, calling to view the details spread across the four Gospels.

4. 1:34

   I particularly loved his closing remarks regarding the parallel between our Lord’s resurrection and the coming resurrection. I found this talk very comforting and encouraging, and I’m sure you will too. So with that, I’ll give you over to our brother Brian for his exhortation. Comfort one another with these words. Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s third portion reading is about the resurrection of Jesus. And as I was taking a look at this reading, I began to think about how many times we’ve actually read this account. In one year alone.

5. 2:22

   We read it 8 times. It’s in all four accounts of the Gospel. We read through the New Testament twice. But I began to wonder, how many times have we really stepped back and tried to put ourselves in the account, to experience it, to piece all the different elements together and enter into the story itself.

6. 2:45

   And that’s really what we intend to do this morning by way of exhortation, really three things. One is to try to make it come alive for ourselves to see the pieces as they come together. The second is to see the call to action. What did those do at the time who had received this good news about the resurrection?

7. 3:04

   And what are we expected to do today? And 3rd is to conclude with the message of hope that’s contained within the resurrection for each of us. Well, as we begin try to imagine what the believers were experiencing after the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just 3 1/2 years earlier, Jesus had appeared on the public stage and he brought with him a promise of deliverance.

8. 3:33

   But that deliverance was different depending on who you were. Some looked at Jesus to deliver them from the Roman authority. Others had chronic illness or disease from which they wanted to be delivered. Some had sin that burdened them down that they felt trapped by, that they needed to be delivered from by the Lord Jesus Christ.

9. 3:58

   And others had loved ones that they wanted to be raised back to life. Well, in addition to individual expectations, there was an overriding national expectation of what Jesus would do. That he’d cast off the Roman authority, that he’d established the Kingdom, and that those who were with him, those who were faithful, would receive positions of prominence in his Kingdom.

10. 4:23

    And as seeming evidence of this, his innumerable healings, his amazing miracles, and his irrefutable teachings all seem to only further this storyline of what it was that Jesus would do in regards to delivering the people at that time. In fact, just one week before the crucifixion, Jesus had ridden into the city as the former kings of Judah would do on the donkey, and the people were crying out.

11. 4:50

    Hosanna, son of David. Save now, is what they were saying. Jesus was going to set up the Kingdom, or so they thought. His disciples thought that this was it. The Kingdom was now here. And yet, how quickly things can change to where life’s events veer drastically from one’s expectations. Because within just one week of time, the disciples were now on the other side of the Lord’s death.

12. 5:26

    In one moment, they were joyfully welcoming Jesus into the city. And in just one week’s time, that joy had precipitously fallen, and their hopes and aspirations were dashed to pieces. For many, their hopes and expectations died when Jesus died on the cross. And even though that was true for many, that wasn’t the case for all because there was a group of faithful women who stayed with Jesus until the end.

13. 6:00

    If you’re not already there, if you could open to Matthew chapter 27 and we find in verse 55 the women, we could join them now at the site of the cross. We’re told that there were many women beholding afar off. This is after Jesus had now died, but still at the site of the crucifixion.

14. 6:23

    And we’re told that amongst them were Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of Zebedee’s children. A few helpful cross references next to this verse would be Matthew 13 and verse 55 because it identifies the mother of James and Joseph as Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mark 15 and verse 40 connects that the mother of Zebedee’s children would have been Salome and John 19 and verse 25 links Salome as the sister to Jesus mother. It’s interesting as well because over in John 19 verse 25 it also tells us that Mary the wife of Cleophus was one of the women there and so amongst the group were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the wife of Cleophus and Salome, Mary’s sister.

15. 7:20

    We know as well from John 19, verse 25, that during the crucifixion that these women were actually at the foot of the cross, very close to Jesus himself. They were there likely for the duration, the six hours. They would have experienced the three hours of darkness from noon until 3:00 PM, and the lifting of that darkness at the very hour when the Passover lamb would have been slain.

16. 7:50

    They’d heard the final words of Jesus. It is finished as He committed His life into the hand of His Father, as Jesus bowed his head, and death, as we’re told in John 19 and verse 30. Matthew tells us here in chapter 27 and verse 51 that the earth beneath them suddenly began to quake, and you can imagine that people would scream and alarm as they stumbled to gain footing. We’re told as well in Matthew’s account that the rocks themselves split, and you can imagine the sound of rocks tearing apart and beneath them they would hear the moan of the earth’s plates.

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    It was as though the earth itself was groaning and anguishing over the death of the Son of God. But as the earth stopped quaking, those present would have looked around at each other and then they would have stared up at the cross, and they would have seen the body of Jesus hanging motionless on the cross. And such was the impact of the scene that we’re told in Matthew 27 and verse 54 that the centurion and those who are with them were led to proclaim truly this was the Son of God. You can imagine those present staring at the cross for a period of time in the silence that now ensued, wondering if perhaps something might happen, if the body might begin to move. But in the moments that followed, as the earth settled and the reality of the scene set in, a deep conviction came over those who were present.

18. 9:34

    They had done something terribly wrong, but there was now no going back. Luke 23 and verse 48 tells us that those who were present smote their chest as a sign of the deep anguish that they felt within, and they returned home. What else could they do at this point? Well, we’re told in Matthew 27 and verse 55 that the band of women had now moved afar off, not wanting to go home but not knowing what to do, not wanting to leave Jesus.

19. 10:13

    As evening came in verse 56 and verse 57, Joseph of Arimathea gained permission to have the body of Jesus. And John tells us in his account that both Nicodemus and Joseph took care of the body of Jesus, wrapping it in linen with myrrh and aloes and placing it in Joseph’s tomb, and that a stone was rolled over the mouth of the tomb as everyone else went home.

20. 10:41

    The record tells us in Matthew 27 and verse 61 that Mary Magdalene and Jesus mother sat together facing the tomb and how the sword of Luke 2 verse 35 must have pierced through her heart at this moment as she sat and pondered in her heart what these things meant. The tomb closed, Jesus now gone.

21. 11:08

    How could these things be and what could these things mean? It would have been a very unsettling time for the followers of Jesus. Over the next few days, based on the words of Mark 16 and verse 14, we get an indication of the despondency that the disciples had fallen into. Because when Jesus finally does appear to the disciples, we find that He has to upbraid them for their unbelief at believing the witness of those who had actually seen Him after He had been resurrected. Yet despite the despondency of some, not all had given into doubt.

22. 11:49

    Which brings us to the beginning of our reading this morning in Matthew chapter 28, the account of the resurrection. One of the first things to note when we come to the account of the resurrection is that it’s given from the perspective of the women who were first to the tomb. And that’s the case in all four accounts of the Gospel.

23. 12:09

    The gospel writers don’t actually begin when Jesus rose from the dead. They begin when the women set out to go to the tomb. The resurrection of Jesus had actually occurred before this, and so this is now after the resurrection of Jesus. It’s noteworthy that all four gospel writers record that the women rose up early to go to the tomb. In fact, in Mark 16 and verse 2, it tells us that it was exceeding early that the women set out to go to the tomb and that they arrived at the rising of the sun around Passover time. In Israel, the sun rises at about 6:00 AM, which meant that the women would have gotten up well before this, so very, very early in the morning if they were going to actually get to the tomb by around 6:00 AM.

24. 13:04

    But I wonder what would cause the women to arise at such an unearthly hour? Well, we’re told at some point prior to their arrival, there’d been a great earthquake that was caused by the Angel of the Lord descending from heaven to remove the stone and to raise Jesus. Matthew 28 and verse 2 tells us that this had actually occurred, and I wondered if the women were shaken out of sleep by the earth moving beneath them.

25. 13:33

    Perhaps they were all staying together with Jesus mother to comfort her in the aftermath of the things of Jesus death. And given everything that had happened, it’s doubtful that they were sleeping soundly, probably still haunted by the scene at the cross. These nights would have been restless for them. And while the earthquake’s epicenter was at the tomb, I wonder if the shock waves were in some way felt by the women. And as the women rose from sleep, you can imagine them questioning if they really had felt this and what these things might mean.

26. 14:06

    Well, we’re told that the women prepared spices for the body of Jesus and they set out to go to the tomb in the cool of the pre dawn morning. It’s clear that they didn’t expect that Jesus would be raised because Mark 16 and verse 3 tells us that as they were on their way to the tomb, they were discussing how they might overcome the challenge of the stone in front of the tombs mouth, how they could remove it so that they could anoint the body of Jesus.

27. 14:37

    So we can just imagine the women approaching the tomb, spices in hand, preparing to anoint their Lord. Mark 16 and verse 2 tells us that they arrived at the rising of the sun, and just as the sun began to rise, the sight of the tomb would come before them. And perhaps you’ve experienced Daybreak when the sun begins to peak just over the horizon.

28. 15:04

    And when that occurs, the light can almost be a bit blinding as it shines into our eyes. Well, this was a similar experience to what the women had, but in this case, the light wasn’t coming from the sun, it was actually coming from the tomb. And so the woman would have cautiously moved towards this light.

29. 15:23

    And as they drew closer, they saw that this blinding light was actually the face of an Angel whose complexion was like that of lightning, and that this Angel was now sitting on top of the stone. The stone was actually removed from the mouth of the tomb. He was wearing white raiment sitting upon the stone, the tomb being opened.

30. 15:47

    And as the women beheld the scene, they looked around and they saw soldiers who were petrified on the ground as though they were dead. And you can imagine their eyes widening with a bit of terror as they realized the scene before them. Perhaps they begin to wonder, is this what their fate was going to be?

31. 16:08

    The fate of those who are now seemingly dead in the presence of the Angel of the Lord. But sensing the fear, the Angel said to these women, do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here, he is risen as he said. You can imagine the women trying to process everything, the Angel, the open tomb, and the declaration that Jesus was alive.

32. 16:43

    Sensing their confusion, their perplexity, the Angel continues on to speak to them. Come see the place where the Lord lay. He knew that seeing the empty tomb would bring a sense of reality for the women. Mark 16 and verse 5 tells us that when they entered the tomb, they saw the Angel sitting on the right side, another Angel.

33. 17:07

    And sensing their alarm, He also comforted them with the words recorded in Mark 16 and verse 6. Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid him. And as they stared in silence and amazement, the Angel continued on to say, But go your way.

34. 17:33

    Tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee. There you shall see Him as He said to you. Luke 24, verse 7 contains an additional explanation to the women to help them really bring the pieces together, because still at this point it wasn’t quite connecting for them. He quoted the words of Jesus and Luke 24 and verse seven said, this is what He said to you in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified. And the third day rise again.

35. 18:09

    It’s at these words that the pieces clicked, and Luke 24 and verse 8 contains the phrase, and they remembered His words. Think about the import of this for us, that there’s a lot of significance in this short little phrase. And they remembered His words. Until they remembered the words of Jesus in their present circumstance, they couldn’t fully understand how to process the events around them.

36. 18:39

    And this is quite often the case for us in our lives as well, that remembering the words of Jesus helps us a great deal as we try to process the events of life as they transpire.

37. 18:53

    Well, the women were commanded to go back. The other women must have gone back because Mary Magdalene finds herself alone at the tomb. Amazingly, it was to Mary Magdalene that Jesus first appeared, Not to the disciples, not to others that he could have chosen to appear to, but to Mary Magdalene. We wonder why might this be the case? This interaction is recorded for us over in John chapter 20. And here was a woman who had never given up on Jesus. Even when others had sunken into despair, she did not. She continued to pursue finding her Lord. The record tells us that Jesus had done much for her and as a result, she loved Jesus significantly. And you wonder if this might be a bit of a clue, the words that Jesus says in Luke 7 and verse 47 when speaking about a woman to whom much had been forgiven.

38. 19:56

    If perhaps Mary Magdalene found herself in this position, Jesus said in Luke 7 and verse 47, her sins, which are many, are forgiven. For she loved much, but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Just pause for a moment and think about that first interaction with Jesus and what that realization would have felt like for Mary as she realized for the first time that Jesus had risen from the dead and she beheld her risen Lord no longer mortal but immortal. Try to capture this for yourself as you project yourself forward to seeing the Lord Jesus Christ for the first time. Well, this feeling that Mary would have experienced occurred a number of times in the accounts of the gospel because we find that Matthew 28 verses 9 and 10 tells us that Jesus also appeared to the group of women.

39. 21:05

    Jesus then appeared at some point to Peter. It’s not recorded what that exchange was like. What we can imagine Jesus speaking and interacting with Peter, his dear friend, then to Cleopas and his wife in Luke 24 on the road to Emmaus. He then appeared to the 10 disciples minus Thomas, and then finally to all 11 disciples as is recorded for us. Finally, First Corinthians 15 and verse 6 tells us that Jesus appeared to more than 500 at once, likely up in the region of Galilee where he told them that he would go and meet them after his resurrection.

40. 21:46

    You may have noticed that there’s a pattern that emerges in the resurrection as you’ve read this before and maybe even as you read it this morning and you ask yourself the question, what is it that people consistently did every time they understood the reality of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? Take a look at the women, for example. Luke 24 and verse 9 tells us that they returned from the tomb and told these things to the 11 and to the rest as they were commanded to do by the Angel, the two on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24 verses 33 and 34, it tells us that when they realized that this was actually Jesus that they rose up the same hour and travelled the seven miles back to Jerusalem after the day was already over, because they were so excited to go and tell the disciples that Jesus was alive. And the disciples themselves are commanded by Jesus. And Mark 16 and verse 15 where he says, go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. They were to share the gospel, the good news that Jesus had risen from the dead with everyone that they encountered. In each case, whether it was through personal compulsion or external command, the expectation was that they would share the good news with other people. Once you had personally accepted the reality of the resurrection, you were to share that good news with others. See how strong this was, this conviction was with those that we’ve read about this morning, whether it was the women who were overjoyed, Cleopas and his wife travelling 7 miles in the dark to share with others.

41. 23:39

    And you ask yourself the question, how excited are we to share the good news that we’ve received about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? Each of us has said that we personally accept the reality of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, but have we made it real for ourselves? Do we actively remember His words as the women did as a part of our daily lives? Do we truly believe?

42. 24:13

    An indicator of our level of belief could be our level of excitement about sharing this good news with others that we encounter because those who truly believed couldn’t help but share the gospel message with those that they came into contact with. Do others know what we believe? Do others know what truly motivates us on a daily basis?

43. 24:38

    It’s worth turning to Mark 16 for a moment. And if you have a a red pencil, a coloring pencil, and a blue one, it’s very helpful to color a few themes in that come up in Mark 16 verses 9 to 18, because these verses focus predominantly on the response of the disciples to hearing the good news from others that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

44. 25:06

    And surprisingly, their response consistently was one of unbelief. And of all the people who would believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, you would think that the disciples would be at the top of that list. But we find repeatedly that that wasn’t the case. Take a look at Mark 16, verse 11.

45. 25:30

    You color in these phrases of where at the report of Mary Magdalene they believed not. Mark 16 and verse 13 tells us that the report from Cleopas and his wife neither believe they them and it wasn’t until on Mark 16 and verse 14 that Jesus actually appears to them and reprimands them for their unbelief because they believed, not the eyewitnesses that they finally believe. And a good cross reference there next to verse 14 is John 20, verses 24 and 25 where we have additional detail about Thomas, where Thomas actually says, except I can see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. In other words, unless Jesus reveals himself in the way that I’m willing to accept, I won’t believe him. At its core, the disciples had an expectation for how Jesus would work in their lives, and unless Jesus showed up in their lives in the way that they expected, they were not willing to believe his words.

46. 26:48

    The disciples weren’t willing to accept that Jesus could work through Mary Magdalene or Cleopas and his wife, or in the case of Thomas, even the other 10 disciples. They had put the stipulation on Jesus that unless they could personally experience Jesus presence in their lives in the way that they had defined, they wouldn’t believe.

47. 27:12

    I wondered, is it possible for us to do the same? If these men who were in the presence of Jesus for 3 1/2 years could fall into this trap? Could it be that we unconsciously fall into this trap ourselves? Despite all the warnings of Jesus throughout his ministry, the disciples had expected Jesus to set up the Kingdom and their minds. He was never supposed to die.

48. 27:38

    This was not a part of the plan. As a result, their worlds were shattered and so to protect themselves from further hurt, they closed themselves off from any input that was different than their current expectation. Their current belief. Only the physical appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ could change their minds. Can we find ourselves in this type of a position of where we’re hurt so severely that we’re unwilling to see that Jesus is alive in our life circumstances? Similar to the disciples?

49. 28:17

    Can things be so contrary to our expectations that we close ourselves to Jesus being able to speak to us through the loved ones in our lives, just as the disciples did with Mary and Cleopas and his wife? Can we unconsciously inhibit Jesus ability to work in our lives by limiting him to a very narrow set of parameters that we are willing to receive, just as Thomas did in the stipulations that he placed on his belief?

50. 28:49

    We know that we’ll each go through things in our lives that are very challenging to our faith. We’re told that it’s through much tribulation that we must enter into the Kingdom. And this was one of those things for the disciples because it was so different than their expectations. They just couldn’t believe that Jesus was alive. And the challenge to us is, are we willing to see Jesus is alive in our lives even when things are very different than our expectations?

51. 29:22

    Are we willing to receive that? For each of us, the cross must come before the crown. Our willingness to receive this will be challenged at various points in our lives, just as it was here for the disciples. And when Jesus was speaking to Thomas, he had these words to Thomas that actually provide a significant amount of comfort to each of us.

52. 29:46

    In John 20 and verse 29, he said to Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed. None of us have seen the risen Lord, but we’ve all professed that we believe that Jesus has risen and that He is alive in our lives.

53. 30:13

    And this is important because Jesus has very clear words about the implications of believing or not believing in His resurrection. And if you still have your pencil in Mark 16 and verse 16, it’s worth coloring in in blue the promise that’s in contrast to those who don’t believe where he says in Mark 16 and verse 16, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. But the warning about unbelief, he that believeth not shall be condemned.

54. 30:44

    And so the call to action is this. Jesus commands that we demonstrate our belief in his resurrection by first being baptized and then by sharing the Good News with those who we come into contact with. So where are we at in our journey of belief, in our journey of baptism and in our journey of Gospel proclamation?

55. 31:11

    This is something for us to individually consider as we about or prepare to enter this time of self examination because this is really a personal reflection isn’t it? As to where we’re at in regards to our own journey when it comes to belief, do we really believe what we read and are we willing to put it into action even if it’s different than our expectations in regards to baptism?

56. 31:41

    Have we committed our lives through the waters of baptism? And if not yet, what’s holding us back from being able to make that commitment, and are we actively working toward it? And in regards to proclamation, how active are we in sharing the good news of the resurrection and the coming Kingdom? This was the Great Commission that Jesus had given to his disciples to share the good news and the excitement.

57. 32:11

    And if we’re not careful, what we can find is that both personally and ecclesially, we can become so busy, so consumed with the things in front of our faces, that the Great Commission becomes the Great Omission. It’s very easy for a busy life, for being burdened down with anxious care, for those things to consume us, and for us to find ourselves with our lamp beneath A bushel, not really emanating the light that we are commanded to the emanate to those around us.

58. 32:45

    And so Jesus appeals to each of us to share the good news, to believe that we have not seen and to abide until this coming. And contained within the resurrection is a great message of hope to each of us as we start to draw our thoughts to a close. Because as I read the description in Matthew 28 and verse 2, I couldn’t help but think about the application to our day.

59. 33:12

    Think about the similarity that we read in Matthew 28 and verse 2 of where it says there was a great earthquake for the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. Compare what will happen when the Lord Jesus Christ returns as we consider the familiar words in First Thessalonians 4 and verse 16. For the Lord Himself, not an Angel, but this time the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God, And the dead in Christ shall rise first, no longer an Angel, but the Lord Himself will descend.

60. 34:01

    And you can imagine the apostle Paul through the Spirit thinking about this instance in Matthew 28 of when the Angel descended, and seeing the full fulfillment of that when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. And in First Thessalonians 4 and verse 16, when it says that the Lord will shout, it means a command. He will issue a command with the voice of the Archangel. And as we think about this voice, the writer to the Hebrews mentions this in Hebrews 12 and verse 26, this same Greek word for voice.

61. 34:37

    And it comes up in reference to the Archangel where it says whose voice shook the earth, referring back to the things at Mount Sinai in former times. Back in Sinai, the voice of God’s Archangel shook the earth, and we’re told in the very next verse in Hebrews 12 and verse 27 the significance of earthquakes and how God uses them. I found this to be fascinating.

62. 35:03

    He says about earthquakes signifying the removing of those things that are shaken as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. In other words, those things that are temporary are shaken out of place by God’s earthquakes, but the things that are permanent remain. And in the case of the Lord Jesus Christ, the voice of the Archangel caused an earthquake that shook away the stone that was covering the mouth of the tomb. The door to the grave of Christ was temporary, and hence the earthquake removed it from its place. In fact, we’re told in Matthew 27, verses 52 and 53 that in addition to Jesus that the earthquake actually opened the tombs of many of the Saints at that time, and that they arose and were seen by many in the city as they also were resurrected from death, A type of what will occur in our day. And when Jesus returns, he will issue a command with this same voice, a voice that’s so powerful that it will shake the earth, and it will shake away the door of the graves of those who sleep in Jesus, the temporary closure that covers those who sleep.

63. 36:30

    And just as Jesus used his voice in John 11 and verse 43 to command Lazarus to come forth, so to his voice will issue the same command to those who now sleep in the dust. We’re told in Matthew 28 and verse 2 that this Angel was sitting upon the stone, a sign that this Angel had been given authority over death itself. And when we read in first Corinthians 15 verses 24 to 28, we’re told about the end of when death will be placed under the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ once and for all, when he will have final authority over death and he will eliminate it once and for all for humanity.

64. 37:15

    Jesus resurrection is so vital for us because in His resurrection we see the certainty of ours. He is the firstfruits of those who sleep, Christ the firstfruits and after. They that are Christ at His coming and considering. The resurrection of our Lord allows us to clothe the future with substance, the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, so that we can confidently anticipate the day that we will declare death is swallowed up in victory.

65. 37:56

    Reading a few verses and verses 55 to 58 of First Corinthians 15, we read, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law, But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

66. 38:18

    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. For as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. And though Jesus has ascended, we’ve been given the assurance that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go up into heaven, that He will return.

67. 38:51

    And this gives us the confident assurance that our labor each and every day as we take on the things that are before us each and every day, are not in vain in the Lord. That the dead in Christ shall rise first, and that we that are alive and remain shall be caught up together with him in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

68. 39:15

    And so shall we ever be with the Lord. And we’re instructed to comfort one another with these words as we think about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this morning, His life, his death, and his resurrection. So let’s commit as we step forward to making the resurrection come alive for ourselves, to heed the call to action, to be able to share the good news with others that we come into contact with, and to strengthen each other in the hope of the coming resurrection at the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to the Good Christadelphian Talks podcast.

69. 40:08

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70. 40:25

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71. 40:58

    God bless and talk to you next week.