Grosey's Messages

1 Corinthians 15:35-58   You Can Have A Certain Hope

I believe in the resurrection of the body,    and the life everlasting.
A sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life

Some fixed points are needed.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, in the holy catholic Church, in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

LORD'S DAY 22
57. Q. What comfort does the resurrection of the body offer you?
A. Not only shall my soul after this life immediately be taken up to Christ, my Head, but also this my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body.

58. Q. What comfort do you receive from the article about the life everlasting?
A. Since I now already feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, I shall after this life possess perfect blessedness, such as no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived – a blessedness in which to praise God forever.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have given us a sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life.
The Optimism of Always look on the bright side of life contrasts the Certainty of How Great Thou Art, and Great is Thy Faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 15 says Why You Can Have A Certain Hope:

1.You Can Be Sure The Power of Death Has Been Defeated

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." ⁵⁵ " O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

God promised it, Christ performed it.

How Has The Power of Death Has Been Defeated?

The Lord Jesus Replaces Adam As Head ²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

  2. You Can Be Sure The Prince of Death Has Been Defeated

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb 2:14

His dominion is defeated             His sting is done

⁵⁴ "Death is swallowed up in victory." ⁵⁵ " O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" ⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. You Can Be Sure The Principle of Death will be Defeated

The promise fulfilled -54,55. at the cross

The promise guaranteed at the resurrection

The promise fulfilled at the return

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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

There will be the signal of triumph

There will be the swift transformation

You will have an incorruptible body

You will have an immortal body

As you have a certain hope

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

Stand firm

Be faithful

Be fruitful

Growth Group Questions

How do Paul's words to the Corinthians in chapter 15 describe a person's new identity in Christ as a Jesus follower?

What important truths should you register in your mind to defeat the fear of death? What importance does Christ's death and resurrection have for us in our Christian walk?

What will it mean for you to abound in the work of the Lord?