Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XLI (Death by Adam, life by Christ).
My summary
This week Newton preaches on: 'For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.' (1Co 15:21-22)
Firstly Newton looks at the malady of death that have come through Adam. Death includes:
(i) all the natural evils which sin brought into the world;
(ii) death in sin;
(iii) the second death.
Secondly Newton teaches us about the remedy to death through the resurrection in Christ. We are raised:
(i) to a life of righteousness;
(ii) to a life of glory;
(iii) with a immortal body.
What grabbed me
I loved the description of the life of glory: 'That new life to which they are raised, is surely connected with life eternal ; the life of grace with the life of glory. For Christ liveth in them, and being united to him by faith, they shall live while he liveth. They only shut their eyes upon the pains and sorrows of this world, to open them immediately in his presence, and so 'they shall be for ever with the Lord.' How wonderful and happy is the transition ! From disease and anguish, from weeping friends, and often from a state of indigence and obscurity, in which they have no friends to compassionate them, they remove to a state of glory, honour, and immortality, to a mansion in the realms of light, to a seat near the throne of God. In the language of mortals, this ineffable honour and happiness is shadowed out to us, by the emblems of a white robe, a golden harp, a palm branch, (the token of victory,) and a crown, not of oak or laurel, of gold or diamonds, but ' a crown of life.' Such honour have all the saints. However afflicted or neglected, despised or oppressed, while upon earth, soon as their willing spirits take their flight from hence, they shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.'
Come Lord Jesus!
Next week's reading
Read Sermon XLII (The general resurrection).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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