Hope and Transformation: The Promise of Resurrection
Summary
In this sermon, we explore the profound mystery and hope of the resurrection as articulated by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. The resurrection is not merely an event in the past but a promise of future glory for all believers. Paul uses the analogy of a seed to illustrate the transformation that occurs in the resurrection. Just as a seed must die to bring forth new life, so too must our mortal bodies undergo a transformation to be raised in glory. This transformation is not just a return to life but a transition to a new, glorified existence, free from the corruption and weakness of our current state.
The sermon contrasts the Greek philosophical view of death, as seen in Socrates' calm acceptance, with the Christian understanding of death as the last enemy. For Socrates, death was a release from the prison of the body, a friend that liberated the soul. In contrast, for Jesus, death was an enemy to be conquered, a foe that held the sting of sin and the curse of the fall. Jesus' victory over death through His resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope, promising that death no longer holds ultimate power over us.
The sermon also delves into the nature of our future resurrected bodies. While we cannot fully comprehend what a "spiritual body" entails, we know it will be like Christ's glorified body—imperishable, powerful, and honorable. This transformation is not just a physical change but a spiritual one, preparing us to see God as He is, in His full glory. The promise of resurrection assures us that our future existence will be one of eternal communion with God, where we will behold His glory directly, without the limitations of our current physical senses.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection is a transformative event, where our mortal bodies are raised in glory, free from corruption and weakness. This transformation is akin to a seed dying to bring forth new life, illustrating the profound change that awaits us. [05:08]
- The Greek view of death, as a release from the body, contrasts sharply with the Christian understanding of death as the last enemy. Jesus' victory over death assures us that it is no longer a foe to be feared but a defeated enemy. [22:16]
- Our future resurrected bodies will be like Christ's glorified body, imperishable and powerful. This transformation is not just physical but spiritual, preparing us to see God in His full glory. [36:23]
- The promise of resurrection is not just about life after death but about eternal communion with God. We will behold His glory directly, experiencing the beatific vision, a direct apprehension of God's glory. [46:19]
- The resurrection of Christ is the first fruits of our own resurrection, assuring us that death cannot hold us. Jesus' triumph over death is our triumph, promising us eternal life and glory with Him. [50:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Introduction to FES Rift
- [01:35] - The Feast of the Conference
- [02:32] - Prayer for Understanding
- [04:10] - Paul's Teaching on Resurrection
- [07:16] - The Nature of Questions
- [08:51] - The Question of Resurrection Bodies
- [11:32] - The Mystery of Our Future Bodies
- [12:49] - Socrates vs. Jesus on Death
- [17:15] - Greek Understanding of Death
- [20:57] - Death as an Enemy
- [23:30] - Jesus' Victory Over Death
- [28:22] - The Nature of Resurrected Bodies
- [36:43] - The Promise of Resurrection
- [41:59] - We Shall Be Like Him
- [46:19] - The Beatific Vision
- [50:14] - Christ's Triumph Over Death
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 15:35-49
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Observation Questions:
1. What analogy does Paul use in 1 Corinthians 15 to describe the transformation that occurs in the resurrection? How does this analogy help us understand the concept of resurrection? [05:08]
2. How does the sermon describe the Greek philosophical view of death, particularly in relation to Socrates? How does this contrast with the Christian understanding of death? [22:16]
3. According to the sermon, what are some characteristics of our future resurrected bodies as described by Paul? [36:23]
4. What does the sermon say about the significance of Jesus' victory over death? How does this victory impact our understanding of death and resurrection? [50:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of a seed dying to bring forth new life deepen our understanding of the resurrection? What does this suggest about the nature of transformation in the Christian life? [05:08]
2. In what ways does the Greek view of death as a release from the body differ from the Christian view of death as an enemy? How does this difference affect our perspective on life and death? [22:16]
3. What implications does the promise of having a body like Christ's glorified body have for our current lives and spiritual growth? [36:23]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of the "beatific vision," and what does it mean for our future relationship with God? [46:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the analogy of the seed. In what areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to undergo a transformation? How can you embrace this process? [05:08]
2. Considering the Christian view of death as the last enemy, how does this perspective influence your approach to life's challenges and uncertainties? [22:16]
3. The sermon describes our future bodies as imperishable and powerful. How can this hope encourage you in moments of physical or spiritual weakness? [36:23]
4. How does the promise of eternal communion with God shape your daily spiritual practices and priorities? What changes might you make to align more closely with this promise? [46:19]
5. Jesus' victory over death assures us that death is a defeated enemy. How can this assurance impact the way you live your life and face fears? [50:14]
6. The sermon mentions the beatific vision as a direct apprehension of God's glory. How can you cultivate a heart that is pure and ready to see God as He is? [46:19]
7. Reflect on the idea that our future existence will be one of eternal communion with God. How does this promise influence your relationships and interactions with others? [46:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through Resurrection
The resurrection is a transformative event, where our mortal bodies are raised in glory, free from corruption and weakness. This transformation is akin to a seed dying to bring forth new life, illustrating the profound change that awaits us. [05:08]
"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." (1 Corinthians 15:42-43, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel weak or corrupt. How can you invite God's transformative power into this area today, trusting in the promise of resurrection?
Day 2: Death as a Defeated Enemy
The Greek view of death, as a release from the body, contrasts sharply with the Christian understanding of death as the last enemy. Jesus' victory over death assures us that it is no longer a foe to be feared but a defeated enemy. [22:16]
"And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. For 'God has put all things in subjection under his feet.' But when it says, 'all things are put in subjection,' it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him." (1 Corinthians 15:26-27, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a fear you have about death or loss. How does Jesus' victory over death change your perspective on this fear, and how can you live more courageously today?
Day 3: The Nature of Resurrected Bodies
Our future resurrected bodies will be like Christ's glorified body, imperishable and powerful. This transformation is not just physical but spiritual, preparing us to see God in His full glory. [36:23]
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: Think about how you view your physical body. How can you begin to see it as a vessel for God's glory, both now and in the future resurrection?
Day 4: Eternal Communion with God
The promise of resurrection is not just about life after death but about eternal communion with God. We will behold His glory directly, experiencing the beatific vision, a direct apprehension of God's glory. [46:19]
"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of communion with God today, anticipating the eternal relationship promised through the resurrection?
Day 5: Christ's Triumph Over Death
The resurrection of Christ is the first fruits of our own resurrection, assuring us that death cannot hold us. Jesus' triumph over death is our triumph, promising us eternal life and glory with Him. [50:14]
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing that Christ's triumph over death is also your triumph change the way you approach challenges and trials in your life today?
Quotes
"Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain, perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: there’s one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds." [00:05:02]
"The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 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. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." [00:06:02]
"The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second man is the Lord from heaven. And as was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man." [00:06:48]
"Death is not only an enemy; it is the enemy, the worst enemy, the last enemy that is to be destroyed. How marvelous were the words of truth that we’ve heard already of the victory of Christ over the works of the devil, the devil who works hand in hand, arm in arm with the angel of death." [00:23:08]
"Jesus trembled before the cross because He has to take on Satan and He has to take on death in all of its hellishness. Socrates hums; Jesus Christ, for Socrates, the soul was immortal, indestructible; for Christ, the soul is destructible. Don’t fear him who can kill the body, but fear Him who can kill body and soul and cast both into hell." [00:24:14]
"The promise of resurrection is not just about life after death but about eternal communion with God. We will behold His glory directly, experiencing the beatific vision, a direct apprehension of God’s glory. We will look straight into the face of God; we will behold His glory because the impediments of the vision of God will be removed." [00:46:19]
"Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Since by one man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive, but each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming." [00:37:18]
"Beloved, what happened was Jesus crushed the head of the serpent, and when He did that, He conquered death. We still have to die, but the death that I await in this mortal coil is nothing like what Jesus faced in Gethsemane because when Jesus faced death, it still had the sting, it still had the curse, it still had the power of hell associated with it." [00:37:52]
"Because Christ is risen, we have nothing to fear from death, that we should face it with a tranquility that makes Socrates look like fear. Now, if I can just conclude by turning your attention one more time at these conferences to one of my favorite texts in First John, chapter 3, verse 1." [00:38:56]
"Behold what manner of love is this that the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God. We were talking about that in the Q&A. You want to know about imminence, about nearness? It doesn’t get any more imminent than to be adopted into the household of God." [00:39:24]
"Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. Now maybe John hadn’t talked to Paul, maybe John hadn’t read 1 Corinthians 15, but I suspect he did. And what he was saying is, with all the what we have in 1 Corinthians 15, we still have that dark glass that Paul was talking about two chapters earlier." [00:41:20]
"We know that when He’s revealed, we shall be like Him. What are you going to be like in heaven? Just like Jesus. Not the way that fellow on TBN talks, where he says anybody who’s indwelt by the Holy Spirit is just as much the incarnation as God is Christ. No, no, no, you’re not going to be a God-man in heaven." [00:42:32]
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