Faith Concerning the Resurrection and Eternal Life

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: II Corinthians 5; Lord's Day 22
Psalters: 353, 328, 202, 31
  1. Faith in the resurrection of the body includes faith in the resurrection of the soul.
    1. This takes place at the moment of death (Luke 23:43; 16:22).
    2. The Bible teaches an immediate entrance into the glory of the intermediate state.
      1. Death is the terrifying separation of the body and the soul — without the body, the soul cannot function in this world.
      2. Because Jesus’ death made full and complete satisfaction for all our sins, there is no more reason to suffer.
      3. A believer's communion with Christ is not broken by death, but intensified.
    3. While the intermediate state is increased communion with Christ, it is not perfect for three reasons.
  2. The resurrection of the body will take place when Jesus returns (John 5:28,29; I Thess. 4:16,17).
    1. The Bible speaks of the resurrection of the body.
      1. II Cor. 5:1 compares our present body to a "tabernacle," but our glorified body to a "building, not made with hands."
      2. Philippians 3 states that when Jesus returns He "will change our vile body" into conformity with the body of His glory (21).
      3. I Cor. 15:43-44 uses the figure of a seed sown, which dies and arises in a new, different, and better form.
    2. God miraculously and graciously calls our bodies out of the dust and makes them like the glorious body of Christ (I Jn. 3:1).
      1. Faith in the risen Christ is a faith which believes in the glorious bodily resurrection (Rom. 8:23b).
      2. Jesus’ bodily resurrection is the cause of the resurrection of the bodies of those who are in Christ (I Cor. 15).
    3. We need our bodies in heaven as much as we need them on the earth.
      1. God created man a unity of soul and body, fashioned for fellowship with God.
      2. Redemption in Christ includes our bodies and their resurrection (Romans 8:23).
  3. We are raised to "life everlasting."
    1. This is the blessedness of perfect, unending life of joy and praise!
    2. We know only a little of this glorious life, because it is other worldly.
    3. By faith we have a certain and sure hope.
      1. The desire for heaven grows with earthly trials and crosses, but the promise and the hope increases this desire too.
      2. Promised to us is a future which is the future of Christ and of all who share in His benefits.