Focusing on our miraculous future changes our lives today. (1 Corinthians15:35-58)
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SERMON NOTES:
Living with the Future in Mind
1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Focusing on our miraculous future changes our lives today.
Three important questions:
How is our resurrection possible? (36-41)
What will our resurrected bodies be like? (42-49)
What about those who are alive when Jesus returns? (50-52)
Two fitting responses:
Supra-circumstantial thanksgiving. (53-57)
Unshakable faith expressed through action and anticipation. (58)
study questions:
For the Next Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:34-58
1. Read verses 34-44. What are the questions Paul stated here that he intends to answer (see vs. 34)? Are these are questions important? Why or why not? Why do you think Paul lists all the different kinds of bodies God has created in the universe in verses 39-41? What do we learn about God? In verses 42-44 Paul contrasts our current earthly bodies with our resurrection bodies? What are the five contrasts and what does each contrast mean? What do you learn about our resurrection bodies?
2. Read verses 45-49. What do you think Paul means when he says our bodies are now “natural” and in the future they will be “spiritual”? How do our bodies currently bear the image of “the man of dust” and in the future will bear the image of the “man of heaven”? (see also Eph. 2:3, Phil. 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2) What was Jesus like after the resurrection? Did he have a physical body? Was he recognizable? Did he talk and interact with people? (Scan John 20:11-21:25 to see Jesus after His resurrection.) Therefore, what will our bodies be like?
3. Read verses 50-53. In these verses Paul answers an implied question about what happens to Christians who are alive when Christ returns. When Paul says “flesh and blood” what is he talking about (see Eph 2:3), and why cannot these people inherit the kingdom of God? According to verses 51-53 what will happen for Christians who are alive when Jesus comes back (see also 1 Thess. 4:15-17)?
4. Read verses 54-58. What will our future resurrection bodies prove according to verses 54-56? Who assures this victory (vs. 57), and what has Jesus already done that proves He wins? Why is this important? How can and does this shape our view of death? What are the final challenges Paul gives in verse 58? Do you need to apply any of these challenges to your life? How so?
5. So what. What is one truth about our future resurrection that encourages you in your walk with Christ today? What is one truth that gives you peace and comfort for your future?