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Extreme Makeover
INTRODUCTION
This morning I will be discussing the subject of death. Many of you will say, “Oh my. We hear enough bad news about wars and tragedies and death. Can’t we hear some good news for once?” Let me assure you that I will be approaching the subject from a totally Christian perspective which also winds up being good news…always.
Our key Scripture passage is taken from I Corinthians, chapter fifteen, which is entirely devoted to the theme of resurrection. The Bible has a plentiful amount written concerning the subject of death. It is time we cease spooning up the world’s perspective on life and death and devouring it hook, line, and sinker. It is time for Christians and the church to, instead, permeate the world with salt and light and infuse it with hope, not only hope in this world but in the world to come.
QUESTION ONE
The first question posed by the members of the Corinthian Church to the Apostle Paul was, “But someone will say, ‘How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” (I Cor. 15:35) The instantaneous answer was concise and to the point (verse 36), “Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.”
I believe he uses the unflattering description “foolish one” because this was a question that is impossible to answer completely. We cannot know the precise details of our future, spiritual bodies. It is impossible to accurately describe anything heavenly or supernatural which we have never seen or experienced through the medium of our natural or human languages. However, he may also be implying that every believer should already be assured of a future resurrection without question and at least a general understanding about the subject.
The Scriptures are absolutely clear regarding the fact of a future resurrection for all believers. Nevertheless, it is rather surprising after this straightforward, concise introductory statement that Paul subsequently provides us with several eye-opening particulars concerning our future resurrection bodies. I believe he does this in order to provide hope for the future for the Corinthian members and for us. Whenever someone is able to supply details about a subject, it reveals his/her knowledge which then instills confidence in the hearers.
So take heart! The body we all desire -- one that is strong, vibrant, painless, incorruptible, and immortal -- is a certainty for every believer in Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, until we shed our present bodies (that is, die) we are unable to be clothed with a new spiritual body (that is, live forever). This is where the enemy of death enters the picture but ends up (as every enemy of God) soundly routed!
PAUL’S FIRST DESCRIPTION (verses 37-38)
Paul’s first attempt at an earthly description of a supernatural body is to compare the form of a tiny, planted seed with the final mature plant (vv. 37-38). What is sown does not in any way resemble that which is grown! A seed does not resemble a mature plant or tree whatsoever. Each type of seed grows into a unique plant as God has previously determined.
The same is true of our bodies. God will give us a new resurrection body as He determines. Therefore, our resurrection bodies will look vastly different than our present earthly bodies, as different as a seed is compared to the final, harvested crop.
DESCRIPTION TWO (VERSE 39)
Paul’s second description is another comparison between different types of living creatures on earth. Men and women (all humans) generally have one type of form or appearance. Animals such as mammals or fish or birds all differ in their appearances. Paul is confirming the fact that our future bodies will likewise be exceedingly dissimilar from our present bodies much like the exterior of a bird is different from that of a human or a lion.
Additionally, Paul might be implying that as each species of animal has a different form or appearance, likewise each person’s resurrection body, although by and large similar (like our physical bodies), will have a unique look. We will each be distinct in some way from everyone else like our earthly bodies. Therefore, we will also each be recognizable even though we will appear in a different form.
DESCRIPTION THREE (verses 40-41)
Paul’s third attempt at a description using earthly language is a comparison between heavenly bodies (stars, moon, sun, etc.) and terrestrial (earthly) forms. The celestial forms differ from anything on this earth. They have a different “glory” or uniqueness compared to all else on earth.
In addition, each celestial body is different when compared to one another. Our sun is much difference in appearance to us than the rest of the stars, and each star is different to our eyesight in their brilliance. Paul is hammering the point that our resurrection bodies will be quite different than our present forms in appearance and brilliance or glory. And each “star” or body will differ one from another and be distinguishable.
DESCRIPTION FOUR (verses 42-44)
Paul spends much more time on the fourth description and gets more specific about the attributes of our future forms. He actually uses four “sown and raised” comparisons.
First, we are “sown in corruption but raised in incorruption.” Corruption means destruction or decay or perishing. Our bodies begin as corruptible. We only have a certain number of days on this earth. The clock starts ticking from the time of our birth. Our bodies are continually breaking down, wasting away, and steadily weakening. How many of you can vouch for this condition due to your aches and pains and diseases or reduction in strength or poor eyesight or hearing? Obviously, our present bodies our corruptible.
BUT, this body, although sown as corruptible, will rise in incorruption! When it is raised it will never again experience the affects of deterioration or decay or death…ever…that means…never. It CANNOT. The seed that was planted by Jesus Christ Himself must bear eternal fruit. That is simply the type of seed it is. There can be no other possibility. Our new bodies will be “made to last,” “built Ford tough,” and “guaranteed for eternity.”
The second mini “sown and raised” comparison is a body which is “sown in dishonor but raised in glory.” Dishonor means disgrace. Paul could be speaking of a dead corpse which has no “life” or honor or appeal. He could also mean that we are born into sin. We have been disgraced and shamed by sin which is the reason we die.
BUT, this body, although sown in dishonor will be raised in glory! The word for glory in the New Testament nearly always refers to the Divine or the heavenly or to “God-like” attributes. Thayer’s Greek dictionary explains it as “the glorious condition of blessedness into which it is appointed and promised that true Christians shall enter after their Savior’s return from heaven.” Our future bodies are raised in glory or in the likeness of God. It will be majestic, splendid, magnificent.
The third mini comparison is between a body “sown in weakness and raised in power.” The Greek word “weakness” means “without any strength, sickly, lacking.” This is the description of our present bodies. In contrast, we will be raised “in power,” which means just that!
The final mini “sown and raised” comparison is between a body “sown a
natural body and raised a spiritual body.” This is a point of emphasis by Paul throughout his narrative. This body is not like our physical bodies or like any other natural thing on earth. We simply cannot comprehend such an amazing body!
ADAM
Paul continues the description which, all the while, continues to bring us more and more hope as he goes. He makes a comparison between us and the first man, Adam, who was created from the dust of the earth and a contrast with the second or last Man, Jesus Christ, who is from heaven. We are like Adam in that we are living, breathing, physical beings. This “natural” or physical body must come first, like Adam preceded Christ. Our bodies are like the first Adam who was also made from the dust of the earth. As direct descendants, every human traces his/her genealogy back to Adam. We have the genes of Adam and bear his image.
Through Adam we have our physical, human, earthly bodies. However, through Christ we will be given a Spiritual body. Adam came before Christ, and our natural bodies come before our Spiritual bodies. The first body is, like Adam, created from the earth and is “worldly.” The second is from heaven and will be “heavenly” and spiritual. Just like we take after the image of our ancestor, Adam, in that day we will bear the image of “the second Adam,” Christ Jesus. We will be like Him.
INHERIT (verses 50-54)
Flesh and blood or “earthly” and “natural” and fleeting and deteriorating and decaying and sinful cannot inherit a Spiritual Kingdom of God which is eternal and glorious and powerful and perfect. Only spiritual beings can enter a spiritual place. Only the perfect can enter perfection. Only the glorious can inherit glory. We must “shed” or die to this body in order to rise again to a new, glorious, Spiritual body.
In other words, we cannot gain entrance clothed in our present mortal bodies. We cannot gain access into this prestigious heavenly banquet wearing torn overalls and worn-out shoes. We must be dressed or clothed in our absolute finest, which is our new spiritual, resurrected, eternal, incorruptible, glorious bodies!
Flesh and blood cannot enter those pearly gates marking the entrance to heaven. Heaven is a place for Spiritual beings. We must be clothed for our future home.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, this is the reason Paul boldly declares (I think he would shout it if he was present), “O Death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (I Cor. 15:55) Where is it? “Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Cor. 15:54). Folks, our final enemy is death, and it is soundly defeated due to Christ’s victory at the cross and His subsequent resurrection.
One reason death is victory for the Christian is due to the fact that we are, once and for all, purged from these decaying, weak, corruptible, sinful, mortal bodies. These, like the seed decaying in the ground, cannot rise to newness until they die. We cannot take on a new, spiritual body until we die to our present, earthly forms.
So, now you see why death is such a victory. We inherit glorious, powerful, perfect, spiritual bodies which are eternal, never to decay or die again.
INTRODUCTION
This morning I will be discussing the subject of death. Many of you will say, “Oh my. We hear enough bad news about wars and tragedies and death. Can’t we hear some good news for once?” Let me assure you that I will be approaching the subject from a totally Christian perspective which also winds up being good news…always.
Our key Scripture passage is taken from I Corinthians, chapter fifteen, which is entirely devoted to the theme of resurrection. The Bible has a plentiful amount written concerning the subject of death. It is time we cease spooning up the world’s perspective on life and death and devouring it hook, line, and sinker. It is time for Christians and the church to, instead, permeate the world with salt and light and infuse it with hope, not only hope in this world but in the world to come.
QUESTION ONE
The first question posed by the members of the Corinthian Church to the Apostle Paul was, “But someone will say, ‘How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” (I Cor. 15:35) The instantaneous answer was concise and to the point (verse 36), “Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.”
I believe he uses the unflattering description “foolish one” because this was a question that is impossible to answer completely. We cannot know the precise details of our future, spiritual bodies. It is impossible to accurately describe anything heavenly or supernatural which we have never seen or experienced through the medium of our natural or human languages. However, he may also be implying that every believer should already be assured of a future resurrection without question and at least a general understanding about the subject.
The Scriptures are absolutely clear regarding the fact of a future resurrection for all believers. Nevertheless, it is rather surprising after this straightforward, concise introductory statement that Paul subsequently provides us with several eye-opening particulars concerning our future resurrection bodies. I believe he does this in order to provide hope for the future for the Corinthian members and for us. Whenever someone is able to supply details about a subject, it reveals his/her knowledge which then instills confidence in the hearers.
So take heart! The body we all desire -- one that is strong, vibrant, painless, incorruptible, and immortal -- is a certainty for every believer in Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, until we shed our present bodies (that is, die) we are unable to be clothed with a new spiritual body (that is, live forever). This is where the enemy of death enters the picture but ends up (as every enemy of God) soundly routed!
PAUL’S FIRST DESCRIPTION (verses 37-38)
Paul’s first attempt at an earthly description of a supernatural body is to compare the form of a tiny, planted seed with the final mature plant (vv. 37-38). What is sown does not in any way resemble that which is grown! A seed does not resemble a mature plant or tree whatsoever. Each type of seed grows into a unique plant as God has previously determined.
The same is true of our bodies. God will give us a new resurrection body as He determines. Therefore, our resurrection bodies will look vastly different than our present earthly bodies, as different as a seed is compared to the final, harvested crop.
DESCRIPTION TWO (VERSE 39)
Paul’s second description is another comparison between different types of living creatures on earth. Men and women (all humans) generally have one type of form or appearance. Animals such as mammals or fish or birds all differ in their appearances. Paul is confirming the fact that our future bodies will likewise be exceedingly dissimilar from our present bodies much like the exterior of a bird is different from that of a human or a lion.
Additionally, Paul might be implying that as each species of animal has a different form or appearance, likewise each person’s resurrection body, although by and large similar (like our physical bodies), will have a unique look. We will each be distinct in some way from everyone else like our earthly bodies. Therefore, we will also each be recognizable even though we will appear in a different form.
DESCRIPTION THREE (verses 40-41)
Paul’s third attempt at a description using earthly language is a comparison between heavenly bodies (stars, moon, sun, etc.) and terrestrial (earthly) forms. The celestial forms differ from anything on this earth. They have a different “glory” or uniqueness compared to all else on earth.
In addition, each celestial body is different when compared to one another. Our sun is much difference in appearance to us than the rest of the stars, and each star is different to our eyesight in their brilliance. Paul is hammering the point that our resurrection bodies will be quite different than our present forms in appearance and brilliance or glory. And each “star” or body will differ one from another and be distinguishable.
DESCRIPTION FOUR (verses 42-44)
Paul spends much more time on the fourth description and gets more specific about the attributes of our future forms. He actually uses four “sown and raised” comparisons.
First, we are “sown in corruption but raised in incorruption.” Corruption means destruction or decay or perishing. Our bodies begin as corruptible. We only have a certain number of days on this earth. The clock starts ticking from the time of our birth. Our bodies are continually breaking down, wasting away, and steadily weakening. How many of you can vouch for this condition due to your aches and pains and diseases or reduction in strength or poor eyesight or hearing? Obviously, our present bodies our corruptible.
BUT, this body, although sown as corruptible, will rise in incorruption! When it is raised it will never again experience the affects of deterioration or decay or death…ever…that means…never. It CANNOT. The seed that was planted by Jesus Christ Himself must bear eternal fruit. That is simply the type of seed it is. There can be no other possibility. Our new bodies will be “made to last,” “built Ford tough,” and “guaranteed for eternity.”
The second mini “sown and raised” comparison is a body which is “sown in dishonor but raised in glory.” Dishonor means disgrace. Paul could be speaking of a dead corpse which has no “life” or honor or appeal. He could also mean that we are born into sin. We have been disgraced and shamed by sin which is the reason we die.
BUT, this body, although sown in dishonor will be raised in glory! The word for glory in the New Testament nearly always refers to the Divine or the heavenly or to “God-like” attributes. Thayer’s Greek dictionary explains it as “the glorious condition of blessedness into which it is appointed and promised that true Christians shall enter after their Savior’s return from heaven.” Our future bodies are raised in glory or in the likeness of God. It will be majestic, splendid, magnificent.
The third mini comparison is between a body “sown in weakness and raised in power.” The Greek word “weakness” means “without any strength, sickly, lacking.” This is the description of our present bodies. In contrast, we will be raised “in power,” which means just that!
The final mini “sown and raised” comparison is between a body “sown a
natural body and raised a spiritual body.” This is a point of emphasis by Paul throughout his narrative. This body is not like our physical bodies or like any other natural thing on earth. We simply cannot comprehend such an amazing body!
ADAM
Paul continues the description which, all the while, continues to bring us more and more hope as he goes. He makes a comparison between us and the first man, Adam, who was created from the dust of the earth and a contrast with the second or last Man, Jesus Christ, who is from heaven. We are like Adam in that we are living, breathing, physical beings. This “natural” or physical body must come first, like Adam preceded Christ. Our bodies are like the first Adam who was also made from the dust of the earth. As direct descendants, every human traces his/her genealogy back to Adam. We have the genes of Adam and bear his image.
Through Adam we have our physical, human, earthly bodies. However, through Christ we will be given a Spiritual body. Adam came before Christ, and our natural bodies come before our Spiritual bodies. The first body is, like Adam, created from the earth and is “worldly.” The second is from heaven and will be “heavenly” and spiritual. Just like we take after the image of our ancestor, Adam, in that day we will bear the image of “the second Adam,” Christ Jesus. We will be like Him.
INHERIT (verses 50-54)
Flesh and blood or “earthly” and “natural” and fleeting and deteriorating and decaying and sinful cannot inherit a Spiritual Kingdom of God which is eternal and glorious and powerful and perfect. Only spiritual beings can enter a spiritual place. Only the perfect can enter perfection. Only the glorious can inherit glory. We must “shed” or die to this body in order to rise again to a new, glorious, Spiritual body.
In other words, we cannot gain entrance clothed in our present mortal bodies. We cannot gain access into this prestigious heavenly banquet wearing torn overalls and worn-out shoes. We must be dressed or clothed in our absolute finest, which is our new spiritual, resurrected, eternal, incorruptible, glorious bodies!
Flesh and blood cannot enter those pearly gates marking the entrance to heaven. Heaven is a place for Spiritual beings. We must be clothed for our future home.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, this is the reason Paul boldly declares (I think he would shout it if he was present), “O Death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (I Cor. 15:55) Where is it? “Death is swallowed up in victory” (I Cor. 15:54). Folks, our final enemy is death, and it is soundly defeated due to Christ’s victory at the cross and His subsequent resurrection.
One reason death is victory for the Christian is due to the fact that we are, once and for all, purged from these decaying, weak, corruptible, sinful, mortal bodies. These, like the seed decaying in the ground, cannot rise to newness until they die. We cannot take on a new, spiritual body until we die to our present, earthly forms.
So, now you see why death is such a victory. We inherit glorious, powerful, perfect, spiritual bodies which are eternal, never to decay or die again.
