June 2, 2013
Evening Service

ICor. 15:29-58

 

This morning Paul told the church at Corinth, and the church at Mitchell, that if they continue in the Gospel message that they had received from his preaching, they would be saved.  That message consisted of the dbr of the Christ of God, prophesied about in the O.T.  He told them that Jesus of Nazareth was God’s Christ, or Anointed One.  The Messiah that was to come.

Then he confronted those who didn’t believe that there would be a resurrection.

Then he concluded this morning with what happens after the resurrection.  1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

 

Now Paul will continue his arguments concerning the resurrection.   

1Co 15:29-58  Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 

·         Now here is why it is important to rightly divide the Word.  There are people who believe, and teach that you can be baptized for a dead loved one.  Not true.  Notice what Paul is referring to when he mentions being baptized for the dead.

·         Rom 6:1-11  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  (2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  (3)  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  (6)  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  (7)  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  (8)  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  (9)  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  (10)  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  (11)  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

·         As you can see Paul refers to our baptism as a death, burial, and resurrection. 

 

(30)  And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?  (31)  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  (32)  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 

·         Had Jesus and His Apostles hadn’t brought to light the importance of living the best life we can for God, and that we all  would stand before the judgment seat of Christ to answer for the things done in the body, we would probably have this philosophy because of Solomon.

·         Ecc 5:18  Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

·         Ecc 8:15  Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

·         But Jesus, and His Apostles instructs us “Awake to righteousness, and sin not.”  Strive to be a pleasing servant to our Master, Jesus Christ.

(33)  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  (34)  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

·         Why is it that some men don’t have this knowledge?  They don’t take time to find out.  To busy with this worlds cares to seek after God’s will.

 

(35)  But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?  (36)  Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:  (37)  And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:  (38)  But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.  (39)  All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.  (40)  There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  (41)  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 

·         When we read this I think we understand what the Apostle is saying.  Good illustrations.

(42)  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  (43)  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  (44)  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  (45)  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 

·         If Jesus tarries, and some of us are still alive at His coming, we will be changed in the twinkling of an eye.  This ole sinful body that I am using for awhile, will not be allowed into Heaven.  It will be changed.  Paul tells us this at the end of this chapter.

·         Php 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  (21)  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

 

(46)  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  (47)  The first man is of the earth, earthy:

·         God made Adam out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.  Gen. 2:7.

the second man is the Lord from heaven. 

·         The Eternal Holy Ghost Spirit is the Father of Jesus.  Matt. 1:18.

(48)  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  (49)  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  (50)  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  (51)  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  (52)  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.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (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.  (55)  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  (56)  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  (57)  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

·         And then Paul closes this chapter with a very good admonition.

(58)  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 

May God add His blessings to His Word.