Doctrine of the Resurrection pt. 3
1 Corinthians: Order in the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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We’ve been looking at the three reasons the doctrine of the resurrection is essential to our faith...
It is essential to our salvation 1-18 (If there is no resurrection, then Christ is dead and there is no such thing as a dead Savior)
It is essential to our assurance 19-34 (We can rest assured that no matter what circumstances come our way there is something better awaiting us in eternity)
It is essential to our ultimate glory 35-58
Not only is the doctrine essential to salvation and assurance, it is essential because it promises that we will one day leave this world behind and receive a new body!
Look at 1 Corinthians 15:35
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
There are two ways in which the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ is essential to our ultimate glory:
It Promises We Will Receive a Glorified Body 35-5
It Promises We Will Receive a Glorified Body 35-5
1 Cor. 15:35 is a question Paul anticipates…how are the dead raised?
The Greek philosophy that gripped Corinth taught that resurrection is impossible since the body decayed and eventually turned to dust.
With then, what body do they come? (How will they be resurrected if there is not body left?)
Good follow up questions: What about infants - do they remain infants?
Cremated bodies?
Those lost at sea, eaten by sharks, etc.?
Paul responds harshly! 1 Cor. 15:36
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
“Thou fool” = mindless, stupid person!
The argument he makes is that these arguments are pointless. We are dealing with God, and with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
Paul takes verses 36-50 to drive this point home!
He compares our bodies with a seed...
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
Seeds produce fruit, not more seed. Not only that but you don’t plant whole stalks of wheat, just a seed. The stalk is the result of the planting.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
It would be great if our scientists could get a good understanding of this truth. …not all flesh is the same!
Human flesh is different from animal flesh
If God can make such vastly different bodies for life on earth, what is to stop Him from making different bodies for the resurrection?
Seed Must Die to Produce Fruit
Seed Must Die to Produce Fruit
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
God is capable of producing resurrected bodies as easily as He has created bodies for life on earth
Why is a new body necessary?
We must prepared for life in eternity
Our bodies are “sown in corruption” only to be raised in incorruption!
Christian, one day you will receive a glorified, holy, perfect body! One that will endure eternity, no sickness, no death. Isn’t it exciting!?
It Promises That Not All Believers Will Die 51-58
It Promises That Not All Believers Will Die 51-58
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
A mystery in Scripture is something that has not yet be revealed!
What mystery? That we shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed (receive a glorified body)
Two questions remain here...
When and Why?
When and Why?
When = at the rapture of the church
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
This describes events surrounding the rapture. The change described here takes place in “a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”…the reference is to the change from mortal to glorified body and how quickly this will take place between those who are alive at His coming and those who have died.
Why this change? Two reasons
It MUST take place 1 Cor. 15:53 “53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Our corruptible bodies are not suited for life in eternity
God has promised us a new body!
To fulfill Scripture
Hosea 13:14 “14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.”
To fulfill our victory in Christ
Take away:
Take away:
The Doctrine of the resurrection is the most essential doctrine in Christianity.
It separates us from false religions.
It assures us in uncertain times.
It promises our ultimate glory and victory in this world.
For these reasons and many others we need to take up Paul’s challenge in 1 Cor. 15:58
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Steadfast/unmovable convey the same idea.. Christian, be unmovable in your faith!
Always abounding = the idea is that you will not be satisfied with just doing what is expected, you will do above and beyond!