日期﹕ 1/14/2007

經文﹕ < 哥林多前書 >15 ﹕ 1-11

題目﹕基督的復活與我

主旨 : 因耶穌基督從死 裏 復活 , 所以我能夠有豐富的生命

引言﹕

如果人死後不能復活﹐死亡是人生的終點﹐你會做何感想﹖有些人可能因此會問那麼生命的意義又在哪裡呢﹖有些人或許會嘗試在生活中 盡情的享受 ﹐ 我認為好的， 我想要作的，就去作。 有些人或許則會專注於 在 人道主義的事業 中尋找意義 ﹕比如幫助窮人﹐無家可歸的流浪者和艾滋病人﹔也有人會從學業和工作中尋找人生的價值。很多人 會 把宗教看成是一種“精神寄託” ﹐因此﹐只有軟弱的人才需要宗教 ( 包括基督教 ) ，強者則無須依賴宗教作為精神支柱。 並且 無論何種宗教都是 無所為，他們都有一共同的目標， 勸人為善的， 因此都是一樣 。當然﹐如果死后沒有復活的話﹐那麼這個大堂恐怕也只會坐滿一半的人。牧師都成了搞宗教的人﹐就像那些搞科學的專業人員一樣。

這一些 發生在第一世紀哥林多教會里﹕有人教導信徒 沒有 肉體復活 之事 ﹐人死如燈滅。因著這些教導﹐有些信徒偏離了原先的信仰和在教會里的服事﹔他們 生活在罪與放縱情慾中 。為此﹐保羅特地寫了這第十五章來闡述復活的問題。這段經文對復活做了最為詳細解釋。當然﹐如果我們要對復活有一個全面和完整的理解﹐也需要借鑒其他幾處的經文內容。

從這一章 內容 豐富的經文里﹐我想 帶 出幾點 超越時空 的真理﹐探討一下如何在二十一世紀里運用這些真理。

I •  我們要確認耶穌基督復活的真實性

哥林多教會的一些信徒質疑肉體復活的真實性。保羅 從那裡 開始他的教導呢﹖他先從向他們宣講 過 的福音開始說起。在 1-4 節經文里﹐他提醒信徒們福音的道理。 (15 ﹕ 3-4) “我從前領受了又傳交給你們那最要緊的，就是基督照著聖經所記的，為我們的罪死了，又埋葬了，又照著聖經所記的，第三天復活了。” 照著聖經， 就是 根據舊約 的 < 以賽亞書 >53 章﹐ < 詩篇 >16 ﹕ 8-11 的內容﹐基督死了﹐被埋葬﹐又復活了。這就是福音的核心內容。在 我們 學習 < 哥林多前書 > 的時候﹐我們注意到﹕保羅以十字架 (1 ﹕ 18-2 ﹕ 16) 開始﹐以復活 (15 章 ) 結尾。十字架和復活就像兩個書檔﹐兩個書檔當中所夾的就是我們基督 教 的信仰。沒有了十字架和復活這兩 條柱子， 基督徒的信仰就是蒼白無力的。如果沒有十字架和復活﹐我們又該如何來解釋罪的寬恕以及我們未來的盼望呢﹖

不僅如此﹐保羅也強調了見證 人 的重要性。 15:5-7 ， “ 並且曾經向磯法顯現，然後向十二使徒顯現。 6 以後又有一次向五百多個弟兄顯現。他們中間大多數到現今還在，也有些已經睡了。 7 以後也向雅各顯現，再後又向眾使徒顯現， 8 最後也向我顯現； ＂ 親眼見到耶穌復活的人包括﹕瑪歷亞﹐彼得﹐其他十位使徒﹐還有 500 人﹐雅各 ( 耶穌的兄弟 ) ﹐最後還有保羅。這些人都親眼目睹復活后的耶穌。他們的見證可靠嗎﹖他們會說謊嗎﹖

有些人還記得 70 年代的水門事件。 祗有幾個 人試圖掩蓋真相﹐ 最後 他們一個接一個地相繼認了罪。 你看 ﹐一個人說謊或許還比較容易﹐但是要兩個人同時散播同一個謊言﹐就很難做到天衣無縫﹐不露馬腳。現在﹐至少 500 人要重複講同一個謊言﹐這幾乎是不可能的事。不僅如此﹐許多人因此還獻出了生命。你會為了一個謊言而賠上自己的性命嗎﹖這是不可能的事啊 ! 在這一章的前 11 節經文里﹐保羅引用舊約預言﹐新約事實以及親眼目睹的見證﹐堅定地 肯定 耶穌的復活是事實。

II •  耶穌基督的復活是將意義帶入我的生命

在說明了基督復活的真實性之後﹐保羅闡述了復活對於信徒的意義。

1 •  沒有復活﹐信仰是空虛的。

在 13-19 節﹐保羅一連六次提到“倘若沒有死人復活的事” 。他寫到﹕倘若沒有死人復活的事﹐基督也就沒有復活了﹐我們所傳的就是枉然﹐所信的也是枉然﹐我們在替神做假見證﹐死後沒有盼望﹐成為世上最可憐的人。如果沒有復活﹐那麼耶穌在 < 約翰福音 >11 ﹕ 25 “我就是復活和生命；信我的人，雖然死了，也要活著。” 以及在 < 約翰福音 >14 ﹕ 6 “我就是道路、真理、生命，如果不是藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。” 的教導就都是假的了。如此說來﹐我們的信仰還剩下什麼呢﹖只剩了一個空殼而已。如果我們把宗教， 基督教 視作精神寄託﹐那麼我們寄託的對象又是什麼呢﹖就好比你在最近的一次滑冰時扭傷了腳踝或者摔斷了腿。醫生要你撐六個星期的拐杖。那麼我告訴你﹐你就把這想象成拐杖﹐雙臂夾著它們走路。你可能會認為我瘋了。支撐在一個不存在的東西上是很可悲的。難怪人們會說宗教是為了那些弱者而設立的。 若沒有復活， 我們的信仰的內容是空的。這是何等可憐。

2 •  復活能夠重新收回失去的樂園。

這個世界並不完美﹐我們每個人的生命也同樣帶有暇疵。無論我們走到哪裡﹐都可以看到充滿了罪的生命。有些比較嚴重﹐有些則程度輕一些。但是我們都 能體會刑罪在我們的生命裡 。在 20-28 節﹐保羅為我們簡要講述了一下 神 救 贖 的事。從 < 創世紀 > 里﹐我們知道人類的始祖 違背 了上帝。因此﹐罪進入了世界。這個世界成為一個充滿叛逆的地方﹐處在撒旦的權勢之下。到處充滿了無序和異常﹐就像是個失 去了的 樂園。如果沒有復活﹐如果基督沒有從死里重生﹐那麼這個破碎和墮落的世界就將繼續下去﹐沒有希望。

但是﹐因著耶穌從死里復活﹐一切都可以變得不同。因為他的復活﹐他 開始 將他所造的一切重新歸入他的名下。現在﹐我們看到被造物已經部份順服和委身於他。但是有一天﹐ 在世界的 日， 所有被造 之 物都將向他臣服和委身。 15 ﹕ 25 -27 “因為基督必要作王，直到 神把所有的仇敵都放在他的腳下。最後要毀滅的仇敵就是死，因為經上記著說：‘他使萬物都服在他腳下。’既然說萬物都服了他，顯然那使萬物服他的就不包括在內了。” 是的﹐現在我們並不完美﹐但是有一天﹐一切不完美的都將過去。現在﹐耶穌 已將 醫治 帶入 我們的生命﹐醫治我們與上帝和他人破碎的關係。但是﹐我們現在的經歷和所見所聞都只是部分的醫治而已。但是﹐聖經告訴我們有一天﹐所有被造之物都將來到耶穌面前﹐在他的權柄﹐榮耀和大能下俯服。在那一天﹐ 就有那完全的 醫治。基督已經開始收復失 去的 樂園﹐但在那 最終 的一天﹐整個樂園將完全服在他腳下。再也沒有 任何的 不完美。我們期盼著這一天的來臨。

3 ‧ ‧；．．‧復活能夠幫助我們過順服的生活。

首先﹐我想嘗試解釋一下第 29 節經文“不然，那些為死人受洗的，是為了甚麼呢？如果死人根本不會復活，那麼為甚麼要為他們受洗呢？”這 是一 段 不容易明白的 經文。 一個 普遍 被 接受的 解釋 是﹕在哥林多﹐有 活人代替 死人受洗的習俗﹐目的是希望藉此令死人得以進入天堂。保羅 不是同意 這個做法﹔但是﹐他使用哥林多的這個傳統做法來 諷刺 他們的思 維 。如果沒有復活﹐死後生命完全消逝﹐那麼為什麼還要行這樣的 習慣 ﹖就好比有些人不相信復活﹐不相信死後生命還在延續﹐但是在葬禮的時候﹐卻依然燒一些死人享用的紙錢﹐房子和用具。這麼做簡直是不可思議的事 ! 當不同文化背景的人們如此行事的時候﹐實際上是揭示了人類內心深處對於生命永恆的一個渴望。我們知道有一些東西是超越死亡的。

在第 30 節﹐保羅說﹕如果沒有復活﹐為什麼我要為福音受苦﹖為什么我不能像其他人一樣﹐享受現實生活﹐做自己想做的事﹐不必去擔心死 後 會發生什麼。但是﹐因為人死後會有復活﹐所以我要對現在的生活特別小心。如果人將復活是事實﹐那麼有一天我將與主面對面相遇﹐為自己在今生的所作所 向神交待 。所以﹐我們要遠離罪﹐在生命中順服神。 15:34 “你們理當醒悟過來，不要犯罪，。。。。”

4. 復活能夠將盼望帶入今天的生活。

如果沒有復活﹐那麼我們的信仰或者是我們的宗教就沒有任何 目前的 意義。因為有復活﹐有一天我們朽 壞 的 身 體將 改變 成為不朽﹐ 51-53, “ 我現在把一個奧祕告訴你們：我們不是都要睡覺，而是在一剎那，眨眼之間，就是號角最後一次吹響的時候，我們都要改變；因為號角要吹響，死人要復活，成為不朽壞的，我們也要改變。 53 這必朽壞的必須穿上不朽壞的，這必死的必須穿上不死的；” 在耶穌再回來的那日, 祂有能力改變我們. 因此 我們在今生 也能經歷這 力量。是的﹐改變自己是很困難的事。 “江山易改，本性難移＂ 我們都對自己說過﹕這就是我了﹐改不了了。 但是 如果神有能力把耶穌從死里復活﹐ 能將來改變我的身體， 那麼他的能力 今日也 同樣能夠改變我們﹐ 使我成為祂要我成為的樣式。 復活的大能能幫助我們 在 生命中 作 一 些 在人看來不可能的事。我們都很熟悉這樣的歌詞﹕“我所 有 的 就 是 一個 破碎 的 自己﹐ 但祂能將我重整，使我成為一個美麗的生命。 ＂ 15:57, “ 感謝　神，他藉著我們的主耶穌基督，把勝利賜給我們。” 祂也有那能力,助我勝過生命中的試探和邪惡的影響.

我和我的一個孩子在他年輕的時候都喜歡一個廣播節目﹐叫做“釋放 Unshackled ” ﹐這是在 Pacific Garden 的 福音 節目。在這個節目里﹐你能夠聽到一個又一個福音大能改變生命的見證。酗酒者﹐服毒者﹐暴力者都被福音的大能感化和改變。這些見證講述著神如何撿起 破碎的 生命﹐重新把他塑造成美麗的圖畫。

今天我們坐在這裡﹐不也是因為神首先呼喚了我們並且改變了我們的生命嗎﹖他賜給我們力量﹐使我們得以繼續在這個不 十分 友 善 的世界里繼續生 活 下去。在主日早上﹐我總能看到有些人淚流滿面。這些 都 是 見證 神那復活的大能 在我們 生命 裡的運作 。我們依靠的不是虛幻的東西﹐我們 依靠 一位 又 真實 又 有能力的神。是的﹐我們是軟弱的﹐但是我們所依靠的是滿有能力的。這就是生命的希望和意義。

5. 復活能夠協助我們正視死亡。

當我們學習這段有關復活的經文時﹐也教導我們如何正視死亡。我們的文化思想是極力避免死亡的。我們不喜歡帶“死” 的字眼。我的父親以前總是說﹕某某人再見了﹔或者我們說﹕某某人過世了﹐或者走了。我們總是避免使用“死” 。但是從這段經文來看﹐我們不需要害怕死亡。我們死后﹐並不是魂飛魄散了。我們的肉體將被埋葬或者火化﹐幾年以後肉體將成為塵土。聖經里其他的經文告訴我們， 在 死 時 我們 的靈魂 就立刻與神同在了。當基督再來的那一天﹐他將使我們 的身體 從死里復活﹐將腐朽的 身 體， 已成為塵土的身體 變為榮耀的身體﹐ 然後與 靈 魂連 合 為 一。這是我們得榮耀的時刻。這 是那被改變 的身體﹐就像耶穌一般。你記得嗎﹐耶穌從死里復活以後﹐使徒依然認出是他的身體﹐耶穌依然能夠吃喝行走。是的﹐死后﹐我們的靈 立刻 與神同在﹐那裡比這個世界要美好許多。但是﹐還不是最完美的狀態。我們還在期待那最完美的國度的降臨。當我們的身體被 改變 ﹐與靈 魂連合 的時候﹐那將是我們的終極完美狀態。這就是為什麼即使在死亡和痛苦中﹐我們依然持有希望。 並且我們也不需害怕死亡。

結論﹕

在這一章經文里﹐保羅 要 哥林多的信徒了解復活的真實性﹐因為復活的存在﹐生命才有意義﹐力量和盼望。

許多人是來到美國以後才信主的。這個國家雖然 是 很快 的 世俗 化 ﹐但是社會生活里依然保留了一些基督 教 信仰的 內容 。其中包括基督的誕生和復活 的回憶。 聖誕節和復活節在美國和其他西方國家 仍然是 兩個重要節日。復活節通常令非基督徒感到難受﹐因為他們困惑於耶穌復活的真實性和歷史性。但是﹐復活節對於基督徒而言是莫大的鼓勵。他提醒我們﹕在兩千多年前﹐耶穌從死里復活。

現在如果你回中國的話﹐ 就很 不一樣了。 我們當中 有些人 曾 與你們的父母﹐親朋好友分享福音﹐包括基督的復活。你還記不記得他們當時 雙眼盯住你 ﹖ 以為你是在講神話。 在中國﹐基督徒是少數﹐這種感覺真不好。在那樣的環境里﹐我們甚至會懷疑究竟誰才是正確的。如果基督沒有從死里復活，如果沒有死后復活的事，怎麼辦﹖如果他們是對的怎麼辦﹖當我面對世俗的媒體和朋友時﹐ 有時 也會產生這樣的 念頭 。我是不是個傻瓜﹖我的雙腳開始顫抖﹐站立不穩。保羅是怎樣結束他對於復活的教導呢﹖ 15 ﹕ 58 “所以，我親愛的弟兄們，你們務要堅固，不可動搖，常常竭力多作主工，因為知道你們的勞苦，在主裡面不是徒然的。” 他說﹐因為基督真真 實實 地從死里復活﹐因此我們要站立得穩﹐繼續 服事神 。 因為基督從死裡復活了， 所以生命就有了意義，生命就有了盼望。

Date:   1/14/07

Text:   1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Title:   Christ's resurrection and I

Theme: Since Christ has risen from the dead, we can have a meaningful and abundant life.

Introduction:

  What comes to your mind if there is no resurrection, that there is nothing after death? Some may ask what then is the meaning to life here? Some may try to find meaning by enjoying life to its fullest, doing whatever one feels like doing, as long as one feels good. Others will try to find meaning in doing humanitarian work, such as helping the poor, the homeless and the victims of AIDS. You may also seek meaning in your study and work. Many will look at religion as a “ 精神寄託 (emotional crutch ). Therefore it will be correct to state that religion, including Christianity, is for the weak. The strong ones don’t need any religion as a 精神寄託 . It really doesn’t matter what religion you believe in; they all have the same purpose of teaching one to be good. Of course, if there is no resurrection, half of this sanctuary will be empty. The pastors are just 搞宗教的 (religious workers), like those 搞 科學的 .

  This is what was happening at the Corinthian church in that 1 st century. They had some teachers suggesting there was no bodily resurrection. When you die, you become nothing. Because of such teachings, some believers began to stray from their original faith and ministry in the church. They engaged in sinful and licentious lifestyles. So, Paul wrote this chapter 15 to address the issue of resurrection. This is the most extensive treatment on this subject. Of course, if we are to have a full and complete understanding of resurrection, we need to include many other passages in the scriptures.

  From this rich and poignant chapter, I would like to identify several timeless principles and see how they can be applied to those of us living in the 21 st century.

I •  We are to hold onto the certainty of Christ's resurrection.

  Some in the Corinthian church doubted the teaching on the resurrection of the body. So, where did Paul begin his teaching? He began with the gospel he preached to them. In verses 1-4, he reminded them the essence of the gospel: Vs3, “ 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,..” According to the OT scriptures, mainly Isaiah 53, Psalm 16:8-11, Christ died, was buried and was resurrected. This is the core of the gospel message. In our study of 1 Corinthians, we notice that Paul began this letter with the Cross (1:18-2:16) and ended with Resurrection (15). It is like two bookends: Cross and Resurrection. In between is the rest of our Christian faith. Without these two pillars: cross and resurrection, the Christian faith just won’t make any sense. You see, without the cross and resurrection how do we explain the forgiveness of sins and future hope?

  Not only this, Paul also stressed the importance of eye witness. The eye witnesses of Jesus'' resurrection included Mary, Peter, then the 10 disciples, 500 people, James (probably Jesus'' brother) and lastly, Paul. These people saw Jesus after his resurrection. Are they reliable witnesses? Could they all be lying?

  Some of us remember the Watergate scandal in the 70’s. There were only a few people who tried to cover up the crime. In the end, one by one they confessed. You see, one person can be very consistent with a lie. But for two people to propagate one lie, it will be difficult to maintain its consistency and accuracy. Now, to have at least 500 people repeating the same lie, it is almost impossible. And besides, many of them died for this conviction. Will you die for a lie? Very unlikely, right? In the first 11 verses of this chapter, Paul used the OT prophecies, NT facts and eye witnesses to firmly establish the certainty of Jesus'' resurrection.

II •  The certainty of Christ's resurrection will bring meaning into believers’ lives.

  Having established the certainty of Christ's resurrection, Paul proceeds to explain its impact on the believers.

1 •  Without the resurrection, our faith is in vain.

  In vs.13-19, Paul used ‘if there is no resurrection’ 6 times. He writes that if there is no resurrection, Christ would not have risen, his preaching would be in vain, our faith would be in vain, we would be propagating a lie, at death we’ll all perish with no hope, we’re the most pitiful people on earth. Quite a listing, isn’t it? If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then his saying, John 11:25,“ I am the resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ” John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ” would be all false. Then, what is there in our faith? It is an empty shell. If we claim religion is a 精神寄託 , then we ask 寄託 on what? Its like you strained your ankle or broke your leg during your recent ski trip. You are told to use crutches for 6 weeks. So I say to you, just imagine there is a pair of crutches. Put them under your arm when you walk. You would have called me crazy. To lean onto something that is not there, is pitiful. No wonder people say that religion is for the weak.

2.   Resurrection regains the Paradise Lost.

  The world’s condition is not great; neither are our personal lives. Everywhere we turn, we see marks of sin in people’s lives. Some are very severe, others moderate. But we can all recognize its presence in our lives. In vs.20-28 Paul gave us a brief review of God's redemptive story. You see, from genesis we learn of man’s disobedience to God. With this, sin entered into the world. The world has now become a rebellious land and is under the influence of Satan. This is why this world is full of abnormalities. It’s like the paradise lost. And if there is no resurrection, if Christ has not risen from the dead, then this corruption and brokenness would just continue on with no hope or end in sight.

  However, because Christ resurrected from the dead, things are and can be different now. Because of his resurrection, he begins to bring his creation under him again. Now, we see partial submission in the lives of individuals and the creation. But there will come a day, on that final day, when all creation will submit to him. vs.25, “ 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.” Yes, it is imperfect now, but there will come a day, when all the imperfections will disappear. Now, he has brought healing into our lives. there is healing in our relationship with God and each other. However, what we see and experience is partial, for there is still so much imperfection around us. Yet the scripture tells us that there will come a day that the entire creation will be brought before him and yield to his power, glory and majesty. On that day, the healing will be complete. He has begun to repossess the paradise lost, but on that final day, the entire paradise will once again completely submit to him. There will be no more imperfections. This is the day we are looking forward to.

3.   Living a life of submission.

  First let me try to explain vs.29, “ 29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” This was a difficult passage to understand. The generally accepted interpretation is that at Corinth there was the practice of baptizing a person on behalf of a dead person, with the purpose that this dead person may go to heaven. Paul is not condoning this, but uses one of their practices and turns against them. If there is no resurrection, if there is no life after death, then why do you even bother to practice this ritual? Just like someone who does not believe in resurrection, life after death, yet at the funeral service, wants to burn paper money, houses and appliances so the dead can enjoy them. It doesn’t make sense, right? When individuals in different cultures have such practices, it is really revealing the fact that deep inside us is a desire for permanency and eternity. We know there is something beyond death.

  In vs30ff, Paul is saying if there is no resurrection, why should I be suffering for the gospel? Why don’t I just like others, enjoy what is present; do whatever I like and not worry about what will happen after death? However, since there is resurrection, there is life after death, then I need to be careful how I live now. because if there is resurrection, there will also be a day when I will be seeing God face to face and be held accountable for how I have lived. So in light of this, we are to stay away from sin and be submissive to him in all walks of life. vs34, “ 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”

4.   Resurrection brings Hope for the present life.

  If there is no resurrection, then my faith, or my religion really does not have much meaning now. Since there is resurrection, there will come a day when my body will be transformed from this corruptible body to that incorruptible body, vs. 51-53, “ 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.” On that final day, God has the power to change and transform our body. Therefore, this power is also available to us today. We know how difficult it is to change ourselves. We say what you see is what you get. We all have heard ourselves say, this is me, I can’t change. If God has the power to raise Jesus from the dead, then this power can also change me into the person he wants me to be. This resurrection power will enable me to do that which is difficult or even impossible in life. We are familiar with the song which says, all I have to offer is my brokenness, yet he made it into something beautiful. He has the power to change and transform us. vs.57,” thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” He also has the power to enable us to over the temptations and the evil influence in our lives.

  There is a radio program that one of my sons and I like when he was younger. It is called ‘Unshackled’, a ministry of the Pacific Garden . In this program, you will hear story after story of how individuals were changed by the gospel power. The Alcoholics, drug addicts, individuals with violent tempers were being transformed by the gospel. It is about how God picked up the broken pieces in their lives and made something beautiful.

  Isn’t this true, that many of us are here, because of how God first found us and then changed us? He has given us strength to live in some very unfriendly environments. Often on Sunday mornings, I see tears streaming down some of your faces. These are witnesses of God's resurrection power manifesting in our lives. We do not lean on thin air or imaginary objects. We lean on someone who is real and powerful. Yes, we are weak, but what we lean on is strong. This is hope and meaning in life.

5.   Facing death courageously.

  As we read this chapter on resurrection, it also helps us to learn how to face death in a proper way. We live in a culture that avoids death. We don’t like to use the word death or dead. My father used to say, so and so bye bye. Or we say, passed away, or he has gone, or has kicked the bucket. We try not use the word ‘die’ or ‘dead’. But from this passage we learn that we are not to be afraid of death. When we die, we do not turn into spirits. Our body will be buried or cremated and in a matter of years, they will turn into dust. Other parts of the scriptures tell us that at death, our soul will be with God immediately. Then when Christ comes again, on that final day, he will raise us from the dead, transform this body into a glorious body and be united with our soul. This is our glorified state. This new body is a transformed body. It’s like Jesus. You remember after Jesus rose from the dead, he had a body that the disciples could recognize; a body that would still eat and talk and walk. Yes, at death, our spirit is with the Lord. This is a better place than earth. But not the best. The best is yet to come. When our body is transformed and united with the spirit, which is the final and best state. This is why even in the midst of death and sorrow, we can still have hope. This is the reason we don’t have to be afraid of death.

Conclusion:

  In this chapter, Paul wants the Corinthian believers to understand that there is resurrection. Because there is resurrection, life can have meaning, power and hope.

  Many of us come to know the Lord after we come to this country. Even though it is fast becoming a secular society, there is still yet some memory of the Christian faith. Among them is the faint remembrance of the birth of Christ and his resurrection. Christmas and Easter are still two major holiday seasons both in this and other western countries. Easter celebration will always make the non-Christians feel very uncomfortable, for they have to deal with its reality and historicity. But this celebration is an encouragement to the believers. It affirms and reminds us that over 2000 years ago Jesus rose from the dead.

  Now, if you go back to China , it's a very different story, isn’t it. Some of you may have tried to share with your parents, relatives and friends about the essence of the gospel, including the resurrection. You still remember how they looked at you. Over there, you are the minority, and it is not a good feeling. And above all, you know what, don’t you at times wonder who is right? What if Jesus did not rise from the dead, what if there is no such thing as resurrection, what if they are right? From time to time, I feel this too when I am surrounded by the secular media and friends. Am I a fool? There is a wobbling feeling under my feet. How did Paul conclude this passage on resurrection? Vs.58, “ 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.” He says, since Christ has truly resurrected, therefore, stand firm, continue in the work of the Lord. There is meaning in life.