What’s
The Change Going To Look Like?
1
Corinthians 15:35-58
Introduction:
When we anticipate possible
change, we spend a considerable amount of time researching and considering what
that change might look like. We
want to make sure the nature of a change we are considering will be worth our
investment of time and energy. Why
would we pursue something that is new and different if it isn’t better than the
way things are now?
This morning, we are going
to consider a change that is not only a possibility, but a definite reality in
our future. As we study carefully
what this change will look like, we will discover that there is no question as
to whether what will be is better than what is now.
We will come to realize the wisdom of investing ourselves fully in living
our lives for what is coming in the future as opposed to living for the here and
now. The change of which we are
speaking is the resurrection.
The Necessity of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians
15:1-34)
The resurrection is
foundational to everything we believe.
If there is no resurrection, all is meaningless and vain.
If there is no resurrection, Christ has not been raised, our preaching is
useless, our faith is useless, we are false witnesses, we are still in our sins,
those who died trusting Christ perished, we are most miserable, and it doesn’t
make sense that we would risk death in service to our Lord.
If there is no resurrection, we would be better off to eat, drink, and be
merry. We don’t live this way
because we know, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits
of those who have fallen asleep….In Christ all will be made alive.”
The Nature of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians
15:35-58)
Illustration:
Suppose for a moment that one of our church’s buildings burns to the
ground, and all that is left is a bunch of rubble.
For the sake of illustration, imagine that we have no means or materials
with which to rebuild that building, other than the charred remains that are
left. What if we were to try to
reassure our church family by saying, “We are going to build an even better
facility than before by using what remains?” How would we most likely respond?
We would probably say something like this:
“How are we going to rebuild that facility?
What would a new building look like built out of this rubble?”
The questions we would anticipate in the scenario we just considered are
essentially the same questions some are asking concerning the resurrection.
Some can’t grasp how the
decaying and disintegrating remains of those who have died, which have been
buried in the earth, can be formed into a new, resurrected body.
They are perplexed and bothered by how God could resurrect and restore
bodies of those lost at sea, eaten by sharks, blown up in an explosion, or
cremated.
Two Anticipated Questions Concerning the
Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:35)
“How are the dead raised?” (i.e.
How is that possible?)
“With
what kind of body will they come?”
(i.e. What will it be like?—It’s
hard to imagine!)
The questions Paul raises
do not appear to be examples of curious inquiry of people who really want to
know. Rather, they are mocking
taunts of those who think they already know.
Thus Paul declares, “How foolish.”
The desire behind these
questions isn’t to know truth, but rather to call into question the credibility
of what is being said. Just the
same, Paul answers with the truth.
Illustrations from nature (1 Corinthians
15:36-41)
Illustration #1-Plants
There are three ways in
which resurrection is similar to the planting and growing of crops:
The seed must “die” or cease to exist in its original form for a plant to
be produced; the original form (the seed) and the final form (the plant) are
remarkably different; there is continuity, a noticeable relationship between the
original (seed) and final form (the plant).
Life
proceeds from the “death” of the seed in the ground (15:36).
We understand that the seed
doesn’t really die. However, what
happens to the seed is appropriately compared to death in that it must
decompose, ceasing to exist in its original form, before it can become a plant.
Death and decay aren’t insurmountable barriers to resurrection.
What is
buried and what comes out of the ground are very different (15:37).
When planting, the farmer
doesn’t plant plants (the new form), but seeds (the old form).
Paul’s point in making this observation is that the old seed that is
planted and the new plant that is produced are not the same.
They are remarkably different.
The
resurrected body will be dramatically different compared to the body buried at
death.
It won’t be the same old
body that comes to life, but a brand new one, made according to God’s plan.
Though
the seed and the plant formed from the seed are different, they are still
related to one another (15:38).
There is continuity between
the old and new in nature (the seed and the plant).
The seed planted in the ground will change radically when it becomes a
plant, but it continues as the same kind of plant as the seed that was sown.
A wheat seed will become a wheat plant, a corn seed a corn stalk.
God has given each type of seed a body of its own, whose identity
continues in the grown plant.
Though
they are very different, there is continuity between the earthly body and the
resurrected body.
Our resurrected bodies as
believers will have a continuity with our bodies now.
Our bodies will die and will dramatically change form, but they will
still be our bodies. Consider
Christ’s resurrected body. After He
was raised, no one recognized Him unless He revealed Himself.
Once revealed, however, He was recognizable.
Likewise, there will be a recognizable continuity or relationship between
our bodies now and our resurrected bodies.
Illustration #2—Different created bodies
(15:38-41)
Paul here expands on his
point from his first illustration that our resurrected bodies will be different
from our earthly bodies. Paul
describes various aspects of the created world and universe in which God
demonstrates His ability to create different types of bodies.
Seeing the vast differences that exist in God’s creation, how dare we
question His ability to create resurrection bodies that are different from our
current bodies?
Why question God’s ability
to restore our bodies into gloriously new and different bodies in light of His
handiwork that we observe in creation?
The ability of God to bring to pass the differences between our earthly
and heavenly bodies is illustrated in the different types of bodies He has
already created.
In the animate creation,
there are differences in flesh. The
flesh of men isn’t the same as that of animals and even animals differ from one
another. God has created very
different kinds of flesh. Why then
is it so hard to imagine that God could create a resurrected body that is very
different than our present bodies?
Paul mentions that human
flesh is different from animal flesh.
He goes on to point out how animals, birds, and fish all have different
flesh. While the fact that
differences exist between the kinds of flesh in creation is Paul’s main point,
we ask the question, “Why do these differences exist?”
I think Paul is making a second point.
Different kinds of flesh are needed in order for that flesh type to be
suitable in the environment in which it exists.
Fish flesh will not be suitable for a bird’s environment.
Thus, fish have different flesh than birds.
Paul will later address the
fact that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the
If God is capable of
creating different kinds of flesh in order for them to be suitable for different
environments here, isn’t He certainly capable of creating a new and improved
body suitable for existence in the eternal state?
In the inanimate creation, there are differences in bodies.
Heavenly bodies are not the same as earthly bodies.
Not only are they different, but there is also a difference in their
splendor. Obviously, heavenly
bodies have a greater splendor than earthly bodies.
Paul also makes the observation that even amongst the heavenly bodies,
some were created with greater splendor than others.
Seeing the glorious design in the bodies made in the first creation and
seeing the vast difference in the splendor of one compared to another, do we
dare doubt the glory of the bodies God will create that suit us for existence in
heaven?
The
Interpretation of these illustrations (15:42-49)
Paul interprets his illustrations to teach us about resurrection.
Just as it is with the variety of bodies that God made the universe, so
will it be with the resurrection of the dead.
The present body that will be sown in the earth when we die will be
vastly different from the resurrected body.
The two bodies are related, but certainly not the same.
As in nature, we don’t know how God does it, but we do know that God does
it. What God does with a seed
illustrates what He will do with us.
Differences between the present body and the resurrected body will be evident.
The body that is sown is perishable.
It is temporal. It is
subject to aging, disease, illness, death, and decay.
Our resurrected body is imperishable.
It isn’t subject to such attacks.
It is eternal.
The body is sown in dishonor. A
dead body quickly evidences defiling, embarrassing, dishonorable characteristics
that cause us to put them away from us, out of sight.
We bury dead bodies.
Our resurrected body is characterized by glory, not dishonor.
The resurrected body will be like those things that we choose to put on
display because of their splendor.
It will be unlike those things we hide in our basements or bury in our back
yards.
The body is sown in weakness. It is
inescapably weak and fragile. Some
might be stronger than others, but no one is immune from infection, breaks,
cuts, and infection. Our present
bodies have so many limitations. We
have to make sure they get adequate rest, food, water, air, and protection from
adverse environments. They lack
strength and endurance, something that might be hidden in youth, but becomes
more and more evident as we age.
Our resurrection bodies will be characterized by power.
We don’t know all that this power will entail.
We do know that it will be vastly different to what we now possess.
The body is sown a natural body. It
is sown a body that is earth-bound, suited for life on this earth.
Our body is raised a spiritual body.
It is raised as a body that is suited for spiritual, heavenly living.
The
resurrection body will reflect the differences between Adam and Christ (1
Corinthians 15:45-49).
Paul argues that the existence of a natural body necessitates the existence of a
spiritual body—“If there is a natural body (and there is—1st class
condition), there is also a spiritual body.”
Paul links our natural and spiritual bodies to the prototypes of both—Adam &
Christ. Adam is the prototype of
the natural body. Jesus in the
prototype of the resurrection body.
The actions of both of these men impact all people.
Paul observes those things true of us because of our relationship with
Adam and then argues all the better and greater things that must also be true of
those of us who are in Christ.
The origin, nature and destiny of our natural body and our spiritual body
are directly tied to our relationship and identification with Adam and Christ.
Consider the following contrasts made between Adam and Christ:
Adam, the first Adam, became a living being.
He was given life by God.
Jesus Christ, the last Adam, became a lifegiving Spirit by His resurrection—He
has the power and authority to grant eternal life.
The natural body came first. In the
original creation, Adam received a natural body.
The spiritual came later. In
the resurrection, Christ received a spiritual body.
Adam was of the dust of the earth.
He had an “earthy” body. Christ is
from heaven. He has a heavenly
body. The reference to Christ, the
second man, being from heaven, most likely refers to His return for His saints.
Today, we look back to Adam’s earthy origin for our natural bodies, but
we look ahead to Christ’s coming for the heavenly origin of our resurrection
bodies.
Now consider how these differences between Christ and Adam relate to how our
resurrection body will be different from our present body.
Like produces like. Being like
Adam, we have all received earthy, corruptible bodies.
His sin and death brought sin into the world and caused all to be under
the sentence of death. When we are
resurrected and in heaven, like Christ we will receive heavenly, incorruptible
bodies. Now we bear the likeness of
the earthly man, Adam. At the
resurrection, we will bear the likeness of the man from heaven, Jesus.
Instruction for those who are still living (1 Corinthians 15:50-57)
We will all be changed (15:50-53)
Having discussed the resurrection of the dead saints, Paul describes the
transformation of those still alive at the Lord’s return.
Whether living or dead at the time of the resurrection, transformation is an
absolute necessity—“flesh and blood cannot inherit the
The normal way to bring about the change from the perishable to the imperishable
is by death. But what about those
who are still alive when Jesus returns to rapture the church?
There is an exception to the general rule which is a mystery.
A mystery refers to that which had before been hidden and unknown, but
which is now revealed. Paul reveals
the mystery that Christians will not have to die in order for their bodies to be
changed. Some will be changed
without dying.
Some Christians will die before the rapture, others will be living at the time
of it, but all will be changed.
This will be a glorious, instantaneous transformation.
It will occur in a flash—the Greek word here denotes the smallest
conceivable quantity of time. The
translation will occur in the twinkling of an eye.
The trumpet will sound and the dead and living will be raised.
Paul emphasizes yet again that this change must take place—“For the
perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with
immortality.”
Death will be swallowed up in
victory (15:54-57)!
When we have our resurrected bodies, when the perishable has been clothed with
the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the great triumph
predicted by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 25:8) will be realized— “Death will be
swallowed up in victory!”
Quoting the prophet Hosea (Hosea 13:14), Paul taunts death:
“Where, O death is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
Death has lost both its victory and its stinger.
The sting of death is sin.
Sin places the stinger in us that releases the venom resulting in death.
The power of sin in our lives is the law.
When we see God’s law, we rebel.
We are disobedient to the commands of God and therefore die.
When we die, a consequence of sin, it looks like death has won.
However, because we are in Christ, death will not have the victory over
us. The victory is ours in Christ.
Death is no more threatening to us than a rattle snake without fangs or a
scorpion without its stinger.
“Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Do you have this hope? Are you
personally assured of your victory over death?
The resurrection hope of which we have been speaking this morning comes
only through the Lord Jesus Christ.
It comes only to those who are found in Him. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23- “For as in
Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
But each in his own turn:
Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to Him.”
Each of us is born into this world “in Adam.”
Being born “in Adam,” we have a problem.
Romans 5:12- “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man,
and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all
sinned.” We are born into this
world, having inherited from Adam both sin and its consequence, death.
Not only do we have a problem because of what we inherited from Adam, but
also because of our own choices.
Romans 3:23 says about us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God.” Because of our sin, we
deserve the consequence of death, not only physically, but spiritually as well.
We deserve separation from God.
There is nothing we can do to solve this problem within ourselves.
Some think that they can somehow close the gap between themselves and God
by doing good things. Not so.
The Bible clearly says that if we are trying to get to God by the good
things we do, we would have to “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father
is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
Obviously, none of us could ever live up to this standard.
We all fall short.
While there is nothing we can do to get out from under the penalty of death,
there is something that Jesus has done to make it possible for us to have
eternal life through Him. Paul
spoke of it earlier in 1 Corinthians 15:3- “Christ died for our sins according
to the Scriptures.” Christ died for
us. He died in our place.
He died as our substitute.
He died so that we might live.
He didn’t stay dead. As Paul tells
us in 1 Corinthians 15:4- “He was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures.” If Jesus is not
raised, there would be absolutely no hope for us.
Remember these words from last week’s sermon, “For if the dead are not
raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in
your sins. Then those also who have
fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all
men.”
Because Jesus has in fact been raised, there is hope for those in Christ.
Paul describes Jesus’ resurrection as the firstfruits of those who have
fallen asleep. As such, Jesus is an
example of what is to come and a guarantee of more to come.
Jesus’ resurrection is evidence that others will follow Him in
resurrection.
Our being resurrected to new and eternal life is not automatic because of what
Jesus has done for us. There is a
response, a decision to which the Bible holds us responsible.
We need to place our faith in Him.
We need to trust in Jesus.
Over 200 times in the Bible, we see a connection between faith in Jesus Christ
and the receiving of salvation or eternal life.
What does it mean to trust in Jesus?
We come to the place where we recognize that there is nothing we can do
to earn or merit eternal life and trust in Christ alone to be saved.
Do you have the confident hope of resurrection?
Why not settle the matter this morning.
The Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved”
(Acts 16:31).
What about those of us who already have resurrection hope?
What are the implications of this passage for our lives?
Exhortation based on the hope of resurrection victory (15:58)
If we really believe that we will be transformed from the perishable,
dishonorable, weak, natural, mortal and earthy to the imperishable, glorious,
powerful, spiritual, immortal, and heavenly, what should be our response?
Paul doesn’t present these truths of the resurrection to satisfy our curiosity.
He doesn’t present these truths to fill our heads with more Bible facts.
He presents these truths as a motivation for holy living.
In light of the resurrection, we need to be steadfast.
The word for steadfast literally refers to being seated.
We need to be steadfast, firmly
planted in the apostle’s teaching on resurrection.
We need to be immovable, totally
motionless when false teachers try to draw us away from resurrection truth.
We need to be firmly established in the truth of resurrection for if our
hope in resurrection wavers, we are sure to abandon ourselves to the ways and
standards of this world! If there
is no resurrection, the motivation for our holy living and selfless service for
the Lord is gone.
In light of the resurrection, we need to
ALWAYS be involved in the Lord’s work.
Our service for the Lord needs to be continual, ongoing, always.
We’ve all made excuses. As
young people, we make the excuse that we will get serious about serving the Lord
when we are older. In our 20’s, we
say that we will get serious about serving the Lord once we are married and have
established a career. In our 30’s,
40’s, and 50’s, we say we will get serious about serving the Lord once we have
established some financial security.
In our 60’s and beyond, we say we are tired and now its someone else’s
turn to serve the Lord. How can we
make these excuses in light of resurrection truth?
The truth is, we have no excuse.
Our service for the Lord can’t wait if we are to be obedient to Scripture
for the apostle wrote, “Always.”
In light of the resurrection, we need to
ABOUND in the Lord’s work. Our
service for the Lord needs to be overflowing beyond measure.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:7-8 that God lavishes on us the riches of
His grace. For us, who deserve
absolutely, God has overdone Himself, giving us overflowing grace.
By His overflowing grace, we have hope of resurrection.
Isn’t it only fitting that we should overflow in our service to Him, the
One to whom we owe absolutely everything?
Paul wrote earlier that the following things would not make sense if there is no
resurrection:
“And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you
in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I
fought wild beasts in
Since there will in fact be resurrection, what now doesn’t make sense?
It doesn’t make sense for us to work, pray, give, and suffer as little as
we can in service to the Lord. It
doesn’t make sense to give our lives in pursuit of the trivial, short-lived
things of this world. It doesn’t
make sense for us to take it easy when so many around us are dead spiritually
and so many fellow believers around us are in need of edification,
encouragement, and help. It doesn’t
make sense when we say, “I’ve served my time, I’ve done my part, now it is
someone else’s turn.” It doesn’t
make sense when we say that we will put off serving the Lord until we have
secured our future. How crazy!
We are trying to secure an existence that Paul reminds us is weak and
perishing.
What does make sense is for us to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord.
When we get serious about our commitment to serve Christ, the world
considers us crazy. People who have
bought into the world’s thinking say things like, “Why would you give your
nights and weekends to do that?”
“You have so much potential for a lucrative career.
You could make a lot of money doing this instead.
Why would you waste all of your potential?”
Are we wasting our lives when we give ourselves to the Lord’s service?
Certainly not! As servants
of Christ, we have cause for a positive outlook.
Why? We are assured that our
labor is not in vain. If there is
no resurrection, our course would be vain and foolish, but
since there is in fact a resurrection awaiting us, we have cause for hope
and optimism. Sure, servants of the
Lord will face threats to the things of this world—but how threatening are these
threats any way? All those who
oppose the Lord can do to us is threaten that which is perishable, dishonorable,
weak, and earthy. However, no one
can touch those things that we look forward to when we are resurrected—our labor
is not in vain.
This morning, we have
considered the resurrection transformation that awaits us.
We have looked carefully at what this change will look like.
Understanding the nature of what is ahead for us, are we willing to
invest our lives in Lord’s service as our response to this resurrection hope?