206 - THE OUT-RESURRECTION
March 9, 1975
Pastor Henry F. Kulp
Philippians 3: 11-14 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I want to speak on a very important subject this morning—the out from among the dead resurrection, or the out-resurrection. When you read Verse 11 you would have the distinct idea that Paul was not sure, or that he had some doubts that he would be resurrected. For he says, if by any means, I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
1/ By comparing Scripture with Scriptures, we know that if there is one thing Paul was sure about, it is that he knew his body would be resurrected. He had absolute confidence that he was going to be raised with every other member of the body of Christ.
Titus 2: 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
The word, hope, here in the Greek is AL - PUS. It is spelled, alpis, and it means confidence. He was sure of taking part in this blessed confidence.
2/ To take part in a resurrection is inescapable, for we are told in the Bible that the just and the unjust shall be raised, so Paul had no doubts as to his resurrection.
3/ Verse 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
If, introduces a first-clause condition. By any means is the Greek word Poe-se and it means one way or another. Paul knew he was going to be resurrected, but he didn’t know if it was going to be that he would die and be resurrected, or if he would live and have his body changed. Of course, we know that Paul would go by physical death. When he died the second time, (first death was at his stoning at Lystria) he was beheaded. And so he will go by resurrection of his dead body.
4/ I might attain is COT—ON—TUH—O and it does not mean to attain—it means to reach a goal, to score—to arrive at a destination—to cross the goal line—to break the tape as in a sprint.
5/ It could read, In one way or another, death or still living, I might cross the finish line unto the resurrection of the dead.
6/ Unto the resurrection should be—to the resurrection. It is ice—a preposition plus the accusative, of the ex-onna—status. Ex means out from the resurrection. Of the dead is EK—NECK-ROS. So it means out from the dead ones. NECK-ROS is corpse.
So Paul is saying, By any means, death or living, I might arrive at the resurrection from among the dead.
7/ From among the dead is an important point. There is no general resurrection.
Acts 24: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Here, Paul in his defense before Felix, he is saying that the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead—both the just and the unjust.
8/ Mark 9: 10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
Here we have the disciples coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration, and they speak among themselves saying what the rising from the dead should mean. Didn’t they know as much as the Pharisees?
9/ John 11: 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Martha knew about the resurrection of the dead, and it is amazing to think that the Twelve disciples did not know about the resurrection.
10/ But, actually in Mark 9: 10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
They are saying, what does it mean to rise from among the dead. The phrase that we have in Philippians 3: 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
In Verse 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Jesus Christ told them to tell no man what they had seen on the Mount of Transfiguration until Jesus Christ had risen from among the dead ones, and this is what they did not understand.
11/ Romans 1: 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Here we have the same phrase. By the resurrection out from among the dead ones.
12/ Paul was sure that he was going to be resurrected from among the dead ones, for the church the body of Christ will be resurrected from among the Israelites who are also dead, and will be resurrected at the second coming of Christ their Messiah, not at the Rapture.
Then after the Millennium, the unsaved dead will be resurrected. So as Christ was resurrected from among the dead, so will the church the body of Christ be resurrected from among the dead.
13/ Paul was sure of this fact, but he was not sure of what the context teaches. For he is not speaking about the hope of the believer that is fixed by the grace of God, he is talking about the prize—the reward of the high calling. He is not sure about this.
Colossians 3: 22 - 24 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Ref: 03/09/1975 / 206 - THE OUT-RESURRECTION / 05/03/2021
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