1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:08,300 You’re listening to a sermon from Pastor Colin Smith of Open The Bible, to contact us call 2 00:00:08,300 –> 00:00:15,320 us at 1-877-OPEN365 or visit our website, OpentheBible.org. 3 00:00:15,320 –> 00:00:19,200 Let’s get to the message, here is pastor Colin. 4 00:00:19,200 –> 00:00:26,719 Please open your bible at first Corinthians in chapter 15, this is the last week in our 5 00:00:26,959 –> 00:00:33,320 month long series in this marvelous chapter the whole series has been about hope and 6 00:00:33,320 –> 00:00:40,080 these verses that are before us today is full of the most marvelous hope for us all. 7 00:00:40,080 –> 00:00:46,040 Over these last weeks we have seen that there is hope in Jesus because he died and rose 8 00:00:46,040 –> 00:00:51,619 he is able to free us from the guilt and shame of our past sins and to give us strength for 9 00:00:51,619 –> 00:00:53,099 our present calling. 10 00:00:53,660 –> 00:01:00,840 We saw there is hope for us that because Jesus rose he is able to save us and he will save 11 00:01:00,840 –> 00:01:07,639 all who receive the gospel and continue in the gospel and he will bring all who do so 12 00:01:07,639 –> 00:01:11,239 into a glorious resurrection life. 13 00:01:11,239 –> 00:01:16,500 We’ve seen from this marvelous chapter that if Jesus had not been raised from the dead 14 00:01:16,500 –> 00:01:19,839 there would be absolutely no hope for us at all. 15 00:01:20,599 –> 00:01:27,599 There were evidently some false teachers in Corinth who had produced a this life only 16 00:01:27,599 –> 00:01:29,720 message. 17 00:01:29,720 –> 00:01:35,599 What matters they said is not that the tomb was empty but that we should follow Jesus’ 18 00:01:35,599 –> 00:01:39,800 example and that we should continue Jesus’ work. 19 00:01:39,800 –> 00:01:44,500 But the Apostle Paul makes very clear that a faith that was for this life only, a faith 20 00:01:44,500 –> 00:01:50,160 that did not have a living saviour, would simply not be able to deliver all that God 21 00:01:50,160 –> 00:01:52,239 has promised. 22 00:01:52,239 –> 00:01:55,940 Only the Lord Jesus Christ himself can do this. 23 00:01:55,940 –> 00:02:01,199 And a faith that is for this life only does not lead a person to pursue holiness of life, 24 00:02:01,199 –> 00:02:05,339 in fact it leaves a person still in their sins. 25 00:02:05,339 –> 00:02:12,020 So, thank God, verse twenty, Christ has been raised from the dead and he’s the first 26 00:02:12,800 –> 00:02:15,419 fruits of those that have fallen asleep. 27 00:02:15,440 –> 00:02:19,660 He goes first, and that means that others who believe in him will follow. 28 00:02:19,660 –> 00:02:22,740 And that’s why we have hope for the future. 29 00:02:22,740 –> 00:02:30,100 We saw that Christ will give us new bodies that are designed, adapted for everlasting 30 00:02:30,100 –> 00:02:32,419 life in a glorious new world. 31 00:02:32,419 –> 00:02:38,899 These bodies will be imperishable, they will be glorious and they will be powerful. 32 00:02:38,899 –> 00:02:41,199 Most of all we saw that they will be spiritual. 33 00:02:41,699 –> 00:02:48,639 And by that we are to understand that your resurrected body will be fully responsive 34 00:02:48,639 –> 00:02:52,600 to the desires and the promptings of your redeemed spirit. 35 00:02:52,600 –> 00:02:59,440 Your resurrected body will be as eager to do the will of God as your redeemed spirit. 36 00:02:59,440 –> 00:03:04,960 So the tension that we sometimes know between body and spirit in this life, that war, that 37 00:03:04,960 –> 00:03:06,559 tension is going to be gone. 38 00:03:06,559 –> 00:03:09,479 It’s going to be over for you forever. 39 00:03:09,500 –> 00:03:15,279 Therefore, you will be at peace with yourself then in a way that has never been fully possible 40 00:03:15,279 –> 00:03:18,119 for you in this world. 41 00:03:18,119 –> 00:03:21,720 Now, that’s what we’ve seen over these last weeks. 42 00:03:21,720 –> 00:03:28,399 And today we come to these marvelous last verses of First Corinthians and chapter 15. 43 00:03:29,119 –> 00:03:37,820 And at the end of this chapter, the apostle, Paul, focuses in on the difference that the 44 00:03:37,820 –> 00:03:41,399 resurrection will make for us today. 45 00:03:41,399 –> 00:03:47,080 What practical difference will what we’ve been learning over this month make to your 46 00:03:47,080 –> 00:03:48,080 life? 47 00:03:48,080 –> 00:03:55,880 How will it change your shape, your priorities, your choices, your pursuits during your life 48 00:03:55,880 –> 00:03:58,080 in this world? 49 00:03:58,080 –> 00:04:03,639 What practical difference is all this going to make and what difference will it make now? 50 00:04:03,639 –> 00:04:09,320 Now, that’s the question that’s before us and the answer to the question is in the very 51 00:04:09,320 –> 00:04:12,600 last verse of the chapter, verse 58. 52 00:04:12,600 –> 00:04:21,079 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of 53 00:04:21,079 –> 00:04:28,059 the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 54 00:04:28,059 –> 00:04:31,239 That’s where this chapter ends. 55 00:04:31,239 –> 00:04:34,019 That’s where everything in it leads. 56 00:04:34,019 –> 00:04:39,239 Surely, brothers and sisters, that’s where we want to be. 57 00:04:39,239 –> 00:04:40,720 We want to be steadfast. 58 00:04:40,720 –> 00:04:43,519 We want to be immovable. 59 00:04:43,519 –> 00:04:49,179 We want always to be abounding in the work of the Lord, confident that our ministry and 60 00:04:49,179 –> 00:04:52,579 our service will bear fruit in Christ. 61 00:04:52,579 –> 00:04:56,299 The question is how do we get there? 62 00:04:56,339 –> 00:05:03,880 How will you get to steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord? 63 00:05:03,880 –> 00:05:10,820 I want us to see from these verses that there are two steps to getting there, that the Apostle 64 00:05:10,820 –> 00:05:14,799 Paul lays out very clearly. 65 00:05:14,799 –> 00:05:21,920 The first is to grasp that believers will rise with Christ. 66 00:05:21,959 –> 00:05:28,799 That’s the first step to becoming steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work 67 00:05:28,799 –> 00:05:29,799 of the Lord. 68 00:05:29,799 –> 00:05:32,299 And look at verse 50, if you would, with me. 69 00:05:32,299 –> 00:05:35,339 Paul begins by presenting a problem. 70 00:05:35,339 –> 00:05:45,380 I tell you this, brothers, flesh and blood cannot inherent the kingdom of God. 71 00:05:45,859 –> 00:05:52,579 We prayed a few moments ago from the Lord’s Prayer, your kingdom come. 72 00:05:52,579 –> 00:05:54,820 That prayer will be answered. 73 00:05:54,820 –> 00:06:02,540 One day Christ’s kingdom will come and when it comes, it will last forever. 74 00:06:02,540 –> 00:06:05,279 The Bible states this repeatedly. 75 00:06:05,279 –> 00:06:11,359 In the book of Revelation, John tells us that he saw and heard the seventh angel, below 76 00:06:11,559 –> 00:06:16,720 his trumpet there were loud voices sounding out in heaven. 77 00:06:16,720 –> 00:06:23,079 And then this cried, the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of 78 00:06:23,079 –> 00:06:30,679 his Christ, and he shall reign forever, forever. 79 00:06:30,679 –> 00:06:34,880 God said in the great promise given to King David. 80 00:06:34,880 –> 00:06:41,600 God said with regards to his son, I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever, 81 00:06:41,600 –> 00:06:42,720 forever. 82 00:06:42,720 –> 00:06:49,179 Isaiah the prophet speaking about the Messiah said of the increase of his government and 83 00:06:49,179 –> 00:06:52,320 peace there will be no end. 84 00:06:52,320 –> 00:06:57,640 Then he continues on the throne of David and over his kingdom to establish it and to uphold 85 00:06:57,640 –> 00:07:04,440 it in righteousness and in justice from this time forth and forevermore, forevermore. 86 00:07:04,579 –> 00:07:11,260 So Christ will establish a glorious kingdom. 87 00:07:11,260 –> 00:07:16,140 It will be a kingdom of righteousness and peace and joy. 88 00:07:16,140 –> 00:07:22,720 It will be a kingdom in which his role will be uncontested and it will be a kingdom that 89 00:07:22,720 –> 00:07:24,779 will last forever. 90 00:07:24,779 –> 00:07:33,559 Now here’s the point to enjoy a kingdom that will last forever. 91 00:07:33,600 –> 00:07:41,200 You’re going to need a body to last forever and believers on earth don’t have it. 92 00:07:41,200 –> 00:07:48,559 We are indwelt by the Spirit of God but we have the same bodies, with the same kinds 93 00:07:48,559 –> 00:07:53,859 of coughs and colds and aches and pains as anybody else. 94 00:07:53,859 –> 00:07:59,200 Our souls are growing in likeness to Christ as we walk with him. 95 00:08:00,179 –> 00:08:06,859 But our bodies wear out just like anybody else’s, our bodies are flesh and blood and 96 00:08:06,859 –> 00:08:14,839 what the apostle Paul says here in verse 50 is flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom 97 00:08:14,839 –> 00:08:17,920 of God. 98 00:08:17,920 –> 00:08:24,239 Next question given that believers on earth don’t have the body that will last forever 99 00:08:24,480 –> 00:08:28,299 what about believers in heaven? 100 00:08:28,299 –> 00:08:35,299 The answer is that they don’t have the resurrection body either, their souls are consciously enjoying 101 00:08:36,820 –> 00:08:43,820 the presence of Jesus but souls without bodies cannot enjoy all that God will give to those 102 00:08:47,239 –> 00:08:49,820 who love him. 103 00:08:50,000 –> 00:08:56,419 Be clear about this right now, at this moment there is only one person in the entire universe 104 00:08:56,419 –> 00:09:02,020 who enjoys life in a resurrected body and that is the Lord Jesus Christ himself. 105 00:09:02,020 –> 00:09:07,960 Believers on earth don’t have it and believers in heaven don’t have it either. 106 00:09:07,960 –> 00:09:14,960 The question then is how will they and we be able to enjoy God’s glorious kingdom when 107 00:09:15,099 –> 00:09:22,099 it comes? And the answer to that question is that they and we will receive resurrected 108 00:09:24,299 –> 00:09:31,299 bodies, that is bodies designed for everlasting life, and we will receive this gift when the 109 00:09:31,979 –> 00:09:37,780 Lord Jesus Christ returns in power and in glory. 110 00:09:37,780 –> 00:09:44,059 Now there are two scriptures that address this very directly, it’s good to know them, 111 00:09:45,059 –> 00:09:51,780 and to be able to refer to them because they are of such obvious and practical importance. 112 00:09:51,780 –> 00:09:58,299 One speaks about the resurrection body being given to believers who have died and the other 113 00:09:58,299 –> 00:10:04,580 speaks about the resurrection body being given to believers who live. 114 00:10:04,580 –> 00:10:10,359 So let’s look first at 1 Thessalonians in chapter 4 that speaks of believers who have 115 00:10:11,280 –> 00:10:12,280 died. 116 00:10:12,280 –> 00:10:20,979 Now the first thing that we all need to know about believers who have died is that they 117 00:10:20,979 –> 00:10:22,219 are with the Lord. 118 00:10:22,219 –> 00:10:25,419 It’s this wonderful good news. 119 00:10:25,419 –> 00:10:33,979 To be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord and that is why when Paul writes 120 00:10:33,979 –> 00:10:37,760 to comfort believers who are grieving the loss of believing loved ones. 121 00:10:37,780 –> 00:10:41,599 But he says this, 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 14. 122 00:10:55,219 –> 00:11:02,380 What he’s saying is that Jesus will bring the souls of believers who have died with 123 00:11:02,380 –> 00:11:06,419 him when he comes. 124 00:11:06,419 –> 00:11:12,359 And of course the reason that Jesus will bring the souls of those who have died with him 125 00:11:12,359 –> 00:11:20,880 when he comes is that they are with him now, consciously, right now, enjoying the presence 126 00:11:20,880 –> 00:11:25,700 and the glory of life in heaven itself. 127 00:11:25,700 –> 00:11:27,000 Then he says verse 16, 128 00:11:36,479 –> 00:11:55,340 So now, put these two things together. 129 00:11:55,340 –> 00:12:03,460 The souls of those who are with Jesus we’ll come back with him and at that time they will 130 00:12:03,460 –> 00:12:14,500 be clothed with resurrected bodies adapted for everlasting life in the kingdom of God. 131 00:12:14,500 –> 00:12:17,260 This is very wonderful. 132 00:12:17,260 –> 00:12:24,799 And it will perhaps help us to understand that what happens to a believer after death 133 00:12:24,799 –> 00:12:29,140 is rather like a two-stage journey. 134 00:12:29,140 –> 00:12:36,640 At the moment of death, Christ brings the soul of a believer immediately, instantly, 135 00:12:36,640 –> 00:12:43,359 wonderfully, into the joy and peace of his presence in heaven. 136 00:12:43,359 –> 00:12:48,039 But that is not the end of the story. 137 00:12:48,039 –> 00:12:54,239 When Christ returns, as we have seen, the souls of those who are with him will be clothed 138 00:12:54,239 –> 00:13:00,559 with resurrected bodies, designed and adapted for everlasting life in the new heaven and 139 00:13:00,559 –> 00:13:06,400 the new earth that God will bring into being, where we will all enjoy the presence of God 140 00:13:06,400 –> 00:13:08,799 for ever and for ever. 141 00:13:08,799 –> 00:13:16,140 Now Nancy Guthrie, who some of you may have read or heard teach, has an illustration on 142 00:13:16,140 –> 00:13:20,580 this that I have found really, really helpful. 143 00:13:20,580 –> 00:13:23,840 She says this about her and her husband, traveling. 144 00:13:23,840 –> 00:13:35,539 She says when we’re going on a trip to Paris, we have a stopover at Atlanta Airport. 145 00:13:35,539 –> 00:13:39,099 But we don’t spend our time talking about all the things that we’re going to do at the 146 00:13:39,099 –> 00:13:42,500 Atlanta Airport. 147 00:13:42,500 –> 00:13:49,539 Our hearts and our minds are filled with all that awaits us in our ultimate destination, 148 00:13:49,539 –> 00:13:51,000 Paris. 149 00:13:51,599 –> 00:13:54,840 Now think about this. 150 00:13:54,840 –> 00:13:58,400 Believers who have died are on a stopover. 151 00:13:58,400 –> 00:14:00,659 They’re with Christ. 152 00:14:00,659 –> 00:14:06,239 And oh my, that is better by far than any stopover you could imagine at any place in 153 00:14:06,239 –> 00:14:09,159 this world. 154 00:14:09,159 –> 00:14:18,239 But like us, believers who have died are waiting and they’re looking for the day when Christ 155 00:14:18,780 –> 00:14:24,000 will return in glory and these souls will return with him, and then they will enter 156 00:14:24,000 –> 00:14:29,400 into the full joy of all that he has promised receiving this marvelous gift of the resurrected 157 00:14:29,400 –> 00:14:32,400 body. 158 00:14:32,400 –> 00:14:34,820 Now what about believers who live? 159 00:14:34,820 –> 00:14:42,239 Well, if you turn back to 1 Corinthians and chapter 15, that question is addressed right 160 00:14:42,239 –> 00:14:44,760 here. 161 00:14:45,559 –> 00:14:50,200 Believers who are alive when Christ returns will also receive this 162 00:14:50,200 –> 00:14:55,440 marvelous gift of the resurrected body when he comes. 163 00:14:55,440 –> 00:14:59,140 Look at verse 51 of 1 Corinthians 15. 164 00:15:00,039 –> 00:15:05,440 We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 165 00:15:05,440 –> 00:15:11,239 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound. 166 00:15:11,239 –> 00:15:12,440 Notice the trumpet again. 167 00:15:12,640 –> 00:15:17,619 At the same event being referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4, the trumpet will sound and 168 00:15:17,619 –> 00:15:23,719 the dead will be raised imperishable and we shall be changed. 169 00:15:24,820 –> 00:15:27,919 Now you see what he’s focused on here. 170 00:15:27,919 –> 00:15:35,119 Some Christians will be living when Christ returns, and these believers will not die. 171 00:15:35,119 –> 00:15:39,919 That’s the meaning of we shall not all sleep. 172 00:15:39,979 –> 00:15:42,460 And notice what the Apostle Paul says. 173 00:15:42,460 –> 00:15:46,919 He says we shall not all sleep, we shall all be changed. 174 00:15:46,919 –> 00:15:51,340 It doesn’t say they is if he was referring to some distant other group of people. 175 00:15:51,340 –> 00:15:52,559 Why does he say we? 176 00:15:52,559 –> 00:15:58,219 Because the Apostle Paul, when he wrote was living with the profound awareness 177 00:15:58,219 –> 00:16:02,380 that it was possible that the Lord Jesus Christ could return in his lifetime, 178 00:16:02,380 –> 00:16:08,780 and we should live with the profound awareness that that may be true for us as well. 179 00:16:08,780 –> 00:16:13,320 And notice when this great change takes place for those who are living 180 00:16:13,320 –> 00:16:15,340 at the time of the return of Christ, 181 00:16:15,340 –> 00:16:20,119 it is at the last trumpet, a clear reference to the 182 00:16:20,119 –> 00:16:23,020 glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. 183 00:16:23,020 –> 00:16:27,099 So, putting these two things together, when the trumpet sounds, 184 00:16:27,099 –> 00:16:32,539 when the Lord Jesus Christ returns in glory, two things will happen. 185 00:16:32,539 –> 00:16:35,979 First, the dead will be raised imperishable, 186 00:16:35,979 –> 00:16:39,200 that is, the souls of those who are already with the Lord 187 00:16:39,200 –> 00:16:41,500 will be clothed with the resurrection bodies. 188 00:16:41,500 –> 00:16:48,739 And second, those who are living at the time, will be changed. 189 00:16:48,739 –> 00:16:55,219 Those who have died and those who live, will receive this marvelous 190 00:16:55,219 –> 00:17:00,559 gift of the resurrection body, at precisely the same time. 191 00:17:00,559 –> 00:17:01,559 What a day that will be. 192 00:17:02,559 –> 00:17:06,380 And the Apostle Paul tells us that this change, 193 00:17:06,380 –> 00:17:10,859 in which our perishable bodies, with all their aches and pains get transformed 194 00:17:10,859 –> 00:17:14,699 into bodies that are glorious, powerful spiritual and imperishable, 195 00:17:14,699 –> 00:17:20,739 this change will happen in a moment and in the twinkling of an eye. 196 00:17:20,739 –> 00:17:25,660 It will be an instantaneous and miraculous change. 197 00:17:25,660 –> 00:17:28,719 So think about this. 198 00:17:29,660 –> 00:17:38,839 Your sanctification is a long, slow process with many, many setbacks. 199 00:17:38,839 –> 00:17:46,540 But your glorification will be immediate, it will be complete, 200 00:17:46,540 –> 00:17:50,579 it will be an irreversible transformation. 201 00:17:51,339 –> 00:18:00,479 Now, remember where all this is headed, it has a very practical outcome. 202 00:18:00,479 –> 00:18:03,520 We’re headed for verse 58. 203 00:18:03,520 –> 00:18:16,599 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 204 00:18:16,599 –> 00:18:19,939 Why? 205 00:18:19,939 –> 00:18:24,920 Why should you be steadfast and immovable? 206 00:18:24,920 –> 00:18:31,479 Why should you extend yourself in the service of the Lord? 207 00:18:31,479 –> 00:18:36,599 Why should you pledge your life to Christ? 208 00:18:36,599 –> 00:18:42,540 Why should you go anywhere he sends and be ready to do whatever he calls you to do, no 209 00:18:42,540 –> 00:18:46,819 matter how hard or how costly that may become? 210 00:18:46,819 –> 00:18:54,979 The first answer to that question is, because you will rise with Christ, because you have 211 00:18:54,979 –> 00:18:59,579 an everlasting life ahead of you. 212 00:18:59,579 –> 00:19:03,040 You got more life than you’ll know what to do with. 213 00:19:03,040 –> 00:19:10,380 See, if this short life was all that you had, well, then you would say, well, this is all 214 00:19:10,380 –> 00:19:11,380 I’ve got. 215 00:19:11,380 –> 00:19:15,660 I’ve got to hold onto this little that I have, and you would live in a constant fear that 216 00:19:15,699 –> 00:19:20,520 maybe if you decide this, you’ll miss out on that and all the rest of it. 217 00:19:20,520 –> 00:19:31,680 But when you know that you have everlasting life, everlasting life, you will feel and 218 00:19:31,680 –> 00:19:39,099 know that you can do nothing better with your short years in this world than to be steadfast 219 00:19:39,099 –> 00:19:43,459 and immovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord because you’ve got eternity 220 00:19:43,459 –> 00:19:44,719 with him ahead of you. 221 00:19:44,780 –> 00:19:53,599 That’s his first reason, the first step towards being steadfast, immovable is to 222 00:19:53,599 –> 00:19:57,339 know that you will rise with Christ. 223 00:19:57,339 –> 00:20:02,099 And the second is this. 224 00:20:02,099 –> 00:20:09,579 Believers will rise with Christ, but millions are dying without Christ. 225 00:20:09,579 –> 00:20:12,140 Millions are dying without Christ. 226 00:20:13,119 –> 00:20:15,319 Look at verse 56 and verse 57. 227 00:20:16,540 –> 00:20:25,719 The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God who gives 228 00:20:25,780 –> 00:20:31,780 us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 229 00:20:32,959 –> 00:20:39,479 I want you to see that what the apostle is doing in these two verses is to draw out the 230 00:20:39,560 –> 00:20:46,560 contrast between the experience of a believer at death and the experience of a person who 231 00:20:46,560 –> 00:20:49,260 lives and dies without the Lord Jesus Christ. 232 00:20:50,599 –> 00:20:55,359 Verse 57 describes the experience of a believer and how wonderful it is. 233 00:20:56,099 –> 00:21:05,280 Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 234 00:21:06,199 –> 00:21:10,640 Why do we as believers have victory in the face of death? 235 00:21:10,900 –> 00:21:17,239 Because for a believer, to be away from the body, is to be at home with the Lord. 236 00:21:18,900 –> 00:21:22,619 That is why the apostle Paul could say in his letter to the Philippians, 237 00:21:23,280 –> 00:21:28,760 my desire is to depart and to be with Christ because that’s better by far. 238 00:21:29,599 –> 00:21:36,660 For a believer, death will be an instant translation from the limitations, 239 00:21:36,660 –> 00:21:40,859 and sometimes the pains, of life in this body to the joys 240 00:21:40,859 –> 00:21:44,739 of life in the presence of the Lord Jesus himself. 241 00:21:45,760 –> 00:21:49,540 So I want you to notice, and this is very important, 242 00:21:49,540 –> 00:21:54,500 that when the apostle Paul comes to the end of his life, 243 00:21:54,500 –> 00:21:58,800 when the apostle Paul comes to his own facing of death, 244 00:21:58,800 –> 00:22:05,900 he does not say, the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 245 00:22:06,140 –> 00:22:08,140 He doesn’t say that. 246 00:22:08,579 –> 00:22:11,880 What the apostle says when he comes to the end of his life, 247 00:22:11,880 –> 00:22:14,959 and he’s looking at the translation that lies ahead of him, 248 00:22:14,959 –> 00:22:18,339 is he says the time has come for my departure. 249 00:22:18,339 –> 00:22:22,599 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, 250 00:22:22,599 –> 00:22:25,939 I have kept the faith, and what’s laid up for me now 251 00:22:25,939 –> 00:22:30,239 is the crown of righteousness, which the Lord himself is going to give, 252 00:22:30,239 –> 00:22:35,000 not only to me, but also to all who long for his appearing. 253 00:22:35,000 –> 00:22:41,880 Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 254 00:22:41,880 –> 00:22:44,199 That’s verse 57. 255 00:22:44,939 –> 00:22:53,160 But, there are millions who do not share this victory. 256 00:22:53,160 –> 00:23:00,819 And for them, the tragic reality of death is verse 56. 257 00:23:00,819 –> 00:23:08,979 The sting of death is sin, and the power of the sin is the law. 258 00:23:08,979 –> 00:23:12,319 Now, do you see that what the apostle Paul is doing here 259 00:23:12,319 –> 00:23:18,599 by putting these two verses together side by side is he’s deliberately drawing out 260 00:23:18,599 –> 00:23:22,619 the contrast between the glory that lies ahead of the believer at death 261 00:23:22,619 –> 00:23:29,420 and the tragic situation of those who live and die without the Lord Jesus Christ. 262 00:23:29,420 –> 00:23:32,219 Verse 57 is the experience of the believer. 263 00:23:32,219 –> 00:23:40,719 Verse 56 is the experience of the one who lives and dies without Christ. 264 00:23:40,719 –> 00:23:47,760 Now, friends, I’ve spoken to many people who don’t believe, as I’m sure you have, too. 265 00:23:47,760 –> 00:23:51,619 And if the subject of death comes up in that conversation, 266 00:23:51,619 –> 00:23:56,380 it seems that they don’t worry about death at all. 267 00:23:56,380 –> 00:23:58,420 And you’ll have heard this. 268 00:23:58,420 –> 00:24:00,520 An unbelievable person says, 269 00:24:00,520 –> 00:24:04,199 well, you know, you live and you die and you enjoy life 270 00:24:04,199 –> 00:24:10,160 while you can, and when you’re gone, you’re gone. 271 00:24:10,160 –> 00:24:17,439 And the reason they don’t worry about death is that they don’t consider it sting. 272 00:24:17,439 –> 00:24:23,199 The sting of death is sin. 273 00:24:23,199 –> 00:24:29,520 The problem is dying in your sins. 274 00:24:29,520 –> 00:24:34,640 And why is dying in your sins a problem? 275 00:24:34,640 –> 00:24:37,680 Well, because of the law. 276 00:24:37,680 –> 00:24:46,699 The law is the demand you have not met, sin is the stain you cannot erase, and death 277 00:24:46,699 –> 00:24:51,780 is the outcome you cannot avoid. 278 00:24:51,780 –> 00:24:56,060 And our Lord Jesus spoke about this very directly, John 8, in verse 24. 279 00:24:56,060 –> 00:25:01,560 He said to those who would not believe, those who were steadfast in their resistance to 280 00:25:02,560 –> 00:25:09,219 him, he said, I told you that you would die in your sins. 281 00:25:09,219 –> 00:25:16,459 For unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins. 282 00:25:16,459 –> 00:25:26,959 And friends, nothing could be more tragic than for a man or for a woman to die in their 283 00:25:26,959 –> 00:25:30,160 sins. 284 00:25:30,160 –> 00:25:35,920 Because to die in your sins would mean that you carry your sins into your death with you 285 00:25:35,920 –> 00:25:43,339 so that they’re still on you when you stand before almighty God who will be your judge. 286 00:25:43,339 –> 00:25:51,420 And that is the position of millions in the world today. 287 00:25:51,420 –> 00:25:54,660 But not for you, if you’re a believer. 288 00:25:54,660 –> 00:25:55,819 No. 289 00:25:56,380 –> 00:26:04,119 As a believer, you can say, well thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our 290 00:26:04,119 –> 00:26:07,880 Lord Jesus Christ. 291 00:26:07,880 –> 00:26:11,839 Christ has delivered us from the sting of death. 292 00:26:11,839 –> 00:26:13,140 How’s he done it? 293 00:26:13,140 –> 00:26:19,560 He’s done it by taking our sins from us by fulfilling the law for us. 294 00:26:19,560 –> 00:26:22,739 God became a man in Christ Jesus. 295 00:26:23,119 –> 00:26:27,380 He lived the life we should have lived, died the death that we should have died. 296 00:26:27,380 –> 00:26:31,280 He bore our sins in his body on the tree. 297 00:26:31,280 –> 00:26:37,780 Jesus carried our sins into his death so that we would not carry them into ours. 298 00:26:39,739 –> 00:26:42,359 But here’s the question. 299 00:26:42,359 –> 00:26:47,459 Can you really leave it there? 300 00:26:47,459 –> 00:26:56,619 Can you say millions are dying in their sins but thanks be to God who gives us the victory. 301 00:26:56,619 –> 00:27:00,439 Can you really leave it at that? 302 00:27:00,439 –> 00:27:03,819 None of us can leave it there. 303 00:27:03,819 –> 00:27:08,859 What Christ has done for us, he is able to do for others. 304 00:27:09,760 –> 00:27:14,640 And that is why the very next thing that the Apostle Paul says is, 305 00:27:14,640 –> 00:27:22,280 Therefore, therefore, in the light of the fact that you are going to rise with Jesus Christ 306 00:27:22,280 –> 00:27:28,520 and there are millions of people who are dying in their sins without Christ, 307 00:27:28,520 –> 00:27:33,599 therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, be immovable, 308 00:27:33,880 –> 00:27:40,979 you will always be abounding in the work of the Lord. 309 00:27:40,979 –> 00:27:44,819 Believers will rise with Christ. 310 00:27:44,819 –> 00:27:48,699 Millions are dying without Christ. 311 00:27:48,699 –> 00:27:52,319 So give yourself to living for Christ. 312 00:27:52,339 –> 00:27:57,439 That’s the conclusion of 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. 313 00:27:58,260 –> 00:28:05,359 And so in response to all that we have learned from 1 Corinthians in chapter 15 this month, 314 00:28:05,359 –> 00:28:10,020 I’m going to ask you to join me in making 2 commitments today 315 00:28:10,020 –> 00:28:14,719 that are right out of this last verse of the chapter. 316 00:28:14,719 –> 00:28:19,800 The first is I’m going to ask you to make a commitment to be steadfast. 317 00:28:19,800 –> 00:28:24,540 Be steadfast be immovable. 318 00:28:24,579 –> 00:28:28,800 That of course is a lifetime commitment. 319 00:28:28,800 –> 00:28:32,959 Starting is always easier than continuing 320 00:28:32,959 –> 00:28:36,640 and easier for sure than finishing. 321 00:28:36,640 –> 00:28:42,359 And our calling is not simply to start brightly and then fade away. 322 00:28:42,359 –> 00:28:46,439 To start eagerly and then to coast. 323 00:28:46,439 –> 00:28:51,660 Our calling is to run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us. 324 00:28:51,660 –> 00:28:56,520 That’s why we need to deal with the sin that clings so closely 325 00:28:56,520 –> 00:29:00,719 and lay aside the things that weigh us down and hold us back 326 00:29:00,719 –> 00:29:05,959 so that we will run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us. 327 00:29:05,959 –> 00:29:09,479 Don’t be distracted. 328 00:29:09,479 –> 00:29:13,380 Don’t be blown off course. 329 00:29:13,380 –> 00:29:15,420 Do what God has called you to do. 330 00:29:15,500 –> 00:29:22,020 Refuse to quit no matter how hard it gets. 331 00:29:22,020 –> 00:29:26,380 And have nothing to do with strange new teachings 332 00:29:26,380 –> 00:29:29,819 that actually often turn out to be very old strange 333 00:29:29,819 –> 00:29:33,560 teachings that may fascinate your mind but will do 334 00:29:33,560 –> 00:29:40,500 nothing to promote a life of dedicated and faithful service to Christ. 335 00:29:40,500 –> 00:29:43,439 Give yourself to some work that will bring blessing to others 336 00:29:43,439 –> 00:29:46,780 and stick to it. 337 00:29:46,780 –> 00:29:50,599 If you are a believer I’m asking you to make this commitment 338 00:29:50,599 –> 00:29:54,640 today before the Lord – Lord, by your grace and in your strength 339 00:29:54,640 –> 00:29:56,839 I will be steadfast. 340 00:29:56,839 –> 00:30:00,380 I’m going to be steadfast in my commitment to you 341 00:30:00,380 –> 00:30:01,619 and to your truth. 342 00:30:01,619 –> 00:30:07,560 I’m going to be immovable in my commitment to the pursuit of a holy life. 343 00:30:07,560 –> 00:30:12,000 And then the second commitment I’m asking you to make with me 344 00:30:12,020 –> 00:30:18,219 today is to always abound, always abounding, 345 00:30:18,219 –> 00:30:22,099 in the work of the Lord. 346 00:30:22,099 –> 00:30:26,660 Now, many of us in this congregation have been believers for a while. 347 00:30:26,660 –> 00:30:30,719 A lot of us actually for a good while. 348 00:30:30,719 –> 00:30:35,579 One danger for the mature believer is that you begin to say, 349 00:30:35,579 –> 00:30:41,140 I’ve done my bit, I’ve done enough already. 350 00:30:41,400 –> 00:30:44,239 Don’t say that. 351 00:30:44,239 –> 00:30:49,900 Millions are dying in their sins, and you have an everlasting life 352 00:30:49,900 –> 00:30:54,380 ahead of you, and you’re going to say, I’ve done my bit? 353 00:30:54,380 –> 00:30:58,300 Ask yourself, what more can I do? 354 00:30:58,300 –> 00:31:00,140 Is there more that I can give? 355 00:31:00,140 –> 00:31:01,699 Are there others I can reach? 356 00:31:01,699 –> 00:31:08,680 Who can I reach out to in the light of the glorious life that is ahead 357 00:31:08,680 –> 00:31:14,839 of you in the light of the reality that millions are dying in their sins? 358 00:31:14,839 –> 00:31:21,359 Ask yourself honestly, is what I am doing for Christ really the best I can do? 359 00:31:21,359 –> 00:31:25,219 Ask yourself that question. 360 00:31:25,219 –> 00:31:29,079 I ask you to make this twin commitment today. 361 00:31:29,079 –> 00:31:36,400 To be steadfast and to abound, not just for a while, but always in the 362 00:31:36,520 –> 00:31:39,599 work of the Lord. 363 00:31:39,599 –> 00:31:47,380 And if you will make that twin commitment, you will experience a twin outcome that is 364 00:31:47,380 –> 00:31:49,959 also in this verse. 365 00:31:49,959 –> 00:31:56,199 The first outcome of that commitment will be that you will work really hard. 366 00:31:56,199 –> 00:32:03,719 You will labor, that’s the word he uses knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 367 00:32:03,719 –> 00:32:09,979 Labor is hard work, hard work is draining. 368 00:32:09,979 –> 00:32:14,520 Hard work means you’ve got more on you than you would have otherwise, hard work means 369 00:32:14,520 –> 00:32:20,380 you could have an easier life if you didn’t make the commitments that you’ve made. 370 00:32:20,380 –> 00:32:29,900 To labor is not glamorous, it can be discouraging and sometimes even exhausting. 371 00:32:29,900 –> 00:32:35,219 If you labor there will be times when you ask is this really worth it? 372 00:32:35,219 –> 00:32:40,619 And that’s why, by the way, you need to be steadfast and why you need to be immovable. 373 00:32:40,619 –> 00:32:48,859 But those who abound in the work of the Lord know what it is to work hard, and because 374 00:32:48,859 –> 00:32:55,760 they are steadfast they stick at it, and they do this because they are very confident of 375 00:32:55,760 –> 00:32:59,199 the second outcome of their commitment. 376 00:33:00,180 –> 00:33:04,739 Which is that your labor in the Lord will not be in vain. 377 00:33:04,739 –> 00:33:15,579 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast be immovable. 378 00:33:15,579 –> 00:33:27,479 Always be abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that in the Lord, your labor will 379 00:33:27,479 –> 00:33:29,979 not be in vain. 380 00:33:29,979 –> 00:33:34,239 Let’s pray together, shall we? 381 00:33:34,239 –> 00:33:43,380 Father, we thank you today that the work of the Lord Jesus Christ will not end in disappointment, 382 00:33:43,380 –> 00:33:52,520 that His kingdom will come, that a great company of redeemed people from every tribe and every 383 00:33:52,560 –> 00:34:00,020 nation will be gathered around the throne of God, and that Jesus will see the fruit 384 00:34:00,020 –> 00:34:06,640 of the travail of His soul, and that he will be satisfied. 385 00:34:06,640 –> 00:34:19,959 So grant that we will be steadfast immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 386 00:34:19,959 –> 00:34:24,760 knowing that in the Lord our labour will not be in vain. 387 00:34:24,760 –> 00:34:32,379 Hear our prayers, and seal our commitments, for these things we ask in Jesus name. 388 00:34:32,379 –> 00:34:33,879 Amen. 389 00:34:33,879 –> 00:34:39,080 You’ve been listening to a sermon with Pastor Colin Smith of Open the Bible. 390 00:34:39,080 –> 00:34:47,560 To contact us, call us at 1-877-OPEN365, or visit our website, openthebible.org.