Swallowed Up Death 1 Cor 15:50-58

Stephen Littlejohn

Swallowed Up Death • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

1 Corinthians 15:50–58

Resurrection

Second Coming

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Christians press on with steadfastness toward the coming of Jesus Christ because of his victorious resurrection.

Notes

Transcript

1 Corinthians 15:50–58 ESV

50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Paul has been making his case for Believers bodily Resurrection.

Facts & evidence for the Resurrection

Nature of the Resurrection

Today we see The effect of the Resurrection

Christians press on with steadfastness toward the coming of Jesus Christ - because of his victorious resurrection.

Because of his victorious resurrection:

Christians press on with steadfastness toward the coming of Jesus Christ

Why is the coming of Christ such a motivator for Believers?

We press on in unity, wisdom, joy, hope & perseverance

Our kingdom building/ People gathering labor is not in vain.

We press on in our kingdom building/ Family gathering labor is not in vain.

Why is the coming of Christ such a motivator for Believers?

Precisely because of Christ’s Resurrection we are guaranteed Christ’s will return & then:

Because of his victorious resurrection:

We will be clothed for glory

Sin and Death will be swallowed up in victory (Engulfed by glory)

Because Christ Lives We Will be Clothed for Glory - v.50-54

1 Corinthians 15:50–54 ESV

1 Cor.15:

Ex: Cruise 1 year anniversary - Formal attire - In other words regular clothes, shorts and flip flops was unsuitable, proper attire was essential.

The words I declare to you (I Tell you) signify an important and weighty pronouncement.

Flesh and blood is unsuitable (for the kingdom of God) - V.50-51

1 Corinthians 15:50–51 ESV

“flesh and blood” refers to the perishable body

Hebrews 2:14 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

“flesh and blood” refers to the perishable body

The word “perishable” denotes that which is dying or wasting away in decay.

- Perishable to imperishable

1 Corinthians 15:42 ESV

42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.

Ex: Gardening: hands and shoulder and back .... Oh My!

Cannot = no ability - not suitable - Sin ruined our ability to dwell in God’s presence -

Inherit -

Remember the Garden: Perfect peace and dwelling with God, each other & creation and then man sinned.

1 Corinthians 15:42 ESV

42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.

Why the need for bodily transformation. Frail, mortal humanity cannot survive in God’s eternal and perfectly holy presence.

The need for bodily transformation?

Frail, mortal humanity cannot survive in God’s eternal and perfectly holy presence.

The Question: What if Christ return while were alive? - All must be changed so all when Christ returns all will be changed

Inherit the kingdom of God- Believers cannot inherit all the wondrous covenant promises summarized in the final rule of God in a kingdom of peace and righteousness if they are not appropriately clothed.

1 Corinthians 15:23–27 ESV

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

Transformed and at rest - God, us and a new creation

Radical transformation: Instantaneous “clothing” -

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 ESV

51 Behold! I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

Behold! A mystery has been revealed! - V.51

V.52- In a moment - instantly

In a moment - instantly

“In a moment” is a fraction of time so small that it cannot be cut (ἄτομος).

The “blink” (ῥιπή) of an eye reinforces the same point.

The “trumpet” sound accompanies the arrival of the King.

At the pronouncement of The Lord’s return

The trumpet is the sign of the Day of the Lord

In the OT the trumpet is the sign of the Day of the Lord

() - public & visible: Cry - voice - trumpet

Matthew 24:31 ESV

31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

- “Put On” = clothed - in a New body that imperishability and immortality fit to abide forever in God’s presence

1 Corinthians 15:54 ESV

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

These changed bodies are, as we have seen through this chapter, prepared for a new order of existence where righteousness dwells and peace reigns. -

Ex: Back to the cruise: We had to pack our formal attire in our suitcase.

Not so in eternity: Your suitable clothing is given to you.

There’s nothing earthy to bring with you to suitable to cloth you for glory.

You must be clothed by God for God.

The Kingdom of God fully realized!

Because Christ lives

Christ will return

Dead will rise

We all will be clothed for glory

Hebrews 2:14 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Because Christ Lives Sin and Death will be Swallowed up by Victory - V.55-57

- “Swallowed up” - Death is engulfed by glory/victory

1 Corinthians 15:54–55 ESV

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

The Contest/Battle: The power of sin (Death) versus the Power of the Risen Lord

Ex: Forest fire out West: Fire that engulf 1k acres in a matter of minutes or hours

V.54 - The glory of God will engulf/swallow all of creation

Paul Response? Taunting Death!

Pauls victorious taunt/ mocking! -v.54b-55

OT is quoted in the form of a taunt of death

& - looks forward to the day when God will judge the wicked city and will prepare an end-time feast for his own people on the mountain of the Lord.

Paul interprets the Old Testament text “from the perspective of Christ’s resurrection by turning it into a taunt.

Paul issued these taunts to death in the present tense.

The present tense of the participle reminds us that though the transformation is future the work is already done.

Although the general resurrection had yet to occur, Paul’s confident hope in Christ to bring about the resurrection removed all fear of death

When sin is defeated death sting is removed

We worry far too much about death and not near enough about sin.

1 Corinthians 15:56–57 ESV

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If there were no sin, there would be no death. Death comes by sin ().

Romans 5:12 ESV

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Sin gives death, when it has been introduced, all its terrors.

2. Sin gives death, when it has been introduced, all its terrors. If sin is pardoned, death is harmless. It can inflict no evil. It becomes a mere transition from a lower to a higher state.

If sin is swallowed up, death is harmless. It can inflict no evil.

It can inflict no evil. It becomes a mere transition from a lower to a higher state.

Why bring up the law? v.56

This is a gift of God in Jesus. It is not something that the law could give, though the law pointed clearly to the need for the forgiving grace of God.

Jesus Christ has himself absorbed the sting on the basis of how his death and resurrection addresses the problem of human sin and the law (vv. 55–57).”

Should we ignore or deny death?

We need not fear death (cf. ), but neither should we deny it (15:21–22; ).

The apostle places himself and his readers in the presence of the Saviour and of the risen dead arrayed in immortality; and in view of that majestic scene he breaks out in these words of triumph:

Christ has conquered.

His people are redeemed.

Death is disarmed.

The Grave is no more.

Our Response? v.47 - Thanks be to God

The victory comes through Jesus Christ not because he died, but because he was raised from the dead.

and we are with our Lord and God

So Then

So Then since Jesus is Risen, how should we respond?

Three responses because Christ live

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Three responses because Christ live

Thanksgiving - - Thanks be to God

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

v. 57 - Thanks be to God

The victory comes through Jesus Christ not because he died, but because he was raised from the dead.

In Ancient Rome after a great victory the victorious warrior would march in triumphal procession as the people would have incense and aroma burning.

2 Corinthians 2:14–17 ESV

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

For Paul life was a thankful, triumphal procession that ended in the presence of His Lord and desired for as many as possible to join in the procession.

For some Paul’s procession was a bitter stench but for others a sweet aroma and they themselves joined the procession

Paul says summarized the Resurrection Life with this encouragement

Christ-like Triumphal living

Christ-like abundant generosity

Christ-like Active mission

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

2. Steadfastness - know the Faith - stand for the faith - live the faith - Enjoy the faith

In The Faith - to hold firmly to the word he had preached to them, to guard their belief in the gospel and in the resurrection of believers.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

3. Give yourself to the work of the kingdom -

Mission - Gather God’s people & Ministry builds them up

Ex: New baby chicks: The favorite picture of the Psalmist of God’s gathering protection.

Most of us have been living in survival mode.

Can I orient our perspective this morning?

11,802,052. - 9:30am - abortions

11,846,315. - 6:30 Pm

11,906,335 - Sunday 7:00 -

In 9 hours ,while I worked in my garden 44,263 babies were murdered

11,906,335 - Sunday 7:00 - 104K -

There is work to be done!

We, the church, are the aroma of the living Christ given to spread the fragrance of Christ to the broken and vulnerable and the defenseless that desperately needs it.

Brothers and sisters Jesus is risen, and one day, we will be clothed for glory, and sin nor death will have the final say on your life.

So until then let us go outside the comfort of our homes and buildings, let us take the gospel to the broken, to the marginalized and to the despised.

And let us gather God’s people and for, you see, right now we are the dwelling place of God in this creation, and then, we will see him face to face.

Let us gather God’s people and for right now we are the dwelling place of God on this earth ,and then our dll see him face to face. welling place will be with him for we wi

The promise is clear because Jesus is Risen nothing done to spread the name and fame of Jesus Christ is ever in vain.

Nothing done to spread the name and fame of Christ is ever in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Christians press on with steadfastness toward the coming of Jesus Christ because of his victorious resurrection.

Christ is Risen let us press on to know the Lord and to make Him known.

Malachi 4:2–3 ESV

2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

We abound in ministry and missional labor

Because Christ is Risen He is coming again, so let us press on to know the Lord and to make Him known.

Our kingdom building/ People gathering/people upbuilding labor is not in vain.

Christ is Risen! He is risen Indeed! Let us pray and rise to give thanks.

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