100:00:00,260 –> 00:00:02,880why promise200:00:02,920 –> 00:00:11,600The idea of a body that dematerializes and rematerializes simply comes from watching too much Star Trek300:00:11,600 –> 00:00:14,700It does not come from the Bible400:00:14,700 –> 00:00:19,139And the first thing you need to know about the resurrection body is that it is a body500:00:19,160 –> 00:00:25,459and when you get that settled in your mind you will have a far greater anticipation of the joys that lie ahead600:00:25,540 –> 00:00:30,719Welcome to open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick, glad you could join us today700:00:30,719 –> 00:00:33,660Colin, I’ve got to ask are you a Trekkie?800:00:34,139 –> 00:00:38,560It’s a while since I’ve watched Star Trek, I gotta say but I did enjoyed it when I was a kid900:00:38,560 –> 00:00:40,820right, well I haven’t watched it either for a while1000:00:40,820 –> 00:00:45,939But why is it so important for us to understand that the resurrection body is really a body?1100:00:46,220 –> 00:00:53,439Well, it’s really important because we experience life in the body here and now and so it’s almost impossible for us to imagine1200:00:53,919 –> 00:00:58,080what it is like for a spirit or soul to live apart from the body1300:00:58,080 –> 00:01:02,439And so people end up sometimes having very vague ideas, you know1400:01:02,439 –> 00:01:06,860floating on clouds and harps and all the rest and then say, well, I’m not particularly sure that’s something I want to do1500:01:07,080 –> 00:01:13,620Well, of course not. The life that’s promised to us is not some kind of half life of the spirit1600:01:13,739 –> 00:01:18,360It’s the life of an empowered, enabled, imperishable,1700:01:18,599 –> 00:01:19,839glorious1800:01:20,839 –> 00:01:27,300And once that begins to settle in the mind you think, ah, now we’re talking about a real life in a renewed heaven and earth1900:01:27,300 –> 00:01:28,919That’s something to look forward to2000:01:28,919 –> 00:01:31,360So we’ll hear more about that in today’s message2100:01:31,360 –> 00:01:36,239so join us if you can in first Corinthians chapter 15 as we continue the message2200:01:39,239 –> 00:01:40,320Here is Pastor Colin2300:01:40,919 –> 00:01:50,199Your resurrection body will be like Christ’s glorious body2400:01:50,199 –> 00:01:59,540Philippians 3, your resurrection body will be like Christ’s glorious body2500:01:59,540 –> 00:02:02,599Now that means that it will be a physical body2600:02:02,599 –> 00:02:08,199You will not be a disembodied ghost or spirit in the new creation2700:02:08,839 –> 00:02:10,839Let me put it this way2800:02:10,839 –> 00:02:18,199The reason that you won’t be floating on a cloud is that bodies don’t float2900:02:18,199 –> 00:02:19,800They fall right3000:02:19,800 –> 00:02:24,380And when people are in this sort of vague floating world3100:02:24,380 –> 00:02:27,039It’s a denial of the resurrection of the body3200:02:27,039 –> 00:02:28,100That’s what it is3300:02:28,100 –> 00:02:29,559It really is3400:02:29,559 –> 00:02:33,339It’s a failure to grasp Christian doctrine at its most central point3500:02:33,339 –> 00:02:35,479That’s why this issue is so important3600:02:35,500 –> 00:02:41,339Listen to what Jesus said as he appeared in the resurrection body to his disciples3700:02:41,339 –> 00:02:42,240And he says this3800:02:42,240 –> 00:02:44,419See my hands and my feet3900:02:44,419 –> 00:02:46,500This is Luke 24 in verse 394000:02:46,500 –> 00:02:50,720It is, I myself, touch me and see4100:02:50,720 –> 00:02:57,479For a spirit does not have flesh and bones4200:02:57,479 –> 00:03:01,300As you see I have4300:03:01,300 –> 00:03:02,479Flesh and bones4400:03:02,479 –> 00:03:03,559Resurrection body4500:03:03,600 –> 00:03:05,820Our body will be like his4600:03:06,020 –> 00:03:08,899That is a physical body4700:03:08,899 –> 00:03:12,179That is why the word resurrection is used4800:03:12,179 –> 00:03:14,259Yes, there will be ways in which it is different4900:03:14,259 –> 00:03:15,979We will come to that in just a moment5000:03:15,979 –> 00:03:20,960But the first thing you need to know about the resurrection body is that it has a body5100:03:20,960 –> 00:03:23,259In terms of appearance5200:03:23,259 –> 00:03:25,619The resurrection body of Jesus5300:03:25,619 –> 00:03:27,699and ours will be like his5400:03:27,699 –> 00:03:31,080The resurrection body of Jesus was so similar in form5500:03:31,240 –> 00:03:34,860to the body we have now that Mary could mistaken for a gardener5600:03:36,720 –> 00:03:40,479The two disciples on the Road to Emmaus thought this was just another traveler5700:03:41,720 –> 00:03:45,500The resurrection body will be very different in some ways5800:03:46,059 –> 00:03:48,020It will be different in that it is a5900:03:48,020 –> 00:03:49,979vehicle for endless life6000:03:49,979 –> 00:03:52,699which the present body obviously is not6100:03:53,460 –> 00:03:55,940The similarities between what we have now6200:03:55,940 –> 00:03:57,539Created good by God6300:03:57,539 –> 00:03:59,059and the upgrade6400:03:59,059 –> 00:04:01,119created better and best by God6500:04:01,520 –> 00:04:05,080The similarities are more striking than the differences6600:04:06,080 –> 00:04:10,279And as if to press it home you have the risen Lord Jesus Christ saying to them6700:04:10,539 –> 00:04:13,740Look 24, have you anything to eat?6800:04:14,460 –> 00:04:17,260And they gave him a piece of broiled fish6900:04:17,959 –> 00:04:20,739And he took it and ate it7000:04:21,239 –> 00:04:23,079before them7100:04:23,079 –> 00:04:24,899Later in John’s gospel7200:04:24,899 –> 00:04:27,559We have Jesus actually cooking the breakfast7300:04:27,660 –> 00:04:29,320And eating it with the disciples7400:04:29,320 –> 00:04:33,059Friends we are definitely talking barbecue in the resurrection7500:04:33,399 –> 00:04:37,140And if we start thinking in more concrete terms7600:04:37,140 –> 00:04:40,299with regards to the promise of the life to come7700:04:40,299 –> 00:04:42,940We will be helped in our anticipation7800:04:42,940 –> 00:04:44,739walking and running and jumping7900:04:44,739 –> 00:04:47,140and hitting balls on green grass8000:04:47,160 –> 00:04:49,540Growing in this planet8100:04:49,559 –> 00:04:51,440Renewed and made perfect8200:04:51,440 –> 00:04:55,299As it shares in the redemption of the children of God8300:04:55,299 –> 00:05:00,500A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have8400:05:00,500 –> 00:05:02,540That is about as physical as you can get8500:05:02,559 –> 00:05:07,760So forget the idea of a body that passes through walls8600:05:07,760 –> 00:05:09,959I mean for one thing you can’t play football8700:05:09,980 –> 00:05:14,019with bodies that pass through walls right8800:05:14,019 –> 00:05:16,420Wayne Grudem says8900:05:16,420 –> 00:05:17,660This is very helpful to me9000:05:17,660 –> 00:05:21,239Because many of us have ideas that float around in our minds9100:05:21,239 –> 00:05:23,040We don’t quite know where we got them from9200:05:23,279 –> 00:05:26,260I certainly have had an idea in my head of Jesus walking through walls9300:05:26,260 –> 00:05:27,500in the resurrection appearances9400:05:27,500 –> 00:05:28,720Wayne Grudem says9500:05:28,720 –> 00:05:31,100And I always quote him when I need a really good authority9600:05:31,100 –> 00:05:32,299you understand9700:05:32,299 –> 00:05:32,799He says9800:05:32,799 –> 00:05:35,679No text says that Jesus passed through walls9900:05:35,679 –> 00:05:39,059Or anything like that, period10000:05:39,059 –> 00:05:41,600The disciples of course were meeting behind locked doors10100:05:41,600 –> 00:05:43,179But Peter was behind a locked door10200:05:43,179 –> 00:05:44,980In the prison in Acts chapter 1210300:05:44,980 –> 00:05:46,420And God miraculously opened the door10400:05:46,420 –> 00:05:49,079And Peter walked out flesh and bones10500:05:49,079 –> 00:05:50,679I mean no dematerializing10600:05:50,679 –> 00:05:54,040and rematerializing or any of that10700:05:54,040 –> 00:05:57,380No friends the idea of a body that dematerializes10800:05:57,380 –> 00:05:58,779and rematerializes10900:05:58,779 –> 00:06:03,119Simply comes from watching too much Star Trek11000:06:03,119 –> 00:06:06,179It does not come from the Bible11100:06:06,179 –> 00:06:07,600And the first thing you need to know11200:06:07,600 –> 00:06:08,880About the resurrection body11300:06:08,880 –> 00:06:10,079Is that it is a body11400:06:10,079 –> 00:06:12,359And when you get that settled in your mind11500:06:12,359 –> 00:06:15,019You will have a far greater anticipation11600:06:15,019 –> 00:06:16,480Of the joys that lie ahead11700:06:16,480 –> 00:06:19,200Fourth Scripture11800:06:19,660 –> 00:06:22,8991 Corinthians 15 and verses 5111900:06:22,899 –> 00:06:24,739That was read to us12000:06:24,739 –> 00:06:27,820Behold I tell you a mystery12100:06:27,820 –> 00:06:29,040We shall not all sleep12200:06:29,040 –> 00:06:31,700And we shall all be changed12300:06:31,700 –> 00:06:33,399In a moment in a twinkling of an eye12400:06:33,399 –> 00:06:34,679At the last trumpet for the12500:06:34,679 –> 00:06:35,779Trumpet will sound12600:06:35,779 –> 00:06:37,799And the dead will be raised imperishable12700:06:37,799 –> 00:06:43,239And we shall be changed12800:06:43,239 –> 00:06:44,239And when Christ comes12900:06:44,239 –> 00:06:45,640The transformation of the body13000:06:45,640 –> 00:06:48,160That you have now into the body13100:06:48,260 –> 00:06:49,119That you will have then13200:06:49,119 –> 00:06:52,320Will be instantaneous13300:06:52,320 –> 00:06:53,440And all believers will13400:06:53,440 –> 00:06:55,420Receive this most marvellous gift13500:06:55,420 –> 00:06:59,079At the same time13600:06:59,079 –> 00:07:01,339Those who are with the Lord receiving it13700:07:01,339 –> 00:07:02,339Those who are alive13800:07:02,339 –> 00:07:03,339And caught up to meet with13900:07:03,339 –> 00:07:05,299The Lord receiving it14000:07:05,299 –> 00:07:07,679And are meeting with the Lord14100:07:07,679 –> 00:07:09,260And being brought, later,14200:07:09,260 –> 00:07:12,000Into all of the new creation14300:07:12,000 –> 00:07:13,000That He has for us14400:07:13,000 –> 00:07:15,600Galorious, glorious prospects14500:07:15,739 –> 00:07:16,739That lie ahead14600:07:16,739 –> 00:07:19,980For all of the people of God14700:08:45,599 –> 00:08:46,900It’s all rejected14800:08:46,900 –> 00:08:52,640What is raised is imperishable14900:08:52,640 –> 00:08:53,739Now think about this15000:08:53,739 –> 00:08:59,039Lazarus was raised from the dead15100:08:59,039 –> 00:09:01,940but he came back in the same body15200:09:01,940 –> 00:09:04,479when he came out of the tomb15300:09:04,479 –> 00:09:06,219Which meant, I mean, poor Lazarus15400:09:06,219 –> 00:09:07,419that he would have had to go through15500:09:07,419 –> 00:09:11,700the whole miserable business of dying all over again15600:09:11,700 –> 00:09:15,320You feel sorry for him almost, don’t you?15700:09:15,700 –> 00:09:19,059But Jesus rose into the power of an endless life15800:09:19,059 –> 00:09:21,719that’s Hebrews 7 and verse 1615900:09:21,719 –> 00:09:24,599And your resurrection body will be like His16000:09:24,599 –> 00:09:28,159It will be a body that will never die16100:09:28,159 –> 00:09:30,580Your resurrection body will never age16200:09:30,580 –> 00:09:32,640It will never decline16300:09:32,640 –> 00:09:37,280It will never be in reduced energy16400:09:37,280 –> 00:09:39,820We don’t want the old perishable body back16500:09:39,820 –> 00:09:43,140We want the upgrade, isn’t that right?16600:09:43,140 –> 00:09:45,260Second, it will be glorious16700:09:45,260 –> 00:09:49,039It is sown in dishonour16800:09:49,039 –> 00:09:52,820It is raised in glory16900:09:52,820 –> 00:09:54,739Think about the face of Moses17000:09:54,739 –> 00:09:56,799When he came down from the mountain17100:09:56,799 –> 00:09:58,760It was glowing17200:09:58,760 –> 00:09:59,679And why was it glowing?17300:09:59,679 –> 00:10:03,400Because he had been in the immediate presence of God17400:10:03,400 –> 00:10:04,460His face shone17500:10:04,460 –> 00:10:06,460There was a radiance about him17600:10:06,460 –> 00:10:09,520And you will be in the immediate presence of the Lord17700:10:09,520 –> 00:10:11,000The Lord will be with His people17800:10:11,000 –> 00:10:11,979He will be their God17900:10:12,099 –> 00:10:15,359They are His18000:10:15,359 –> 00:10:19,260And then think about the transfiguration of Jesus18100:10:19,260 –> 00:10:21,840He goes up the mountain with Peter and James and John18200:10:21,840 –> 00:10:25,440And their faith is strengthened just before the cross18300:10:25,440 –> 00:10:26,859with this kind of preview18400:10:26,859 –> 00:10:30,380of the glory that is in Jesus18500:10:30,380 –> 00:10:31,760that will soon be revealed18600:10:34,260 –> 00:10:37,219In the one case you have got Moses’ face glowing18700:10:37,219 –> 00:10:39,219because he’s in the presence of the glory18800:10:39,219 –> 00:10:40,739In transfiguration…18900:10:40,859 –> 00:10:43,599you have the glory actually being in Jesus19000:10:45,000 –> 00:10:46,840Both will be true if you as a believer19100:10:46,840 –> 00:10:47,840in the resurrection body19200:10:47,840 –> 00:10:49,159you will be in the presence of19300:10:49,159 –> 00:10:52,099the incomparable glory of the Lord19400:10:52,099 –> 00:10:54,640And because you will not only have a Resurrection body19500:10:54,640 –> 00:10:56,479but a Glorified body19600:10:56,479 –> 00:10:59,679there will be a radiance19700:10:59,679 –> 00:11:04,280about your inner and outer life19800:11:04,280 –> 00:11:05,719Third19900:11:05,719 –> 00:11:07,919Powerful20000:11:08,119 –> 00:11:10,359The body is sown in weakness20100:11:11,460 –> 00:11:14,900it is raised in power20200:11:14,900 –> 00:11:15,960I love this20300:11:16,739 –> 00:11:18,140One writer says20400:11:18,140 –> 00:11:19,539The Resurrection body is going to have20500:11:19,539 –> 00:11:20,539more energy20600:11:20,539 –> 00:11:21,960more physical capability20700:11:21,960 –> 00:11:22,960more stamina20800:11:22,960 –> 00:11:24,900more athleticism20900:11:24,900 –> 00:11:25,960more speed21000:11:25,960 –> 00:11:27,200more coordination21100:11:27,200 –> 00:11:28,580more durability21200:11:28,580 –> 00:11:30,299than it ever had before21300:11:30,299 –> 00:11:32,919because we’re not going to need the body less21400:11:32,919 –> 00:11:34,280we’re going to need it more21500:11:34,280 –> 00:11:36,340and we’re going to use it more21600:11:36,539 –> 00:11:38,500My heart has just been thrilled21700:11:38,500 –> 00:11:40,000reflecting and praying21800:11:40,000 –> 00:11:42,340thinking about what this means21900:11:42,340 –> 00:11:43,640for our friends22000:11:43,640 –> 00:11:46,940who have been restricted to wheelchairs22100:11:46,940 –> 00:11:48,739have physical challenges22200:11:48,739 –> 00:11:52,380that have restricted their lives in this world22300:11:52,380 –> 00:11:54,159Think of the words of Jesus22400:11:54,159 –> 00:11:55,159being fulfilled22500:11:55,159 –> 00:11:58,799The blind will see22600:11:58,799 –> 00:12:01,520and the deaf will hear22700:12:01,520 –> 00:12:05,359and the lame will walk22800:12:05,380 –> 00:12:07,359And the Garden of Eden22900:12:07,359 –> 00:12:08,419there at the beginning23000:12:08,419 –> 00:12:12,700it offered all of the scope23100:12:12,700 –> 00:12:14,359for the pursuit of art23200:12:14,359 –> 00:12:16,000and the pursuit of science23300:12:16,000 –> 00:12:18,039and the pursuit of technology23400:12:18,039 –> 00:12:19,179and the same, of course,23500:12:19,179 –> 00:12:22,880will be true in the world to come23600:12:22,880 –> 00:12:24,640The last one is godly23700:12:24,640 –> 00:12:27,900It is sown a natural body23800:12:27,900 –> 00:12:30,460It is raised a spiritual body23900:12:30,460 –> 00:12:32,840And the reason I use the word godly here24000:12:32,840 –> 00:12:34,299is because the word spiritual24100:12:34,299 –> 00:12:35,659in this verse is a word24200:12:35,659 –> 00:12:37,320that has often been misunderstood24300:12:37,320 –> 00:12:39,640and has led to all kinds of confusion24400:12:39,640 –> 00:12:41,619along the lines of dematerialising24500:12:41,619 –> 00:12:42,880and rematerialising24600:12:42,880 –> 00:12:44,099People say a spiritual body24700:12:44,099 –> 00:12:45,080what is that?24800:12:45,080 –> 00:12:47,179No, but it doesn’t sound like a body24900:12:47,179 –> 00:12:49,200in which you could go bungy jumping25000:12:49,200 –> 00:12:50,260or snorkelling25100:12:50,260 –> 00:12:51,260or snowboarding25200:12:51,260 –> 00:12:53,580or anything that might really be enjoyable25300:12:53,580 –> 00:12:54,580Listen!25400:12:54,580 –> 00:12:59,299Here’s what a spiritual body is25500:12:59,299 –> 00:13:01,219When Paul speaks about a spiritual body25600:13:01,219 –> 00:13:04,700he is speaking about a body25700:13:04,700 –> 00:13:08,440that is fully responsive to the Holy Spirit25800:13:08,440 –> 00:13:11,200That’s how the word spiritual is used25900:13:11,200 –> 00:13:12,200in Paul’s writings26000:13:12,200 –> 00:13:13,919and I won’t go into all of the detail of that26100:13:13,919 –> 00:13:17,460But when Paul talks about a spiritual body26200:13:17,460 –> 00:13:18,460he’s not talking about something26300:13:18,460 –> 00:13:19,460that is not material26400:13:19,460 –> 00:13:20,460because that would be26500:13:20,460 –> 00:13:21,460in opposition to what Jesus said26600:13:21,460 –> 00:13:23,020flesh and bones26700:13:23,020 –> 00:13:25,000and when Paul speaks about a spiritual body26800:13:25,000 –> 00:13:26,739he, this is the most marvelous thing of all26900:13:27,039 –> 00:13:31,039a body that is finally27000:13:31,039 –> 00:13:34,179Fully responsive to the Holy Spirit27100:13:34,179 –> 00:13:35,719What a marvelous thought this is27200:13:35,719 –> 00:13:37,479You will never see in the new heaven27300:13:37,479 –> 00:13:38,440and the new earth27400:13:38,440 –> 00:13:39,679the spirit is willing27500:13:39,679 –> 00:13:41,140but the flesh is weak27600:13:41,140 –> 00:13:42,539All of that will be behind you27700:13:42,539 –> 00:13:44,260No, the resurrection body27800:13:44,260 –> 00:13:46,539will be as eager to do the will of God27900:13:46,539 –> 00:13:50,299as your redeemed spirit is28000:13:50,299 –> 00:13:52,140So here’s what you have to look forward to28100:13:52,140 –> 00:13:54,840in the new heaven and in the new earth28200:13:55,000 –> 00:13:57,580A body that is adapted to life forever28300:13:57,580 –> 00:13:59,400and will never decline28400:13:59,400 –> 00:14:01,460A body that is glorious28500:14:01,460 –> 00:14:03,340A body that is powerful28600:14:03,340 –> 00:14:05,979And a body that is fully responsive28700:14:05,979 –> 00:14:10,440at last to the Holy Spirit28800:14:11,960 –> 00:14:16,159Lastly four conclusions28900:14:16,159 –> 00:14:18,260Number one29000:14:18,260 –> 00:14:21,479Recognize that you are wholly owned29100:14:21,479 –> 00:14:24,099by Jesus Christ29200:14:24,119 –> 00:14:27,039I think he won Corinthians 629300:14:27,039 –> 00:14:31,400You are not your own, Paul says to believers29400:14:31,400 –> 00:14:34,979Because you were bought with a price29500:14:34,979 –> 00:14:40,679So glorify God in your body29600:14:40,679 –> 00:14:44,419He made you soul and body29700:14:44,419 –> 00:14:48,700He redeemed you soul and body29800:14:48,700 –> 00:14:50,799He paid the price not to save a bit of you29900:14:50,859 –> 00:14:54,559He paid the full price to save the whole of you30000:14:54,559 –> 00:14:58,760And the resurrection has its root in that most marvelous truth30100:14:58,760 –> 00:15:05,760That means that He owns you soul and body30200:15:05,760 –> 00:15:11,159That means Christ reigns not only over your heart30300:15:11,159 –> 00:15:13,359But over your life30400:15:13,359 –> 00:15:18,119It means that He has the right to determine where you will live and what you will do30500:15:18,119 –> 00:15:22,940The fact that He has bought all of you with His own blood30600:15:22,940 –> 00:15:27,099Means that over every part of your life30700:15:27,099 –> 00:15:30,059Material, spiritual, whatever it is30800:15:30,059 –> 00:15:34,299Jesus Christ by right says, mine30900:15:34,299 –> 00:15:37,200Mine, you’re not your own31000:15:37,200 –> 00:15:42,059Your life is His to spend in whatever way He chooses31100:15:42,059 –> 00:15:44,159That’s fundamental to what it means to be a Christian31200:15:44,219 –> 00:15:48,940Second, in the light of this great truth31300:15:48,940 –> 00:15:50,260Be done with everything31400:15:50,260 –> 00:15:53,619that defiles either your body or your soul31500:15:53,619 –> 00:15:56,539This is 2n Corinthians chapter 731600:15:56,539 –> 00:15:59,979in verse 1, since we have these promises31700:15:59,979 –> 00:16:03,659In other words, in the light of the glorious promise31800:16:03,659 –> 00:16:05,460Of the resurrection that lies ahead of us31900:16:05,460 –> 00:16:06,500What should we do?32000:16:06,500 –> 00:16:11,280Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of body32100:16:12,200 –> 00:16:16,580And of spirit, bringing holiness to completion32200:16:16,580 –> 00:16:17,880In the fear of the Lord32300:16:17,880 –> 00:16:19,219Did you notice that, by the way32400:16:19,219 –> 00:16:21,820Since we have these promises32500:16:23,659 –> 00:16:25,260Not since we have these rules32600:16:25,260 –> 00:16:27,179Though Paul could have said that32700:16:27,179 –> 00:16:29,419That for God to command is enough32800:16:30,599 –> 00:16:33,059But what he’s bringing is motive32900:16:33,059 –> 00:16:35,219And he’s bringing a higher motive33000:16:35,219 –> 00:16:37,119Even than the law of God33100:16:37,119 –> 00:16:40,940In terms of the weight it carries in the human soul33200:16:41,820 –> 00:16:44,099And he says since we have these promises33300:16:44,099 –> 00:16:46,659Since you have as a believer33400:16:46,659 –> 00:16:51,059A glorious future for your body33500:16:51,059 –> 00:16:53,099As well as your soul33600:16:53,940 –> 00:16:56,140Well, that’s the reason to cleanse yourself33700:16:56,140 –> 00:16:58,840Of everything that defiles33800:16:59,840 –> 00:17:03,119You have a glorious future for your mind33900:17:03,119 –> 00:17:05,219So use your mind in a way that glorifies God34000:17:05,219 –> 00:17:07,119Don’t pollute your mind34100:17:07,119 –> 00:17:09,680Fill your mind with what pleases God34200:17:09,680 –> 00:17:11,140And the same is true for your body34300:17:11,140 –> 00:17:12,180That’s what he’s saying34400:17:12,180 –> 00:17:14,719Don’t use your body as an instrument for sin34500:17:14,719 –> 00:17:16,760That’s Romans chapter 6 and verse 1234600:17:16,760 –> 00:17:19,319Do not use your eyes and your ears and your hand34700:17:19,319 –> 00:17:23,140And your tongue in ways that honor Christ34800:17:23,140 –> 00:17:24,920Do not defile your own body34900:17:24,920 –> 00:17:28,160Because Christ died to redeem it35000:17:28,160 –> 00:17:32,839And there’s a glorious future for your resurrected body35100:17:32,839 –> 00:17:35,800As a servant of God for ever and forever35200:17:35,800 –> 00:17:36,800Number 3.35300:17:36,800 –> 00:17:38,479Offer your whole self to God35400:17:38,640 –> 00:17:40,800This is Romans chapter 12 and verse 135500:17:40,800 –> 00:17:44,280I appeal to you, therefore, brothers35600:17:44,280 –> 00:17:46,540By the mercies of God in the light of all this35700:17:46,540 –> 00:17:49,880I appeal to you to present your bodies35800:17:49,880 –> 00:17:53,920As a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable to God35900:17:53,920 –> 00:17:56,319Which is your spiritual worship36000:17:57,979 –> 00:17:59,920It was very common in church circles36100:17:59,920 –> 00:18:02,819For us to talk about giving Jesus your heart36200:18:04,880 –> 00:18:06,739We understand what is meant by that36300:18:08,959 –> 00:18:11,359But why in the world would it only be your heart?36400:18:13,479 –> 00:18:14,760What about your body?36500:18:15,959 –> 00:18:19,699It’s not enough to say oh, his heart was in the right place36600:18:19,699 –> 00:18:21,599God wants more than your heart36700:18:23,119 –> 00:18:24,439Present your bodies, why?36800:18:24,439 –> 00:18:28,060Because the body is what gives you the capacity to act36900:18:28,060 –> 00:18:29,160What He’s saying is this37000:18:29,160 –> 00:18:31,040Spend your strength37100:18:31,920 –> 00:18:33,959Spend your life37200:18:34,839 –> 00:18:37,280Spend all that you are and all that you have37300:18:37,300 –> 00:18:38,819and the honoring of Jesus Christ37400:18:38,819 –> 00:18:41,800Let it be one great sacrifice of worship37500:18:42,540 –> 00:18:45,300Here’s one of the great truths about the Resurrection Body37600:18:45,319 –> 00:18:48,239or great applications of the Resurrection Body37700:18:48,239 –> 00:18:53,859Folks, it means you don’t have to worry any more about your bucket list37800:18:56,099 –> 00:18:57,859In fact, think about this37900:18:57,859 –> 00:19:00,099You as a Christian, if you really believe this38000:19:00,099 –> 00:19:02,660you can afford to live sacrificially38100:19:04,060 –> 00:19:06,119You can afford to lay down your life38200:19:06,939 –> 00:19:10,300The New Earth will be better than the one we have now38300:19:10,300 –> 00:19:13,439The Resurrection Body will be better than the body you have now38400:19:13,439 –> 00:19:19,260and you will have forever to savour the pleasures that God has in store for you38500:19:20,560 –> 00:19:22,859The last application is this38600:19:22,859 –> 00:19:26,439and it’s right from the conclusion of the verses that we read38700:19:26,719 –> 00:19:31,300Therefore never give way to discouragement38800:19:31,300 –> 00:19:34,939and this comes right out of all that Paul says about the Resurrection Body38900:19:34,979 –> 00:19:37,0001 Corinthians 15 5839000:19:37,000 –> 00:19:44,140Therefore my brothers, be steadfast, immovable,39100:19:44,140 –> 00:19:52,719always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that, in the Lord, your labour39200:19:52,719 –> 00:19:57,660i.e. your hard work, your sweat, your graft, your sticking at it39300:19:57,660 –> 00:20:01,599your grit and your teeth and enduring stuff that’s not easy39400:20:02,319 –> 00:20:07,060knowing that, in the Lord, your labour is not in vain.39500:20:07,060 –> 00:20:09,699How do you know that?39600:20:09,699 –> 00:20:12,520You know that because soon you will savour the joys39700:20:12,520 –> 00:20:17,900of life in the resurrection body Soon your struggles with sin are going39800:20:17,900 –> 00:20:23,000to be over So fight your best warfare against it now39900:20:23,000 –> 00:20:27,680Soon the weariness that comes with being stretched to the limit40000:20:28,079 –> 00:20:38,420In serving will be a thing of the past because you are pressing forward towards the resurrection40100:20:38,439 –> 00:20:44,420So keep giving yourself fully to everything that God is calling you to do40200:20:44,420 –> 00:20:49,579do it with joy And do it knowing that if even a cup of cold40300:20:49,579 –> 00:20:54,920water will not go without its reward, you can be absolutely certain that a life laid40400:20:54,920 –> 00:21:01,119down in service for Jesus can never, never, never be in vain40500:22:25,119 –> 00:22:34,199Well, it would be that when God draws near He comes to give us what we do not have.40600:22:34,859 –> 00:22:36,800That’s the message of grace.40700:22:36,800 –> 00:22:39,900And it’s the greatest good news in all of the world.40800:22:39,900 –> 00:22:46,699C.H. Spurgeon used to tell a story about a pastor who took money one day to an old lady40900:22:46,699 –> 00:22:49,500who was in great need.41000:22:49,500 –> 00:22:54,479And he knocked on the door and she didn’t answer and eventually the pastor went home.41100:22:54,680 –> 00:23:00,300He saw her the next Sunday and he said, well, I came with a gift to your home.41200:23:00,300 –> 00:23:02,660And she said, oh, when did you come?41300:23:02,660 –> 00:23:07,680And he told her and she said, oh, I heard you knock on the door, but I didn’t open the41400:23:07,680 –> 00:23:12,699door because I thought you were the man coming to collect the rent.41500:23:12,699 –> 00:23:16,459Now, you see, I think that that’s where many people are.41600:23:16,459 –> 00:23:21,619They have this idea that if God draws near, He’s calling for the rent.41700:23:21,619 –> 00:23:24,260He’s coming to demand something from us.41800:23:24,260 –> 00:23:31,239There are millions of people who have never understood grace and their whole idea of Christianity41900:23:31,239 –> 00:23:34,540is that they’re going to be told what they need to do and what they need to be and they42000:23:34,540 –> 00:23:37,880don’t have either the desire or the ability to do it.42100:23:37,880 –> 00:23:42,839And the story of the thief on the cross just blows that out of the water.42200:23:42,839 –> 00:23:48,020Here’s this person who has not lived a life that has been pleasing to God at all, and42300:23:48,020 –> 00:23:53,459instead of coming with a demand, the Lord Jesus Christ gives the most marvelous gift.42400:23:53,599 –> 00:23:57,579He opens heaven for this man who believes.42500:23:57,579 –> 00:24:04,599So here’s an opportunity with a graphic novel, a simple pictorial presentation of this marvellous42600:24:04,599 –> 00:24:07,420story of God’s compelling grace.42700:24:07,420 –> 00:24:09,199You could put it into people’s hands.42800:24:09,199 –> 00:24:15,160We’d love to see this graphic novel getting into the hands of as many people as possible,42900:24:15,160 –> 00:24:18,239people who need to understand grace.43000:24:18,280 –> 00:24:24,400A younger person in your family, someone who is trying to live a good life but really hasn’t43100:24:24,400 –> 00:24:27,020understood the heart of the gospel.43200:24:27,020 –> 00:24:32,239You could be the means of getting a simple presentation of God’s grace into their hands.43300:24:32,239 –> 00:24:37,000We’d love to encourage you to do that and hope that this graphic novel will be useful43400:24:37,000 –> 00:24:38,640to you in that regard.43500:24:38,640 –> 00:24:43,060Well we’d love to send you two copies of this graphic novel, Heaven How I Got Here, The43600:24:43,060 –> 00:24:49,380Story of the Thief on the Cross, along with an NIV outreach Bible, ideal to give away43700:24:49,380 –> 00:24:52,599to friends and family this Easter.43800:24:52,599 –> 00:24:58,979Full details, terms and conditions on our website openingible.org.uk and you can give43900:24:58,979 –> 00:25:00,119online.44000:25:00,119 –> 00:25:04,500But if you do give online don’t forget to leave your full name and address so we can44100:25:04,500 –> 00:25:07,579send you the Easter giveaway bundle.44200:25:07,579 –> 00:25:11,900For Pastor Colin Smith and Open The Bible, I’m David Pick and I hope you’ll join us again44300:25:11,979 –> 00:25:13,020next time.44400:25:20,339 –> 00:25:25,699Here the story of the godly leader who almost lost his faith, and discover how God turned44500:25:25,699 –> 00:25:26,939him round.44600:25:26,939 –> 00:25:28,859That’s next time on Open the Bible.