Preparing our Hearts to Worship
Raising the Dead
In an effort to help you prepare for the May 28th, 2017, Sunday morning corporate worship gathering and to aid you in your own reflections on the Life of Elijah. I wanted to pose a few questions and provide a few resources to prayerfully consider over the coming days. Our sermon is entitled, “Raising the Dead”. The main Scripture for the day is 1Kings 17:17-24. The other passages are either referenced in the message or provide additional insight for reflection.
(Pick and choose from the many resources and options, which I have tried to make available for your devotional life.)
From the Scriptures
Read and prayerfully reflect upon some or all of these Scriptures. Ask God to shape your life and your church’s life to match the heart of God:
Read or listen to 1Kings 17:17-24, Deuteronomy 10:18, James 4:2-3, Luke 16:30-31.
(You can read or listen to all of these passages in a variety of translations at Bible.is.)
From the Creeds and Confessions
Heidelberg Catechism Question 45
Q45. What benefit do we receive from the Resurrection of Christ?
A45. First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, that He might make us partakers of the righteousness which by His death He has obtained for us. Secondly, we also are now by His power raised up to a new life. Thirdly, the resurrection of Christ is to us a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.
Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 32
CHAPTER XXXII.
Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead.
- The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption; but their souls (which neither die nor sleep), having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
- At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed: and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.
- The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.
From the songs, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church
Resurrection Day (Maher): Lyrics, Video
Christ is Risen (Maher): Lyrics, Video
My Redeemer Lives: Lyrics, Video
The Power of the Cross (Getty): Lyrics, Video
For Thoughtful Reflection, Prayer, or further Study
What was the key to Elijah seeing the dead boy raised?
Could God do the same thing through you?
How have you responded to difficulty like the widow of Zarephath?
Why does Elijah make reference to the widow, the orphan and the sojourner in his prayer?
Read and Reflect on this J Hampton Keathley III’s article: The Death and Resurrection of hte Widow’s Son
The Sermon will be available online on May 28, 2017 at 12:30 pm.
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