1st Corinthians 15:50-58

Paul has spent an entire chapter now on the resurrection. It appears that some in the church in Corinth were denying the reality of it. The reason why Paul spends so much time talking about the resurrection is because this is the most important aspect of the gospel. This element of the good news is what validates our faith. Without it, we believe in vain. Without it, our Savior is still in a grave. Without it, we are still in our sins, hopelessly reaching for fulfillment and purpose without a chance of ever finding it. 

The good news for us this morning, and every day, is that the resurrection did happen. Therefore, our faith is not in vain, our hope is not empty, our sins have been forgiven, and Paul tells us this morning that the resurrection of Jesus provides victory over death for those who believe. 

Big Idea: We have victory over death through the resurrected Christ.

Read 1st Corinthians 15:50-58

1. We have victory over that which is perishable (50-53)

This is amazing when we drill down into it. The reality of what Paul is saying will hit each of us in a different way. To get there, let’s go back to the beginning in Genesis chapter 3. God created everything in perfection. There was harmony. There was fellowship. It was a euphoric paradise. And then Satan deceived Eve and both she and Adam disobeyed the Lord, and as a result a curse called sin infected all of creation. 

Specifically in Genesis 3:16-19 we see unbearable pain in childbirth, a struggle with submission and authority, pain and exhaustion in work. We see creation affected, “cursed is the ground,” God says. But it doesn’t end there. We know in Scripture that sin has affected everything. Everything is essentially broken. Everything is dying. Mortality is a result of sin. Injustice, violence and suffering are a result of sin. Broken relationships due to lying, anger, abuse, infidelity, distrust, unforgiveness, jealousy, all a result of sin. The weight of guilt and shame is a result of sin. Our bodies are broken. Our minds are broken. Our emotions are broken. All of creation is broken. 

When Paul uses the phrase “flesh and blood” in verse 50 of our passage this morning, he is referring to that which is fleshly, and in Scripture there is a direct correlation to that sin nature that has infected everything. And here’s the good news, brothers and sisters listen to me, here’s the good news: The resurrection of Jesus has opened a door to our future resurrection, and when that day comes, that which is broken is not allowed to come! The pain and destruction that sin causes in our lives will be left behind. That which is perishable, that which is dying and decaying, will be left behind. Our broken and ailing bodies will be left behind. 

Verse 51, “Behold!” Paul says. “Look at this, pay attention, do not miss this.” Behold, here’s the reality of our future resurrection. There is coming a day, when all those who profess Christ as Lord and Savior, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of that great trumpet blast, will be immediately transformed. 

Listen to the hopeful anticipation of Paul. He says “we shall not all sleep.” Sleep by the way is just a euphemism in Scripture for dying. Just like we would say that someone “passes away,” back then they would say “fell asleep.” But notice that Paul includes himself in the equation. “We,” Paul says. Now, this doesn’t mean that he was absolutely sure that he would not die, but he was hopeful that he would see the return of Christ!  

This is one of those realities for us that is just so hard to comprehend. There will be a moment in time, and it’s just a moment. The average person blinks 15-20 times per minute, which equates to between 14 and 19 thousand times a day. That’s how quickly it’s going to happen. In that moment, those who are alive will be caught up to heaven and will be immediately given their glorified, imperishable bodies. Those who have died, no matter what level of decomposed state they are in, will be given their glorified, imperishable bodies. 

I mean, WHAT?! If we aren’t careful we can allow the unbelievable nature of this reality to wreck our brains. It can send us into a dizzy overcomplication and lead us to a place of disbelief. It can cause debate over where the temporary holding place is for the souls of those who have died. Instead, I want us to focus on the reality of what Paul is saying. Church, we will one day, in the blink of an eye, be given bodies in a final resurrection that will no longer feel pain, will no longer be plagued by brokenness. We will be given minds that don’t struggle with self-image, or depression, or crippling anxiety. We will be given hands that don’t tighten up from arthritis. We will be given eyes that don’t water in the presence of the bright glory of the Lord. We will be given hearts that beat strong, lungs that breath celestial air, and in that moment, in that final moment when Jesus returns and transforms our lowly bodies. When that happens…

2. We have victory over death (54-57)

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The curse that was pronounced upon Adam is finally and forever overturned. The result is victory. Death is annihilated. Those who are in Christ will never have to worry about death again. It will not exist any longer. 

Paul is so ecstatic at the thought that he all but breaks out in song. Quoting from Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14 he shouts through his pen with an almost mocking tone, “Hey death, where are you?!” Death, which has been inflicted upon all of creation. That which no human being can avoid. Death as a mark of that small victory of Satan when he deceived Eve into betraying her Creator. 

This is why Paul says that the “sting of death is sin.” It would make more sense at first pass to say “the sting of sin is death.” But when we think about what else Paul has said in Scripture, specifically in Romans 6:23, we see that the penalty for our sin is death. In other words, sin is the “sting” that causes death. This is what Paul is saying in verse 56. And when we understand the relationship between sin, death and the Law, the rest of this verse makes sense as well. Try to follow me here. The Old Testament Law revealed Israel’s sin because it proved that it was impossible for them to be perfectly obedient. This is why the sacrificial system was instituted. Romans 1:32 says “Though they know God’s righteous decree (His Law), those who practice such things deserve to die.” So it’s made clear in the Law that sin results in death. Ezekiel makes this clear in 18:20 when he says “The soul who sins shall die.” 

So in effect what Paul is saying is that sin is the sting that leads to death, and we know this effect of sin because the Law reveals sin and a need for a Savior. 

BUT. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I’m sure in the moment that Christ took His final breath, Satan and his army rejoiced. But then 3 days later Satan shuddered as Jesus emerged from that tomb victorious. Death could not hold Him down. 

And because of that, we look forward to that day, when in a moment we have victory as well. (15:22) “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” Romans 6:5 says, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” 

This is the truth for all those who have given their lives to Jesus. When we place our trust in Him, something supernatural happens, and we join together with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me,” Paul says. I am a new creation, united with Christ in newness of life. 

Friends, death is not the end. The moment that we take our final breath, it might appear like sin has run it’s course and destroyed our mortal bodies, but “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” And then one day, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Death is not the end.

One final thought before we close.

3. Promised victory compels us to fight for our faith (58)

“Therefore.” Because we know a day is coming when Satan will ultimately be destroyed, and sin and death will be no more, we stand steadfast in our faith. Immovable. Feet firmly planted on the truth of the Scriptures. I love these words. Steadfast, “resolute or dutifully firm.” Make it a resolution every day to beg the Spirit to give me the strength to remain firm in my convictions. Not only do I remain steadfast and immovable, but I abound in the work of the Lord. Why? Because the sad reality for many is that when death comes knocking there will be no future resurrection. For those who don’t know Christ, and die apart from Him, there is no hope of a future resurrection. There is no hope of being made whole. There is no hope of eternity in the presence of Jesus.  

Church, if we believe this to be true, there is a world outside these walls that is hopeless, and dying, and desperate for the gospel. Know that your labor is not in vain. In fact gospel work is the most important work you can ever participate in because it is the only work that has eternal implications. Guys we are talking about forever. 

Application

I have 2 thoughts as we close, kind of 2 different directions: 

1. Maybe you have been feeling the weight of this world crashing down on you. Maybe you are mentally and emotionally exhausted and it’s hard to get out of bed. Maybe you have been battling depression for a long time, and you can’t seem to find the light. Maybe you’ve been crippled by anxiety, or fear, or worry. Maybe you have an illness that has altered your way of life. Maybe you have a physical ailment that slows you down, or has robbed you of your joy. Brokenness of sin has plagued us all in some way. But here’s the hope. There is coming a day when our broken, perishable bodies become perfect and imperishable. There is a day coming when our mortal bodies become immortal. There is coming a day when the power of sin will have no hold on us any longer. I hope for that day. Jesus come quickly. 

2. We are called to be a church on mission. Yes, the church has as it’s purpose the glory and exaltation of the Lord as the God’s people gather together. It’s a place of worship, of teaching, of fellowship, of encouragement, of exhortation. It’s a place where we grow deeper in our knowledge and love of the Lord. But it’s also a place that has been established by the Lord to shine the light of the gospel into the darkness. And it’s easy sometimes to think that the church, the institution, is the place that provides opportunities for people to reach the community. And while this is true sometimes, the reality is that the church is the people of God who are sent out every Sunday and scatter into various communities, various schools, various workplaces, with the gospel in their hearts and on their lips. 

Shame on us to know the reality of life apart from Christ, life without hope and purpose, and to hold it all to ourselves! There is a day coming, when Christ will return and finally and forever redeem all of creation to Himself. We must be fervent with our gospel witness. We must be steadfast and immovable in our faith, and we must abound in the work of the Lord.