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Well, when I was with you, it 
was my privilege to be with you back in 2005. I was happy when 
we got home to report to the brethren what we had seen here, 
the Lord's blessing upon you as a church family and your pastor. And now, lo and behold, there 
are more of you here, I think, than were there then. You've 
even picked up another elder along the way. And I am ready 
to go back and share again a happy report of God's blessing upon 
His Church here in this place. And please be assured of our 
regular prayers for you, dear brethren, and we trust that you 
will also remember us. Well, I would ask you to turn 
this evening, please, again to 1 Corinthians, Chapter 15. 1 Corinthians, the 15th chapter. Now, in our previous study, we 
began to consider something of that question that evidently 
was being asked in Corinth and the Apostle Paul himself addressed 
it in First Corinthians 15. Notice, please, verse 35. But someone will say, how are 
the dead raised up and with what body do they come? Well, This is something of the 
question that we're asking, though we do so in quite a different 
spirit from that which was being addressed by the Apostle Paul, 
because this was addressed by ones whom he calls foolish ones 
in verse 36, people who are even denying that Christians should 
be physically raised from the dead, that their bodies would 
come forth. And so this whole chapter really is addressing 
that very matter, people who thought it was impossible. How 
is it? How can God raise these bodies 
that have been scattered to the dust and the like? Well, even 
though Paul is here addressing skeptics, yet he does give something 
of an answer to that question in verses 35 or 36 through 53, 
rather, he shows not only that it's possible that 
the dead should be raised, but that it's actually reasonable. 
And more than that, it's absolutely necessary. And in so doing, he 
tells us at least something about those resurrected bodies that 
we will have. What will characterize them? 
Not an exhaustive description, you understand, but at least 
some basics as to what this will be. Now, we are dividing it under 
two heads. The first we looked at already 
today. That which is to be raised from the dead is this body, and 
that which we come to this evening is, it's this body changed. Or to quote the words of our 
own confession, chapter 31 and paragraph 2, the dead shall be 
raised up with the self, same bodies, and none other, although 
with different qualities. Now again, I just remind you 
of what we saw this morning without going into any great review. 
The Apostle Paul here in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 in particular, he 
said, well, it's like seed sown in the ground and the plant that 
comes up. They don't necessarily look alike, 
but there's this organic unity between what is sown and what 
comes up by way of that body given. And so it is, he says, 
with us. And then he goes down through 
the list. It is sown this way. It will be raised that way. It 
sown this way. It raised that way. Not two different 
things, but one of the same it. is going to be, that is buried, 
is going to be raised. And the other analogy he uses 
is it's like putting on clothing. Well, we will put on immortality, 
but that doesn't mean we're going to be something entirely different. 
Just like this body, you put clothes on it, it's still this 
body. Well, so too, this body, we put on immortality and incorruption, 
but it's the same body that will be raised. And we pointed out, 
even the scripture itself points out, that the resurrection body 
of our Lord Jesus Christ is, at least in some respects, a 
pattern for us. Paul develops that here later, 
and we'll go on to see that a bit this evening. Well, as Christ 
was raised with a physical body, he could say to the disciples, 
touch and see, a spirit does not have flesh and bones. He 
did have flesh and bones, even eight in their presence, demonstrating 
that it was indeed Christ physically raised from the dead, that same 
body. And so will it be with us. But 
it's this body change, or again the words of our confession, 
with very different qualities, mind you, even made radically 
different in a very wonderful way. And that is our future, 
dear brother, dear sister. That's true of us all in Christ. Notice what he says now in 1 
Corinthians 15. Let's take up our reading at 
verse 51. Well, let me back up to verse 50. Now this I say, 
brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of 
God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell 
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 trumpet, for the trumpet will sound and the dead will 
be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed, all of us. Now, obviously, that means that 
we will be changed from that state in which Resurrection Day 
finds us in the grave. We're not going to be raised 
up as just a bunch of dust, right? Well, that goes without saying. But more than that, he's saying 
that we will be changed from what those bodies were before 
they were put in the grave. When those bodies and firm and 
the like were buried, well, we're going to be quite different and 
distinct. And he talks here about what a great contrast that it 
will be when he says, sown in corruption, sown in dishonor, 
sown in weakness, a soulish body that is a body suited to this 
world. And then he goes on to say in that verses 42 through 
47, quite the opposite, raised in corruption and in glory and 
in power and that with a spiritual body that is energized by the 
Holy Spirit and suited to live in that eternal blessings. I 
think of these bodies, perhaps weakened by age or those who 
have had some disease infirmity that's eaten away at their health 
and their strength and their vigor. What a great contrast 
that day will bring. How they will be raised to life 
and full strength and energy and no more weakness and no more 
disease and no more pain. As verse 53 says, this corruptible 
must put on incorruption and this mortal put on immortality. Radical change. But more than 
that, we will not only be experiencing a great change from an aged or 
diseased body, even those who are in the prime of life when 
Christ comes, they too will be changed. Because as we see here 
in verse 51, not all are going to sleep. There will still be 
those who are alive and remain when Christ comes. And even some 
Christian athlete who's just full of vigor and strength, the 
very prime of life. Or this child who has professed 
faith in Christ, truly knows the Savior. This young child. 
Why, here they are, the very picture of youthful joy and energy. They, too, will be changed. In 
other words, brethren, the change that comes is not, well, we're 
going to take you back to what you were in the prime of life. 
No, it's something far beyond that, because all, even those 
in the prime of life when Christ comes, they too will be changed. But more than that, the change 
is something even far better than Adam's unfallen state. That is what Adam's body was 
before sin's entrance. No, the change that we will experience 
is to something better than that. In verses 48 and 49, Paul here 
talks about how, as we've borne the image of the man of dust, 
so we're going to bear the image of the heavenly man. And in that 
connection, back up to verse 45, And so it is the first man, 
Adam, became a living being. The last Adam became a life giving 
spirit. When he's here saying that we're 
going to be as we born Adam's image, we're going to bear Christ's 
image. The contrast isn't as we born 
Adam's image in that fallen state so much as he's saying in verse 
45, he's quoting from Genesis chapter two and verse seven before 
Adam fell. As we born Adam's image, even 
what Adam was in that unfallen state. No, we're going to be 
raised to something, changed to something even far greater 
than that. Bearing the image of the heavenly 
man, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Think of that, Adam with that 
perfect body, not even a propensity towards decay and disease and 
the like. You know, Genesis chapter 1 verse 
31, God has created it all, and he looks upon it, and he sees 
it's all very good. That included Adam's body. Before 
sin's entrance. Brethren, what we get, what we're 
changed into at last, is something better than that. Okay? Very different indeed. Okay, but changed to what? We're going to be changed. Something 
far better than even what Adam had in that unfallen state. better 
or change, I should say, to what? Well, I must say the Bible does 
not go into great detail as to those resurrected bodies. The 
longest statement is here found in 1 Corinthians 15, verses 42 
through 44, that I've already referred to, how in corruption 
and in glory and in power and a spiritual body, and then verse 
53 adds a little bit more to that, But as you can see, that 
doesn't really give us much by way of detail, little is said 
as to the capabilities and the appearance and such things as 
that of that body. But there is one fact that's 
here before us, I've already referred to it here in First 
Corinthians 15, and it's something that scripture mentions repeatedly, 
and that is that it will be a body like unto Christ's body. Notice 
verses 48 and 49. Well, let me back up to 47. The 
first man was of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the 
Lord from heaven. As was that man of dust, so also 
are those who are made of dust. And as is the heavenly man, so 
also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image 
of the man of dust, we shall bear the image of the heavenly 
man." We're going to be like Christ. The very thing we see, 
1 John chapter 3 and verse 2, you're familiar with it. We shall 
see Him as He is. We shall be like Him. Or Romans 8, verse 29, how it's 
God's predetermined purpose that we should be conformed to the 
image of God's own Son. And He should be the firstborn 
among many brethren. Or if you would, please notice 
Philippians 3. He tells us In verse 20, how our citizenship 
is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord 
Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body, that it may be 
conformed to His glorious body. according to the working by which 
he is able even to subdue all things to himself. I pointed 
out from the text this morning, it shows us this same body, our 
body is going to be not replaced, but changed. But he says he's 
going to change our body to be like his glorious body. Now, the old King James has changed 
our vile body, and that would suggest something rather stinch 
and nasty and so forth. Well, that's not the word Bible. 
It's the idea of a lowly body as the New King James has it. 
The body that is very weak and very limited indeed. And this 
includes, of course, our weakness that we now experience to do 
right. Remember how our Lord Jesus said, spirit is willing, 
flesh is weak. Well, sure enough, so it is as 
far as our ability to do right with our bodies. We've got sinful 
appetites and carnalities and all rooted in our remaining corruption, 
and we're very weak when it comes to doing what is right. But even 
beyond that, these present humble bodies, well, these Bodies are 
humble from the standpoint of being weak and so needy. We tire 
easily. We need sleep. Perhaps you got 
a good nap this afternoon. Hope you did. It's not going 
to do you the rest of the day. You'll get tired again before 
the day is out. Right? And we're dependent upon everything 
around us for our sustenance and well-being. Bodies are in 
a humble state, very weak. These bodies have appetites that 
demand our attention. Sometimes those appetites can 
lead us in a very wrong, a very sinful way. And our physical 
frame is very susceptible to injury and disease and to pain. And you young folk don't perhaps 
understand this now, but those with a few miles on the odometer, 
we understand the body's very subject to the aging process. 
as well, and at last, to death itself. Our humble bodies. This is what Paul is talking 
about here. These lowly bodies. We are now 
in a state of humiliation. But what he's saying is, come 
that day, no more. No longer will this body be in 
that physically humble or weak state ever again. Revelation chapter 7, no more 
hunger, no more thirst, no more discomfort, not even the sun 
burning down and making you uncomfortable. No more sorrow, no more crime, 
no more pain, as we're told in Revelation chapter 21. Well, 
brethren, that should be appealing, is it? Especially as you see, 
perhaps, the aging process taking its toll on your body and the 
aches and pains and the like that you didn't have when you 
were a young buck or young woman. Well, Is Christ's body now racked 
with pain? Oh, no. Is Christ's body now 
subject to aging? The man Christ Jesus, a true 
human body that He forever retains, is it subject now to weakness? 
No. Our bodies will be transformed 
like unto His glorious body. But it goes just beyond that, 
because when it says Christ's glorious body, and we're going 
to be conformed to that, the word literally means to form 
with. It speaks of a thoroughly shared 
likeness, not just what we're going to be free from, but positively. It's the same word used in Romans 
8, 29 about we're going to be conformed to the image of God's 
Son. And the word image there is like 
a derived image, like that which is stamped on a coin. What do 
you have, the Queen here in Canada? Is it the stamp on the coin? 
I can't remember. You don't want to talk about it. It's a derived 
image. Well, that's something of the word that's used here. 
A true conformity to Christ. Morally, we will be like Him, 
but also physically. Bodies transform physically conformed 
into His likeness. Well, that's what's before us. 
Albert Barnes, a commentator, said, accompanied with all the 
circumstances of splendor and glory which are appropriate to 
the Son of God." You got that? Our bodies transformed, conformed 
to Christ's glorious body right now. The man Christ Jesus. Even 
that same kind of body. And this is a consistent emphasis 
in scripture, a moral as well as a physical likeness to Christ. But what exactly does that mean? 
What is that specifically? Well, I quote Calvin, the glory 
we shall have conformity to Christ's body. Is incomprehensible by 
us. And in light of that, Calvin 
basically says, so therefore be content. We will know the 
riches of our inheritance when we shall come to the enjoyment 
of them. So though now eye has not seen, 
ear has not heard, has entered in our hearts, what is going 
to be? Be content, the day comes you will fully understand and 
know quite experientially, dear brother and sister. Although 
this is given quite an emphasis in scripture about being conformed 
to Christ's image, those verses that tell us about it really 
say little as to specifics, as to detail. But it strikes me, 
what more can be said? We're simply told, like Christ's 
glorious body. But what can you add or what can you say to that? 
What more needs be said? What higher, more perfect, blessed 
state than that? What befits the glory? What kind 
of body befits the glory of the man, Christ Jesus? What kind 
of body? What does He forever deserve 
by way of a glorified body? Well, it's not yet been revealed 
what we shall be, John says in 1 John 3.2, but this has been 
revealed. We know that when He appears, 
we shall be like Him. And that is surely enough. What higher recommendation, what 
greater glory could be given to our resurrected bodies than 
to be forever like Christ's glorious body. And so it is. This body raised. And this body changed in this 
wonderful way. But why this? Why this great 
change in our future? This morning, we looked at the 
question, why this body? And I would just quickly review 
what we saw there. It's this body because, after 
all, Christ bought these bodies at a high price. And therefore, 
he's not going to leave them to decay in the ground. And furthermore, 
our bodies, according to 1 Corinthians 6.15, are part of his body. We're 
in union with Christ, and he will not surrender over any part 
of that. And furthermore, recovering our 
bodies is part of his final triumph over all of his enemies. The 
last enemy is death. And furthermore, raising these 
very bodies is part of that work entrusted to him, John 6.39. 
Well, that's my way of review. That's why it must be this body. 
But OK, now the question is, but why this body so drastically, 
wonderfully changed, this great change, or as the Confession 
puts it, with these different qualities? Well, firstly, and 
obviously, that which Christ wants with Him forever is not 
just a bunch of decomposed bodies, not just a bunch of dust, right? So, yeah, it's going to have 
to be changed so he has more than just that. It's not just 
the dust that won't let the grave hold that. But again, why this 
great change then? And secondly, then I would say 
this. Well, we're told to come back to 1 Corinthians 15. 1 Corinthians 
chapter 15 and verse 50. Now this I say, brethren, that 
flesh and blood, that is our current physical condition, cannot 
inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. This body right now, at its best, 
is not suited for our future blessedness. To experience all 
of that glory that will forever be ours, these bodies must be 
changed. They must be suited to it. And 
so he goes on to say here, verses 51, 52, that we've already read. 
That's why we're all going to be changed. Even those who are 
alive when Christ comes, their bodies must be changed, too, 
because their bodies in this current state, even if they're 
in the prime of life or youthful vigor, doesn't matter. They could 
not take all that great glory that will be given to us. I mean, 
by virtue of the fact that he says flesh and blood, our present 
state, we cannot inherit Corruption cannot inherit incorruption. 
The word is translated perish, imperishable. These bodies perish. Well, if our inheritance is to 
last forever, we've got to have bodies that are going to last 
forever too, right? That makes perfectly good sense. 
But it's not just that, well, we're going to get bodies that 
are eternal. To quote one commentator from years past, he says we're 
to have bodies not only capable through their immortality of 
eternally existing, we will have that, but also of the infinite 
spiritual enjoyments of God. This body raised and it must 
be changed to be like Christ's glorious body because of the 
great joys, the great spiritual blessedness that will then be 
ours so that we will be able to experience it. We need and 
we will have a body that will not tire, Endless ages of giving 
praise to God and going about whatever service God has for 
us. Never tire. A body that needs no sleep, no 
night there. A body that's not dependent upon 
circumstances. Right? Well, that's the kind 
of body we're going to have. A body with a capacity for blessedness 
that we cannot now begin to fathom. And to demonstrate that, See, 
our present state could not handle the glory that will be ours. Come to Exodus chapter 33. Exodus chapter 33. Are you familiar 
with that very touching prayer of Moses in Exodus 33? Lord, show me your glory. Now 
Moses, haven't you seen enough already? But he has a righteous 
kind of greediness for more of God. Lord, show me your glory. And God did reveal his glory 
to him. We see the record of that in 
Exodus chapter 34. But notice what God says, though, 
in verse 20 about the limitation of the glory that would be displayed. 
Verse 20 of Exodus 33, God said, You cannot see my face. For no 
man shall see me and live. Moses, I will show you as it 
were the hinder parts of my glory. I will give you just a glimpse, 
because you see in your present frame, even you, Moses, you could 
not handle it. It would kill you. It would overwhelm 
you. Now you see that, right? Please turn to the last chapter 
of your Bible, Revelation chapter 22. Revelation chapter 22. We'll take up our reading at 
verse three. Referring to our eternal state 
and there should be no more curse. But the throne of God and of 
the Lamb shall be in it. And his servants shall serve 
him. They shall see his face and his name should be on their 
foreheads. Now, whatever name on their foreheads 
means, I don't know, but this I do know. that it speaks very 
clearly that we're going to have a capacity beyond what Moses 
had. And he said, Lord, show me your 
book. Moses, I have to give you only a limited view. Your present 
physical frame, you would just melt under. It would kill you 
and destroy for you. I've got more work for you to 
do, Moses. But come that day, we are raised with a body like 
unto Christ's glorious body. so that we will be able to behold 
and enjoy the glory of God in a way far, far greater than what 
Moses or any other mortal has enjoyed the glory of God in this 
life, in this world. That's why we must be changed 
to have a body suited to that, and suited it will be. So much so that we will be as 
suited for the glory as the man Christ Jesus is now suited for 
that glory, and that's indeed why these bodies must be changed 
to be like unto His glorious body. Are you familiar with Romans 
chapter 8 and verse 17? How we're told that we're going 
to be glorified together with Christ as joint heirs? You know 
what that means, don't you? It means that we share in His 
eternal blessedness as joint heirs, as true children of God. His inheritance is ours. Yes, 
He's the firstborn among many brethren. but nonetheless we 
are truly joint heirs with Christ and therefore we are glorified 
together with him as such and that means then that we forever 
share his inheritance his great blessedness that will be ours 
and therefore our bodies must be conformed under his glorious 
body So that we will be given a capacity for the blessedness 
even that He Himself has in His glorified humanity. Now I know 
there is this vast difference. He is indeed the infinite and 
eternal God. But let us never forget He is 
still and forever the man, Christ Jesus. And there is now that 
physical body of a man, albeit glorified. And we will have a 
body like unto Christ's body so that we might be able to do 
as He Himself said in Matthew 25, enter into the joy of your 
Lord. It's His joy and you enter into 
it and you're given capacity to do so. A body like unto His 
glory, sharing His joy and His blessedness in our view of the 
glory of God. What kind of glory and delight 
will forever be Christ's inheritance? Well, we can't begin to fathom 
it. But I know this much. According to these words, that 
is our eternal blessedness, brethren. What grace. Sinners by nature 
and by practice. And so redeemed by the blood 
of Jesus Christ. And so accepted by that one offering 
perfected forever. That we're suited even to be 
glorified together with Christ to share His eternal blessedness. 
And he gives us bodies that will be well suited to that, that 
kind of capability. Why must these bodies be changed? 
Why not just being raised to the prime of life and a full 
head of hair? Well, because you see the glory that we're going 
to experience, it requires a body that is glorious indeed. That's 
our future. This is not a fairy tale. My 
brother, my sister, we're talking about your future. You got that? 
Your future, you. That very body is sitting right 
there in that pew right now. That body is going to be raised 
from the dead. If Christ should come before you die, OK, it won't 
be raised from the dead, but nonetheless, it's going to be 
changed to be that glorious body. And you will most certainly be 
suited to behold the glory of God forever and ever and share 
the eternal blessedness of our great Redeemer, our, can I say, 
elder brother, the firstborn among many brothers. Well, and 
that leads me to another reason why this body must be changed. It's so that we will be then 
suited to our eternal position and dignity. As I've already 
pointed out, Christ is the firstborn among many brethren. Well, we 
are greatly loved children of our glorious father. We're not 
treated as unwanted children. Well, you're God the son. That's 
the real son. But the rest of you, well, you 
know, you're kind of no, no. joint heirs. The whole emphasis 
is that sharing his dignity and honor. And so it is that we must 
have bodies suited to that. Matthew 13, 43. We won't turn 
there for the sake of time, but there we're told how we will 
shine as bright as the sun in the kingdom of our father. That 
doesn't mean literally we're going to be like these bright 
globes. But what that does mean, though, 
is there will be this great brilliance and glory, conspicuously so among 
us. characterized by our bodies will 
be characterized by it. And again, as God's son of glory 
soon. To be Christ's brethren, listen 
to the words of one commentator. Believers will be transformed 
and will receive glorified bodies that will more adequately display 
their essential character as the children of God and sharers 
of divine life. In Christ, Hebrews chapter 2 
and verse 10, Christ's mission was to bring many sons to glory 
as his joint heirs. That's why we have to have these 
bodies changed for that dignity, for that honor, that position. 
And not only that, but the Lord Jesus Christ came, loving the 
church, giving himself for it, that he might have that church 
as his own bride. and at last present that bride 
to himself altogether glorious without spot or wrinkle or any 
blemish. Oh, he's now doing the work by 
way of washing and preparing, but come that day, what kind 
of bride does this glorious Savior deserve? Well, every part of 
that bride will be glorified together with him, suited, suited, 
well-suited, even physically, to be the bride of such a glorious 
bridegroom. That's why these bodies must 
be changed in such a great and wonderful way. All believers 
in Christ. You trust Christ, you know Christ, 
you believe on the Lord Jesus, has Christ saved you? Then I'm 
talking about you. The Bible is talking about your 
future. Unquestionably and undeniably so. This is your future. Even if you don't have a real 
strong faith in it, you believe on Christ, still your future. 
Even if you've never really given much thought to it, don't really 
appreciate the greatness of that glory in any way. It doesn't 
matter. We're talking about what God's word says about you, dear 
brother, dear sister in Christ. Have we borne Adam's image? Yeah. Well, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 
15, so we will bear Christ's image. In fact, we're told there 
in that 1 Corinthians 15 chapter that Christ's resurrection, his 
is the first fruits. It's the guarantee of the same 
kind of fruit come that great harvest day, the resurrection 
of our bodies. We are now God's dear children, 
and he will have the whole universe to know it and to see it. Because 
in this way, Christ will be seen as glorious as the firstborn 
among many brethren, all those sons He has brought to glory. 
And mind you, this is God's purpose all along, whom He foreknew He 
also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, chosen 
before time, Paul says in Ephesians 1, for the adoption as sons. That kind of glory, even taking 
in our physical bodies, delivering these bodies entirely from sin 
and all its consequences. Brethren, that is our future. And surely, we're told this for 
one thing, that we might strongly desire it. Right? Well, is this 
your desire? Even as you hear more of it, 
or as you think more upon it now, is this your desire? Is 
this your hope? Your confident expectation? All 
because of Christ. This is me. This is my future. 
Is that so with you? It is. As a Christian, it is. 
Well, that being so, brethren, This has not given us, just like 
what we saw this morning about this body being raised, this 
has not given us simply for information's sake, just something to tuck 
away in our knowledge and there we go, we file it somewhere and 
come back to it maybe in the future. No. This is to be very 
real in our thinking. This is to have real impact upon 
us now. Please come to 1 John chapter 
3. 1 John chapter 3. I've already referred to verse 
2. Beloved, now we are the children of God. It has not yet been revealed 
what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we 
shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone 
who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure. If it's really my desire then 
to be conformed to Christ, it's evidence by the fact it's my 
desire now to be conformed to Christ. And therefore we purify 
ourselves, we pursue holiness, we endeavor to live that Christian 
life, that godly life, because this is truly our hope, our expectation, 
our earnest desire. So I say God has not given us 
a lot of detail about what that resurrection body is going to 
be like, because His purpose was not to satisfy our curiosity. That's not it. Rather, God has 
a far greater reason revealing these truths to us. And it's 
especially that this should promote holiness of life in us. This 
is your future. This is how you're going to live. 
This is what you're going to be. And if you really want that, 
if you really want to be like Christ, then we'll get on with 
it, man, and pursue it now. More and more likeness to our 
Savior. We see the same argument there 
in Philippians chapter three. Please turn there. Philippians 
chapter three. Read earlier how Christ will 
change these lowly bodies, the bodies of our humility, to be 
like his glorious body. But yeah, what's Paul getting 
at? Well, back up to verse 17 of the third chapter of Philippians. Brethren, join in following my 
example and know those who walk as you have us for a pattern. 
For many walk of whom I have told you often and now tell you 
even weeping, There are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose 
end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory 
is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. He's 
saying, don't be like the world. You follow our pattern, our example. You live a godly life, even pressing 
on for that high calling of God and the prize of it that he's 
referred to earlier. Because we look for Christ. Our citizenship 
is heaven. He's going to change these bodies 
to be like His glorious body. Therefore, don't be like the 
world, having your heart set on this world. Don't be like 
the world who's in this destruction by now making your belly your 
God and just living to gratify your appetites. This body is 
made for something far greater than indulging the flesh and 
what you can eat and feel. Your nerve endings, that's not 
the big thing that's going on here. He says, live a holy life. 
This body is going to be changed. You want that? Then live like 
it now. Keep your focus there. The same 
argument is seen in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, after talking about 
how these bodies are going to be raised and glorified. It says, 
you know, you're not in the dark that that day is going to end. 
You're sons of the light. Now live like it. God's not appointed 
you to wrath. He's appointed you to salvation. 
That whether we live, whether we wake or sleep, that we should 
live together with Christ, the One who gave Himself for us. 
Live a holy life in light of that coming day. Come to Colossians. Colossians chapter 3. Notice what he says in the fourth 
verse. When Christ, who is our life, 
appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. That's the 
truth we're considering. Glorified together with him. 
Therefore, verse 5, put to death your members which are on the 
earth. Fornication, that's outright 
sexual immorality. But not just that. Uncleanness, 
that is those things that lead to it, like heavy petting and 
the like. Passion, that is those burning desires. Or even a lesser 
word, evil desire. And covetousness, which is idolatry. 
The point is, this body is going to be changed. Christ is going 
to appear in glory. You're going to appear with him. Therefore, 
right now, in the meantime, what you need to do is make sure you've 
got even right desires, not to gratify sexual lusts, not even 
to entertain evil desires or any kind of covetousness, but 
rather to have right desires. And that's exactly his point 
when he says in verses 1 and 2, If then you were raised with 
Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is sitting 
at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, 
not on things on the earth. And he goes on to speak in that 
context, not only about our present life, but when Christ appears, 
we appear with him. The point is. Does our future glory. Our being 
with Christ and like Christ. Now have this good effect upon 
you and your Christian life. You really want to be like him 
then, and the proof of the pudding is you want to be like him now. Does it cause you to keep your 
heart set on things above right desires and therefore you hate 
and kill wrong desires? That's the effect. Keep your 
heart set in the right place. Keep desiring that which is indeed 
our future, brethren, and desire in such a way that anything contrary 
to that or militates against that, I'll kill it. I don't want 
a thing to do with that. Right. That's the rationale. 
That's why we're told this. Well, dear brethren, this is 
our future. Again, no matter how strongly or weakly we now 
believe it, or no matter how much impact this truth has had 
on your life this past week, how much thought you've actually 
given it, this is our future. But these arguments for holiness 
in scripture, they assume that this truth is to be so real and 
so powerful in our day to day thinking that were enabled to 
stand against our remaining corruption and put to death even sinful 
desires that we recognize them as something heinous. And I don't 
want that thing. Let's kill it. OK. Is this that real in your 
thinking? Do you still believe what the 
Bible says about your future state and your glorified body, 
that it has that happy effect upon you now? I want to be holy. 
Well, let me put the question another way. As a Christian, 
you do want to be holy as a Christian. You want help in holiness, right? 
Right. Right. It's the good that I would 
that I don't do. It's the evil that I hate that 
I do. I want help in holy living. Well, God's given us many such 
helps, but here's one. That we should recognize what 
our future is. As a help to live a holy life 
now. Dear brother, dear sister, let 
me encourage you. Give much thought to the resurrection. This body. 
Christ bought it. He'll have it. This body changed. You're going to be suited to 
enjoy His glory. Well, keep that hope strong. Keep that desire 
fervent. And show that desire to be real 
by even now getting on purifying yourself as He is pure. May God help us to put this truth 
to a biblical use and live holy lives. out of love for our Father 
and desire for our Savior, and to be like Him. He who has this hope purifies 
himself even as Christ is pure, pursues holiness, pursues Christlikeness. 
Is that true of you? Can that be said of you? That 
in some measure, in some way, you do now pursue Christlikeness? If you have no concern for holiness, If you have no desire now that 
drives you to be like Christ, then what I'm talking about here 
about a body changed and made like in his glorious body, I'm 
not talking about your future, sadly. You really don't want this blessedness. 
You might be wondering, what in the world is that bald guy 
all excited about? In fact, You just don't want the alternative. 
If you were given a third option, I don't want to go to hell. But 
all this being glorified with Christ, I don't understand. If 
I could be given a third option, give me health and strength like 
I now have in my body. Let me live on here in this sinful 
world and indulge my appetites and live for whatever I want 
to live for and do. That's what's behind door number three. That's 
the one I will take. You're without hope, my friend. 
Because there is no third option. It's either being glorified together 
with Christ or being told by this very Savior, depart from 
me, ye cursed, and everlasting fire prepared for the devil and 
his angels. There's no third option. What will it be for you? If you don't want to hear him 
say that day, depart from me, ye cursed, then hear him today 
when he says, come unto me, all ye that weary and heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. Come today when he says, come. 
You who thirst and drink, go to Christ, be changed, be forgiven, 
be saved by such a Savior whose glory, whose salvation is such. 
He takes fine old sinners, born in sin, lived in sin, lived as 
rebels against Him. And He changes their hearts now. 
He changes their bodies hereafter. Believe on the Lord Jesus. On 
the spot, he saves sinners. Look to Christ. Might God grant 
his mercy. Let's pray. Our Father in heaven, we thank 
you for such a salvation. What grace. What grace to those 
who are dead in trespasses and sins. That we should be made alive 
now together with Christ, what blessedness. Father, if it was 
only in this life that you granted us blessedness, we would have 
to marvel forever. But you've given us eternal life 
and not simply eternal existence. But you've granted us such a 
salvation such justification and perfect standing before you 
in Christ. That we are suited. To share 
eternity with you and we will be given bodies suited as well. 
Or grant we should be gripped anew with these realities and 
with your grace to us, your great unspeakable love. And that we 
would long for Christ yet more and more now, even so come Lord 
Jesus. And we would long for more conformity 
to Christ and how we speak in how we act, in how we think, 
and in what we desire, that now, even now, increasingly, that 
we should purify ourselves as He is pure. We thank you that 
come that day, all of a sudden, we will be fully conformed to 
Christ's glorious body. We thank you that we will be 
suited to share His inheritance. Grant we will be mindful of this 
now in the meantime, and that we might live like it. It's in 
Jesus' name we pray. Amen.