1 00:00:00,420 –> 00:00:03,420 Now what we have been learning in these last weeks 2 00:00:03,420 –> 00:00:05,920 is that every person who has ever lived 3 00:00:05,920 –> 00:00:09,060 will eventually die in one of two ways. 4 00:00:09,060 –> 00:00:11,860 Either you will die in your sins 5 00:00:11,860 –> 00:00:14,140 or you will die in the Lord. 6 00:00:14,140 –> 00:00:17,320 We have seen that there is an incalculable difference 7 00:00:17,320 –> 00:00:19,559 between these two things. 8 00:00:19,559 –> 00:00:22,520 Last week we looked at what lies immediately 9 00:00:22,520 –> 00:00:26,340 the other side of death for a Christian believer. 10 00:00:26,340 –> 00:00:30,080 We saw that the death is the separation of the soul 11 00:00:30,080 –> 00:00:33,020 from the body, a temporary separation. 12 00:00:33,020 –> 00:00:34,660 It’s as if Solomon says, 13 00:00:34,660 –> 00:00:37,840 the silver cord that joins your soul to your body 14 00:00:37,840 –> 00:00:39,340 has been cut. 15 00:00:39,340 –> 00:00:41,720 Your body will lie in the grave. 16 00:00:41,720 –> 00:00:44,720 Your soul is going to be immediately, consciously 17 00:00:44,720 –> 00:00:46,200 at home with the Lord, 18 00:00:46,200 –> 00:00:48,959 enjoying the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. 19 00:00:48,959 –> 00:00:50,619 But also we saw last week 20 00:00:50,619 –> 00:00:54,939 waiting for the day of the resurrection. 21 00:00:54,939 –> 00:00:56,419 And that is our focus today 22 00:00:56,419 –> 00:00:58,060 and I hope you will have your Bible open 23 00:00:58,060 –> 00:01:00,820 at I Corinthians and Chapter 15 24 00:01:00,820 –> 00:01:05,139 as we look at this marvelous, marvelous subject together. 25 00:01:05,139 –> 00:01:08,660 Now we begin at verse 52 where Paul is describing 26 00:01:08,660 –> 00:01:11,879 the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 00:01:11,879 –> 00:01:15,059 For those who are new to church and new to Christianity, 28 00:01:15,059 –> 00:01:17,139 what you need to know about the Lord Jesus 29 00:01:17,139 –> 00:01:20,940 is that he was born in great humility in a manger. 30 00:01:20,959 –> 00:01:25,419 He was crucified in weakness on a cross, 31 00:01:25,419 –> 00:01:28,980 but he was raised on the third day in power 32 00:01:28,980 –> 00:01:33,980 and he is coming, the Bible says, again one day in glory. 33 00:01:34,500 –> 00:01:37,139 And we’re told about that day in verse 52 34 00:01:37,139 –> 00:01:38,800 when we read these words. 35 00:01:51,639 –> 00:01:54,580 Now in another scripture in 1st Thessalonians 36 00:01:54,580 –> 00:01:57,680 in chapter four, Paul tells us 37 00:01:57,680 –> 00:02:01,139 that when Jesus returns he will bring the souls 38 00:02:01,139 –> 00:02:03,540 of believers who have died with him. 39 00:02:03,540 –> 00:02:06,059 They’re already with the Lord and so it makes sense, 40 00:02:06,059 –> 00:02:08,839 doesn’t it, that when he comes he brings the souls 41 00:02:08,839 –> 00:02:11,699 of those who have already died with him. 42 00:02:11,699 –> 00:02:13,880 But at that time the Bible is telling us 43 00:02:13,880 –> 00:02:15,860 the dead will be raised. 44 00:02:15,860 –> 00:02:19,580 In other words, the souls that are with Jesus now 45 00:02:19,619 –> 00:02:23,860 will receive the gift of the resurrection body then. 46 00:02:24,839 –> 00:02:27,539 And of course when Jesus comes again in glory 47 00:02:27,539 –> 00:02:32,220 at a future date, but a date already known to God, 48 00:02:32,220 –> 00:02:35,539 there will be Christian believers who are still living. 49 00:02:35,539 –> 00:02:37,619 And for these believers who are still living 50 00:02:37,619 –> 00:02:39,460 when the Lord Jesus returns, 51 00:02:39,460 –> 00:02:41,300 there will be this marvelous privilege 52 00:02:41,300 –> 00:02:43,360 of bypassing death altogether 53 00:02:43,360 –> 00:02:44,839 and instead of going through it 54 00:02:44,839 –> 00:02:46,740 and waiting as those who have died 55 00:02:46,740 –> 00:02:48,300 for the resurrection body, 56 00:02:48,300 –> 00:02:51,059 those who are still alive will be transformed 57 00:02:51,059 –> 00:02:53,759 instantaneously at that moment. 58 00:02:53,759 –> 00:02:57,000 And that is why Paul says here in verse 51, 59 00:02:57,000 –> 00:03:00,039 we shall not all sleep, 60 00:03:00,039 –> 00:03:01,699 not every Christian will die, 61 00:03:01,699 –> 00:03:03,960 those who are still living when Christ returns, 62 00:03:03,960 –> 00:03:05,300 they will not pass through death, 63 00:03:05,300 –> 00:03:08,500 but we shall all be changed. 64 00:03:08,500 –> 00:03:12,339 And again, in 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul puts it this way, 65 00:03:12,339 –> 00:03:14,500 we who are alive and are left, 66 00:03:14,500 –> 00:03:16,619 that’s at the time of the Lord’s coming, 67 00:03:16,639 –> 00:03:19,440 we will be caught up with them, 68 00:03:19,440 –> 00:03:21,720 that is with those who come with Jesus, 69 00:03:21,720 –> 00:03:25,000 in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, 70 00:03:25,000 –> 00:03:28,240 and so we shall be forever with the Lord. 71 00:03:28,240 –> 00:03:30,339 These are wonderful things. 72 00:03:30,339 –> 00:03:34,679 When as a Christian, faith unites you with Jesus, 73 00:03:34,679 –> 00:03:36,740 you are one with Him in His death, 74 00:03:36,740 –> 00:03:38,880 you’re no longer the person you were, 75 00:03:38,880 –> 00:03:41,479 you’re one with Him in His resurrection, 76 00:03:41,479 –> 00:03:44,460 you have a new life in you by the Holy Spirit, 77 00:03:44,720 –> 00:03:48,320 and you will one day be one with Him in His ascension. 78 00:03:48,320 –> 00:03:52,000 Jesus ascended and believers will ascend with Him, 79 00:03:52,000 –> 00:03:55,119 we will meet the Lord in the air when He comes, 80 00:03:55,119 –> 00:03:56,919 that is what the scripture says. 81 00:03:56,919 –> 00:03:59,679 And those who have died before that time 82 00:03:59,679 –> 00:04:02,880 will be with the Lord and part of that great gathering, 83 00:04:02,880 –> 00:04:06,520 and it is at that time that the resurrection body 84 00:04:06,520 –> 00:04:09,720 will be the gift of God to every believer 85 00:04:09,720 –> 00:04:13,440 and what a day that will be. 86 00:04:13,820 –> 00:04:16,160 Folks I want to focus in on three aspects 87 00:04:16,160 –> 00:04:19,200 of this vast, vast subject. 88 00:04:19,200 –> 00:04:21,559 The first is I want us to see clearly 89 00:04:21,559 –> 00:04:26,559 how Jesus has changed the face of death for His people, 90 00:04:26,619 –> 00:04:29,440 Jesus has changed death. 91 00:04:29,440 –> 00:04:33,359 Second, I want us to look at what God has told us 92 00:04:33,359 –> 00:04:35,459 about the resurrection body. 93 00:04:36,320 –> 00:04:38,720 Now there are many things we don’t know, 94 00:04:38,720 –> 00:04:41,019 but there are some things we do know. 95 00:04:41,040 –> 00:04:43,579 And the things we do know, God has given to us 96 00:04:43,579 –> 00:04:47,359 for our joy, our encouragement, our hope and our comfort. 97 00:04:47,359 –> 00:04:49,100 And we need to know what they are. 98 00:04:49,100 –> 00:04:51,140 And we need to build them into those things 99 00:04:51,140 –> 00:04:53,059 that we deeply believe. 100 00:04:53,059 –> 00:04:54,619 And then thirdly, I want to come 101 00:04:54,619 –> 00:04:57,100 to the most practical question of all. 102 00:04:57,100 –> 00:05:00,519 What will the resurrection mean for you? 103 00:05:01,660 –> 00:05:05,660 Jesus makes it very clear that this day is coming 104 00:05:05,660 –> 00:05:07,940 and every person who has ever lived 105 00:05:08,000 –> 00:05:12,019 will participate in the day of resurrection. 106 00:05:12,019 –> 00:05:15,440 What will that day mean for you, 107 00:05:15,440 –> 00:05:18,839 cannot imagine a question of greater importance 108 00:05:18,839 –> 00:05:22,540 for us to consider together today. 109 00:05:22,540 –> 00:05:23,619 So these three things. 110 00:05:23,619 –> 00:05:24,600 Let’s begin here then. 111 00:05:24,600 –> 00:05:26,980 How Christ has changed the face of death 112 00:05:26,980 –> 00:05:29,859 for those who believe, for his own people. 113 00:05:29,859 –> 00:05:31,739 Look at verse 54. 114 00:05:31,739 –> 00:05:35,279 When the perishable puts on the imperishable 115 00:05:35,540 –> 00:05:38,640 and the mortal puts on immortality, 116 00:05:38,640 –> 00:05:42,079 then shall come to pass the saying that is written, 117 00:05:42,079 –> 00:05:43,839 will you say it with me, please? 118 00:05:43,839 –> 00:05:47,200 Death is swallowed up in victory. 119 00:05:47,200 –> 00:05:48,440 Say it with me more strongly. 120 00:05:48,440 –> 00:05:50,540 We’ll say it more strongly one day. 121 00:05:50,540 –> 00:05:54,380 Death is swallowed up in victory. 122 00:05:54,380 –> 00:05:57,140 There’s a day coming when all of us will see this 123 00:05:57,140 –> 00:05:59,519 because we’re experiencing it 124 00:05:59,519 –> 00:06:02,119 because in the glory of Christ return 125 00:06:02,119 –> 00:06:04,399 the perishable puts on imperishable 126 00:06:04,399 –> 00:06:06,359 and then it will come true. 127 00:06:06,359 –> 00:06:08,760 Death is swallowed up with victory. 128 00:06:08,760 –> 00:06:10,559 Now let’s think about that wonderful phrase. 129 00:06:10,559 –> 00:06:12,940 Death is swallowed up. 130 00:06:12,940 –> 00:06:14,200 I love that. 131 00:06:14,200 –> 00:06:15,040 In victory. 132 00:06:16,420 –> 00:06:19,279 And you see, death itself 133 00:06:19,279 –> 00:06:20,980 is the great devourer, isn’t it? 134 00:06:22,160 –> 00:06:24,799 Death swallows up the human race 135 00:06:24,799 –> 00:06:26,220 one person at a time. 136 00:06:27,079 –> 00:06:29,739 It doesn’t matter what culture you come from, 137 00:06:29,739 –> 00:06:32,559 it doesn’t matter what religion you are, 138 00:06:32,559 –> 00:06:35,059 it doesn’t matter how rich you are 139 00:06:35,059 –> 00:06:36,359 or how poor you are, 140 00:06:36,359 –> 00:06:39,239 death is the devourer, one by one, 141 00:06:39,239 –> 00:06:42,799 of every member of the human race. 142 00:06:42,799 –> 00:06:45,720 It swallows us up, 143 00:06:47,200 –> 00:06:48,760 and here we are being told. 144 00:06:48,760 –> 00:06:50,920 It is an amazing phrase just to think about, 145 00:06:50,920 –> 00:06:53,079 that death, the great devourer, 146 00:06:53,079 –> 00:06:55,959 is itself going to be swallowed up 147 00:06:55,959 –> 00:06:58,540 in victory through Jesus Christ. 148 00:06:59,640 –> 00:07:01,980 Now, let’s think about what this means. 149 00:07:02,880 –> 00:07:07,160 Death, the old grim reaper. 150 00:07:08,920 –> 00:07:10,160 Think of it this way. 151 00:07:11,200 –> 00:07:14,880 Death has two henchmen, 152 00:07:14,880 –> 00:07:16,779 two awful henchmen, 153 00:07:16,779 –> 00:07:18,480 who worked together with death 154 00:07:18,480 –> 00:07:22,679 in a miserable dark Triumvirate, 155 00:07:22,679 –> 00:07:24,339 and they bring a triple threat. 156 00:07:25,399 –> 00:07:27,079 Who are Death’s henchmen? 157 00:07:27,079 –> 00:07:28,839 Well, they’re both mentioned here. 158 00:07:28,839 –> 00:07:30,600 One is called Sin. 159 00:07:30,600 –> 00:07:31,420 Do you see that? 160 00:07:31,420 –> 00:07:34,579 The sting of death is Sin. 161 00:07:34,579 –> 00:07:36,859 And the other is called Law. 162 00:07:36,859 –> 00:07:40,619 The power of Sin is the Law. 163 00:07:40,619 –> 00:07:42,140 And, in the scripture, 164 00:07:42,140 –> 00:07:43,559 these three are linked together 165 00:07:43,559 –> 00:07:45,359 because they operate together, 166 00:07:45,359 –> 00:07:49,619 and because of their coalition together, 167 00:07:49,619 –> 00:07:52,739 they are such a fearsome enemy, think of it. 168 00:07:52,739 –> 00:07:56,040 Law is a demand that we cannot meet. 169 00:07:56,980 –> 00:08:01,079 Sin is a stain that we cannot remove, 170 00:08:01,079 –> 00:08:06,000 and death is an outcome that we cannot avoid. 171 00:08:06,000 –> 00:08:08,239 And it is the combination of these three, 172 00:08:08,239 –> 00:08:10,200 death with Sin and Law, 173 00:08:10,200 –> 00:08:12,839 that makes death such a fearsome enemy. 174 00:08:12,839 –> 00:08:13,980 See, I’ve spoken to folks, 175 00:08:13,980 –> 00:08:15,279 and you’ve spoken to folks too, 176 00:08:15,279 –> 00:08:16,880 I’m sure, who will say, 177 00:08:16,880 –> 00:08:19,040 Hey, death’s no big deal. 178 00:08:19,040 –> 00:08:21,100 They’ll say, you know, you live your life, 179 00:08:21,100 –> 00:08:23,079 life your life to the full and then you die. 180 00:08:23,079 –> 00:08:25,399 And they’ll say, help me with this phrase, 181 00:08:25,399 –> 00:08:28,179 When you’re gone, you’re gone. 182 00:08:28,179 –> 00:08:30,640 You see, you’ve heard people say that. 183 00:08:30,640 –> 00:08:32,900 And so, they’re saying, Hey, death is no big deal, 184 00:08:32,900 –> 00:08:35,619 but what they forget is death’s henchmen. 185 00:08:36,619 –> 00:08:41,520 If death were simply the end of life, no big deal. 186 00:08:41,520 –> 00:08:43,320 But here’s the sting of death. 187 00:08:43,320 –> 00:08:45,260 Here’s why death is a problem. 188 00:08:45,260 –> 00:08:49,460 The sting of death is Sin, Paul says. 189 00:08:49,460 –> 00:08:50,900 That’s why it is a problem. 190 00:08:50,900 –> 00:08:52,440 That’s why it is a big deal. 191 00:08:53,679 –> 00:08:56,539 And you say well, our church is always going on about sin. 192 00:08:56,539 –> 00:08:57,880 Why is sin such a big deal? 193 00:08:57,880 –> 00:08:59,500 Well, because of the law. 194 00:08:59,500 –> 00:09:01,039 The power of sin is the law. 195 00:09:01,039 –> 00:09:02,380 Here’s what that means. 196 00:09:02,380 –> 00:09:06,020 God has called you to live a life that you have not lived. 197 00:09:07,219 –> 00:09:10,700 God has given you commandments that you have not kept. 198 00:09:11,840 –> 00:09:16,559 God has made you for a purpose that you have not fulfilled, 199 00:09:16,559 –> 00:09:21,020 and this puts all of us in a desperate, desperate position. 200 00:09:21,020 –> 00:09:25,340 We find ourselves swallowed up by this triple tragedy. 201 00:09:25,340 –> 00:09:27,919 A demand we cannot meet. 202 00:09:27,919 –> 00:09:30,679 A stain we cannot remove. 203 00:09:30,679 –> 00:09:35,679 And an outcome that we cannot avoid, loss and death. 204 00:09:35,799 –> 00:09:39,080 That’s the grim prospect that lies ahead 205 00:09:39,080 –> 00:09:41,280 of every member of the human race. 206 00:09:41,280 –> 00:09:42,919 That’s the problem. 207 00:09:42,919 –> 00:09:44,700 It’s that triumvirate. 208 00:09:44,700 –> 00:09:47,320 When you put them together, one alone wouldn’t 209 00:09:47,320 –> 00:09:49,320 perhaps matter so much without the others. 210 00:09:49,320 –> 00:09:51,400 But you put the three of them together, 211 00:09:51,400 –> 00:09:54,239 and then there’s a desperate, desperate situation. 212 00:09:55,320 –> 00:09:57,239 And it’s the reality for every one of us, 213 00:09:57,280 –> 00:09:59,080 the speaker and the hearers alike. 214 00:10:01,159 –> 00:10:04,679 Now look with me up to Jesus Christ. 215 00:10:05,880 –> 00:10:06,760 Who is he? 216 00:10:07,840 –> 00:10:12,640 Well he’s the son of God, and he took our flesh. 217 00:10:12,640 –> 00:10:14,760 And he came and he stood with us, 218 00:10:14,760 –> 00:10:18,559 and he came to act for us, and to become our redeemer. 219 00:10:18,559 –> 00:10:23,559 Our savior from the triple threat, death and attachment. 220 00:10:25,200 –> 00:10:26,719 And how did he do that? 221 00:10:26,799 –> 00:10:28,880 Well here’s how he did this. 222 00:10:28,880 –> 00:10:33,479 First, Jesus Christ lived a perfect life 223 00:10:33,479 –> 00:10:37,000 that completely fulfilled the law of God. 224 00:10:37,000 –> 00:10:41,960 Listen, everything that God calls you to be, Jesus was. 225 00:10:43,359 –> 00:10:48,119 Everything that God calls you to do, Jesus did. 226 00:10:48,119 –> 00:10:52,479 He fulfilled the law perfectly, completely, and utterly. 227 00:10:52,479 –> 00:10:56,159 The only person who has ever done that in a human life. 228 00:10:56,359 –> 00:10:59,200 And that deals with the first Tenshman, law. 229 00:10:59,200 –> 00:11:01,400 He fulfilled it perfectly. 230 00:11:01,400 –> 00:11:03,739 Second, what does he do? 231 00:11:03,739 –> 00:11:06,359 Christ laid down this perfect life 232 00:11:06,359 –> 00:11:11,000 as a sacrifice for the sins of others. 233 00:11:11,000 –> 00:11:14,140 In other words, he gave this life, this perfect life, 234 00:11:14,140 –> 00:11:17,400 he chose to lay it down, that’s the language he uses. 235 00:11:17,400 –> 00:11:21,700 And he did that for people like you and me. 236 00:11:21,700 –> 00:11:25,260 This was of course, what was happening at the cross. 237 00:11:25,299 –> 00:11:29,299 The sins of others were laid on Jesus. 238 00:11:30,780 –> 00:11:34,919 And he came under a terrible curse because of them. 239 00:11:34,919 –> 00:11:38,520 He took them on himself. 240 00:11:38,520 –> 00:11:41,780 The Bible says Christ died for the ungodly. 241 00:11:41,780 –> 00:11:45,099 It was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us. 242 00:11:45,099 –> 00:11:47,460 In other words, with all the stain that is on us 243 00:11:47,460 –> 00:11:49,559 with everything that God has called us to do 244 00:11:49,559 –> 00:11:50,960 that we have not done, 245 00:11:50,960 –> 00:11:54,059 all of that was laid on the one who did do it. 246 00:11:55,059 –> 00:11:58,820 And he bore our sins in himself 247 00:11:58,820 –> 00:12:00,000 when he was on the cross. 248 00:12:00,000 –> 00:12:03,280 So he’s dealt with law by living the perfect life. 249 00:12:03,280 –> 00:12:05,039 He’s dealt with our sin 250 00:12:05,039 –> 00:12:09,919 by dying the sacrificial and atoning death. 251 00:12:09,919 –> 00:12:10,960 Then what does he do? 252 00:12:12,200 –> 00:12:14,320 Well, he goes into death itself. 253 00:12:15,760 –> 00:12:20,760 Remember as he’s been suffering behaving sins on the cross 254 00:12:20,840 –> 00:12:22,260 at the end of it all he says, 255 00:12:22,419 –> 00:12:27,219 As father, into your hands I commit my spirit. 256 00:12:28,140 –> 00:12:31,400 And then the Bible says he breathed his last. 257 00:12:31,400 –> 00:12:35,700 And the Son of God goes into death. 258 00:12:35,700 –> 00:12:36,640 Isn’t that amazing? 259 00:12:37,760 –> 00:12:41,320 That death should’ve been experienced by the Son of God. 260 00:12:42,299 –> 00:12:43,380 He goes into it. 261 00:12:44,380 –> 00:12:47,080 But you know this is at the very heart of the gospels 262 00:12:47,080 –> 00:12:48,440 and of the Christian faith. 263 00:12:48,440 –> 00:12:51,219 He’s not held by it, he goes into it. 264 00:12:51,219 –> 00:12:53,979 He goes through it, he comes out of it. 265 00:12:55,039 –> 00:12:57,880 And on the third day he rises again 266 00:12:57,880 –> 00:13:01,359 in power and in triumph and in glory. 267 00:13:01,359 –> 00:13:05,419 And Christ swallowed up death in victory. 268 00:13:05,419 –> 00:13:08,619 So you see he deals with this grim triumvirate. 269 00:13:08,619 –> 00:13:12,700 Law, sin, death. 270 00:13:12,700 –> 00:13:14,299 He lives the perfect life. 271 00:13:14,299 –> 00:13:18,260 He dies the sacrificial death bearing our sins. 272 00:13:18,260 –> 00:13:21,159 And he goes into death and he triumphs over its power 273 00:13:21,159 –> 00:13:22,859 by his resurrection. 274 00:13:22,859 –> 00:13:25,039 And what we’re being told here, wonderfully, 275 00:13:25,039 –> 00:13:28,960 is that Jesus Christ triumph will be yours 276 00:13:28,960 –> 00:13:31,000 if you are in him. 277 00:13:32,020 –> 00:13:33,799 You see if you are in Jesus Christ, 278 00:13:33,799 –> 00:13:35,059 here’s the wonderful truth. 279 00:13:35,059 –> 00:13:37,140 You’ve not kept all of the law of God. 280 00:13:37,140 –> 00:13:40,140 But in him, you’re not gonna stand before God 281 00:13:40,140 –> 00:13:43,080 in the rags of your own attempts at righteousness. 282 00:13:43,080 –> 00:13:45,280 You’re gonna be dressed in the beauty, 283 00:13:45,280 –> 00:13:47,359 the white robes, the Bible says, 284 00:13:47,359 –> 00:13:48,979 of his perfect righteousness. 285 00:13:49,099 –> 00:13:51,179 He has kept the law in every way. 286 00:13:51,179 –> 00:13:54,039 And that is credited to you if you are in him. 287 00:13:55,000 –> 00:13:56,559 And you’re not gonna die in your sins, 288 00:13:56,559 –> 00:13:57,979 you’re gonna die in the Lord. 289 00:13:57,979 –> 00:14:01,559 He’s taken your sins if you’re in Christ into his death 290 00:14:01,559 –> 00:14:03,580 so that you won’t take them into yours. 291 00:14:05,020 –> 00:14:06,619 And death is no longer a trap 292 00:14:06,619 –> 00:14:09,260 that is going to somehow hold you, 293 00:14:09,260 –> 00:14:13,260 it’s a passage through which Christ will walk with you, 294 00:14:13,260 –> 00:14:15,739 and your soul will immediately, as we saw last time, 295 00:14:15,739 –> 00:14:17,619 experience the joy of his presence. 296 00:14:17,659 –> 00:14:20,780 And then when he comes and you come with him. 297 00:14:20,780 –> 00:14:23,559 You’re gonna receive all of the gift 298 00:14:23,559 –> 00:14:25,159 of the resurrection body 299 00:14:25,159 –> 00:14:28,119 and enter into everything that that body 300 00:14:28,119 –> 00:14:31,280 will equip you for in the new heavens 301 00:14:31,280 –> 00:14:34,500 and in the new Earth to come. 302 00:14:35,700 –> 00:14:37,780 No wonder Paul says, 303 00:14:37,780 –> 00:14:42,380 thanks be to God who gives us the victory 304 00:14:42,380 –> 00:14:46,320 through Jesus Christ our Lord. 305 00:14:47,080 –> 00:14:49,200 That’s the gospel isn’t it? 306 00:14:49,200 –> 00:14:50,400 This is the good news that’s at 307 00:14:50,400 –> 00:14:53,119 the very center of our life and of our ministry, 308 00:14:54,000 –> 00:14:57,880 what Jesus Christ has done as our Redeemer, 309 00:14:57,880 –> 00:15:02,880 changing the face of death for all who are in him. 310 00:15:05,679 –> 00:15:07,919 And secondly I want us to look at 311 00:15:07,919 –> 00:15:10,479 what we’re told here about the resurrection body. 312 00:15:11,840 –> 00:15:13,440 Now draw your attention especially 313 00:15:13,440 –> 00:15:16,840 to verses 42 through 44. 314 00:15:16,840 –> 00:15:19,919 And of course there is so much that we don’t know 315 00:15:19,919 –> 00:15:22,520 about the resurrection body 316 00:15:22,520 –> 00:15:26,039 and these future glorious things 317 00:15:26,039 –> 00:15:27,599 that will become ours in Christ. 318 00:15:27,599 –> 00:15:29,239 That’s why Paul says in verse 51, 319 00:15:29,239 –> 00:15:31,520 behold I show you a mystery. 320 00:15:31,520 –> 00:15:33,320 There is so much that we don’t know. 321 00:15:34,440 –> 00:15:35,840 But I sometimes hear Christians, 322 00:15:35,840 –> 00:15:37,039 and you will have heard this too, 323 00:15:37,039 –> 00:15:38,840 saying oh well you know we don’t know anything about that 324 00:15:38,840 –> 00:15:40,320 and you just want to push it away. 325 00:15:40,320 –> 00:15:42,219 That’s not the right reaction. 326 00:15:43,179 –> 00:15:44,840 There are some things we do know. 327 00:15:45,700 –> 00:15:47,580 And we’ve been told some things 328 00:15:47,580 –> 00:15:52,159 so that our minds can begin the joy of anticipation. 329 00:15:53,260 –> 00:15:55,619 So that our appetite will be whetted. 330 00:15:56,500 –> 00:15:58,679 So that it will be increasingly natural 331 00:15:58,679 –> 00:16:01,739 for us to set our minds and our hearts 332 00:16:01,739 –> 00:16:05,380 on things above and not on earthly things, 333 00:16:05,380 –> 00:16:07,479 which is what God calls us to do. 334 00:16:08,460 –> 00:16:11,260 So let me just try and point your mind 335 00:16:11,479 –> 00:16:15,059 in a wonderful direction by drawing your attention 336 00:16:15,059 –> 00:16:17,500 to the four ways in which the resurrection body 337 00:16:17,500 –> 00:16:20,419 is clearly described in this passage. 338 00:16:20,419 –> 00:16:21,799 Four words. 339 00:16:21,799 –> 00:16:23,260 Number one, 340 00:16:23,260 –> 00:16:24,900 it will be imperishable. 341 00:16:25,719 –> 00:16:27,419 Verse 42. 342 00:16:27,419 –> 00:16:29,580 What is sown, that’s the body that dies, 343 00:16:29,580 –> 00:16:31,099 is perishable. 344 00:16:31,099 –> 00:16:34,479 What is raised is imperishable. 345 00:16:35,419 –> 00:16:38,799 Folks, your resurrection body will never wear out, 346 00:16:38,799 –> 00:16:40,460 will never tire, 347 00:16:40,520 –> 00:16:42,599 will never be sick. 348 00:16:42,599 –> 00:16:45,979 All the limitations and disabilities 349 00:16:45,979 –> 00:16:48,400 that make life difficult in this world 350 00:16:48,400 –> 00:16:50,760 will be gone forever. 351 00:16:50,760 –> 00:16:53,479 I’ve been thinking of a dear friend of mine 352 00:16:53,479 –> 00:16:56,200 who has been blind from birth 353 00:16:56,200 –> 00:16:58,719 and I’m thinking about him in the resurrection 354 00:16:58,719 –> 00:17:00,880 seeing for the very first time. 355 00:17:02,059 –> 00:17:04,640 I think of children who have spent their lives 356 00:17:04,640 –> 00:17:07,920 in wheelchairs and have not walked nor run nor danced 357 00:17:08,780 –> 00:17:11,079 and their joy to do these things 358 00:17:11,079 –> 00:17:12,560 in the very presence of Jesus 359 00:17:12,560 –> 00:17:17,560 in a resurrection body, a resurrection body. 360 00:17:17,780 –> 00:17:20,079 Those who have lost limbs 361 00:17:20,079 –> 00:17:22,319 being able to raise their arms and their hands 362 00:17:22,319 –> 00:17:25,920 in praise and thanksgiving to God. 363 00:17:25,920 –> 00:17:29,719 Thomas Boston picks up some characters from the Bible 364 00:17:29,719 –> 00:17:31,219 and he says this, 365 00:17:31,219 –> 00:17:34,599 Isaac’s eyes will not be dim 366 00:17:34,599 –> 00:17:37,479 and Jacob will no longer limp. 367 00:17:38,400 –> 00:17:40,760 Leah will not be short sited 368 00:17:40,760 –> 00:17:44,760 and Mephibosheth and I’ve been practicing that one, 369 00:17:44,760 –> 00:17:46,880 Mephibosheth do you remember him? 370 00:17:46,880 –> 00:17:48,739 The guy that King David was kind to? 371 00:17:48,739 –> 00:17:50,280 He was on crutches, 372 00:17:50,280 –> 00:17:52,959 oh he’s not gonna be crutches in the new heaven 373 00:17:52,959 –> 00:17:55,500 and in the new earth in the resurrection body. 374 00:17:57,260 –> 00:17:59,479 Boston says, as a goldsmith melts down 375 00:17:59,479 –> 00:18:00,760 the old broken vessel 376 00:18:00,760 –> 00:18:03,719 and casts it over again in a new mold, 377 00:18:03,719 –> 00:18:06,479 so shall the body which lay dissolved in the grave 378 00:18:06,479 –> 00:18:10,439 come forth at the resurrection in perfect beauty 379 00:18:11,420 –> 00:18:13,680 and lovely proportion. 380 00:18:15,380 –> 00:18:17,459 Well, there’s two things that we wouldn’t always say 381 00:18:17,459 –> 00:18:20,619 about ourselves and our bodies right now, right? 382 00:18:20,619 –> 00:18:24,219 Perfect beauty and lovely proportion. 383 00:18:24,219 –> 00:18:25,420 If you’re one of those folks 384 00:18:25,420 –> 00:18:27,000 that looks in the mirror often and says, 385 00:18:27,000 –> 00:18:29,239 oh dear, do you worry about 386 00:18:29,239 –> 00:18:31,020 one aspect or another of your body, 387 00:18:31,020 –> 00:18:34,339 think about what it’s gonna be in the resurrection. 388 00:18:35,339 –> 00:18:38,959 Perfect beauty and lovely proportion, 389 00:18:38,959 –> 00:18:40,599 and it will be you. 390 00:18:40,599 –> 00:18:42,300 It will be you. 391 00:18:42,300 –> 00:18:45,420 And we’ll see next week, we will know one another for sure. 392 00:18:45,420 –> 00:18:49,719 And just as sure as you know yourself now consciously, 393 00:18:49,719 –> 00:18:52,520 the moment will come when you will know yourself 394 00:18:53,500 –> 00:18:55,579 to be in the very presence of Jesus 395 00:18:55,579 –> 00:18:57,319 in this resurrection body, 396 00:18:59,119 –> 00:19:02,260 and you say, I am here and I’m me. 397 00:19:02,339 –> 00:19:05,800 And yet I am marvelously new. 398 00:19:06,959 –> 00:19:09,739 And this is the beginning of all eternity. 399 00:19:09,739 –> 00:19:11,839 Imperishable, imperishable. 400 00:19:13,500 –> 00:19:16,339 Second word, it will be a glorious body. 401 00:19:16,339 –> 00:19:19,160 It is sown in dishonor, verse 43, 402 00:19:19,160 –> 00:19:22,180 it is raised in glory. 403 00:19:23,160 –> 00:19:24,660 Paul tells us in Philippians 404 00:19:24,660 –> 00:19:27,380 that Christ is going to change our lowly body, 405 00:19:27,380 –> 00:19:30,819 that it may be like his glorious body. 406 00:19:30,819 –> 00:19:33,020 So the resurrection body will be like 407 00:19:33,020 –> 00:19:35,540 the glorious body of Jesus Christ, 408 00:19:35,540 –> 00:19:36,680 that’s what we’re told. 409 00:19:37,619 –> 00:19:39,199 Now we should think here not simply 410 00:19:39,199 –> 00:19:41,579 about the Resurrection appearances of Jesus 411 00:19:41,579 –> 00:19:44,819 in the 40 days after he rose from the dead 412 00:19:44,819 –> 00:19:48,140 but particularly what we know of the glorified body 413 00:19:48,140 –> 00:19:49,900 of our Lord Jesus Christ 414 00:19:49,900 –> 00:19:52,780 through the appearances after the Ascension. 415 00:19:53,780 –> 00:19:58,780 So you think of the glory that Saul of Tarsus saw 416 00:19:59,260 –> 00:20:02,459 when the son of God appeared to him on the road to Damascus. 417 00:20:03,459 –> 00:20:04,680 Or you think about the glory, 418 00:20:04,680 –> 00:20:07,859 the brightness that John saw in Revelation chapter one 419 00:20:07,859 –> 00:20:12,060 when the glory of Jesus is unveiled to him, 420 00:20:12,060 –> 00:20:14,140 the glorious body of Jesus, 421 00:20:14,140 –> 00:20:16,020 the Resurrection body of Jesus. 422 00:20:16,020 –> 00:20:18,140 You think about what it was like for Peter 423 00:20:18,140 –> 00:20:19,040 and James and John. 424 00:20:19,040 –> 00:20:22,219 Do you remember on the Mount of Transfiguration? 425 00:20:22,219 –> 00:20:24,780 And they had known Jesus in an earthly body 426 00:20:25,939 –> 00:20:27,800 and people could talk with him 427 00:20:27,939 –> 00:20:31,359 and he could almost sort of melt into the crowd of people 428 00:20:31,359 –> 00:20:32,900 in that sense. 429 00:20:32,900 –> 00:20:36,599 But there on the Mount of Transfiguration, 430 00:20:36,599 –> 00:20:39,939 they saw the glory of the body that was to come, 431 00:20:39,939 –> 00:20:44,280 it was like brightness burst out of Jesus. 432 00:20:44,280 –> 00:20:48,560 And it was overwhelmingly glorious and bright and light. 433 00:20:49,939 –> 00:20:52,680 Donald McCloud puts it like this, 434 00:20:52,680 –> 00:20:55,939 brilliant, brilliant light. 435 00:20:56,939 –> 00:21:00,459 Bodies so luminous, so splendid, 436 00:21:00,459 –> 00:21:03,699 so light-bearing, so magestic, 437 00:21:03,699 –> 00:21:07,900 that in them the glory of God Himself is seen. 438 00:21:09,119 –> 00:21:11,099 It’s gonna be your body. 439 00:21:11,099 –> 00:21:12,800 Imperishable. 440 00:21:12,800 –> 00:21:14,079 Glorious. 441 00:21:15,140 –> 00:21:16,300 Powerful. 442 00:21:16,300 –> 00:21:18,020 I like this word. 443 00:21:18,020 –> 00:21:21,040 It is sown in weakness, 444 00:21:21,040 –> 00:21:24,439 and it is raised in power. 445 00:21:24,500 –> 00:21:26,180 Again, I quote from Donald McCloud, 446 00:21:26,180 –> 00:21:28,439 who writes so well on these things. 447 00:21:28,439 –> 00:21:31,839 The body is going to have in the resurrection 448 00:21:31,839 –> 00:21:33,760 more energy. 449 00:21:33,760 –> 00:21:35,920 And amen for that. 450 00:21:35,920 –> 00:21:39,680 More energy, more physical capability. 451 00:21:39,680 –> 00:21:43,599 More stamina, more athleticism. 452 00:21:43,599 –> 00:21:45,400 I really like that, I like that one. 453 00:21:45,400 –> 00:21:46,760 I need that. 454 00:21:46,760 –> 00:21:48,560 More speed. 455 00:21:48,560 –> 00:21:51,160 More coordination, thank God. 456 00:21:51,160 –> 00:21:53,839 More durability than ever 457 00:21:53,859 –> 00:21:56,239 because we’re not going to need the body less, 458 00:21:56,239 –> 00:21:58,239 we’re going to need the body more. 459 00:21:58,239 –> 00:22:00,640 A new heaven and a new earth. 460 00:22:00,640 –> 00:22:03,599 So be done with all this vague kind of thinking 461 00:22:03,599 –> 00:22:05,560 about eternity floating on clouds. 462 00:22:05,560 –> 00:22:07,359 A resurrection body that’s at 463 00:22:07,359 –> 00:22:08,839 the heart of Christian faith. 464 00:22:09,719 –> 00:22:11,020 And it’s gonna be imperishable, 465 00:22:11,020 –> 00:22:13,199 it’s gonna be glorious, it’s gonna be powerful, 466 00:22:13,199 –> 00:22:14,719 and it’s gonna be spiritual. 467 00:22:14,719 –> 00:22:17,459 You say now what in the world is a spiritual body? 468 00:22:17,459 –> 00:22:20,040 Verse 44, it is so in a natural body, 469 00:22:20,040 –> 00:22:22,079 it is raised a spiritual body. 470 00:22:22,099 –> 00:22:25,959 Well, a spiritual body is a body 471 00:22:25,959 –> 00:22:28,079 that will be completely responsive 472 00:22:28,079 –> 00:22:30,959 to your glorified spirit. 473 00:22:31,880 –> 00:22:35,040 In other words, a body that is responsive 474 00:22:35,040 –> 00:22:38,040 in every way to all that the Holy Spirit 475 00:22:38,040 –> 00:22:39,800 would have you do. 476 00:22:39,800 –> 00:22:42,199 That’s marvelous, because right now 477 00:22:42,199 –> 00:22:44,520 that’s not how it is with our bodies. 478 00:22:44,520 –> 00:22:46,300 Alick Mateer says this. 479 00:22:46,300 –> 00:22:49,219 The Christians’ present experience 480 00:22:49,479 –> 00:22:52,939 is that the body militates against 481 00:22:52,939 –> 00:22:54,560 living the godly life. 482 00:22:54,560 –> 00:22:56,500 Is that your experience, by the way? 483 00:22:56,500 –> 00:22:58,380 You find that you have desires within your heart 484 00:22:58,380 –> 00:23:00,979 to be more godly than you actually are, 485 00:23:00,979 –> 00:23:02,780 and you find that you’re weighed down 486 00:23:02,780 –> 00:23:04,140 by conflicts that you find 487 00:23:04,140 –> 00:23:05,839 and they arise from your flesh. 488 00:23:05,839 –> 00:23:08,099 We know this to be the nature of the Christian life. 489 00:23:08,099 –> 00:23:10,060 The flesh and the spirit and so forth. 490 00:23:10,060 –> 00:23:12,099 He says there is a downward drag 491 00:23:12,099 –> 00:23:14,219 in our bodily members 492 00:23:14,219 –> 00:23:16,979 so that frequently, our best intentions 493 00:23:16,979 –> 00:23:19,380 are destroyed by the inability 494 00:23:19,380 –> 00:23:21,859 or the rebellion of the body. 495 00:23:21,859 –> 00:23:24,959 How marvelous, he says, then is the promise 496 00:23:24,959 –> 00:23:28,180 of a body that will respond fully 497 00:23:28,180 –> 00:23:30,699 to the promptings of God 498 00:23:30,699 –> 00:23:33,780 and will be the perfect vehicle 499 00:23:33,780 –> 00:23:35,880 for the expression 500 00:23:35,880 –> 00:23:37,699 of the new nature. 501 00:23:37,699 –> 00:23:40,540 Well, that’s gonna be the body that you will have. 502 00:23:40,540 –> 00:23:42,420 And it will be marvelous, indeed. 503 00:23:43,459 –> 00:23:46,180 So how Christ has changed 504 00:23:46,219 –> 00:23:48,180 the face of death for his people. 505 00:23:48,180 –> 00:23:49,880 Death is swallowed up in victory. 506 00:23:50,900 –> 00:23:54,760 And what lies ahead for those who are in Christ 507 00:23:54,760 –> 00:23:57,500 as we deal with all kinds of issues 508 00:23:57,500 –> 00:23:59,699 that arise from and changes that happen 509 00:23:59,699 –> 00:24:01,939 to our bodies in this world, 510 00:24:01,939 –> 00:24:03,979 we are to be encouraged 511 00:24:03,979 –> 00:24:06,880 and to be comforted at what yet lies ahead, 512 00:24:06,880 –> 00:24:08,640 a body that is imperishable 513 00:24:08,640 –> 00:24:11,140 and is glorious and powerful 514 00:24:12,020 –> 00:24:15,819 and spiritual that will be yours 515 00:24:15,819 –> 00:24:19,500 and in which your glorified spirit 516 00:24:19,500 –> 00:24:22,699 will express all that is your life 517 00:24:22,699 –> 00:24:25,599 in the new heavens and the new earth for ever and forever. 518 00:24:27,500 –> 00:24:30,939 And then we come to the most pressing issue of all. 519 00:24:32,300 –> 00:24:33,479 And it’s simply this. 520 00:24:35,060 –> 00:24:39,079 What will the resurrection mean for you? 521 00:24:40,180 –> 00:24:42,260 What will the resurrection mean for you? 522 00:24:43,260 –> 00:24:46,020 Now, I’m going to press this question today 523 00:24:46,020 –> 00:24:48,599 and I feel a burden on my own heart to do it 524 00:24:48,599 –> 00:24:50,579 because the Bible makes it very clear 525 00:24:50,579 –> 00:24:53,260 that the resurrection will mean different things 526 00:24:53,260 –> 00:24:54,459 for different people. 527 00:24:56,040 –> 00:24:57,819 And look at these words of Jesus 528 00:24:57,819 –> 00:24:59,479 that are on the screen before you 529 00:24:59,479 –> 00:25:00,880 from John and chapter five. 530 00:25:00,880 –> 00:25:01,719 Look at them. 531 00:25:02,619 –> 00:25:06,959 All who are in their tombs will hear the voice 532 00:25:06,959 –> 00:25:10,319 and it’s the voice of the Son of God, and come out. 533 00:25:11,160 –> 00:25:14,199 So, he’s talking about not just believers, 534 00:25:14,199 –> 00:25:16,219 he’s talking about everyone. 535 00:25:16,219 –> 00:25:18,359 There’s no exceptions, this isn’t by culture, 536 00:25:18,359 –> 00:25:21,079 this isn’t by generation, it is nothing to do 537 00:25:21,079 –> 00:25:24,260 with the course of your life here, it’s everybody. 538 00:25:25,119 –> 00:25:27,920 Everybody, all, all who are in their tombs 539 00:25:27,920 –> 00:25:29,359 will hear the voice of the Son of God, 540 00:25:29,359 –> 00:25:30,520 they’re gonna come out. 541 00:25:31,760 –> 00:25:35,099 But at this resurrection in which every human being 542 00:25:35,099 –> 00:25:38,400 will participate, all creation being drawn 543 00:25:38,439 –> 00:25:40,079 before the creator, there are going to be 544 00:25:40,079 –> 00:25:41,859 very different experiences. 545 00:25:41,859 –> 00:25:43,239 These are the words of Jesus, 546 00:25:43,239 –> 00:25:48,160 those who have done good to the resurrection of life 547 00:25:49,800 –> 00:25:52,020 and those who have done evil 548 00:25:53,040 –> 00:25:56,520 to the resurrection of judgment. 549 00:25:57,800 –> 00:25:59,640 Now, do you see that the resurrection, 550 00:25:59,640 –> 00:26:01,599 therefore, according to the words of Jesus, 551 00:26:01,599 –> 00:26:04,160 it cannot mean anything other than this? 552 00:26:04,160 –> 00:26:05,839 The resurrection will mean different things 553 00:26:05,839 –> 00:26:08,359 for different people, because for some people 554 00:26:08,359 –> 00:26:11,119 it is going to be a resurrection to life 555 00:26:12,780 –> 00:26:15,839 and for other people it is going to be 556 00:26:15,839 –> 00:26:19,319 a resurrection to judgment, 557 00:2:20,719 –> 00:26:23,719 and these three words put together 558 00:26:23,719 –> 00:26:25,979 are horrendous even to contemplate. 559 00:26:27,079 –> 00:26:29,439 I would not dare to stand and speak like this 560 00:26:29,439 –> 00:26:34,319 on a pulpit today if it had not been that Jesus, 561 00:26:35,119 –> 00:26:40,119 our Savior and our Lord speaks so clearly in this language. 562 00:26:41,140 –> 00:26:44,219 The resurrection will mean different things 563 00:26:44,219 –> 00:26:46,560 to different people 564 00:26:46,560 –> 00:26:49,819 and so I’m pressing this question what will it mean to you? 565 00:26:51,099 –> 00:26:55,400 Because Jesus says all will be part of this day. 566 00:26:55,400 –> 00:26:57,319 So you will be part of this day 567 00:26:57,319 –> 00:26:59,780 and your experience will be one or the other 568 00:26:59,780 –> 00:27:00,920 of these two things. 569 00:27:00,920 –> 00:27:03,699 Your experience will either be a resurrection to life 570 00:27:03,699 –> 00:27:08,699 or your experience will be a resurrection of judgment. 571 00:27:11,640 –> 00:27:14,660 One of the writers that I really like to read 572 00:27:16,119 –> 00:27:20,140 is an old Scottish preacher by the name of Thomas Boston. 573 00:27:21,239 –> 00:27:22,719 I enjoy him for many reasons 574 00:27:22,719 –> 00:27:25,939 and one is that he had a vivid imagination 575 00:27:25,939 –> 00:27:27,920 that he deployed very effectively 576 00:27:27,920 –> 00:27:29,640 in the course of his ministry. 577 00:27:30,599 –> 00:27:35,339 And in one of his sermons he tries to picture 578 00:27:35,339 –> 00:27:39,199 what it would be like in that moment 579 00:27:39,199 –> 00:27:43,439 where the resurrected body and the redeemed soul 580 00:27:43,439 –> 00:27:45,500 are reunited. 581 00:27:45,500 –> 00:27:48,619 The soul and the body that were separated in death. 582 00:27:48,619 –> 00:27:51,739 And now in the resurrection they’re reunited together. 583 00:27:52,880 –> 00:27:54,420 And he asked the question 584 00:27:54,420 –> 00:27:56,119 what would that be like for the body 585 00:27:56,119 –> 00:27:58,199 and what would that be like for the soul. 586 00:27:59,199 –> 00:28:02,199 And he tries to picture, he’s using his imagination, 587 00:28:02,199 –> 00:28:06,719 the kind of conversation that your resurrected body 588 00:28:07,760 –> 00:28:10,699 might have with your redeemed soul 589 00:28:10,699 –> 00:28:13,839 on that moment when the two are reunited together 590 00:28:13,839 –> 00:28:15,040 if you’re a Christian believer 591 00:28:15,040 –> 00:28:16,780 in the presence of Jesus Christ. 592 00:28:17,760 –> 00:28:20,199 And it’s old language and it’s quite long 593 00:28:20,199 –> 00:28:22,520 so I’ve taken some of his thoughts and phrases 594 00:28:22,520 –> 00:28:24,939 and rewritten the rest, 595 00:28:24,979 –> 00:28:27,680 but I think my resurrected body 596 00:28:28,780 –> 00:28:33,060 would say to my redeemed soul something like this, 597 00:28:35,020 –> 00:28:38,060 well my friend, it’s good to be back together. 598 00:28:39,920 –> 00:28:43,160 After that awful separation that we went through, 599 00:28:44,599 –> 00:28:47,420 I mean my soul, it was all right for you. 600 00:28:47,420 –> 00:28:49,699 You went straight to be at home with the Lord, 601 00:28:49,699 –> 00:28:51,180 you know what they did with me? 602 00:28:51,180 –> 00:28:53,760 They dug a hole and put me six feet under in a grave. 603 00:28:55,020 –> 00:28:59,040 The silver cord that had tied us together was severed. 604 00:29:00,180 –> 00:29:02,300 But now we are brought back together 605 00:29:02,300 –> 00:29:05,800 in the presence of Jesus, both wonderfully transformed. 606 00:29:07,020 –> 00:29:09,880 And how different this is from the moment when we parted. 607 00:29:11,619 –> 00:29:14,660 And then I think my body might say to my soul 608 00:29:14,660 –> 00:29:18,099 something like this, I’m so glad to be your body. 609 00:29:19,699 –> 00:29:21,699 You see, your great longing, soul, 610 00:29:21,699 –> 00:29:23,939 was that Christ should be in us. 611 00:29:23,959 –> 00:29:27,819 You knew that having Him would be our hope of glory. 612 00:29:28,760 –> 00:29:31,979 You were the one who made me a temple of the Holy Spirit. 613 00:29:31,979 –> 00:29:36,060 You have brought me, your body, into all this joy. 614 00:29:36,979 –> 00:29:39,819 And then I think my body might say something like this, 615 00:29:39,819 –> 00:29:42,040 and yours would, too, if you’re a Christian, 616 00:29:42,040 –> 00:29:44,800 your body might say I am so sorry 617 00:29:44,800 –> 00:29:47,420 that I made life so hard for you, my soul. 618 00:29:48,660 –> 00:29:50,219 I know that I was often a burden, 619 00:29:50,219 –> 00:29:52,780 I was often slow and sluggish and reluctant. 620 00:29:52,780 –> 00:29:57,739 Many times, my soul, you were willing and I was weak. 621 00:29:58,900 –> 00:30:01,979 And I know that I was difficult for you to master, 622 00:30:01,979 –> 00:30:04,319 but you mastered me well. 623 00:30:05,540 –> 00:30:08,900 You made these eyes shed tears over sin. 624 00:30:08,900 –> 00:30:11,500 You led these knees to kneel before God 625 00:30:11,500 –> 00:30:12,880 in faith and repentance. 626 00:30:12,880 –> 00:30:16,260 You caused this tongue to confess Jesus as Lord 627 00:30:16,260 –> 00:30:18,979 and to pray and to give thanks and now this tongue 628 00:30:18,979 –> 00:30:21,739 will be used in the praises of God forevermore. 629 00:30:21,780 –> 00:30:25,500 I am so grateful, my soul, your body might say, 630 00:30:25,500 –> 00:30:28,520 that you did not let me have my way 631 00:30:29,939 –> 00:30:32,439 because others pampered their flesh. 632 00:30:33,359 –> 00:30:35,339 They lived for their own comfort. 633 00:30:36,260 –> 00:30:38,400 They followed the lusts of their bodies 634 00:30:38,400 –> 00:30:40,219 and it led to their destruction. 635 00:30:40,219 –> 00:30:42,780 But now here I am, your body might say, 636 00:30:42,780 –> 00:30:46,219 risen and with you and entering into 637 00:30:46,219 –> 00:30:48,380 all of the mansions of glory. 638 00:30:48,380 –> 00:30:51,339 And now, my soul, your body might say, 639 00:30:51,339 –> 00:30:53,660 you will not have to worry anymore 640 00:30:53,660 –> 00:30:57,020 about me being sick or tired or weary. 641 00:30:58,020 –> 00:31:00,739 You will not be concerned about me slowing up 642 00:31:00,739 –> 00:31:02,900 as I grow old. 643 00:31:02,900 –> 00:31:06,640 Now I will keep pace with you, my soul 644 00:31:06,640 –> 00:31:10,319 in the praises of God forevermore. 645 00:31:12,359 –> 00:31:13,880 And I think that if your body 646 00:31:13,880 –> 00:31:15,300 was saying that to your soul, 647 00:31:17,300 –> 00:31:19,599 your soul may well say back to your body 648 00:31:19,699 –> 00:31:21,599 something like this. 649 00:31:21,599 –> 00:31:24,800 I am so happy to be reunited with you, my old friend. 650 00:31:26,140 –> 00:31:28,199 You were and are, and always will be 651 00:31:28,199 –> 00:31:30,099 the temple of the Holy Spirit. 652 00:31:31,479 –> 00:31:33,400 Now arise and come with me, 653 00:31:34,400 –> 00:31:37,239 and let the eyes that so often wept over sin 654 00:31:37,239 –> 00:31:39,560 look with joy at the face of the Redeemer. 655 00:31:40,500 –> 00:31:43,599 Let these ears that heard the word of life 656 00:31:43,599 –> 00:31:45,479 now hear the songs of Heaven. 657 00:31:46,359 –> 00:31:48,680 Let these feet that took me to worship 658 00:31:48,699 –> 00:31:50,760 with the people of God on earth 659 00:31:50,760 –> 00:31:54,280 now lead me into the presence of my savior 660 00:31:54,280 –> 00:31:56,099 in this new creation, 661 00:31:56,099 –> 00:31:59,680 and rejoice with that great congregation above. 662 00:31:59,680 –> 00:32:02,959 And let the tongue that confessed Jesus below 663 00:32:02,959 –> 00:32:05,439 now join with the choirs of Heaven 664 00:32:05,439 –> 00:32:08,319 in singing his praises forevermore. 665 00:32:10,060 –> 00:32:10,900 What a picture. 666 00:32:11,959 –> 00:32:13,439 And if you’re in Christ, you know, 667 00:32:13,439 –> 00:32:15,699 I think that just catches a little bit 668 00:32:15,699 –> 00:32:18,359 of the joy of your experience. 669 00:32:18,380 –> 00:32:22,380 Soul and body that took part in the fight together, 670 00:32:22,380 –> 00:32:25,020 entering in together to receive 671 00:32:25,020 –> 00:32:28,280 and to wear the crown of life. 672 00:32:30,479 –> 00:32:32,359 But now I must ask you this question. 673 00:32:34,060 –> 00:32:35,839 What will it be like for the body 674 00:32:35,839 –> 00:32:37,439 and the soul of the wicked 675 00:32:38,939 –> 00:32:42,979 reunited in what Jesus describes 676 00:32:42,979 –> 00:32:46,900 as a resurrection to judgment? 677 00:32:47,699 –> 00:32:49,119 What would that be? 678 00:32:50,880 –> 00:32:54,920 I think that the resurrected body 679 00:32:56,040 –> 00:32:58,619 of a person without Jesus Christ 680 00:33:00,160 –> 00:33:04,660 would say to his or her soul something like this. 681 00:33:07,099 –> 00:33:09,920 I would rather have been the body 682 00:33:09,920 –> 00:33:13,000 of a dog or a donkey than be your body 683 00:33:13,880 –> 00:33:17,380 because if I was the body of a dog or a donkey, 684 00:33:17,380 –> 00:33:20,300 I would be allowed to lie in peace in the grave, 685 00:33:20,300 –> 00:33:24,599 but now because of you, I am raised up 686 00:33:24,599 –> 00:33:28,339 and I have to face this awful eternal future. 687 00:33:30,380 –> 00:33:34,260 You gave me what I wanted, and you led me to destruction. 688 00:33:35,680 –> 00:33:40,180 Cruel kindness, you hugged me to death, 689 00:33:40,180 –> 00:33:41,579 you took me down, 690 00:33:41,579 –> 00:33:44,339 you made me an instrument of unrighteousness. 691 00:33:44,339 –> 00:33:46,640 It was your pride, the body would say, 692 00:33:46,640 –> 00:33:48,680 to the soul that made me boast. 693 00:33:48,680 –> 00:33:51,459 It was your greed that made me a slave to work. 694 00:33:52,599 –> 00:33:56,300 It was your rage that made me curse and scoff. 695 00:33:57,819 –> 00:34:00,099 You were the one who kept me from hearing the truth 696 00:34:00,099 –> 00:34:02,979 that could have saved me every time the truth got near. 697 00:34:02,979 –> 00:34:06,420 You were often flights of imagination and fancy, 698 00:34:06,459 –> 00:34:10,239 and now we are bound together in an everlasting loss, 699 00:34:12,179 –> 00:34:15,620 and the unbelieving soul certainly wouldn’t take that, 700 00:34:17,020 –> 00:34:19,860 but would respond to its resurrected body 701 00:34:19,860 –> 00:34:21,179 something like this, 702 00:34:22,699 –> 00:34:25,280 don’t you blame me, you wretched hypocrite. 703 00:34:27,419 –> 00:34:29,219 I am now driven back into you, 704 00:34:29,219 –> 00:34:31,780 and I wish that you would lay in the grave forever, 705 00:34:32,939 –> 00:34:35,939 because it was by caring for you that I lost myself. 706 00:34:36,020 –> 00:34:39,479 It was by gratifying your senses that I was ruined. 707 00:34:39,479 –> 00:34:41,780 It was to please you 708 00:34:41,780 –> 00:34:44,560 that I turned away from opportunities of peace with God. 709 00:34:44,560 –> 00:34:46,419 It was because of you that I neglected prayer. 710 00:34:46,419 –> 00:34:49,300 It was because of you that I chose a life of comfort. 711 00:34:49,300 –> 00:34:52,300 It was because of you that I denied Christ 712 00:34:53,459 –> 00:34:55,260 and forsook his cause in the world. 713 00:34:57,719 –> 00:34:59,459 When my conscience was awakened, 714 00:34:59,459 –> 00:35:02,000 I thought a few times about my sins, 715 00:35:02,000 –> 00:35:04,739 but you found 1,000 other things for me to do. 716 00:35:06,620 –> 00:35:08,139 Wretched flesh, 717 00:35:09,639 –> 00:35:12,000 by the cords of your lust, 718 00:35:12,000 –> 00:35:17,000 I have been drawn with you down into this destruction. 719 00:35:19,120 –> 00:35:20,739 Friends, what a picture that is, 720 00:35:23,800 –> 00:35:25,600 the unbelieving soul 721 00:35:26,860 –> 00:35:30,919 and the body locked in an unending conflict 722 00:35:30,919 –> 00:35:32,979 of mutual recrimination. 723 00:35:33,919 –> 00:35:35,939 And urethra. 724 00:35:35,939 –> 00:35:38,419 You know Jesus used a very striking phrase 725 00:35:38,419 –> 00:35:40,780 and he used it on a number of times, 726 00:35:40,780 –> 00:35:41,879 kept repeating it. 727 00:35:42,840 –> 00:35:47,840 He said, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 728 00:35:50,419 –> 00:35:52,860 Friends, what is gnashing of teeth? 729 00:35:54,100 –> 00:35:55,379 What do you think that is? 730 00:35:56,260 –> 00:35:57,899 Here’s what it is. 731 00:35:57,899 –> 00:35:59,899 It is self-loathing. 732 00:35:59,899 –> 00:36:02,699 It is self-recrimination. 733 00:36:03,379 –> 00:36:05,699 It is a soul and a resurrection body 734 00:36:05,699 –> 00:36:07,199 at war with each other, 735 00:36:07,199 –> 00:36:08,419 forever and forever. 736 00:36:08,419 –> 00:36:12,120 The Bible says there is no rest for the wicked. 737 00:36:12,120 –> 00:36:13,159 No rest. 738 00:36:14,139 –> 00:36:14,979 No rest. 739 00:36:17,560 –> 00:36:19,820 I say again, I would not, for a moment, 740 00:36:19,820 –> 00:36:23,060 stand on this platform and say these things to you 741 00:36:23,060 –> 00:36:27,840 if it was not absolutely clear from the teaching of Jesus 742 00:36:27,840 –> 00:36:30,040 that the resurrection will mean different things 743 00:36:30,040 –> 00:36:31,100 for different people 744 00:36:31,139 –> 00:36:33,340 and that there will be a resurrection to life 745 00:36:33,340 –> 00:36:36,439 and that there will be a resurrection to judgment. 746 00:36:36,439 –> 00:36:39,379 And it will be one of these two for you 747 00:36:40,340 –> 00:36:41,500 and for every person you meet 748 00:36:41,500 –> 00:36:42,979 and for every person you know. 749 00:36:45,020 –> 00:36:48,540 So I say to you today, life is very, very short 750 00:36:48,540 –> 00:36:50,620 and eternity is very, very long. 751 00:36:52,600 –> 00:36:54,399 Think, I plead with you, 752 00:36:54,399 –> 00:36:58,739 think about the future of your soul and of your body 753 00:36:58,739 –> 00:37:00,360 in the resurrection. 754 00:37:02,100 –> 00:37:04,340 The sting of death is sin 755 00:37:04,340 –> 00:37:06,419 and the power of sin is the law. 756 00:37:07,939 –> 00:37:12,939 Commandments that you have not kept, 757 00:37:12,979 –> 00:37:14,739 stains that you can’t remove 758 00:37:16,800 –> 00:37:18,860 and an outcome that you cannot avoid 759 00:37:18,860 –> 00:37:20,820 and then the Savior comes 760 00:37:20,820 –> 00:37:23,459 and He offers Himself to you. 761 00:37:25,899 –> 00:37:27,959 Why would you not embrace Him today? 762 00:37:28,479 –> 00:37:33,439 Some of you, your life has become very full 763 00:37:33,439 –> 00:37:35,300 and it is full perhaps of good things 764 00:37:35,300 –> 00:37:38,459 but it is not full of Christ. 765 00:37:38,459 –> 00:37:41,080 And if Christ is outside of you, 766 00:37:41,080 –> 00:37:42,959 you will be outside of Christ 767 00:37:42,959 –> 00:37:43,879 unless something changes. 768 00:37:43,879 –> 00:37:46,959 Which day is it going to change if it isn’t today? 769 00:37:46,959 –> 00:37:49,280 You are not thinking about eternity all the time. 770 00:37:49,280 –> 00:37:52,820 You are now. 771 00:37:52,820 –> 00:37:56,199 So I plead with you. 772 00:37:56,360 –> 00:37:57,459 Stop turning away. 773 00:37:57,459 –> 00:37:59,360 Come with me in faith 774 00:37:59,360 –> 00:38:03,320 and in repentance today before God. 775 00:38:03,320 –> 00:38:05,320 Confess your sins and look to the Savior 776 00:38:05,320 –> 00:38:08,020 who freely and gladly offers Himself to you 777 00:38:08,020 –> 00:38:10,459 and ask Him to save you. 778 00:38:10,459 –> 00:38:13,159 Submit your life today, body, and soul 779 00:38:13,159 –> 00:38:16,540 to Jesus Christ as your Master and your Lord 780 00:38:16,540 –> 00:38:21,320 and ask Him to lead you into a new life on earth 781 00:38:21,360 –> 00:38:24,919 that will end in a glorious life in heaven. 782 00:38:26,739 –> 00:38:30,020 Whatever you have done, come to Him today. 783 00:38:30,020 –> 00:38:33,320 However far you were from Christ this morning, 784 00:38:33,320 –> 00:38:34,820 come to Him today. 785 00:38:36,219 –> 00:38:38,760 However long you’ve delayed, 786 00:38:38,760 –> 00:38:42,120 however long you’ve pushed this off, 787 00:38:42,120 –> 00:38:44,500 you come in faith and repentance 788 00:38:44,500 –> 00:38:46,820 to embrace the Savior who is coming 789 00:38:46,820 –> 00:38:49,080 towards you even now today. 790 00:38:51,659 –> 00:38:54,820 Will you bow with me in prayer please? 791 00:38:57,020 –> 00:38:59,939 And to give you an opportunity here 792 00:39:01,260 –> 00:39:02,939 to make a prayer your own 793 00:39:02,939 –> 00:39:05,979 and to seal in this very moment 794 00:39:05,979 –> 00:39:08,479 your response to Jesus Christ. 795 00:39:09,760 –> 00:39:12,000 You know that you need Him. 796 00:39:13,020 –> 00:39:13,979 You’ve been pushing Him away, 797 00:39:13,979 –> 00:39:15,820 but today, you have glimpsed eternity, 798 00:39:15,820 –> 00:39:17,639 and today, you want to embrace Christ. 799 00:39:17,639 –> 00:39:19,040 And if that’s where you are, 800 00:39:19,580 –> 00:39:22,239 I invite you to raise your hand as we’re praying 801 00:39:22,239 –> 00:39:26,860 and then just slip it down just to indicate to Scott 802 00:39:26,860 –> 00:39:30,179 and to me, that you’re trusting Christ here today. 803 00:39:31,260 –> 00:39:32,340 Let me give you these words, 804 00:39:32,340 –> 00:39:35,300 and you make these words your own right now. 805 00:39:35,300 –> 00:39:40,300 Lord, today I come to you in faith and in repentance. 806 00:39:42,699 –> 00:39:47,020 Forgive my pride, forgive my stubbornness. 807 00:39:48,000 –> 00:39:49,919 Forgive my unbelief, 808 00:39:51,399 –> 00:39:54,179 forgive my many sins that are known to you. 809 00:39:55,040 –> 00:39:56,919 You’re making this your prayer. 810 00:39:56,919 –> 00:39:59,540 You raise your hand and then just slip it down. 811 00:40:01,379 –> 00:40:02,919 Let’s keep praying together. 812 00:40:04,179 –> 00:40:09,179 Today, I ask you to make me a new person in Jesus Christ. 813 00:40:10,080 –> 00:40:11,080 Pray that today. 814 00:40:12,919 –> 00:40:15,719 Today, I ask you to give me your Holy Spirit 815 00:40:15,739 –> 00:40:17,739 so that I may live a new life 816 00:40:17,739 –> 00:40:19,360 following the way of Jesus. 817 00:40:21,699 –> 00:40:25,159 Today, I submit my life, body and soul 818 00:40:25,159 –> 00:40:28,000 to Jesus Christ as my master and my Lord. 819 00:40:30,080 –> 00:40:33,620 Lead me into a new life for you on earth 820 00:40:33,620 –> 00:40:38,620 that will end in a glorious life with you in heaven. 821 00:40:41,959 –> 00:40:44,260 Lord, hear our prayers. 822 00:40:44,879 –> 00:40:47,899 As we come to you in faith and repentance 823 00:40:47,899 –> 00:40:50,679 and renew our dedication before you. 824 00:40:51,899 –> 00:40:54,699 For these things we ask in Jesus Christ, 825 00:40:54,699 –> 00:40:58,500 our Savior’s name, and everyone together said, amen.