The Resurrection Body
1 Cor. 15:35-50

Sermon Outline From The Evening Service - 27 February 2000

Christianity is the only religion with a resurrection of the body. Questions naturally come to mind: the mechanics of the operation; the nature of the resurrection body.

I. The illustration of planting (36-38)--the response to the first question, HOW?

A. the teaching of the illustration:

1. The seed dies, this is a part of what God has planned.
2. The seed is not the fruit....what is sown and grown are different.
3. God is the operator behind it all (He gives it a body...).

B. the appropriateness of the comparison:

1. The seed is planted in the earth as the body is "planted."
2. What is produced is "more" & "more profitable."
3. The "body" is different....it is related to what was planted, but not identical with it.

II. The illustration of differing bodies (39-44) -- the response to what body?

A. God prepared different kinds of flesh / bodies for the various things of creation. Each body is suited for its particular existence.

B. God prepares a body for our eternal abode.

1. Corruption vs incorruption -- 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.
2. Dishonour vs honour -- suffering, pain, sickness, death...are the results of sin. We carry Adam's dishonour all the way to the grave.
3. Weakness vs power -- death, especially, shows the weakness of man: nothing can stop it, and there are no life processes at death.
4. Natural vs spiritual -- an oxymoron? No, it is a body that "answers to the needs of the spiritual nature." Our soul is world-conscious; our spirit is God-conscious.
5. "Like His glorious body" -- recognizable movement not need food; a body quite different than Lazarus'.

III. Earthly vs heavenly (45-50)

A. The difference between the 2 Adams: Adam was passive. Christ was active -- He could create that capacity within us to relate to God.

B. There is an order -- earthly before heavenly.

C. Bearing the image -- let us bear the image of Christ. 1 John 3:1-3.

D. Salvation is the catalyst for this capability.