The Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the World to Come (All Saints Day 2025)

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection of the Body—Our True Hope

The Christian hope is not merely that our souls go to heaven, but that, just as Christ was raised, we too will be raised in body and soul. This resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s promise, a victory over death itself, and the restoration of all that was lost. The saints who have gone before us are not finished; they await the day when Christ will call them forth, and their bodies will be renewed, just as we confess in the creeds each week. This is not a vague optimism, but a solid, physical promise secured by Jesus’ own resurrection. [01:21]

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (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.

Reflection: When you think of loved ones who have died, how does the promise of bodily resurrection change the way you grieve and the way you hope for the future?

Day 2: Jesus—The Resurrection and the Life

When Jesus met Martha at Lazarus’s tomb, He didn’t offer mere sentiment or comfort about a distant heaven; He declared Himself to be the resurrection and the life, promising that all who believe in Him, though they die, will live. This is a daring, concrete hope: not an escape from the world, but a promise that death will not have the last word. Jesus’ own physical resurrection is the guarantee that our future is not as disembodied spirits, but as whole, renewed people in God’s new creation. [07:29]

John 11:25-26 (CSB)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Reflection: What would it look like for you to live today with the confidence that Jesus is the resurrection and the life—not just for the future, but for your present struggles and fears?

Day 3: The Communion of Saints—Heaven and Earth United

The church is not divided by time or death; the saints on earth and the saints in heaven are united in Christ. Every time we gather at the Lord’s table, heaven and earth meet, and we join in worship with all the company of heaven. The communion of saints is not just a doctrine, but a living fellowship that blurs the boundary between this world and the next, reminding us that we are part of something far greater than what we see. [12:11]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (CSB)
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: As you come to the Lord’s table or gather in worship, how might you become more aware of your connection to the whole church—both seen and unseen—this week?

Day 4: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn—Comfort in Christ

Jesus promises blessing and comfort to those who mourn, not with vague sentiment, but with the assurance of His presence and the hope of resurrection. Our grief is real, but it is not without hope; we mourn, but not as those who have no future. The comfort Christ gives is rooted in His victory over death and His promise to make all things new, turning every sorrow into joy. [13:23]

Matthew 5:4 (CSB)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Reflection: In your moments of grief or loss, how can you open your heart to the comfort of Christ, trusting that He is present with you and will one day turn your mourning into joy?

Day 5: The Renewal of All Things—A New Creation

God’s promise is not to discard this world, but to redeem and renew it. The final vision is of a multitude from every nation, gathered before the throne, every tear wiped away, every wound healed, and all creation restored. The hope of the resurrection is the hope of a world made new, where the perishable puts on the imperishable, and God dwells with His people forever. Until that day, we wait with hope, remembering the saints and anticipating the dawn when death itself will be no more. [14:47]

Revelation 21:3-5 (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.” 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.”

Reflection: What is one area of brokenness in your life or in the world that you long to see made new, and how can you entrust that longing to God’s promise of renewal today?

Sermon Summary

All Saints Day is a sacred time to remember those who have gone before us—loved ones whose absence leaves wounds both fresh and old. As we light candles and speak their names, we hold to the hope that they are with Jesus, but we also remember that this is not the end of their story, nor ours. The Christian hope is not merely an escape to heaven, but the promise of resurrection and the renewal of all things. Our bodies, created by God and declared “very good,” are not disposable shells but integral to who we are. The ache we feel for the physical presence of those we’ve lost is a reflection of God’s design: we are body and soul, and the loss of the body is a real loss.

Yet, Christ’s victory is not incomplete. Jesus’ resurrection is not just a miracle of the past, but a promise for our future. His empty tomb is the guarantee that death’s sting is temporary, and that all who are in Christ will rise as he did. The hope we confess in the creeds—“the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come”—is not a vague optimism, but a concrete reality secured by Christ’s cross and resurrection. The saints who have died in Christ are alive with him, but their story, like ours, is still unfolding. They await the day when Christ will return, graves will open, and all creation will be renewed.

This hope shapes how we grieve. We mourn, but not as those without hope. The church is not divided by death or time; the church militant (those still on earth) and the church triumphant (those at rest with Christ) are united in him. Every time we gather at the Lord’s table, heaven and earth meet, and we join in fellowship with all the saints. The communion of saints is not just a doctrine, but a living reality—a foretaste of the day when God will make all things new, wipe away every tear, and turn every sorrow to joy.

Until that day, we wait with hope. We remember, we grieve, but we also anticipate the coming dawn when death itself will be undone by the brightness of Christ’s glory. We hold fast to his promises, keep coming to his table, and confess with the whole church: “I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come.”

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Key Takeaways

1. Resurrection, Not Escape: The Christian hope is not simply about escaping this world for heaven, but about the resurrection of the body and the renewal of all creation. Our longing for the physical presence of loved ones reflects God’s intention for us to be whole—body and soul—forever. The ache of loss points to the promise that God will restore what death has taken. [04:10]
2. Christ’s Victory Is Complete: Jesus’ resurrection is not just a past event, but a living promise that death’s power is broken. His empty tomb is the firstfruits of what awaits all who are in him: a bodily resurrection and a future where death and its effects are undone. This is the full scope of redemption that we confess each week. [05:23]
3. The Communion of Saints Is a Present Reality: The church is not divided by death; the saints at rest and those still laboring are united in Christ. Every time we gather at the Lord’s table, we participate in a living fellowship with all the saints, experiencing a foretaste of the unity and joy that will be fully realized in the resurrection. [12:11]
4. Grief with Hope: Mourning is real and necessary, but it is transformed by the hope of resurrection. We do not grieve as those without hope, because Christ’s victory assures us that every loss is temporary, and every tear will be wiped away. Our comfort is not sentimental, but rooted in the living presence of the risen Lord. [13:23]
5. Anticipation of New Creation: The final chapter is not heaven alone, but the renewal of all things—bodies restored, creation redeemed, and God dwelling with his people. This hope gives us strength to wait, to remember, and to anticipate the day when faith becomes sight and joy never ends. Every act of remembrance is a proclamation of the coming dawn. [15:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Remembering the Departed
[00:59] - The Hope Beyond Heaven
[01:21] - Resurrection in the Creeds
[02:20] - The Fullness of Christian Hope
[03:10] - The Ache of Physical Loss
[04:10] - The Value of the Body
[05:23] - Christ’s Resurrection: Promise for Us
[06:14] - Jesus and the Death of Lazarus
[07:29] - “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”
[08:14] - The Physicality of Jesus’ Resurrection
[09:32] - The Empty Tomb: Our Future
[10:51] - The Church Militant and Triumphant
[12:11] - The Communion of Saints at the Table
[13:23] - Grieving with Hope
[14:47] - The Vision of New Creation
[15:29] - The Promise of All Things Made New
[16:42] - Remembering with Hope
[17:21] - Waiting for the Coming Dawn
[18:04] - Confessing the Resurrection

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:20-26 (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. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death.

John 11:25-26 (CSB) — > Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Revelation 21:3-5 (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. 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.”

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 15, what does it mean that Christ is the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep? How does this connect to our own future? ([05:23])
In John 11, what does Jesus promise to Martha about life and death? How does he describe himself? ([07:29])
What are some of the physical details about Jesus’ resurrection body that the sermon highlights? Why are these details important? ([08:14])
In Revelation 21, what specific things does God promise to do when he makes all things new?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says our hope is not just “going to heaven” but the resurrection of the body and the renewal of all things. Why is this distinction important for Christians to understand? ([01:21])
The pastor mentions that our longing for the physical presence of loved ones is part of God’s design. How does this shape the way we think about grief and loss? ([04:10])
The “communion of saints” is described as a present reality, not just a future hope. What does it mean that the church militant and the church triumphant are united in Christ? ([12:11])
The sermon says we “mourn, but not as those who have no hope.” How does the resurrection of Jesus change the way Christians experience and express grief? ([13:23])

Application Questions

The sermon challenges the idea that our bodies are just “shells” and instead says they are “very good” and will be raised. How does this truth affect the way you view your own body and the bodies of others? Are there ways you need to change your attitude or actions in light of this? ([04:10])
Think of someone you have lost and miss deeply. How does the promise of resurrection and new creation shape the way you remember them? Does it change how you grieve? ([03:10])
The pastor said that every time we gather at the Lord’s table, we join in fellowship with all the saints—both living and departed. How might this change your experience of communion? ([12:11])
The sermon describes the Christian hope as “not a vague optimism, but a concrete reality secured by Christ’s cross and resurrection.” Are there areas in your life where you struggle to believe this hope is real? What would it look like to hold fast to Christ’s promises in those areas? ([16:08])
The vision in Revelation 21 is of God wiping away every tear and making all things new. When you face sorrow or injustice, how can you remind yourself of this coming reality? Is there a practical way you can encourage someone else with this hope this week? ([14:47])
The sermon says, “Every act of remembrance is a proclamation of the coming dawn.” What are some ways you can practice remembrance that points to hope, not just loss? ([17:21])
The pastor encourages us to “keep coming to his table, keep hearing his word, and keep confessing.” Which of these practices do you find most challenging right now? What is one step you can take this week to grow in it? ([18:04])

Sermon Clips

Our comfort is not only that our loved ones are with Jesus, but that one day, one day they will rise. The hope of the Christian faith is not simply an escape of this world, but it is a renewal of this world that we have stained with sin. The victory of Christ is not just that our souls are safe in heaven, it's that death itself and all, all the effects of sin will be undone. [00:01:53] (33 seconds) #HopeBeyondDeath

``The Son of God made flesh to dwell among us weeps at the grave of his dear friend Lazarus. And there he speaks to Martha. And he doesn't say to Martha something sentimental. He doesn't say, Martha, don't worry. Lazarus is in a better place. He says something way more daring, far more solid. I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. Friends, that's the hope your Savior Jesus gives. Not a hope of escape, but a hope of resurrection. [00:07:11] (47 seconds) #IAmTheResurrection

And that, friends, is what the saints are waiting for. It's what you and I wait for. Every time we confess the creeds, every time we bury a Christian, every time we speak the words, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we do so with a certainty that this dust, this dust will rise. That because Jesus' tomb was empty, your tomb will be empty. Because Jesus stood against the world, your tomb will be empty. And again, so will those who you love who have died in the faith. [00:09:16] (35 seconds) #SaintsWaitingTogether

So we mourn today on All Saints Day. But we don't mourn as those who have no hope. We come to the Lord's table not only to remember the dead, but to commune with the living Christ, the one who conquered death. [00:12:58] (15 seconds) #WorldRenewedNotReplaced

Friends, that comfort is not some vague optimism or sentimental memory or don't worry, things will be better. But that hope is in a risen Lord who is present with his people, both the living and the dead until the day when he will make all things new. [00:13:29] (18 seconds) #BodiesRaisedInGlory

See, the saints aren't gone forever. They're gathered around the Lamb, awaiting the final chapter of redemption, the day when heaven descends to earth and God declares, behold, I am making all things new. That's the promise for them. And that's the promise for us. [00:14:41] (20 seconds) #LifeOfTheWorldToCome

The bodies that are weak will rise again with strength and glory like we've never known. The same Jesus who walked out of his tomb will raise you up, body, soul, and spirit to walk in his new creation. And this is what we confess when we say each week, the life of the world. The world to come. It's not a dream. It's not a metaphor. It's a reality. A reality that Christ has secured by his cross and resurrection. [00:15:41] (30 seconds) #DayOfHope

Heaven is wonderful. Don't hear me say it's not. I long to go there should Christ not return before I die. But it's not the end of the story. We have that everlasting hope of resurrection and life in a renewed creation with God himself dwelling with his people. [00:16:11] (20 seconds) #FaithWillGiveWayToSight

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