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Well, thank you, my brother. 
And it certainly is a joy to be back among you, dear folks. 
Some faces I recognize. Some new faces here, I suspect, 
as well. But it's a joy to be among you. 
Let me begin by discharging a very important responsibility, at 
least from the standpoint of my own congregation, in that 
I bring you greetings from your sister church, Covenant Reform 
Baptist in Bluefield, West Virginia. I would ask you to open your 
Bibles, please, to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 1 Corinthians in 
the 15th chapter. Now, for you as a brother or 
sister in Christ, especially, It is my purpose today, God willing, 
both this morning and again this evening, to speak about your 
future. I do not mean your future in 
this world, whatever that might hold in the remainder of your 
days here, nor am I thinking in terms of your future immediately 
upon dying. That which is called the intermediate 
state, to be absent from the body, is to be present with the 
Lord, as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5, 8. that time when we will, 
if the Lord tarries, we die and we then become part of that the 
spirits of just men made perfect, that great number of them of 
whom we read over in Hebrews 12. But rather, the attention 
today is to be focused on that which brings the intermediate 
state to an end. And that is, of course, that 
coming resurrection of the body when the body will be raised 
from the grave, and body and spirit will then be reunited. Now, we find this truth set before 
us again and again throughout Scripture. I'm sure you're aware 
of that. You find it even in the Old Testament. You remember 
how Job, in the midst of the confusion and great suffering, 
you have something of a bright spot there in Job 19, when he 
says, I know this, that in my flesh I'm going to see God. I'm going to see my great Redeemer. 
He knew there was life beyond the grave, not simply in an intermediate 
state, my soul will depart and be with him, but rather that 
his very body would be raised. We come a little bit later there 
in history, we see in Daniel chapter 12 and there It's revealed 
that there is going to be resurrection when those who sleep in the dust 
will rise, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting 
contempt. And it speaks of one great coming 
resurrection day of just and unjust, which is exactly what 
the Lord Jesus tells us over in Daniel chapter 5. verses 28 
and 29, when your pastor announced he was reading from Daniel 5, 
I thought, oh good, it lays the groundwork. But he stopped short of verse 
28. Next week, I'm assuming you'll get to that. But there, the Lord 
Jesus says, an hour is coming, a single point in time in which 
all who are in the grave will come forth, some to a resurrection 
of life, others to that resurrection of condemnation. He goes on to 
say in the very next chapter that on the last day, he will 
raise up all of those whom the Father has given him." Well, 
there are many other verses to which we could speak, but as 
you're perhaps already quite aware, in 1 Corinthians chapter 
15, we have a chapter that, for the most part, that's all it 
addresses is the resurrection of the body. Now, it does give 
great attention to the resurrection of the body, the bodily resurrection 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, but that only by way of part of the 
argument speaking about the resurrection of our bodies. And so it is that 
we're going to be focusing especially on that chapter today, or at 
least certain words from that chapter. Now, the Apostle Paul 
there actually addresses a question that perhaps you yourself have 
asked sometime. There's this coming resurrection 
of the body. But what's that body going to 
be like? Now, let me hasten to add, there is going to be the 
resurrection of the unjust as well. That will not be our focus 
today. The unsaved, they too, will be 
raised from the dead. But our concern is Christians, 
the Lord's saved people. And perhaps you wonder, what 
kind of body will we have? Well, some evidently have asked 
that question. They're in court. And so you have the Apostle Paul. 
Notice verse 35 of 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 35. But someone 
will say, how are the dead raised up? And with what body do they 
come? You ever ask that question? Ever 
at least wondered that in your mind? Well, notice Paul's next 
words. Foolish one. But he's not saying 
we're all fools for ever wondering that. The Apostle Paul is here 
actually addressing those who are skeptical, rather even who 
are denying. Back in verse 12 of this chapter, he says, how 
is it that some of you are saying the body's not going to be raised 
up? Because there were some asking this question, how are they going 
to be raised? And kind of, come on. I mean, the molecules scattered 
all over the place, all to the dust. And you're telling me, 
what kind of body are we going to be raised with? A bunch of 
dust? What is this? And so Paul's addressing skeptics. 
But in so doing, he does give at least something of what the 
character of that body will be like. He not only proves that 
there will be this resurrection of the dead, he also shows us 
quite reasonable that it should be so, and it's absolutely necessary 
that these bodies should be raised. And as I say, in so doing, he 
tells us at least something of what those bodies will be. Well, 
what I want to do is to consider it under two heads, one this 
morning, God willing, the other this evening. And that is, that 
which will be raised is this body. This body in which we now 
have our being, this body changed. That's the heading for this evening. And I'm simply reflecting what 
is found in our own confession, the London Baptist Confession. 
The dead shall be raised up with the self, same bodies, and none 
other. That's chapter 31 and paragraph 
2. And that statement is followed 
by, although with different qualities. So, here we're going then this 
morning. which is to be raised is this body in which we now 
have our being in this world. And there is a clear and unmistakable 
continuity between who and what we are now, right now, where 
you sit and what you will be then come that day. And we see this here in what 
Paul goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 15, 36, after having said foolish 
one, what you now, sorry, What you sow is not made alive unless 
it dies, and what you sow you do not sow, but sow that body 
that shall be, but mere grain, perhaps wheat or some other grain. 
But God gives it a body as he pleases, and to each seed its 
own body. Now you see what he's getting 
at here. You take this seed, and you folk have a lot of cornfields 
around here, so here we've planted this seed of corn. And that which 
grows up doesn't look like that seed of corn. But even so, there's 
a clear continuity between what you sowed and what sprouted up, 
right? There is this clear organic unity 
between the two. Well, that's what Paul is saying. 
It is this body. There's a clear connection. Yes, 
yes, it won't look the same. It'll be different. But this 
body is going to be raised. Now, he goes on to stress that 
even more. Notice, if you would please begin 
at verse 42. So also is the resurrection of 
the body. The body is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. 
It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is 
sown in weakness. It is raised in power. It is 
sown a natural body. It is raised a spiritual body. 
There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. Now you 
can tell I've emphasized the word it and I've done that on 
purpose. He doesn't say, this is this and that is that, two 
separate entities all together. No. This which is sown, it is 
raised this way. It is raised this way. He keeps 
underscoring, it's the very same body that's put in the ground, 
that is going to be raised come that day. And then he further 
carries this with yet another analogy or word picture, not 
just a seed sown and sprouting up, but here he talks about something 
we put on, like you'd put on clothing. Notice verses 53 and 
54. For this corruptible must put 
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when 
this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, 
then shall be brought to pass the saying, and that is written, 
death is swallowed up in victory. This word translated here, put 
on, is the same word used by our Lord Jesus there in Matthew 
chapter 6, Sermon on the Mount, about not being over fussed about 
your body, what you're going to put on, clothing. Well, when 
you Vest yourself this morning, and you put on a different apparel 
in which you had slept. Did it make you an entirely separate 
person from what you were before? Well, I doubt that. No, it was 
you putting on something else. Well, that's something of the 
word picture that's set before us here. Is it still me? Still 
that body? However, it's put on this immortality. It's put on this imperishability. that we will then have. So you 
see the point that Paul is underscoring here for us that it is this body. Come to that passage I referred 
to earlier in Job chapter 19. Job chapter 19. Now, as you know, the sufferings, 
that great affliction that Job experienced, and yet we read 
now beginning at verse 25 of Job 19, for I know that my Redeemer 
lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. And after 
my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see 
God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and 
not another. How my heart yearns within me. And you can understand that great 
yearning. He then was experiencing. Well, the point is, he's saying 
after death, after grave, after all this flesh has gone to worm 
food and the like, yet in that same body, that flesh, he would 
stand and he would see God. And furthermore, he even speaks 
of body parts when he says these eyes, not some indefinable blob 
of a thing that stands before him, but rather even a body with 
parts whereby we have eyes to behold him, even though bodies 
laid in the grave for ever so long, all together scattered 
to the dust. Yet here it is, these eyes beholding 
our great Redeemer. Well, that was Job's hope and 
confidence in the midst of his suffering and a great consolation 
as he no doubt viewed and felt painfully those sores on his 
body. Well, no less, brethren, is this 
our hope. Come quickly to Romans chapter 
8. Romans chapter 8. Also Paul is talking about all 
creation groans for that day when it's going to be set free 
from its bondage to corruption and the futility of serving man 
and sin, existing entirely for the glory of God. And he says 
in that connection in Romans chapter 8 and verse 23, and not 
only they, that is not only material creation, but we also who have 
the first fruits of the spirit, even we ourselves grown within 
ourselves eagerly waiting for the adoption the redemption of 
our body. Not something entirely different 
from that which is laid in the grave. He's talking about our 
bodies being redeemed from that grave. And it's these very bodies. Not a different one. This body 
in which you now live. Come quickly to Philippians chapter 
3. Philippians chapter 3. That body we're now in as we 
eagerly wait for the coming of Christ, that's the body that's 
going to be raised. Philippians chapter 3, notice, 
let's take up our reading at the 20th verse. For our citizenship 
is in heaven, from which we also 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." Notice, he does not say, and he's going to give 
us an entirely different body. Rather, it's these bodies, the 
body of your humility, that will be transformed or conformed to 
his glorious body. But it's this same body that 
is laid in the grave that will be raised. Now, does that mean 
then that it's all the same molecules, all the same cells, all being 
reconstructed there at that time? Well, God could do that. Even though the body will have 
been eaten by worms and scattered to the dust, somebody perhaps 
burned in the fire, and others buried at sea, and fish eating 
their bodies, and other fish eating those fish, and the like. 
Well, even so, God could still reconstitute all those very same 
molecules, if that was his aim. However, it's not necessary for 
all those original molecules to be reconstructed to be this 
same body. William Hendrickson, the commentator, 
says a resurrection is not the same thing as a restoration of 
all the elements. And, of course, Dr. Lloyd-Jones, 
he made the comment that, you know, Our bodies are always losing 
cells, so that you're really not the same, quite the same 
now as you were 20 years ago. Some of us have lost a good bit 
of hair cells along the way, as you can see. But nonetheless, 
your body is not really the same. You've been shedding cells all 
along, and yet it still is the same body, right? You still are 
the same person, the same entity. And so it is that it's not necessarily 
a gathering of all those molecules and so forth, because the body 
is more than just our original cells. the resurrection of the 
body. Whatever changes we will experience, 
and we will experience changes, yet we will retain our bodies, 
our identity, your body. And thus, come Resurrection Day, 
as I'm sure you understand, it will be a physical body. The eternal state is not an immaterial 
a non-matter existence. You know, that's the intermediate 
state, right? The disembodied state, when the body goes to 
the ground and the spirit returns to God who gave it, Ecclesiastes 
12, 7. After you die, absent from the 
body, present with the Lord, that's the intermediate state. 
But the very idea of a resurrection shows, no, it's not now some 
disembodied state that we're going to be in forever, but it's 
going to be that of a physical existence. with a very physical, 
touchable body. Now, scripture shows us on more 
than one occasion that our Lord Jesus Christ and his bodily resurrection 
is at least something of a pattern of ours. Well, what about the 
body of Christ? Was it just a spirit being that 
was raised? Oh, no. Oh, no, not at all. It 
was a real body. For the sake of time, we won't 
turn there, but you're familiar with Luke chapter 24 when he 
shows himself to the apostles there. And even though he's come 
through doors that were evidently locked. Yet he can say, touch 
and see. I'm not a spirit. A spirit doesn't 
have flesh and bone, as you see I have. And then he ate something 
there before them, probably to demonstrate that it was a very 
real, physical body. It was their lord, even the very 
marks on that body that he'd borne being crucified, mind you. 
And so it is that it was a physical body. And that is the pattern 
for us. Now, I know it begs the question. 
Well, the Lord Jesus was able to enter in behind these locked 
doors without the doors being open for him or just shortly 
before that on the road to a maze. And then he goes and he breaks 
bread with these two disciples and he's there and then he suddenly 
vanishes out of their sight. Well, how does that fit with 
a physical body? And is that going to be the pattern 
for us? Or is that simply a case of, as was say, our Lord's walking 
on water? Here is a miraculous intervention, 
divine intervention And it was only for that particular time. 
And so with Christ, well, I don't know. I don't know. Pastor Butler, 
he'll be very happy to answer that later. He, I'm sure, has 
thought that through. But that doesn't negate the fact 
that it is a very real physical body that we will have come that 
day. Now, again, I'm just going to 
address it because it's there in text. Some have said, well, 
you know, it says in 1 Corinthians 15, 46, also 44, a spiritual 
body. Well, that's immaterial, isn't 
it? Well, no, it's not. The word there translated spiritual 
does not mean a non-material body. And furthermore, the contrast 
is that we have a natural body, then we will have a spiritual 
body. The word natural doesn't mean physical either. It actually 
could be translated a soulish body, like having appetites like 
an animal. In other words, we now have appetites 
and a body suited to life in this world. And all that means 
when I say we have a spiritual body, it doesn't mean it's non-material. 
It simply means that we will have a body well suited by the 
Holy Spirit for that eternal blessedness that will be ours. But again, the point is, it is 
this body, and now I want to go beyond that, underscore, it 
is this body, and it will be recognizable. You will be recognized 
as you. perhaps speculate on how that 
can be. And will those of us who have 
lost our hair along the way have a full head of hair then and 
the like? And how would you recognize them if they do? Well, I don't 
mean to go into any of that. But the point is, the Bible does 
teach us that we will be recognized in that body so much as the continuity 
between this present state and that state. And we can see that 
even in the resurrected body of our Lord Jesus Christ. These 
women who met him after he had raised from the tomb, and you 
remember, they're going back to the instructions of the angel to tell the disciples. 
And when they saw him, they knew exactly who he was, right? And so it is, too, when John 
20 can say to Thomas that week later, look, you put your hands 
here, put your your fingers here in my hands and your hand in 
my side, even having the same marks. Now, I know that begs 
the question, well, what marks will we have or was that peculiar 
to Christ because of the atoning work secured by those marks in 
his body? Well, I'll leave that for now. 
It does beg another question. What about those disciples on 
the road to Emmaus, to whom I've already referred? Here, they 
walked several miles with him, it seems, and they didn't recognize 
who he was. Well, we're told in Luke 24 and verse 16, their 
eyes were restrained so that they did not know him. But had 
their eyes not been restrained, they would have recognized who 
he was. And then what about that appearance on the beach in John 
21, where it does seem perhaps he was a different form. No one 
asked, who is this? They all knew it was Jesus. Well, I know those things beg 
questions, but He was known. He was recognized for who He 
was. And so will we be recognized 
for who we are on Resurrection Day when we are raised in these 
bodies. I say that on the basis, especially, 
not only of the pattern of our Lord's Resurrection, but in 1 
Thessalonians chapter 4. Let's turn there. 1 Thessalonians 
chapter 4. Paul's addressing those who are 
very concerned over believing loved ones who had died, fearing 
perhaps that they had somehow missed out on something. What 
about them? Evidently experiencing great 
sorrow, maybe that sorrow of bereavement that we all know 
when a brother or sister in Christ has left this world and we miss 
them and we long for them. And so Paul's writing to comfort 
them, tells them to comfort one another with these words and 
his whole idea here is be comforted, we will see them again. Not simply will we be with them 
in that disembodied intermediate state, he doesn't point to that, 
I find that interesting, he rather points to the resurrected state 
and we will see them again. And notice if you would now verses 
16 and 17 of 1 Thessalonians 4. For the Lord himself will 
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, 
with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise 
first, Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up 
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, 
and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort 
one another with these words." His very wording here. If this 
is to comfort us, we're going to see our believing loved ones 
who have gone to the grave. We saw their bodies lowered and 
put in that grave, or however the body was taken out of our 
sight. But we're going to see them again. 
Be comforted with this. Well, it presupposes you will 
not only see them, but you will recognize them. You'll see them 
again, but you won't know them, of course. You won't recognize 
them. What comfort is that? No, no. The Apostle Paul is assuming 
here. We will see one another. Well, I say that not only because 
of what he says in Chapter 4, but back up to Chapter 2 of 1 
Thessalonians. Here the Apostle Paul is writing 
about those very believers there in Thessalonica, converted under 
his labors, blessed of God by saved by Christ in the preaching 
of the gospel there, Paul's preaching of the gospel in particular. 
And he says on verse 19, For what is our hope or joy or crown 
of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence 
of our Lord Jesus Christ that is coming? For you are our glory 
and joy. Now Paul would be with these 
believers during the intermediate state. Absolute with the Lord, 
present with the Lord, present with the Lord's people who are 
with him. That company of spirits of just men made perfect. But 
he's looking beyond the intermediate state to the coming of our Lord 
when Christ comes as judge and also raises these bodies. And 
he says on that day that these very Christians who have been 
saved through his labors would be his joy. Now, surely the Apostle 
Paul that day will have joy in all of Christ's people, right? 
All of the Lord's people having all joy in all other Christians. 
But Paul saying of these believers especially who were converted 
under his labors, you in particular are our joy. You're our crown. 
We have this special relationship now to you and it will be recognized 
that day. I will see you and I will know 
you and even something of this relationship that we sustained 
in this world, well, it will mean something special to us 
then. Not to take away from the relationship we'll have with 
all of those But as J.C. Ryle observed, the apostle expected 
to recognize his beloved Thessalonian converts in the day of Christ's 
second advent. In his relationship to them during 
this world, it would have some special significance, even that, 
I know you, and you will be my joy and my crown, then. J.C. Ryle wrote a paper called, Shall 
We Know One Another? Let me just quote. something 
at length from him. At death, our pleasant communion 
with our kind Christian friends is only broken off for a small 
moment, and is soon to be eternally resumed. These eyes of ours shall 
once more look upon their faces, and these ears of ours shall 
once more hear them speak. Blessed and happy indeed will 
that meeting be. We parted in sorrow, and we shall 
meet in joy. We parted amidst pains and aches 
and groans and infirmities, and we shall meet with glorious bodies 
able to serve our Lord forever without distraction, never to 
be parted." Those believing loved ones. And not only will we recognize 
and know those believers whom we've known in this world, but 
as Ryle continues, We shall see all of whom we have read in scripture 
and know them all and mark the peculiar graces of each one. 
Blessed and glorious will that knowledge and communion be. If 
it is pleasant to know one or two saints and meet them occasionally 
now, what will it be to know them all and to dwell with them 
forever? It's a joy to be with you again, 
brethren, after these years and your pastor, the time that I've 
had to enjoy with him off and on over the years. What a great 
joy. But if that's such a great joy, 
what about that day? Huh? The resurrection of this 
body recognized for who you are, recognizing your dear brethren 
as well. This is our future. Dear Saint, 
this is not fairy tales. This is the Word of God, and 
this is our future. All of us together, when these very physical 
bodies are raised on that day, and we again and forever see 
one another in these bodies. What great blessedness and greater 
still, of course, we shall see our Savior. We shall see Him 
as He is. What Job said, my Redeemer is 
going to stand, and I'm going to see Him in these very eyes. 
In my flesh, I will see Him. We will be like him. But now it begs another question. 
Why these bodies? Why this same body being raised? I mean, after all, to be out 
of the body, present with the Lord. From the moment your brother, 
your sister, that you die, right to the Lord's presence. Philippians 
chapter 1, to depart and be with Christ. far better. Well, if 
that's so much far better than what we're experiencing in this 
world in these bodies, well then why raise these bodies? Just 
let them go. Come on. Be done with it. Why create, why not create an 
entirely new body? Something altogether distinct. 
No relation to this body that we've lived in in this world. 
Why this body Raise this body in which we now live. Well, there 
are several very important reasons, according to Scripture, as to 
why it must be this entity, this body that is raised from the 
dust. Firstly, this. Because my brother, 
my sister, the Lord Jesus Christ bought our bodies for himself. These bodies are his. Please 
come to First Corinthians, Chapter 6. First Corinthians, Chapter 
6. Notice what he says, Paul says 
now, verse 19, Do you not know that your body is the temple 
of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? 
And you are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore, 
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 
The point is, your body is not yours. Your body was bought with 
a price. Not just our souls being bought, 
but rather these very bodies, all that we are. And what a price 
our Lord Jesus paid, not some tawdry sum like silver and gold, 
but rather that very precious blood of that Lamb of God. And 
in light of that great price and all that suffering, the just 
in place of the unjust, to purchase these bodies, you might think, 
well, it's far better just to create are easier just to create 
something new. Why go to the expense of buying 
these bodies? Well, having purchased these 
bodies at so great a price, He will not let the grave keep them. 
They're His. Especially since He loves our 
whole being, not just our souls. Our bodies. We're told over in 
Ephesians chapter 5, and He's the Savior of the body. And He 
will raise it. And more, here in 1 Corinthians 
chapter 6, verse 15, Our bodies are His, even as part of His 
body. Back up there please to verse 
15. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Your body is in vital union with 
the head, our Lord Jesus Christ. Your body, right now, where you 
sit. not just your soul, your body, 
you as a whole person, are in living, vital union with the 
Lord Jesus Christ, so much so, he's saying, our bodies are members 
of Christ as the head. So much so that in 1 Corinthians 
15, the Apostle Paul describes dead Christians, physically dead, 
As asleep in Jesus, or they sleep in Christ, Paul uses the same 
kind of language over in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. Those who sleep in 
Jesus, they sleep in Christ. Now what does he mean? Well, 
he's not talking about soul sleep. The moment we die, we're present 
with the Lord, experiencing that which is far better. That's a 
very real, conscious, ongoing existence, right? Mentally conscious 
existence. He's not saying our souls sleep 
in Christ. It's the body. But it's described as sleeping 
in Jesus. You got that? When you're laid 
in the ground and the worms are eating on you, when you're nothing 
but dust. As one of the Puritans said, 
he loves our dust. These bodies are still in union. They're his. 
Again, I go back to what I said. He bought them. They're in union 
with these bodies. And therefore He will not leave 
these bodies as worm food. He will not leave these, oh just 
let the dust have them. Oh no, oh no, that's not the 
case. These are His bodies and even 
these very bodies in union with Him. Therefore He redeemed our 
whole humanity and He will have our whole humanity with Him forever. And that especially since recovering 
our bodies from the grave is actually part of His final triumph 
over all of His enemies. 1 Corinthians 15. Lord Jesus regards death as His 
enemy. And there we read in verse 26, 
the last enemy that will be destroyed is death. It's His enemy because 
death is a consequence of Adam's fall. It's a consequence of sin 
and sin's entrance. It came about as the result of 
Satan's evil design and doings, as you know there in Genesis 
chapter 3. And death, every funeral, every 
dead body, every headstone, every cemetery, it's all a constant 
reminder of Adam's fall and what sin has done to our race. That because of Satan's evil 
doing. And so physical death holds the 
bodies of Christ's redeemed people when they die. And as such, death 
is his enemy. It's holding hostage what belongs 
to Christ, that which he regards as precious. And therefore, he 
will not let the grave keep those bodies. He will not let sin have 
the final say. But rather, as we see here, his 
triumph includes triumph over death itself as that last enemy 
when he raises us from the grave. Death will not be allowed to 
hold these bodies. He will not let sin and Satan 
have the last say as to what happens to these bodies, but 
rather he will raise them for himself even as the spoils of 
war, the victor's triumph over death. These are mine and what 
I have won. when the king of kings triumphs 
over what Job chapter 19 refers to or Job chapter 18 refers to 
as the king of terrors. Death call the king of terrors? 
King of kings going to conquer him. And yet another reason why 
it must be these bodies is because raising these bodies of his people 
is actually part of that work entrusted to him regarding our 
salvation. Please come to John chapter 6. John chapter 6. And notice verse 39. This is the will of the Father 
who sent me, that of all He has given me, I should lose nothing, 
but should raise it up at the last day. Here's the aim of His 
work on the cross. It was not only to secure our 
full pardon, as important as that is, nor did Christ stop 
at effectually drawing us, having secured that full pardon and 
that justification and that great salvation. Then he laid hold 
upon us, John 10, 16, those sheep that were not of that Jewish 
fold. Nor has his work on our behalf stopped at his ever living 
to make intercession for us. John 10, 28. He talks about giving 
His sheep eternal life. They never perish. None shall 
snatch them out of His hand. Well, He keeps them all the way 
to the end. That's true. But also included in that work entrusted 
to Him for our full salvation is this. Lose none of them, but 
raise every one of them up there on the last day. That is Christ's 
work in saving us. A full salvation. Delivering 
us, as it were, from all of sin's consequences, including death 
and the grave, the removal of what sin has done, the undoing 
of the fall. And therefore, these bodies must 
be raised from the dead in order for Christ to complete the work 
assigned to Him. And therefore, these bodies will 
be raised. Well, that's why I say something. 
Why Christ raises His people why it will be, why it must be, 
this body. As that which was bought by Him, 
and now is forever joined to Him in blessed union with Christ, 
as part of His full triumph over sin, as part of our full salvation, 
He will raise these bodies. And furthermore, brethren, we 
must say He strongly wants these bodies. He wants our whole person 
with him forever. That's his design in securing 
these bodies. I find it interesting there in 
that high priestly prayer in John chapter 17. You remember 
how the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane saying, not my 
will, but thine be done. You're familiar with that, right? 
It's interesting that we do see him in a righteous way asserting 
his will, though, in John 17, 24, when he says similar language, 
Father, I will let those you've given me be with me where I am. Here's my will. Here's Christ's 
desire to have the entirety of our redeemed humanity with him 
forever. That includes these bodies, though 
they may perish in the meantime, yet they will be raised. And 
as we'll see this evening, They will be changed even to be like 
unto His glorious body. And therefore, brethren, it's 
important when we think about the resurrection of the body 
that we should view it not simply from what it means to me, but 
see what it means to Christ. See how important your resurrection, 
dear Christian, is to your Savior. That body that He bought, He 
will have. That body that is his and vital 
union with him, he's not going to let it go. That triumph over 
debt as his enemy, holding hostage what belongs to him. No, no, 
no. Indeed, he desires to have this body that he might complete 
the full work and that we should forever be glorified together 
with him, even as joint heirs. So recognize what the resurrection 
of your body is to your Savior. and therefore believe it with 
the certainty that it warrants. He will not be disappointed. 
You ever wonder? You ever question it? Maybe like 
those there in Corinth, you're doubting how can it be that? 
My friend, doubt no more. Paul's whole argument here is 
show, though, this will absolutely happen. See what it is to Christ 
for that body to be raised. It most certainly will be. But even as it's important for 
Christ, surely the resurrection of our body is to be important 
to us. Not only come that day, be kind 
of important then, right? But in the meantime. Because 
you see, this truth right now is to have very real ramifications. Very much driving influence in 
how we live day by day. In fact, I can say this. I've 
already made reference to the ungodly, the unsaved, they too 
will be raised. The fact that your body is going 
to be raised, whether you're here as a Christian or not, The fact 
that your body is going to be raised, that's revealed in scripture 
so that we'll have real impact right now on how you think and 
how you live. It's not just, well, here's so 
much information just to tell us a little bit about the future 
and what's going to be. No, no, it's right now to have direct 
bearing. As to the Lord's people, well, we see, I've already referred 
to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, that this is a great source of 
encouragement and comfort. If you've ever seen the casket 
lid close on a bleeding loved one. When we buried my own dad, 
I can remember when my dad, during his life, would not let us say 
goodbye. It was always so long. Goodbye 
was too final, he said. And so when my wife and daughter 
and I stood and saw that casket lid close, we basically were 
saying, so long. We'll see that body. What great 
comfort knowing that body is going to be raised. And in the 
face of the reality of our own death, if the Lord tarries. This is not the end. This body 
is going to be raised. Not only that, but in the midst 
of great sufferings that are experienced now, when the Apostle 
Paul is writing to those Christians in Rome in Romans chapter 8, 
and there he says very clearly about, we groan waiting for the 
redemption of our body. He just got through writing back 
in verse 17, 18 about the sufferings that we experience in this present 
world. Though your body is racked with pain, maybe by death of 
martyrdom or some other form. Look, that's not the end. Look beyond that to the resurrection 
and be comforted and be encouraged. This is just a short time here. 
Things are passing quickly. Here's our hope. This body raised, 
but especially This should keep us pressing on in the pursuit 
of holiness. In Romans chapter 8 and verse 
11, Apostle Paul talked about the spirit who raised Christ 
from the dead is in you. He's going to quicken your mortal 
body also. You're familiar with that? Romans 8, 11. And his very 
next verse says, and therefore we are obligated, or we are debtors, 
not to the flesh to live according to the flesh, but according to 
the spirit. And in light of that, he goes on to say, if we live 
for the flesh, we die. But if we, by the power of the 
spirit, put to death the deeds of the body, we live. And the 
fact that this body is going to be raised, that's an argument 
given to be raised up. These things, these sins, put 
them to death. They do not befit you. We're 
not obligated to live for this body and its flesh. There in 
first Corinthians, chapter six and verse 15 and following, where 
I talk there about the resurrection or where Paul talks about the 
resurrection. I referred to that earlier. You know the context. 
The latter part of first Corinthians six is one of the strongest sections 
in scripture arguing against sexual immorality. The Corinthians, 
with their cultural background, these believers didn't quite 
see it so heinous, perhaps. And he's bringing arguments to 
the fore as to why we as Christians cannot engage our sexual appetite 
in that immoral, sinful, wicked way. And among the arguments, 
your body is not yours, it belongs to Christ, it's been redeemed. 
But among the arguments, he goes on to, in verse 14, goes on to 
talk about how this body is going to be raised from the dead. This 
body is going to be raised, and that's the reason for you not 
to live for the appetites of this body. The world, that's 
all they've got, perhaps. Therefore, they indulge. They 
just live. Whatever they want to do, they do. It's just not you. 
Your body is going to be raised up. Don't give too great a place 
to its appetites now. Seek those things that are above. 
That's the important thing. Right? Brethren, the fact that 
this body is raised is going to be together and be forever 
with Christ together. Forever. As for right now, direct 
what we do, even indulging our appetites, not for sin, not for 
sin. Give us to glorify God, yes, 
but not for sin. We see this very argument elsewhere 
about how the resurrection should cause us to live holy lives. 
But then also, come back to 1 Corinthians 15. How does Paul close? Do you remember that? I suspect 
most of you at least are familiar with 1 Corinthians 15, the great 
resurrection chapter, where he's demonstrated It's going to be. 
There's why it must be. And then he closes with an application. First Corinthians 1558. Therefore, 
my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in 
the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain. Dear brother, dear sister, the 
fact that these bodies are going to be raised up should right 
now compel us to be engaged in serving Christ with our whole 
redeemed humanity while we have life and breath in this body, 
in this world. Paul says something similar over 
in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 14. He talks about how this body 
is going to be raised and therefore believing these things we speak. 
We're ready to talk about Christ. We're ready to serve Him right 
now, right where we are because this body is going to be raised 
and our labor is not in vain. The fact is, what I'm really 
trying to say, is the truth we consider from scripture this 
morning, it's not just for information's sake. This is our practical bearings 
in how we live. And what that means, dear brother, 
dear sister, is the resurrection of these bodies should be very 
real right now in our thinking. How many times this past week 
have you thought about the body, this body, being raised? How 
many times does that come to your mind? I speak with a fairly good conscience, 
it came to my mind because I was going over my notes getting ready. 
But in a typical week, can I say that? Brethren, it ought to be 
a very real reality in our thinking, motivating us to holiness, motivating 
us to zealous service for Christ, looking beyond this world, even 
looking beyond the intermediate state to the time when we're 
resurrected and glorified together with our Savior. Well, my God 
grant, we'll take it to heart. And if these bodies were redeemed 
by the blood of Christ to glorify God in these bodies forevermore. All right, we should do so now. First Corinthians chapter six. 
You're not your own. But what a price. Glorify God 
in your body, in your spirit. It's the Lord's. We'll let God 
help us, brother, to live as those who will be raised by our 
Savior. But now I did say that as to 
the unsaved, This truth is relevant to them. The Bible mercifully 
gives you this information about your body is also going to be 
raised. And this too should govern your 
thinking. It should be very real in your 
thinking. Because you see, you don't die 
like a dog and that's it, you're done. Your grave is not your 
end. John 5, 28, 29, you will be resurrected. hours coming which all who are 
in the graves will come forth. They will hear the voice of Christ 
and come forth, some to a resurrection of life, others to a resurrection 
of condemnation. And if you are without Christ 
right now as you stand, you now stand to hear Him say, 
Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for 
the devil and his angels. You die without Christ. which 
is described by our Savior in Matthew 10, 28, is your future. 
God is able to cast both soul and body into hell. Resurrected, reunited to your 
spirit, and then in the entirety of your humanity, experiencing 
the just penalty for your sins. And it shows us something of 
how awful sin is, in that it deserves that. It shows how awful 
sin is and that Christ died for sin. See what he bore? That's 
how awful sin is. See what hell is? Eternal punishment? 
That's how awful sin is. It's against a holy and good 
God. And think of it. Entire and unspeakable 
agony forever. And if you're here without Christ, 
you are right now a heartbeat, a heartbeat away from that. You 
follow me? That's not just preachers talk, 
that's fact. You are a heartbeat away from eternal punishment 
right now, if without Christ. I'm grateful to God, I don't 
have to end the message. Well, we're done at that point. We're 
told over in Second Timothy, chapter one, how Christ brought 
life and immortality to life by the gospel. I've got good 
news for you. Jesus Christ came into this world 
to save all kinds of sinners. And he receives all who come 
to him and he will not turn them away. Believe on the Lord Jesus 
Christ. Look to Christ and Christ alone 
and you will be saved right now on the spot, not go and do a 
lot of good works thereafter and then maybe no, no, no. You 
go to Christ right now. He saves sinners. We're told 
in Romans 10, 13, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall 
be saved. The verse just before that says he's rich to all who 
call upon him. The fact that you should be spared 
eternal punishment for your sin. What good news? But he does you 
better than that. Not only not punished, but rather 
A body glorified to be like unto His glorious body and glorified 
together with Christ and with Him forever in blessedness, held 
out freely to all who will call upon Him and trust their souls 
to Him. What about you? What will you 
now do? We know what Christ has done. 
What will you now do? Will you have Christ on His terms? Believe on the Lord Jesus. Repent 
and believe the good news. Let God grant mercy. Let's pray. Our great and glorious God, our 
Father in heaven. We bless you and praise you for 
so great a salvation. That even these very bodies will 
be raised and glorified with Christ. We thank you for such 
a great Savior, Lord Jesus, that you would so want us, that you 
would so love us as to give yourself for us. That you would see even 
in seeing our folly, our failures before you. Yet you should still 
desire us in the entirety of our humanity, all redeemed by 
you. Well, grant then that we should live in light of that 
coming day when we will be raised. And grant even now that it should 
be a great motivation for us to live, not for these appetites 
of this body, certainly not for sin, but rather that we would 
seek to abound in serving you and glorifying you in these very 
bodies you've given us, even as we will forever. Give us grace 
that we might do so now yet more and more. It's in Jesus' name 
we pray. Amen.