Following Jesus - Resurrection
Author: Steve Amato
Description: Following in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ - Resurrection
Keywords: bible study,following Jesus, raised, resurrection

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# Final Days: Resurrection

The resurrection of Christ has a number of allegorical applications.

## The Death and Resurrection of a Ministry

Death is not the end of the story for Christ's ministry, and neither for the Christian's. As we look through the Bible God brought a number of men of God through a sort of death in their ministry only to raise them making them more fruitful.

Joseph was a proud and spoiled child, which made his brothers jealous and angry. They almost killed him, but sold him into slavery. But he learned humility and leadershlip through the difficult circumstances he faced and was raise to the position of second to Pharoah, providing safe haven for his family in Egypt.

Moses may have viewed himself as Israel's savior early in life as he was raised in Pharoah's house. "Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action." Ac 7:22 But I suspect he was too presumptuous and proud at the time to be a proper leader and acted improperly. So God sent him into the desert to take care of sheep for 40 years. He may have considered himself a failure, but God was training him and later brought him back, having changed his character, making into a humble leader to take care of his sheep, Israel, as they wandered in the desert for another 40 years.

David was sure God's man early on, having killed Goliath, being put in charge of the army and then annointed by Samuel the prophet. But nonetheless he would not usurp the thrown from Saul, but humbly waited for God's timing, being driven into the desert for a time, only to return as the most famous King of Israel, a great leader.

One thing which is characteristic of true believers is that they continue to endure in their faith and its application to the end. As such whatever death they experience in this life they overcome by faith and go on to become more fruitful as a result. "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1John 5:4 And in fact for fruitful Christians, it is inevitable that they will face death periodicially. "Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2 But such desert experiences develop maturity and character qualities which make one more useful.

## Behavior in View of the Resurrection

The resurrection teaches us to respect our bodies and those of others - to not get involved with harmful and dishonorable behavior.

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also." 1Cor 6:13,14

## Thinking on Eternal Things

Believers have already been metaphorically raised with Christ. The implications of this is to set our minds and hearts on the things above.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." Col 3:1

God's graciousness is revealed in the salvation he has given us. Salvation involves the forgiveness of sins, but also it involves removing the effects of sin. When we go to heaven not only will our sins be forgotten, but our sinful nature will be removed. Our physical resurrection is an outward sign of the removal of the effects of sin. For the wages of sin is death, but such is only temporary for the believer.

"God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." Eph 2:6,7

1Corinthians 15 is devoted to the doctrine of the reality of our future physical resurrection. But what is the implication he brings out:

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1Co 15:58

The Christian can live optimistic of the future, knowing that they and their works will live on forever.

Verses quoted from the NIV version

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources