Hope {1 Corinthians 15}
8:00 AM
Per the King James dictionary, HOPE, n. L. cupio.
1. A desire of some
good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a
belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that
it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility
of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and
desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
Jeremiah
29:11 has been a verse I have held onto for many years. When I’ve veered off into a state of worry,
this verse always brings me back to my foundation. And I remember that I am not of this world
and my future awaits.
1
Corinthians 15 is a chapter of hope.
Hope in the resurrection.
Hopefully, you are still clinging to the celebration of Easter. Hopefully you are living in a state of
anticipation and you are getting ready for the time of your lives.
1. The
bodily resurrection reminds us of our union with Christ. The
Christian’s bodily resurrection directly corresponds to that of Christ’s (1 Cor 15:12–28).
2. The
bodily resurrection is central to the gospel message. “...
and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to
the Scriptures,” affirms the bodily resurrection, not a “spiritual”
resurrection (1 Cor 15:4).
3. The
bodily resurrection gives hope beyond this life. So,
that helps us to understand that our future treasure through Christ is bigger
than our bank accounts or life achievements (1 Cor 15:35–49).
4. The
bodily resurrection joins us to an eternal kingdom. In
that kingdom we continue to serve the Lord without the encumbrances of living
in a fallen world (1 Cor 15:50; Rev 22:3).
5. The
bodily resurrection motivates us to holy living.
Fixing our hope on the future in Christ builds a deeper desire for pure, holy
lives (1 John 3:1–3; 1 Cor 15:33–34, 58).
6. The
bodily resurrection builds anticipation for a life that outstrips our
imaginations. Paul compares our death and burial to a “seed,” while the life
ahead is the full grown (“body”) plant. The comparison invites stretching our
thoughts to comprehend how much better the future is in Christ (1 Cor 15:35–48).
7. The
bodily resurrection affirms an immortal life in God’s presence. This
perishable person living post-fall (Gen 3) puts on an imperishable life
post-return of Christ (1 Cor 15:50–57).
8. The
bodily resurrection declares the ultimate triumph of Jesus over sin and death. Can
we taunt sin and death apart from the bodily resurrection affirmed in Christ? (1 Cor 15:54–57)
9. The
bodily resurrection affirms that our toil and labor in this life are not in
vain. Why grow weary in serving Christ in the present when it’s just
good preparation for the future of eternal service? “Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).
For me
the mystery of resurrection is like the birth of a child. It’s a mystery and quite magical how a child
is formed in a mother’s womb. I love how
Paul reminds of in verse 51; “Listen, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will be
changed.”
Blessings,
Lisa
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