Untitled Sermon (15)

Introduction:

· Paul’s insensitive response?

· Paul is addressing a culture with no hope in the face of death…and his response gives us hope

LET’S LOOK AT HOW THE DEAD ARE RAISED, AND WITH WHAT KIND OF BODIES THEY ARE RAISED.

I) God Will Raise the Dead in Power

A. The Denial of Death

i. In Corinth, believers saw resurrection as an impossibility (vs. 35)

1. The Corinthians weren’t asking out of curiosity, but out of skepticism

2. Gnosticism led them to believe that corrupt bodies were better left dead

ii. In 21st Century America, we see resurrection as an impossibility

1. Though not “gnostic,” death remains formidable, impossible to overcome

2. EXAMPLE: the contrast at a graveside that highlights the stark reality

iii. How do we cope with this difficult reality?

1. Other religions: reincarnation,

2. Secularism overwhelmingly papers over death with platitudes

3. EXAMPLE: Obituaries brim with “hope” for the afterlife (on what basis?)

4. Christianity labels death as an intrusion, an enemy (vs. 26; 55-56)

B. The Hope of Resurrection

i. The Analogy: Like sown seeds, we will be raised into new life (vv. 36-39)

1. We’re like a seed, buried in the ground, to be raised to life

2. Jesus: is the seed, buried, who was raised to life (Jn. 12:24)

3. SO: death has been so utterly transformed and changed à a small insignificant seed put in the ground and raised into a plant that is glorious by comparison

ii. The Theological Response: The First & Second Adam (vv. 44-49)

1. 1stAdam disobeyedàSpiritualàphysical death;

2. 2ndAdam obeyedàspiritualàphysical life

3. Death the is swallowed up in victory! (vv. 55-57)

iii. THEREFORE:

1. This gives terrific comfort for those who have buried a loved one:

2. This gives terrific hope for those who are facing their own mortality:

AND THAT LEADS TO THE SECOND QUESTION PAUL WANTS TO ADDRESS: WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO?

II) God Will Transform Our Mortal Bodies Into Immortal Bodies

A. Our Mortal Bodies are All Subject to Decay

i. We are dishonorable, perishable, weak, and natural (vv. 42-43)

1. Our bodies are Dishonorable: ragged garments, not what they will be

2. Our bodies are weak – cancer, MS, Lou Gehrig’s whatever else…

3. Our bodies are natural – they are subject to death (mortality rate =100%)

ii. Medical Workers:

a. Those in medicine do good work, preserving protecting, prolonging life

b. But: we like diagnosis à cures, but it’s only temporary and limited

iii. All around us, we see that we are perishable

1. We don’t like to face it, but we will all die, and not one of us knows when

2. EXAMPLE: When breath Becomes Air (Paul KAH-Lah-NA-THI)

B. But we Await the Glorious transformation into Immortality

i. The “seed” that is our body will be raised glorious

1. The trumpet will sound and we will be changed! (vv. 50-53)

2. Our body, sown in dishonor, sown in decay, sown in weakness will be raised in glory that we can only presently imagine (vv. 42-43)

3. EXAMPLE:

i. HEARING: (music in heaven compared to today: a scrat

ii. SEEING

iii. TASTING

iv. EMOTION

v. MIND

ii. If this excites, energizes you…then what? (vs. 58)

1. Paul urges us to give ourselves to the work of God’s kingdom

2. Because: what we do now carries into eternity

3. Because: the gospel is the greatest motivator for service!

Transition:

Conclusion

- Living in the hope of the resurrection