James O. Davis is the founder and president of Second Billion (TM). You are invited to learn more about Second Billion by visiting www.billion.tv.
INTRODUCTION
I want to talk about our bodies, the way we’re going to be after Jesus returns and He takes us to heaven. I trust this message will not only instruct you, but inspire you; not only lead you, but also feed you with the reality of the soon return of Jesus and the resurrection of God’s people. Later I will be dealing with more verses in this same chapter as it relates to the glorified, resurrected body of God’s people.
I challenge you first and foremost to not allow the thief of doubt to rob you of the resurrection. I want to say with all the function, unction, and emotion of my soul—if you were to extract the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Gospel, you will have emasculated Christianity. All of Christianity falls apart like a house of cards when one card is removed. You can’t have Christianity without the Resurrection any more than you can have mathematics without numbers or music without the notes of the musical scale.
Paul was a great logician. He said if Christ had not been raised then some things were definitely true. I want to give you six propositions that relate to Jesus being in the grave. These propositions flow one after another.
FIRST, OUR PREACHING IS PROFITLESS
If Christ is in the grave then all of our preaching is profitless. Paul said in verse 14, “And if Christ be not risen then our preaching is in vain.” I want you to see it. If Christ is in the grave, then it is useless to preach the Gospel.
I realize some preaching is profitless. It’s like the two women who were going home after the Sunday service. They were talking about the sermon. The first lady said, “He read his sermon today.” The other lady answered, “He didn’t read it well.” The first lady followed, “Since you brought it up, I don’t think it was worth reading.”
I trust this message is worth hearing. If Jesus is still in the grave our preaching is profitless. It is a waste of time for you to come to church and hear sermons. It is a waste of time to study the Bible. It is a waste of time to grow deeper and deeper in the things of God if Jesus is still in the grave. Not only is our preaching profitless, but our faith is also futile.
SECOND, OUR FAITH IS FUTILE
A) The Resurrection is a Fundamental Belief -- Paul says in verse 14, “And if Christ be not risen then our preaching is in vain and your faith is also vain.” Paul is saying that our faith is no better than its object. If Jesus Christ is still in the grave and dead, then we cannot possibly have faith in Him for our faith is futile. Paul is saying our faith is to be in Christ because He is risen.
Some time ago, in Los Angeles, there was a person called the “Human Fly.” This man could literally climb the sides of department store buildings and slide along the walls without help from any outside force. He was a master. That’s why they called him the “Human Fly.”
One Friday afternoon, a crowd gathered to watch him climb. He had already climbed twenty stories and had ten more to go. Suddenly, he stopped moving. It appeared that he was looking for something to hold on to so he might continue his climb to the top of the building. Gradually, they saw his right hand moving to the side of the building, as if trying to get hold of something there. Suddenly, he lost his footing and fell to his death. When they pried open his right hand, they found he was clutching a cobweb. He must have thought he saw something he could hold, instead it was nothing.
There are a lot of people like that. They are grasping for the wrong truths. Their faith is in the wrong object. Since they do not have belief in the Resurrection, their faith is futile and is headed for failure and defeat. I trust you will build your confidence and faith in the Word of God. Jesus is risen. It is a fundamental belief. If Jesus is not risen, the Word of God is a falsehood. Not only is the Resurrection a fundamental belief, but it is a factual belief.
B) The Resurrection is a Factual Belief -- Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:3-8, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James, then also of the apostles. And last of all, he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time.”
Not only is it a fundamental belief, but the Rapture of the Church is a factual belief. Paul says in verses 51 and 52, “Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump. For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Verse 54, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law, but thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
“Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith is also vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-20)
When Jesus returns, there is going to be a glorious resurrection of God’s people. The Resurrection is a fundamental belief; it is a factual belief; and, it a fervent belief.
C) The Resurrection is a Fervent Belief -- The song of the living and the raptured saints will be, “Oh death, where is thy sting?” The song of the departed but resurrected saints will be, “Oh grave, where is thy victory?” If Jesus is still in the grave then our faith is futile, our preaching is profitless, and the disciples were deceivers.
THIRD, THE DISCIPLES WERE DECEIVERS
In 1 Corinthians 15:15, Paul adds, “Yea and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom he raised not up if so be that the dead rise not.” In other words, the disciples said they were witnesses of His resurrection. Some were saying the disciples were deceivers.
How do we know they were telling the truth? Sometimes people will live for a lie, but I tell you it is seldom that people will die for a lie. Martyrs and hypocrites are not made of the same substance. How do I know they were not deceivers? Because they all died for their belief in the resurrection. Peter, James, the son of Alpheus, Philip, Simon, and Bartholomew were all crucified. Thaddeus was shot by an arrow. James, the brother of Jesus was stoned. Thomas was speared to death. James, the son of Zebedee and Matthew died by the sword. And, Paul was beheaded. These people were not deceivers because they were willing to give their life for their belief.
So, if Jesus Christ is still in the grave, our preaching is profitless, our faith is futile, the disciples were deceivers, and sin is sovereign.
FOURTH, SIN IS SOVERIGN
Paul says in verses 16-17, “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. And, if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain. Ye are yet in your sins.”
I said earlier that the Resurrection is a fundamental belief. If it is not the Word of God then it is a falsehood and Christ is a failure. If Christ is still in the grave, then we are still in our sins. Jesus Christ came out of that grave and He is seated at the right hand of the Heavenly Father making intercession for you and me. “Living He loved me; dying He saved me; buried He carried my sins far away. Rising, He justified freely forever. One day He’s coming, oh glorious day.” When Jesus came out of that grave, He broke the chains of hell and death. He was resurrected and went back home to be with His Father. Now, He is our Advocate, our High Priest, making intercession for us. He is covering our sins and pleading our case every day that we live.”
If He is still in the grave, then our preaching is profitless; our faith is futile; the disciples were deceivers; sin is sovereign; and, death has dominion.
FIFTH, DEATH HAS DOMINION
Paul says in verse 18, “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” If Christ is in the grave, our loved ones are like a pet, or an animal, because they are gone forever. People don’t like to talk about death. They will avoid it like smallpox. But, Mother Nature and Father Time are causing us to die. Someone has said, “The heartbeat is a muffled drum beat to the grave.” One day we shall all see the face of death if Jesus Christ does not come to take us away.
Some time ago an unbelieving man bid farewell to his little six-year-old daughter who was lying in a casket. He kissed her little face and fingered the curls about her ears for a moment. Then, he turned away from the little white casket in utter despair, saying, “Farewell, forever.” But, the Christian mother stroked the little girl’s forehead and kissed her face as she uttered these words, “Though you have been with us for only six years, life is richer and sweeter, my darling little girl. Good night. I will be with you, and with our Lord, in the morning.”
Eternal bodies -- One day we will see again those who have perished while serving Jesus. It is going to be a glorious time for God’s people. They will come forth with eternal bodies like His. Jesus proved that to Thomas in John 20:26-29, where He says, “Touch me, Thomas. Look at me, Thomas. See me, Thomas.” We shall have the same bodies as Jesus.
Stainless bodies -- Not only are we going to have eternal bodies like Jesus, our bodies are going to be stainless bodies. In verse 53 of this chapter, Paul says, “For the corruptible must put on incorruption…”
Splendid bodies -- They are going to be the same bodies as His, stainless bodies, and splendid bodies. This mortal must put on immortality. Paul tells us that we shall live for eternity.
Spirit bodies -- Same bodies, stainless bodies, splendid bodies, and spirit bodies like that of our Lord’s glorious body. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:44, “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.
Oh, what a truth! Those believers who went to the grave lame will come forth to walk on streets of gold. Christians who were blind will arise to see the face of our Savior. Followers of Christ who were deaf will someday hear angels sing, “Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb”. Godly men and women who died of cancer, leukemia, diabetes or other sicknesses, on Resurrection morning will leave all sicknesses behind. Oh, what a day when Jesus returns for His own.
Our ministry has allowed us to travel to many places throughout the world. On several trips to the Hawaiian Islands, we have taken the tour out to the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor. After a short boat ride of five or ten minutes, there is a scenic spot erected directly over the sunken U.S.S. Arizona battleship. On the platform, the names of those who died are engraved in marble. Then, looking into the water, parts of the ship are still visible. Inside that ship are hundreds of bodies of sailors who died that day on December 7, 1942.
I could not help but think that many of those men knew Jesus Christ as Savior. Even though their bodies are now enclosed within the iron coffin of that ship, under the surface of the water, they one day will come forth in the Resurrection to meet their Lord in the air.
If Jesus Christ is still in the grave, then death has dominion, sin is sovereign, the disciples were deceivers, faith is futile, preaching is profitless, and our future is fearful.
SIXTH, OUR FUTURE IS FEARFUL
Paul says in verses 19-20, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that sleep.” I tell you if Jesus has not come out of the grave, our future is fearful.
Gilbert West and Lord Littleton were two agnostics who set out to disprove the Bible. Gilbert West would seek to prove that Saul was not converted. Before they reached their goals, both men came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Francis Lamb, a well-known, sophisticated lawyer wrote a 248-page report on the New Testament entitled, “Tested by the Standards and Ordeals of Jurally Science.” The conclusion of his study and report is that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as a demonstrated fact.
Not only did Jesus hang and die on a cross nearly 2,000 years ago, not only was He buried in a borrowed tomb, but on schedule He came out of the grave and He lives today! Because of His Resurrection, when Jesus returns, we too shall be resurrected and receive a glorified body. Those who are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the clouds and forever we shall be with the Lord! Those who have gone into the grave before us will one day come out of their graves and be reunited eternally with the Lord and His people.
Oh what a day that will be! When Jesus returns, we shall forever be with our glorious Lord. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul writes, “So shall we ever be with the Lord.” But, not only shall we be with our glorious Lord, we shall be in a glorious land. There will be no more sickness, death, evil, immorality, drug abuse, or child abuse. What a day it is going to be when Jesus comes for you and me. We shall be seated with Christ at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and later will rule and reign with Him for ever and ever!
Since Jesus Christ is alive, preaching is profitable, faith is feasible, the disciples are dependable, sin has been subdued, death is defeated, and our future is fabulous. Jesus lives--do you? You do not live until the Risen Savior is invited into your heart and life.
CONCLUSION
Many years ago, as the story goes, a young woman had been placed into an insane asylum. Although she protested her innocence, no one would believer her. In time, however, she won the favor of an old man who was the coffin maker for those who died at the asylum. He agreed that when the next person died, she could get into the coffin with the dead person and he would let her escape before the body was buried.
Soon, someone from the asylum died. In the dark, she hurriedly rushed to the side of the casket, lifted the lid, got inside with the body, and closed the lid in anticipation of her desired freedom. An eerie feeling came over her as she felt the body next to her. In time she heard voices and felt the casket being moved into the hearse. She felt the thump of the casket as it was placed inside the vehicle. At any time, she thought, the old man would open the casket for her to be free. She heard the door slam, the engine start, and the hearse begin to move.
It was only a short drive to the cemetery. Soon the casket was placed in the ground. When voices were no longer heard, she thought the old man would open the lid and let her escape. Instead, she heard the first of several shovels of dirt being thrown onto the casket. Thinking someone must still be with the old man, she fought the anxiety of her delayed release. As time passed, she thought the old man would surely dig her up as soon as everyone left. Then she would be free.
The coldness of the earth began to fill the coffin. The eerie feeling of the body next to her bothered her. She began to panic as she realized that the oxygen would soon be gone and her life would be over if something did not happen quickly. She kept telling herself that her friend would come and everything would be fine--but everything was not fine. She began to gasp for breath and realized that time was running out.
At that moment she struggled to find the lighter that was in her pocket. She stroked it and the flame lit the cramped coffin. Suddenly, she saw the face of the coffin maker. Now she did panic and began to scream, but no one was able to hear her.
I ask you, with whom are you going to the grave? If Jesus is not in your heart, you will be lost for all eternity. Our preaching is profitable. Our faith is feasible. The disciples are dependable. Sin has been subdued. Death is defeated. And, the future is filled with hope for those who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord!
