Hope Fulfilled

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Two movies premiered on the same weekend in late May, 1977. The bigger of the two that weekend was ‘Smokey and the Bandit.’ Yes, it spawned 2 sequels. After the third film there just wasn’t enough demand for another.

The other movie that opened that weekend, well, lets just say that it has given us almost an entire universe of sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and an entire constellation of characters and series.

The title of that movie:

STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE

In the opening moments of that film a holographic image of Princess Leia appears to an orphan in a lonely spot in the universe. In that endless loop she says,

“Help me, Obi-Wan-Kenobi - you’re my only hope.”

Indeed, that phrase resonates because there seem to be so many obstacles to hope.

The economy fluctuates more rapidly than the weather in Oregon. Political issues seem to further divide family and friends on a daily basis.

Churches are dying for lack of members. Entire communities are losing their population due to the lack of family wage jobs.

Hope seems to be a long gone option.

But, the gospel - as Paul shares it at the beginning of 1 Cor 15 is a beacon of hope in what might appear to be a hopeless world.

The hope of the gospel is secured through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of our own resurrection yet to come.

A Promise of Transformation

As Paul made clear in vs 35-49 this physical body will experience transformation.

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 (HCSB)

So it is with the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption;

sown in dishonor, raised in glory;

sown in weakness, raised in power;

sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

We glimpse the promise of transformation as those who encountered Jesus - such as Mary, the gathered disciples, the 500 brothers and sisters and even Paul himself.

We too will experience a transformation when Jesus returns.

Paul expresses this truth in his letter to the Philippians:

Philippians 3:20–21 (HCSB)

but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

And to believers in Thessalonica Paul encouraged them with this:

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (HCSB)

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.

For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Since 1945 and the development of atomic weapons there has been an underlying anxiety that some event will spark a massive nuclear war that will devastate this earth and even end life as we know it.

NOT TRUE!

The end of all history, as Paul already indicated, is not a nuclear conflagration sparked by human acts, but a moment in time when God says, STOP.

A Promise of a Present Possession

Paul’ extensive knowledge of God’s Word (i.e. the OT) is on display in vs 54-57.

Quoting Isaiah and Hosea Paul reminds us that because of Jesus resurrection from the dead we have an unshakeable confidence that death is no longer an enemy.

Death for the believer is no longer an event to be feared. One scholar writes:

The First Epistle to the Corinthians The Nature of the Resurrection “Body” (15:44)

Jesus Christ has himself absorbed the sting on the basis of how his death and resurrection addresses the problem of human sin and the law

The Pharisees, the conservative, religious, Jews of Paul’s era all accepted that there would be a resurrection of God’s people - primarily themselves.

The Pharisees understood that this resurrection would restore Israel - and Jerusalem - to the place of prominence they believed God had promised Abraham.

Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus changed his understanding of resurrection.

No longer were the Romans and the idolatrous pagans enemies to be defeated.

The enemy - from the very beginning of creation - was sin and its consequence of death.

Because of Jesus’ death - on behalf of all who sin, for those who receive Him - sin no longer has power over believers.

Romans 6:4 HCSB

Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.

Through resurrection we possess a victory. For the believer death does not separate us from the presence of God.

Rather, death means an immediate entry into God’s presence and the promise of a future resurrection to a body fit for eternity.

A Promise of Eternal Consequences

I often share with people that one of the reasons I enjoy doing the dishes in our family is it is the one job I do where there is a distinct start and finish.

As believers we are engaged in ongoing work -

growing in Christ,

developing in holiness,

walking with other believers through the challenges of life,

praying with others, praying for others...

and on and on.

There are times all believers must wonder…am I really making progress?

Is my consistent prayer making a difference?

Does my willingness to stand with others through difficult times really matter?

Paul’s answer:

1 Corinthians 15:58 HCSB

Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, because we know for certain that we too will experience transformation we can keep on keeping on.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

Paul began his explanation of resurrection with a simple reminder of the gospel:

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (HCSB)

For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

that He was buried,

that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

This is the message we have been assigned to communicate to the world.

There is no reason to fear - this body cannot inherit eternal life, so God will transform this body into one fit for His eternal presence.

There is no reason to shrink back in doubt because the resurrection of Jesus is all the assurance we need - as He has been raised from the dead, so to we will experience a similar transformation.

There is no reason for us to throw our hands up in disappointment.. The consequences of our work may not be visible from where we are, but as we stand firm, as we allow the gospel to take root in our lives God will be honored and glorified.

If you have never confessed that Jesus is Lord, if you have never affirmed that yes, God raised Jesus from the dead - it is that simple:

Romans 10:9–10 HCSB

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

When you grow weary, when you experience times of doubt, when you feel isolated and alone…remember:

Matthew 28:20 (HCSB)

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”