Resurrection of the Dead Part II

Resurrection the Work of Transformation

Nature reveals an interesting thing when we examine the end of something as it marks the beginning of the next.

Massive tree as an example will lay down seeds, this having the essence and nature of the tree will soon die and give birth to a new tree...

Humanity is not as simple, scripture speaks about death and what it means for humanity.

As we live we are sowing what will eventually bing forth transformed being.

Resurrection is the Completed Transformation in Christ

1 Corinthians 15:12–13 ESV

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

1 Corinthians 15:17–18 ESV

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

The mystery of the Resurrection is one premised on what has been exhibited in Jesus Christ

denying the resurrection denies the power of the Cross and hope of Salvation

Promise found in Hebrews is each person is appointed to die once then stand before the Lord… not to be lost forever.

Resurrection for each of us will yield a very specific fruit, that fruit depends on us.

Reaping What is Sown

Sowing into the Kingdom of Heaven

Today we are sowing or planting what will be harvested at a later time

We cannot get an apple from an orange

1 Corinthians 15:37–44 ESV

And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Everything that is in creation has a specific nature

they have specific glories

the heavenly is to be revealed

Bare kernel that is planted (mortal bodies) yield a Divine nature

the kernel carries its essence

Transformation Occurs in the Resurrection

perishable-imperishable

dishonor-glory

weakness-power

natural-spiritual

Transformation not Optional

As we live in Christ we are constantly being drawn to be more like Him

2. In order for the transformation to occur their must be a death to the old nature

1 Corinthians 15:51–58 ESV

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

The death that occurs is not always physical (may be symbolic) Transformation will occur

The natural becomes spiritual and becomes immortal

some will live immortally in Christ

some will live immortally in Hell

that kernel was sown in their natural life.

Power to overcome Death

Jesus Christ

We do not labor in VAIN

Raised in Power to Reign

Revelation 20:4–6 ESV

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

The first resurrection

Those who lived for Christ

The second comes at the end of the Millennial reign (Judgement)

They are Given Authority to Judge

they are the ones who gave testimony of Jesus (His witnesses)

They are the ones who gave testimony of the Word of God (His witnesses)

Persevered to the end… not seeking the escape

These are Priests of God and Christ and reign… this is why the perishable must pass…

Today you are not laboring in vain… today you are sowing the kernel of what will be seen in the resurrection. There is coming a time in which you will reign with Jesus Christ.