Works (Vol 4) - Newton - XXV - Sermon XXV (Messiah rising from the dead)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XXV (Messiah rising from the dead).

My summary
This week Newton preaches on 'For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.' (Psa 16:10)

Newton teaches us about the Messiah's resurrection and the advantages which true Christians derive from a spiritual and enlightened knowledge of this doctrine. 

Thus we learn that the resurrection is:
(i) for our justification;
(ii) a pledge of the almighty power engaged on our behalf;
(iii) a pledge and pattern of our resurrection.

What grabbed me
I liked Newton's point that Christ's resurrection says much about our resurrection: 'His resurrection is the pledge and pattern of ours. As certainly as Christ, the first-fruits, is risen, so certainly shall they that are Christ's arise at his coming. And each of his people shall arise, aliusque et idem, Their bodies, though properly their own, shall be changed, and fashioned like unto his glorious body.' This corruptible must put on incorruption ; and the body, which is sown in dishonour and weakness, be raised in power and glory. Flesh and blood, in its present state, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The body, in this life, is a clog and a burden to those who place their chief happiness in the service of God, and in communion with him. It is a vile body, defiled by sin, and it defiles their best desires and noblest efforts. Even the grace of the Holy Spirit, by which they live, though perfectly pure in itself, is debased, when communicated to them, and exercised under the disadvantages of a sinful nature, as the best wine will receive a taint, if poured into a foul vessel. The body, in another view, is a prison, in which the soul, con- fined and pent up, is limited in its operations, and impeded in its perceptions of divine things. Though we are probably surrounded by the glorious realities of the spiritual world, only short and transient glances of them are discoverable by us ; we see but by reflection, and darkly f we know but in part, and should know nothing of them, but for the good report of the word of God. Further, the body, as it is the seat of innumerable, infirmities, and the medium which connects us with the calamities incident to this mortal state, is often a great hindrance to our most desirable enjoyments. Pain and sickness call off the attention, and indispose our faculties, when we wish to be most engaged in prayer ; detain us from the ordinances, or prevent the pleasure we hope for in waiting upon the Lord in them. But our new, spiritual, and glorified bodies, will be free from all defilement or defect. They will be completely qualified to answer the best wishes and most enlarged activity of the soul. Then, but not till then, we hope to be all eye, all ear, always upon the wing in his service, and perfectly conformed to his image, in light, holiness, and love ; for then we 'shall see him as he is,' without any interposing veil or cloud.'

How glorious to have a resurrection body like Christ's!

Next week's reading
Read Sermon XXVI (The ascension of Messiah to glory).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.