1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (p. 802) February 2, 2014
Introduction:
On March 2nd, 2004 I became a better minister...and it wasn’t because I took another course for my Master’s Degree or attended a Seminar or Convention. On March 2nd, 2004 my father, took his last breath here on earth, and on March 4th I preached his funeral...full military honors, honor guard, 21 gun salute, presenting of the Flag and Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
I’ll be honest, I remember the title of what I shared, “My Father, My Hero,” but I don’t remember much of what I said.
The reason I became a better minister on that day was because of what death did to my heart. I’d felt death’s grief before...my MeMaw, my aunts, my 1st cousin, my best friend Darrell, but Dad was different in its intensity. The hole that I felt in my life was bigger, more invasive.
It felt overwhelming, all the memories made me cry, a lot. He was the one who taught me to throw a ball, ride my bike, hold my mouth right when I fished. He was the one I wanted to see me make the basket or hit the triple. The later years with my Dad were so good because of my relationship with Christ. He would always give advice, but on the golf course or deer hunting, or talking about the Bible he was my friend, still Dad, but someone who I knew loved me, was proud of me...Security.
That’s it, some of my security was gone. Dad was my “safety net.” Now I would be flying without him...and it hurt...and it scared me. Some of His responsibilities were now...my responsibilities. He’d gone home...I was still here.
Experiencing this made me a better minister...because it made me understand this kind of grief. It allowed me to say to more people “I know how you feel when they stood next to their father’s caskets. I’m not sure how God will continue to make me a better minister, but I’m pretty sure grief will be part of it. After all Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble (not might or could, but “will”) but take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Whether you are a child of God or not you will have trouble. This is a world of sin...and the wages of sin are death...and you will stand next to many caskets. My mother is one of the most amazing servants of God I’ve ever known...she stood next to her grandparents, both her parents, her mate, two of her sisters and at 88 countless members of friends, church family and co-workers. I have seen my mother grieve...deeply, but I’ve never seen her without hope...without a peace that surpasses all understanding guarding her heart and mind.” (Philippians 4:7)
You see, because of sin each of us will stand next to caskets...and each of us will have people stand next to ours...Hebrews 9:27 says “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
It’s why the Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 15...it’s the resurrection chapter of the Bible...and in a bad news world of death and grief...it’s a trumpet of hope and faith...but it’s only that trumpet for those in Christ.
I. INHERITING THE KINGDOM OF GOD REQUIRES CHANGE
Paul says, flesh and blood can’t inherit God’s Kingdom...Perishable things can’t inherit God’s kingdom.
He even says “let me tell you a mystery we will not all sleep but we will all be changed.” (v. 51)
We had that hanging in our nursery at the church I ministered at in West Virginia.
Paul says it will happen instantly, in a flash, the twinkling of an eye. We’re not all going to sleep (die) but we’ll all be changed.
Here’s the problem. My body, your body...everybody’s body is “flesh and blood.” Perishable...it runs down...breaks...eventually stops...that’s death.
And that “flesh and blood” perishable thing is true, even for those who haven’t gone to sleep yet.
So, how is the change possible? How can we become an heir of the kingdom? Only 1 way...
1. WE MUST BE SPIRITUALY REBORN!
Jesus told Nicodemus these words:
JOHN 3:3-7 (p. 740)
“Flesh gives birth to flesh but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” You’ll notice one of those Spirit’s is capitalized...one isn’t. Why? Because one refers to the Holy Spirit and one refers to our spirit (Our eternal soul).
Most of us understand the physiology and biology that takes place for a baby to be conceived...Jesus says, I’m not talking about “the birds and the bees” I’m talking about being born “again.” Literally “born from above.”
Folks, I do not believe I am responsible for anyone else’s sin...including Adam and Eve’s...but, there is a hard truth that exists for everyone. Romans 3:11 says “There is no one righteous, not even one...verse 12 says, “All have turned away.” Verse 23 sums it up...”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
A sinful nature lives in every heart. A selfish and self seeking attitude is the “normal” filter for every human decision.
For us to become God’s children, people who think act and feel like God’s one and only son Jesus, doesn’t require a band aid, it requires a “death, burial and resurrection,” It requires as Jesus told Nicodemus, change so radical it’s a “new birth.” “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.”
This change is so radical it’s compared to the birth process because changing from a sinful, selfish, self-seeking person to a “kingdom of God” person can only happen when our inner spirit is changed by God’s Holy Spirit. “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6)
The outer shell remains the same, but now this temporary tent has become the “temple of God.” You haven’t entered the Kingdom. Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is in you.” (Luke 17:21)
“And those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14)
Can you see this change...Well not so much on the outside. Our bodies remain the same. But, like the wind blowing, the spirit begins to blow like the wind of God...and man! You can see the effects of wind being blown!
This is exactly what Paul means when he says “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
We will not all die physically...there will be people alive when Jesus returns, but no one enters Heaven with His earthly body. Just as no one enters the “Kingdom of God” unless they are “born again” before His return.
2. EXCHANGING A TENT FOR A MANSION
The Apostle Paul wanted believers to know that our life here on earth was like camping out. We were not designed by God to die. We are designed by God to live. Death entered the picture because of sin. It makes us perishable...mortal. The story of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. (Which every person has broken...thus we all are sinners)
Only one person hasn’t broken the law. “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” His Spirit, the one given to me at my rebirth...leads me to understand Holiness. Holy isn’t His first name. It’s the Spirit’s job description. He comforts, teaches, prays, intercedes, convicts, “The work God began will be brought to completion through Him.”
But, no matter how Christ-like I become here on earth, the work’s not done. The Holy Spirit needs an eternal house to live in, not a temporary one.
When Jesus returns, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, those who have died will be raised imperishable. And those who are alive in these temporary bodies will be changed, the same way.
It’s not a mansion in heaven we look forward to...it’s the eternal house in heaven, not built with human hands...Listen.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-6 (p. 805)
The mansion is my new body...my eternal body...God made me for this purpose...and the Holy Spirit was a deposit guaranteeing what is to come...and as long as I live in this temporary body...I’m not home yet!!
Let me end with some assurances...
II. THE RESURRECTION IS THE FAMILY REUNION
“Death will only be swallowed up in victory” when we see, and experience our eternal promise.
Everyone will be resurrected...lost and saved. But please know you want to be part of the 1st resurrection. “Blessed and holy are those who share in the 1st resurrection. The 2nd death has no power over them!” It’s the resurrection Paul is writing about in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18 (p.825)
God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. The trumpet call, the call of God, the Archangel...The dead in Christ will rise first...After that...we who are still alive.
That is an amazing family reunion in the Kingdom of God. This is the glory revealed “in us.” This is the eternal Spirit, and our spirit, of those faithful loved ones that preceded us exchanging “the tent for a mansion!”
And so we will be with the Lord forever...encourage one another with these words...no wonder Paul ends our text in 1 Corinthians 15 with these words.
“Therefore my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
[God’s people will not be judged for our salvation but Jesus will judge my work, my ministry, and yours. He’ll test it to see if it stands up, whether it’s straw, sticks or hay...or gold, silver or costly stones.
What we are doing here is eternal stuff, or temporary stuff. Paul’s challenge is...Don’t grow weary in building on an eternal foundation. Don’t think it’s a waste of time. It’s the only thing that really matters.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:8-16 (p. 794)
On that day you’ll never regret focusing on people. On that day you’ll never think I did too much to reach the lost so God’s Kingdom grew. On that day...when you see Jesus...your father...your family, you’ll never think...wow..it’s too big.
Lets pray.
