Category: Resurrection

This series is entitled “A Refutation of the A.D. 70 Doctrine.” It was preached at the West Side church on three consecutive Sundays, on October 11, 18, 25, 2009.

The series was not intended to be an extensive review of the doctrine, also known as Realized Eschatology. Such an undertaking would require much more time than reserved for this series. Instead, Stan examined what the Bible teaches about the end times, introduced the error, and established a few clear principles that clearly show this peculiar doctrine to be false.

This post contains links to all the materials available from the series.

• Lesson 1 – Bible Eschatology PPT MP3
• Lesson 2 – Introduction to Realized Eschatology PPT MP3
• Lesson 3 – Refuting Realized Eschatology PPT MP3

This is the second lesson of three designed to refute the A.D. 70 Doctrine. This doctrine asserts that all prophecy was consummated at the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Hence, the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the end of the world all have already happened.

Lesson 2 is an introduction to Realized Eschatology with a special emphasis placed upon the error of Max R. King. He wrote The Spirit of Prophecy in 1971, and his writings and teachings are what have had the most impact upon churches of Christ.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

This is the first lesson of three designed to refute the A.D. 70 Doctrine. This doctrine asserts that all prophecy was consummated at the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Hence, the Second Coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead and the end of the world all have already happened.

Lesson 1 in this series is a positive statement of Bible teaching regarding the end times.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Here Paul answers an apparent question regarding the status of those who die prior to our Lord’s second coming. What will happen to those who have “fallen asleep in Jesus?”

The answer is one that will bring comfort to all those who are Christians (cf. 18). The dead in Christ will be raised in the day of judgment!

The assurance Paul offers is established in the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In His resurrection, he claimed victory over death, and became our forerunner. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (20). This sentiment is expressed in verse 14 of our text.

Paul concisely states the coming events of that day:

1. The Lord will descend from heaven;
2. The dead in Christ will be resurrected;
3. Those Christians who are alive will be transformed and taken;
4. We will be forever in the presence of our Lord.

The text does not indicate a “rapture” of the saints; it is rather an explanation of the ultimate end of all Christians at the Judgment Day.

The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, not only affirms the fact of Christ’s resurrection, but notes that the lives of those who reject that fact are futile and dissolute.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

1 John 1:1-3

In John’s introduction to his first epistle, he quickly affirms two basic facts. First, that the gospel of Christ was authentic. He states that he was an eyewitness to that which brings eternal life. He heard it, saw it, gazed upon it, and handled it.

An examination of the gospels underscores the truthfulness of this declaration. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. The apostles not only heard of that resurrection, they saw and touched the Lord. They recognized His victory over death. Paul wrote, “…by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:21).

Second, that the gospel of Christ brings eternal life. He declared it to his readers that they might also “have fellowship with us.” Because it is authentic, it means Jesus truly is the Savior. He died for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead. His victory over death supplies for us the same hope!

In John 2:12-25 we have recorded two statements of Jesus that involved the temple in Jerusalem. The two sentences are very different, but both teach important lessons to us, His disciples.

“DO NOT MAKE MY FATHER’S HOUSE A HOUSE OF MERCHANDISE!” (VS. 16).

It is believed that secular pursuits were commonly seen in the court of the Gentiles, the outermost part of the temple complex. The part of that court located south of the temple proper was a very large area. There, Jesus found some selling livestock, and others changing money.

Both of these seemed to be logical. When Jews traveled to Jerusalem there would be a need to change their currency to that used locally at Jerusalem, and many would have need of livestock to offer as sacrifices during their worship to God. It is reasonable to assume that these business men appealed to such practicality as “authority” for their practices; and the merchandising seems to have become so ubiquitous as to have been generally accepted by the Jews.

Continue reading “Jesus and the Temple” →

In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth. Thus their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the lion is “Ne” or “no,” making it read “Plus Ultra.” Columbus had proven that there was indeed “more beyond.”

Source Unknown.

Columbus did not know the half of it. So many today make the same denial with regard to life after death. They live their lives, “under the sun” (cf. Ecclesiastes 1:3), without any reference to God or eternity. But, there is life after death! As the Hebrew writer wrote, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28). For those saved, there is truly “Plus Ultra”… More Beyond!