Sermon Series: I Corinthians

The Doctrine of Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15
Part Twelve: The Reasonableness of Resurrection, I-III

1 Corinthians 15:35-49

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Introduction:

Review of the first eleven sermons on this chapter:

1. Introduction
2. The Transmission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (15:1-4)
3. According to the Scriptures (15:3-4)
4. Christ Died For Our Sins (15:3)
5. And That He Was Buried (15:4)
6. The Final Fullness of the Gospel (4b-11)
    2) The Gospel Seen by Men (15:5-8)
    3) The Gospel Preached by Men (15:9-11b)
7. The Eye-Witnesses to the Resurrection (15:5-8)
8. The Path for Paul from Persecutor to Preacher (15:8-11)
9. No Resurrection of the Dead? (15:12-19)
10. The Direct Connections to the Firstfruits of the Resurrection (15:20-28)
11. Why Bother? Onward Christian Soldiers! (15:29-34)

Bible Study Pointers:

Studying the Bible profitably, properly, successfully and submissively involves the asking of questions. Ask questions of the text. Look for answers. Ask the right questions! Find the right answers!

1. Comparison: What is there that is common to each paragraph or section (what do they have in common, if anything)?
2. Contrast: What is there that is different in each paragraph or section?
3. Shift: What has changed from one paragraph or section to the next?
4. Development: What development does this change or shift signify?
5. Beginning: Where is the author coming from?
6. End: Where is the author going to?
7. Middle: How is the author getting there?
8. Gist: What is the most important statement(s) or point(s) in the passage?

From the introductory message:

"What does it mean if we do not understand how it is possible? – Verses 35-49
The question restated: Is this doctrine reasonable even if we find ourselves at the frontiers of reason in striving to understand it?"

Outline:

The Possibility of Resurrection Questioned (15:35)
The Questioner of Resurrection Confronted (15:36)
The Reality of Resurrection Explained (15:37-41)
The Nature of Resurrection Connected (15:42-49)  


I. The Possibility of Resurrection Questioned (15:35) - Objection

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

The nature of the question - "How...?"

The sense of the question - "With what body...?"


II. The Questioner of Resurrection Confronted (15:36) - Exclamation

Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

Reasoning with the Unreasonable

Ps. 14:1 - The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Science beyond the Scientists

Jn. 12:24 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

The Philosopher climbing the Mountain in search of Wisdom - the Theologians are already there

What is a Philosopher?
A Blind Man trying to find a Black Cat in a Dark Room who isn't there!



III. The Reality of Resurrection Explained (15:37-41) - Explanation and Foundation

³⁷ And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: ³⁸ But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. ³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. ⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

Three Examples:

First Example - Plant Kingdom (Agriculture)

Second Example - Animal Kingdom

Third Example - Solar System (40-41) and beyond - Celestial Bodies

Phil. 2:10 - That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;