19: Hope Beyond the Grave (1 Cor 15:29-58)

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What should Christians believe about life beyond the grave?

There are a lot of different perspectives in our culture.

Some think we become angels who somehow watch over our loved ones. A lot of people in our culture believe this but, the Bible does not teach this. In fact, the Bible commands us NOT to try to contact the dead, calling it a detestable practice (Deut 18:10-12).

Some think we reincarnate and come back as another person or animal - again - that is found nowhere in the pages of the Scriptures. This concept was never on the radar of Jewish followers of Yahweh and it shouldn’t be part of your worldview either.

And then, there are some, like many people in Paul’s day, who thought that we are just disembodied souls who float and fly around; some even say we are just absorbed into ‘the universe’ - like some sort of cosmic cake mix where we all become part of the same consciousness. Once again, this is NOT Christian teaching.

So, what IS our Hope Beyond the Grave? What will happen at the end of all things? That’s what we’re about to find out!

CATCH THE CONTEXT

Last week we saw the significance of our Resurrected King. If He didn’t rise from the dead, then Jesus or his disciples were LIARS.

Paul says that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead then...

1 Corinthians 15:14–15b (CSB)

and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith. Moreover, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified wrongly about God that he raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up...

1 Corinthians 15:17–19 (CSB)

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

But…if He rose from the dead, then we can trust what He said.

Paul noted that many people - including himself - saw and interacted with the risen Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:5–8 (CSB)

and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, He also appeared to me.

And because Jesus IS alive, there is Hope Beyond the Grave!

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 (CSB)

But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ.

So…buckle up…here we go!

And we kick off with one of the most unusual verses in all of Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:29 (CSB)

Otherwise what will they do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are people baptized for them?

What in the world is THAT about?

Mormons think they know; this is why they have baptisms for the dead - thinking that a substitute - a living person - can stand in for the dead person who was never baptized as a Mormon.

This is taught NOWHERE in all of Scripture. So why does Paul write about it?

First of all, Paul is not talking about baptizing someone into Mormon faith since it didn’t begin until the 1800s through Joseph Smith.

Paul is not commanding baptism of the dead - whatever that meant to the Corinthians. Nor is he condemning this Corinthian practice here in this text (he might have addressed this at another time). Instead, he is using this Corinthian tradition to point to this Christian truth - that those who have died have hope beyond the grave.

Beyond all that, think about baptism for a moment. What’s it a picture of? Death, burial, and....RESURRECTION!

Further, Paul asks another pretty good question.

1 Corinthians 15:30–32 (CSB)

Why are we in danger every hour? I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus as a mere man, what good did that do me? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

If this life is all there is, why would Paul and other Christians do things that put them in danger to face death every day?

Paul writes about this in other places and focuses on our hope beyond the grave.

Romans 8:18 (CSB)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (CSB)

For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

But if this life is all there is, and the dead are not raised, then we should live for this life only - not sacrifice for others or do things that will invite persecution - but follow the ancient slogan - Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. (Is 22:13; Ecc 2:24)

‌If there is ever an ancient slogan that has found its way to our culture - it’s this one - Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

But Paul calls out that mentally in what he writes next. Those who believe there is NO RESURRECTION will be-living like there is no resurrection.

Our beliefs impact our BEHAVIOR. Spending too much time with those who BELIEVE and BEHAVE wrongly will impact our morals and limit our influence to others.

1 Corinthians 15:33–34 (CSB)

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Come to your senses and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame.

Paul, being the learned man that he is, is likely quoting this line from a play which is now lost to time (Thais by Menander). [F1]

But this quote “Bad company corrupts good morals” - is exactly what has been happening - followers of Jesus have been deceived by those who don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead, those who live by “Let us eat, drink, for tomorrow we die”. Their bad company has corrupted the good morals of Christians.

Paul wants Corinthian Christians to put and end to that, to wake up from the deception and come to their senses. The Greek here can also refer to being sober rather than drunk.

Christians who live with HOPE beyond the grave also know there is JUDGEMENT beyond the grave.

Christians are to live like Jesus has risen and is returning, and then to influence the people who are ignorant about God, rather than being influenced by them and becoming like them.

So, what’s all this resurrection of the dead thing going to be like - you ask? You ask great questions!

And because of the difficult language in the rest of this text, I’m going to shift to the NCV (New Century Version) for clarity.

Paul now borrows from Genesis 1-2 as he mentions how God created the heavens and the earth, all the plants, animals, and humans.

Plants

1 Corinthians 15:35–37 (NCV)

But someone may ask, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have?” Foolish person! When you sow a seed, it must die in the ground before it can live and grow. And when you sow it, it does not have the same “body” it will have later. What you sow is only a bare seed, maybe wheat or something else.

Paul is using an illustration that a farmer would quickly understand. When you plant/sow a seed, you plant something in the ground, that will eventually live and grow again. The dormant seed does not have the same body as the plant that rises out of the ground.

Paul continues with with this thought now reminding the reader of how God created...

People & Animals (Land, Sea, & Water)

1 Corinthians 15:38–39 (NCV)

But God gives it a body that he has planned for it, and God gives each kind of seed its own body. All things made of flesh are not the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds have another, and fish have another.

Then Paul moves from earthly bodies of people & animals to heavenly bodies - meaning what people see in the ‘heavens’ - what we would call “space”.

1 Corinthians 15:40–41 (NCV)

Also there are heavenly bodies [space] and earthly bodies [people & animals]. But the beauty of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the beauty of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of beauty, the moon has another beauty, and the stars have another. And each star is different in its beauty.

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 (NCV)

It is the same with the dead who are raised to life. The body that is “planted” will ruin and decay, but it is raised to a life that cannot be destroyed. When the body is “planted,” it is without honor, but it is raised in glory. When the body is “planted,” it is weak, but when it is raised, it is powerful. The body that is “planted” is a physical body. When it is raised, it is a spiritual body. There is a physical body, and there is also a spiritual body.

In other words, the body that is raised is going to be different - real & touchable - yet no longer dying, without honor, & weak - like sinful Adam; but raised, glorified, & powerful - like sinless Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:45–49 (NCV)

It is written in the Scriptures: “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam became a spirit that gives life. The spiritual did not come first, but the physical and then the spiritual. The first man came from the dust of the earth. The second man came from heaven. People who belong to the earth are like the first man of earth. But those people who belong to heaven are like the man of heaven. Just as we were made like the man of earth, so we will also be made like the man of heaven.

When Jesus physically raised from the dead, the apostles feared they were seeing a ghost. Jesus told them,

Luke 24:39–40 (CSB)

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

Luke 24:41–43 (CSB)

But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Jesus had a physical body that could be recognized, could be touched. He could eat…yet…He could no longer die. Similar, but different.

And in this way, we will be transformed into the image of Jesus, the Man of heaven - able to touch and be touched, able to eat, but…no longer able to die AND more - wait until you see the rest of this!

1 Corinthians 15:50–52 (NCV)

I tell you this, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot have a part in the kingdom of God. Something that will ruin cannot have a part in something that never ruins. But look! I tell you this secret: We will not all sleep in death, but we will all be changed. It will take only a second—as quickly as an eye blinks—when the last trumpet sounds. The trumpet will sound, and those who have died will be raised to live forever, and we will all be changed.

Followers of Jesus who have died will be raised to live forever, and those who are still alive when Jesus returns will be changed to be like the risen Jesus!

John, the apostle of Jesus, who SAW Jesus ascend into heaven, and who heard the angels declare that Jesus would return the same way (Acts 1:11), writes about what will happen in that moment.

1 John 3:2–3 (NCV)

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and we have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He really is. Christ is pure, and all who have this hope in Christ keep themselves pure like Christ.

In that moment, as Paul wrote back in 1 Cor 13:12, we will know Him fully when we are “face to face.”

And as we look forward to that moment, we must BE LIVING like Jesus is RETURNING, living pure.

What a moment that will be - the followers of Jesus will be reunited with one another and with our King (also see 1 Thes 4:13-18).

1 Corinthians 15:53–54a (NCV)

This body that can be destroyed must clothe itself with something that can never be destroyed. And this body that dies must clothe itself with something that can never die. So this body that can be destroyed will clothe itself with that which can never be destroyed, and this body that dies will clothe itself with that which can never die.

1 Corinthians 15:54b–57 (CSB)

then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. [Is 25:8] Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? [Hos 13:14] 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!

I hate insects with stingers - fireants, mosquitos (who stick us with their syringe straws), and wasps. Every week I go around this place and spray down wasps, because I don’t want you to get stung. But what if if had no stinger? We might treat it more like a butterfly, even allowing it to land on us - rather than running from a blood-thirsty bear and screaming like a little child.

When the stinger is removed, there will be NO MORE FEAR!

And this is exactly what will happen on that day. The stinger of death that comes from sin will be removed! No more sin = no more death!

This is our HOPE beyond the Grave, and Paul concludes this part of the writing with what that should mean for followers of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (CSB)

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Your faithfulness to Jesus and your work for Jesus is not empty. Your work for the King and the kingdom is not wasted. Start living for an audience of ONE.

And while this should be super encouraging for followers of Jesus, it should be super scary for those who are not. So, I need to fire this warning shot as we close down this teaching. The writer of Revelation is given a vision of future events and this one should cause all of us pause.

Revelation 20:11–13 (CSB)

Then I saw a great white throne and One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books.

Revelation 20:14-15 (CSB)

Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:1–2 (CSB)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:3–4 (CSB)

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

Revelation 21:5–7 (CSB)

Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be His God, and he will be My son.

That’s our HOPE beyond the grave! But…here’s the warning shot...

Revelation 21:8 (CSB)

But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Why end with this warning?

Sometimes it’s not until we stare death in the face that we consider the Christian claims about eternity.

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

During the Finnish-Russian war 7 captured Russian soldiers were sentenced to death by the Finnish army. The evening before they were to be shot, one of the soldiers began singing “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”

Asked why he was singing such a song, he answered tearfully that he had heard it sung by a group of Salvation Army “soldiers” just three weeks earlier.

He spoke of his mother talking and singing of Jesus many times, but he refused to accept her Savior.

The previous night, as he thought of his upcoming execution, he had a vision of his mother’s face, which reminded him of the hymn he had recently heard - “Safe in the arms of Jesus.”

The words of the song and verses from the Bible that he had heard long ago came to his mind. He testified before his fellow prisoners and his captors that he had prayed for Christ to forgive his sins and cleanse his soul and make him ready to stand before God.

All the men, prisoners and guards alike, were deeply moved, and most spent the night praying, weeping, talking about spiritual things, and singing hymns. In the morning, just before the seven were shot, they asked to be able to sing once more “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” which they were allowed to do.

At least one other of the Russian soldiers had confessed Christ during the night. In addition, the Finnish officer in charge said, “What happened in the hearts of the others I don’t know, but … I was a new man from that hour. I had met Christ in one of His loveliest and youngest disciples, and I had seen enough to realize that I too could be His.”

Are you safe in the arms of Jesus? Is He King over your life? If not, or if you have questions on how you CAN be sure,

please call me, our staff,

our deacons/wives or another Christian who lives his/her faith out.

And for those of you who trust Jesus - He IS our HOPE beyond the Grave.

Keep seeking, keep trusting, keep serving - your faithfulness & work for the King and the Kingdom will NOT be wasted.

And when you see HIS FACE…your current struggles, battle with sin nature, your financial, emotional, physical, and financial concerns will fade away. You will NOT regret one moment of your obedience to Him.

SING with me -

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

look full in HIs wonderful face

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim

in the light of His glory and grace

_______________

Ben Witherington III, Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995), 306.

discussionquestions Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.

Read 1 Cor 15:45-54. How are future transformed bodies of believers likely to be similar & different from earthly bodies? Spend some time talking about what life without sin & sin nature will be like.

Read Revelation 20:11-21:8. How does this picture of future hope and future judgement comfort you and concern you for yourself/others?

How can a Christian grieve for someone’s death while still holding on to the hope of resurrection?

Read 1 Cor 15:58. Discuss how believing in the future resurrection & the return of Jesus should impact how we live on earth. In what areas are you struggling to stand firm (steadfast & immovable)? Why should Christians be encouraged to know that what we do for Jesus is not done in vain (not a waste)?

What specific areas do YOU need to commit to do the work of the Lord?

What other questions has this teaching or discussion prompted for us to talk about?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.