31. Our Own Resurrection
We will enter eternity with our own resurrection body and we have to know how real it is.
This is our second week focusing on the resurrection. Last message we focused the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This message we focus on our own resurrection. We make it personal.
The real, tangible, actual bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very core, the very fulcrum of our faith. Jesus Christ was resurrected in a real, tangibly, physical body similar on the outside to the body he died in – but a body that was radically, eternally different.
If you were to envision your own resurrection right now would you see yourself kind of – ethereal?
Maybe a spirit without a body?
Maybe like and angel on a cloud with wings?
Maybe kind of like a ghost?
Guys, we have got to know how real our own resurrection is. We need to know as much as God desires to reveal to us in his Word about the resurrection body we will enter eternity with.
Sound good?
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, reveal to us – make it personal. Reveal to us our own resurrection today. Allow these words in 1 Corinthians 15 to become personal to describe us. To describe our own resurrection, Lord. Encourage and strengthen and inspire us with your Word today, we pray for your glory and in your name, Jesus, amen.
Well known Bible scholar R.A.Torry says this about our own resurrection bodies.
“We will not be disembodied spirits . . , but redeemed spirits, in redeemed bodies, in a redeemed universe.”
The word “redeemed” means (in essence) to “buy back” (to return to what God originally created) and so in our own resurrection there is a return to the magnificence God originally created – perfect and without sin.
Another well-known scholar (also initials) N.T. Wright gave me a great illustration of our own resurrection and helped me along in this message.
You know how fast technology is advancing, right? It’s incredible! Well, imagine standing in a new car showroom a hundred years from now on the day that a brand-new kind of car was being introduced – a new kind of car – a kind of car that is radically different from all cars that have gone before it.
But, the guy standing next to you says, “Well, looks pretty much the same as the old kind of car to me.”
And then the creator of the car steps up. “It only looks similar” he says. “But on the inside, this car is like nothing this world has ever seen. It may look like an ordinary car on the outside, but what makes it so different is what is on the inside.
“It runs on fuel you could call ‘supernatural’ – it makes the operation of this car perfect in every way and it will remain perfect forever. It will never wear down and never wear out and it is capable of things that you can’t even begin to imagine.”
And then the creator says, “The best part is, I’m offering it to you as a free gift – you only have to receive it, to enjoy it forever.”
And then that guy standing next to you says, “Eh, it looks pretty much like my old car, I think I’ll pass” and you think to yourself, “Man, you need to get your head checked.”
When we really look at the Bible’s description of our own resurrection we find out the difference is much more what we’re made of on the inside than how we look on the outside.
Now, the challenge in this section of 1 Corinthians 15 is the “image” we assign to some of the English words here. For example, let’s look down at 1 Corinthians 15:44(a)
1 Corinthians 15:44(A) (NLT)
44 They (our bodies) are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies . . .
Unfortunately, when we see that phrase “spiritual bodies” we immediately think of a “spirit body” like a ghost and that is exactly what this sentence is not saying.
Verse 44 is describing “the embodiment” of two different natures.
We are BURIED in the EMBODIMENT of - Ordinary Flesh
We are RAISED in the EMBODIMENT of - The SPIRIT
So, like the imaginary car, the difference between these two bodies is more about what they are made of (what’s on the inside) than what’s on the outside.
Does that make sense?
Okay, we can go back and work through the text now. Back up to 1 Corinthians 5:35.
1 Corinthians 15:35 (NLT)
35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?”
There it is! That’s the question we want answered. What KIND of body will I have in the Resurrection?
And so now Paul is going to begin his answer by saying the first thing to understand is there must be a transformation and for a believer we mistakenly call that transformation death which (for the believer) is not an end of life, but a transformation of life and we see the principle of this transformation of life all around us today.
1 Corinthians 15:36-38 (NLT)
36 What a foolish question! (from the previous verse) When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.
37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting.
38 Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed.
Notice, the continuity in this transformation of life. The plant that grows is based on the seed that was planted. Also notice, it is God that gives each seed the body he wants it to have.
Then Paul continues the idea of the continuity of life by saying there are “different kinds” of “embodiments of life” but they are all after (or in line with) “their own kind.”
Now, I know it’s very dangerous to say in this town, but this verse is saying humans and animals are different.
Next, verse 40 is going to say, although our resurrection body will be “in line with” (or according to) our earthly body there will also be a vast and incredible difference.
1 Corinthians 15:40 (NLT)
40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies.
The subject here is the Greek word SOMA – referring to our bodies. And so, Paul is saying there is a body suited for heaven and there is a body suited for earth. Both still bodies, but the “make-up” is vastly different between the two (kind of like our imaginary car illustration). The two might look similar in some ways but they are drastically and eternally different. There is a glory to our heavenly bodies that matches the glory of heaven and which is far different than the “lower glory” of earth.
One good translation writes verse 40 like this: Some bodies belong in the heavens, and some on the earth
There must be a difference, right – because our resurrection body must be suited to the awesomeness and glory of heaven.
And then, in verse 41 Paul refers to the other kind of “heavenly bodies” – meaning stars and planets and says even there we see a continuity between the stars and planets but also a very different glory between them.
1 Corinthians 15:41 (NLT)
41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.
So just as the sun, moon and stars are similar but with different glories so our resurrection bodies will be similar but with a radically different glory! Do you see it?
Now, verses 42-49 is the crunch – this is the core – the crux of the whole explanation. These verses explain the crucial difference between our own present body and our own resurrection body. God is ready to give us our own new resurrection body and he has already shown us the prototype of our ow resurrection in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So, let’s stop thinking about our own resurrection looking like an angel, or Casper or a spirit with no body and let’s look at the real transformation – the real difference between our present body and our resurrection body.
Paul has just said the stars and planets are similar but have different glories. And then he says in 1 Corinthians 15:42,
1 Corinthians 15:42 (NLT)
42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly (perishable) bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised (imperishable) to live forever.
That is a radical difference in glory. Our earthly (perishable) body will be raised in the glory of an imperishable body at our resurrection.
Now Paul’s just going to get on a roll in order to drive this point home. 1 Corinthians 15:43-44.
1 Corinthians 15:43-44 (NLT)
43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness (dishonor), but they (our bodies) will be raised in glory. They (our bodies) are buried in weakness, but they (our bodies) will be raised in strength.
44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies (speaking of the quality & ‘make-up’ of our resurrection body). For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
How many times is Paul referring here to our bodies?
Our Bodies are Buried in DISHONOR
Our Bodies are Raised in GLORY
Our Bodies are Buried in WEAKNESS
Our Bodies are Raised in STRENGTH
Our Bodies are Buried as NATURAL HUMAN BODIES
Our Bodies are Raised as SPIRITUAL BODIES
For just as there are natural bodies,
there are also spiritual bodies - OF HEAVEN!!
These falling apart, breaking down, sinful bodies must be transformed for the glory of heaven.
And that transformation is the transformation from Adam as the firstfruits of death to Jesus Christ as the firstfruits of our resurrection. Which is what the next set of verses clearly explains.
1 Corinthians 15:45-49 (NLT)
45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.
46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.
47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.
48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man.
49 Just as we are now like the earthly man (Adam), we will someday be like the heavenly man (Jesus).
That should make it really clear.
Verse 49 – JUST AS we are now like the earthly man (Adam)
meaning we are now like him in both outward appearance and inward makeup.
In the same way – we will someday be like the heavenly man (Jesus)
meaning we will be like him in both outward appearance and inward makeup.
NOT like him in his overwhelming description in Revelation Chapter 1, but like him in his resurrection!
And I love verse 48 – Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man.
Have you ever wondered why Jesus hung around Jerusalem for forty days after his resurrection? Certainly, it was to prove the reality of his resurrection and it so proved it that it cannot be “reasonably disputed”.
But, I wonder if it was also partly so that we could have a clear record of how our own resurrection will look and work
And read verse 49 again – Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man . . .
What does that mean? It means we will one day be like we see Jesus on earth for forty days after the resurrection. Walking, talking, eating, fellowshipping and being a very real part of the lives of those he loved and that is what the Bible says our own resurrection will look like.
But, if we’re going to look and act like the resurrected Jesus we are definitely going to have to be transformed. These bodies in their present state cannot be or do what Jesus was or did in his resurrection body and that is Paul’s next point. (The hits just keep on coming).
1 Corinthians 15:50 (NLT)
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
This is not saying we won’t have a real body it’s saying this body cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.
WHY???
Because this body was born under the curse of sin and is dying and so it cannot inherit what will last forever.
But, let me ask you a question. When Jesus was resurrected, why wasn’t his body still in the tomb? Because he was in it. Was it the same body he was crucified in? No, it was not. But it was in-line with (in the same manner as) the body he lived in on earth, wasn’t it? His body had been resurrected in a similar way as our own resurrected body will be “in-line” with our earthly body – but glorified and designed for living eternally in heaven.
And then we learn a wonderful secret in verses 51-53. Let me start with the literal translation of verse 51 because this verse should be on the wall of every church nursery.
1 Corinthians 15:51 (ESV)
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
And if you want to behold that mystery in the nursery each Sunday, you can talk to Lisa under the blue awning after service.
But, continuing on – let’s re-read verse 51 from the NLT.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (NLT)
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! (we MUST be transformed)
52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown (meaning at the return of Christ). For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
Does it feel like Paul is trying to focus on the word – body? It’s not that we stop having bodies, it’s that these dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die.
Real, glorified bodies with no effect of sin (or over-eating). Bodies that are designed and equipped to live forever in the presence and glory of God. Who wants one?
In Philippians Chapter 3 Paul is building this incredible case for us to continue to run the race, to continue to press on. To continue to cling to Christ alone, to trust that Jesus will be there at the end of our race.
And Paul says in Philippians 3:20-21,
Philippians 3:20–21 (NLT)
20 But we are (meaning we presently are) citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them (transform them) into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
THAT is OUR OWN resurrection!
Jesus Christ will take these weak and dying bodies and he will change them into glorious bodies like his own using his own creation and resurrection power!!
Then comes the experience (the manifestation) of our own final victory over death.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NLT)
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our own resurrection – is us receiving the full manifestation – the full and eternal ownership of the absolute and complete victory that Jesus Christ won on our behalf on the cross – amen?
So… what???
So… what should we do about it? How should we respond?
1 Corinthians 15:58
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Is that an encouraging verse, or what?
If you are a committed Christ follower today the absolute reality of your own resurrection should cause you to be strong and immovable and to work and serve enthusiastically for the Lord, knowing that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
And, if you are not a Christ follower today, I pray the absolute truth of the resurrection would cause you to surrender your life completely to Christ today as your Savior and Lord and begin to look for his soon coming return.
Let’s pray. Oh, Lord. Lord we are so sorry for being driven so much by this temporal, fleeting and soon to vaporize world. And being driven so little by the truth of our own resurrection, by the truth of what you’ve done for us and by the power – your power – that lives in us Lord. Forgive us. Forgive us Lord.
If you’re here today, if you’re a Christian maybe there’s repentance in order for you. A repentance of focus, of being distracted, of being consumed by things that are not of heaven. And if you’re not a Christ follower today, be inspired. The Lord has a resurrection body reserved for you if you will surrender to him today. If you’ll go all in and say, “Lord, I’m yours. Just as I am with sin, and shortcomings and everything else. I surrender my life to you. Thank you for saving me, Jesus. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for making a way for me to have my own resurrection body and to live for eternity with you in heaven. Please come into my life. Fill me Lord with your life, and lead me in your everlasting way. I commit today to follow you as my Lord and as my Savior.”
Lord Jesus I pray we would do business with you. To seek you. To be honest with you, to be transparent with you. To see clearly the worthlessness of the things of this world and our flesh and to see the eternal value of the things of heaven. Prepare our hearts, Lord with salvation and with repentance. In your name, amen.