Home › Sermons › Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

May 26, 2024 Mark Massaro body, born again, Creation, Flesh, Glorifying God, glory, Heaven, Hope, Image of Christ, Jesus, Paul, Power 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians - Living in Light of Eternity

Video Sermon Audio Sermon

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Series

We are continuing our series in 1 Corinthians called Living in Light of Eternity. We have heard the Apostle Paul’s words to the church in Corinth about some very serious problems they were dealing with like divisions, fighting, sexual morality, marriage, and singleness. Then he taught about using their spiritual gifts humbly and properly, and the need for everything to be done in love. Paul ends his letter by giving the church encouragement about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our future resurrection as believers.

That’s where the series title “Living in Light of Eternity” comes from. With our view of eternity, knowing that our souls will go on forever and ever, knowing that God will judge our behavior, and knowing that His Son Jesus died so that we can spend eternity with God – how should we think, live, and act today?

‌The Focus of chapter 15 is the resurrection – its centrality and vitality in the Gospel, the hope it gives us in this life and eternity, what resurrected bodies are like, and finally the victory we find in Christ.

What Kind of Body?

Verses 35-41

Paul’s explanation comes directly from Jesus’ own teaching in
John 12 
 Paul answers the question four ways. First with an illustration from nature. Second with a description of resurrection bodies. Third, he contrasts the difference betwen earthly and resurrection bodies, and finally he points us back to the firstfruits of the resurrection – Jesus himself.
Verses 36-38 give the examples from nature and he compares dying and being buried to a seed being sown or planted in the soil. The seed first has to die before it can come back to new life.
All of these illustrations point to the fact that God created different kinds of bodies. Our earthly bodies will die and be raised as new heavenly bodies that are what we were ultimately meant to be.

Raised in Power
‌Verses 42-44Our earthly bodies are sown or planted in the earth when we die and they are perishable. This means they will decay and decompose. God explained this principle to Adam and Eve as a result of their sin in 
Genesis 3:19
 “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”” This reality exists for almost all of humankind. There were just a few exceptions – Enoch, who walked with God did not die – he was taken directly to heaven. The prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot. 
Psalm 16:10
 prophesied that the Messiah, the Holy One, would not see corruption. Jesus was resurrected and his body did not decay. The last group of people whose bodies will not perish are the believers who are taken up to meet Jesus in the clouds in the Rapture of the church. This is the next event that will happen in the last days time line. The body that we have in resurrection will not be perishable, it will be imperishable or eternal. Sickness and death will have no effect on our new bodies.

Image of Christ
‌Verses 45-49The Christian life is one of becoming more and more like Jesus and less and less like Adam. The miraculous transformation of sanctification is complete when we are raised with our new resurrected bodies.
Followers of Jesus should care for the bodies we have here on earth. While we know that they will not last forever, we should steward what we have so that we can be useful instruments in the Redeemer’s hands. And when our bodies wear out or are facing fatal illness, we are not hopeless. We don’t need to cling to this life as though it is all there is. We have a better home and a better body waiting for us. We can face our own death with confidence, and we can lovingly let our loved ones go to heaven without prolonging the days or years.
Notice all the things Paul didn’t say. What these bodies look like. What age they will be. What our powers and abilities will be. Those are mysteries that will remain unanswered until we reach heaven. But Paul told us what is most important. Our resurrected bodies will be imperishable, glorified, powerful and spiritual. We will finally be free of the curse of sin and will bear the image of Christ. I can’t wait!

Take Aways
‌Memorial Day honors those who were willing to give up their lives fighting for freedom showed great love and care for others. The Good News is that Jesus, the Son of God, was willing to do that for you and for the sins of the whole world.
Have you confessed your sins and accepted Jesus’ death on the cross for your forgiveness and new life? Being a Christian is not about just going to church or following a bunch of rules. It is about peace with God; new life in Jesus; and an eternal home in heaven. If this sounds new, please come talk to me.
Are you tired of your body and can’t wait for a new one? If you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior, be patient. It’s coming. The Bible ends with Jesus saying “Surely I am coming soon.” And we say “Come Lord Jesus!”

Share on facebook

Share on twitter

Share on pinterest