Big Idea: There is an already, not yet aspect to Christ’s salvation in the gospel. He has already renewed our spirits, that is to say he has re-made us internally so that we are new creations in Christ, ready to do God’s will. And he will also remake us eternally, so that we might reign with him forever in the age to come.
4 Aspects of the future resurrection of our fallen bodies:
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The __________________________ of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:20 (ESV) — 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
2 Timothy 2:16–18 (ESV) — 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
1 Corinthians 15:45 (ESV) — 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
Since we all die in Adam (the first human), we will all be made alive in Christ (the last human). Amen!
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The __________________________ of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:23–26 (ESV) — 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Paul’s explicit point in this text is that there is a chronological order to the resurrection of all things, which substantiates that the resurrection has not taken place yet. We will be resurrected and receive our glorified bodies when Christ returns, and we will reign with Christ over the nations in the age to come, that is the age of Jesus Christ’s reign on earth.
Matthew 19:28–30 (ESV) — 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
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The __________________________ of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:35 (ESV) — 35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”
The new body will be some kind of curious, although glorious, mixture of what is and what will be.
Luke 24:36–43 (ESV) — 36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
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The __________________________ of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:54–55 (ESV) — 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
The point that Paul is making is that he put his life on the line for the very fact that the resurrection of God’s saints is so irrefutable and certain. Moreover, you can put your life on the line too, with an unshakable hope of future resurrection.
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot
Questions to Consider
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How does the reality of the gospel, encourage you to use your suffering as a platform for the good news of the resurrection of our mortal bodies?
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How might you make different choices as you think about the future resurrection?
