With What Body Are the Dead Raised?

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: I Corinthians 15:35-38
Psalters: 55, 180, 31, 79
  1. The issue is whether there is a resurrection of the bodies of believers after they die (12b).
    1. In Corinth there were those who denied the bodily resurrection.
      1. If there is no resurretion of the dead, then Jesus is not risen.
      2. Christ’s resurrection assures us that in Christ we shall be made alive, for He is the firstfruits.
    2. In our text Paul answers the challenge of the resurrection skeptics who ask how a resurreciton could ever be.
      1. The skeptics cannot conceive how it could ever be (cf. Acts 17:31b,32).
      2. But what man cannot conceive God can and He explains in His Word.
      3. Job believed it (Job 19:26) and Paul declared it when he said that we shall be changed (Phil. 3:21).
  2. How are the dead raised up?
    1. God insists that the identity of the resurrection body is this my body.
      1. It will be changed, marvellously reconstructed, but it will be this body.
      2. Also Paul declares the skeptics to be fools not knowing the Scirptures nor the power of God (Matt. 22:29).
    2. With what body do they come forth?
      1. Creation shows that the seed sown does not rise and become alive except it die first (cf. John 12:24).
      2. And the identity of the body is preserved.
      3. But when it springs forth, it will have a different form.
  3. The glorious gospel is that we shall be raised body and soul through Jesus Christ.
    1. Like as Christ arose form the death, so all those in Him will God raise from the dead.
    2. Let the ungodly be warned! Flee from the wrath to come by repenting!
    3. For those with faith in Christ, there need be no fear - only great joy.