"He Is Not Here..."

Matt 28:6 - "He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay."

Need I Say More?

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:55-58

 

1Cor 15:55-58 (55)  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  (56)  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  (57)  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (58)  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The resurrection of Christ, along with the future resurrection and glorification of the believer’s body is absolute, irrefutable evidence that our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome sin and it’s product, death.

Based upon the counsels of God, worked through the work of Christ, sin and death were totally defeated and it’s affects entirely reversed through the gracious intervention of God in the life of those who are brought to salvation.

After all that our Lord has done for us, we are to serve Him with all our being in three ways:

1. Stedfast – to be settled, certain, assured


2. Unmoveable – to be immoveable, to be firmly fixed


3. Always Abounding – to increase and overflow


4. Know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord – Be certain your painful labors are of great value due the Lord (His empowering and intervention ) in your work.

On this Easter weekend, what better way is there to honor our Lord for all He has done for us?  As Paul said…

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:53-54

1Cor 15:53-54 (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

Our resurrection body will differ from our earthly body in two ways:

1. Our earthly body is capable of aging, becoming sick, physically deteriorating and, eventually, decaying in the grave.  This is all a part of being “corruptible”. But our resurrection body will never feel any effects of sin, aging or death. In other words it is “incorruptible”.


2. Our earthly body is able to be separated from our spirit, this takes place at physical death. The ability to experience physical death is called being mortal. Once received, our resurrection body will never be separated from our spirit.  It will never      experience death.  This is taught by the phrase to “put on immortality”.

When our physical, fleshly bodies take upon themselves immortality and incorruption, we can clearly see that death is now defeated. Its grasp on us has come to an end.  Sin, sickness, loss of strength, death and eventual decay will no longer take place in our lives.

How can this be?  It is only because our Lord Jesus Christ has gotten the victory over sin (and sin’s results: spiritual and physical death) that all these will come to an end.  He is the ultimate victor over sin and its many gruesome effects in our lives….

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:52

1Cor 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

Our attention is now turned to the event that will bring about the receipt of our glorified bodies… the resurrection (which takes place at the return of Christ to the earth at His second coming).

Several truths about the second coming are presented to us:

1. The 2^nd coming and resurrection of the dead will take place suddenly “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”


2. The bodies of the dead will be called forth from the graves much like the trumpets being blown in the Old Testament times calling soldiers, or townspeople, to gather.  It is possible this is literal trumpets being blown by the angels accompanying Christ at His coming. “At the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound”.


3. All bodies will be resurrected from the graves and given the ability to exist eternally.       (For the saved, their bodies are glorified.  For the lost their bodies are enabled to      exist eternally in the Lake of Fire.) “The dead shall be raised incorruptible”


4. The bodies of the saved will receive additional changes to them: All the effects of sin will be eradicated from the believer’s body, etc.  “and we shall be changed”

For the believer, what a wonderful blessing awaits at the 2^nd coming of Christ!  Let us all be faithful in service waiting for that wonderful day!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:51

1Cor 15:51 (51)  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…

Our attention is now turned to the event that will bring about the glorification of the believer’s body… the resurrection (which takes place at the second coming of Christ).

Paul begins by saying that these things are a “mystery”.  The Greek word for “mystery” means “to shut the mouth”. In other words, it cannot be fully explained, and when we learn of it, we are shocked and speechless.

When Christ comes back, the bodies of the vast majority of believers will be dead in the graves, however, some will still be alive on earth.  In this verse, Paul describes the believer’s body that has entered the grave as being at rest or “asleep”.

The reason why Paul describes the Christian’s body after death as “sleeping” is because:

1. Like sleep, death does not harm the body of a Christian, it actually aids the body (the body is changed at the resurrection). Vs 51


2. Like sleep, the bodies of Christians will arise again. Vs 52


3. Like sleep, no labor, nor work, is done by the physical body at death.  It lies in      the grave awaiting for the coming resurrection.  (Eccl 9:10)

Please note: The Bible NOWHERE speaks of “soul sleep”.  Whenever the Bible speaks of death as “sleeping” it is referring to the condition of the body in the grave, not the soul of the one who has passed away.)

What a wonderful blessing it is to know that, when we die, our spirit will go home to be with the Lord in heaven, while our bodies will sleep in the grave to be awakened at His 2^nd coming!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:48-50

 

1Cor 15:48-50  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.  (50)  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Paul now addresses one of the reasons why we need our resurrected body…

Our bodies are reflections of the bodies of those from which we proceed:

1. Our human bodies of dust reflect the body of the one through which has been passed our physical life (the first Adam).


2. Likewise, our resurrection glorified body will take upon itself the image of the body of the One through which we receive our spiritual life (the second Adam – Christ).

What a blessing it is to know that, if we possess spiritual life through Christ, we will receive new bodies at our resurrection.  Our temporal, fallen bodies which have been touched by sin, sickness and eventual death will be replaced with glorified bodies made in the image of Christ’s post resurrection body.   This is an absolute necessity for the believer because without remade bodies we could not enter into the presence of a Holy God and live eternally with Him.

Let’s make a concerted effort to serve Him today our of appreciation for the new bodies we are promised to receive at our resurrection.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:45-47

1Cor 15:45-47  (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. 

 The first Adam, the first created human being, was a creation of God that possessed both human, physical life and an immortal soul.  As such, this Adam possessed the ability to change, to commit sin, and to fall from his blessed position of communion with God.

The last Adam is referring to Christ.  Why is Christ called the “last Adam”?

1. Just as Adam was unique, being the first human ever created… so too, Christ.  He is      truly the “God-Man”.  He is God Himself come to earth as a man.


2. Also, what Adam lost in the fall, Christ came to regain for mankind.  Through the      death of Christ, we can regain communion with God, spiritual life, and a perfect environment in which to live.

Here we are told that:

1. Christ (the last Adam) was made a “quickening spirit”.   Adam could only possess      life.  Christ can give life.


2. Adam was set apart from animals by his “soul”.  Christ was set apart from man being the spirit of the living God.


3. Adam’s body was formed from the earth, and as such, finds his origins in the earth.       Christ, as God, finds His origins in heaven.

What a wonderful, special Lord we serve!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:42-44

1Cor 15:42-44  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

The bodies we receive at the resurrection will be different from our present bodies in several ways:

1. Our present bodies are capable of death and decay (corruption); not so our resurrected bodies (incorruption).


2. Our present bodies are touched by sin and fallen by nature (dishonor); not so our resurrected bodies which are resurrected in a pure, sinless condition (glory).


3. Our present bodies are brought into the world with death as it’s certain end (weak); not so our resurrected bodies which are created for eternal existence (power)


4. Our present bodies are natural, fleshly, material in composition (natural); not so our resurrected bodies which are spiritual in composition (spiritual).

These verses bring to my mind… 1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

What wonderful, indescribable, bodies await those of us who have trusted in Christ as our Savior!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:40-41

1Cor 15:40-41  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. 

Paul continues describing our resurrection body using common comparisons from nature. In this case, he is using two different examples of the heavenly and earthly bodies…

1. In his first example, Paul reminds us that the spiritual bodies of the angels “bodies celestial” differ from the fleshly bodies of humans “bodies terrestrial”.   This comparison helps us to understand that the glory of our resurrection bodies will be far greater than the glory associated with our human, sinful bodies that are broken and tarnished by sin.   Like sinless angels bodies, our resurrected bodies will be bodies of perfection not touched by sin, death nor the ravages of sickness and aging.


2. In his second example, Paul shows us the basic principle of differing levels of glorification. This is illustrated by the differing levels of light given off by the sun, stars and the reflected light of the moon.  All three heavenly bodies shine forth light in the midst of a blackened outer space.  From the sun pours forth the greatest amount of light, while stars give forth a lesser amount.  The moon, although it does not give off light of itself still reflects light into our world.  In each case we have a differing amount of “glory” given off and yet none of them fail to be glorifying to God.  So too, the bodies of angels, glorified bodies of humans and fleshly bodies of humans.

We need to remember, just as our resurrected bodies will glorify Him someday, we should be striving to glorify and honor God in our fleshly bodies by living our lives for Him.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:39

1Cor 15:39 -  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. 

Paul continues describing our resurrection body by using common comparisons from nature…

The differing types of flesh that exist instruct us on the nature of our resurrection bodies.  There are differing types of flesh that exists in the world today.  We all recognize that that are 4 basic types of flesh: human, animal, fish and fowl.  What does this teach us about the nature of our resurrection body?  The key phrase in this section of teaching is “not the same”.

Our resurrection body will be quite unique:

1. First of all the COMPOSITION of our resurrection body will be “not the same” as our human fleshly body.  It will be changed.  It will be “glorified”.  It will not be touched by sin, sickness, or death.  Just like the composition of a bird’s flesh is not the same as the flesh of humans, animals or fish…. So too, the composition of our bodies will be different.


2. Secondly, the APPEARANCE of our resurrection bodies will be “not the same” as the appearance of any other believer’s glorified body. (vs 38).  Although we will all be glorified, each of our bodies will carry in them differing characteristics.  Just as in our fleshly bodies.  Although we are made of the same human flesh we possess differing characteristics.  Skin color, height, weight, hair color, the lists goes on and on.  In some way, the appearance of our glorified bodies will be different one to another. This is supported from the example Paul gives us… although animal flesh is the same, every animal appears different from one another.   One dog differs in appearance to another, although both have the flesh of dogs on their bones.

It is a hard thing to try to understand what our resurrection bodies will be like.  Why?  Because they are “not the same” as anything we are familiar with here on earth.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:35-38

1 Cor 15:35-38

(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.

Verse 35 - Paul begins a lengthy section (vs 35-50), to answer the questions… “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?”  In this section, the answers are given to us using the example of seed sown in the ground.

Verses 36-37 - When seed is sown in the ground the outer shell decays, during this process you have the new sprout growing up through the earth and presenting itself in a new, entirely different form.  So, too our bodies.  They will decay in the grave, only to rise again in a new form…. a changed body.

Verses 38 - Who is in charge of the form a plant takes on during its growth?  It is the Lord only.  A grain of wheat, when sprouted, will always look like a wheat plant.  When corn is planted it will always sprout as a corn plant.  A farmer cannot change the type of sprout each seed gives forth… it is ENTIRELY in the hands of the Sovereign Lord. Also, no two sprouts of wheat, or corn, are completely identical; each seed gives forth an unique sprout. So, too our Lord gives each of us unique bodies at the resurrection.

What are the first principles we learn about our resurrection body?

1. It will come from the fleshly body that has suffered decay.


2. It will not be identical in composition or appearance to our fleshly bodies… it will be a changed body.   (For the saved it will be a glorified body, for the lost it will be a body capable of existing in a state of eternal punishment.)


3. It’s appearance and constitution will be controlled by the Lord.


4. It’s appearance will be distinctive, differing from all other resurrection bodies.

What a wonderful body awaits us thanks to our Sovereign Lord who is victor over sin AND DEATH!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:33-34

1 Cor 15:33-34 - Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Are we concerned about the influence of others in our lives?  Paul addresses the Corinthians reminding them of the need to guard against the effects of ungodly relationships on the lives of Christians.  Satan is the “great deceiver”.  This is one of the ways he attempts to deceive us.   According to Paul, as Christians, we are to “wake up” and be sure our lives are being lived in harmony to God’s will, not being influenced by the ungodly.

Why is godliness an important aspect of the Christian’s life?  There are many people around us who do not have the Lord in their lives.  They do not see their need of Him, nor do they understand who He is and what He does for us.  The lost one’s only hope is to see Christ in us and come to an understanding of Him through our lives.

According to Paul, for a Christian to minimize the importance of living a godly life is a shameful attitude.  Are we seeking to live our lives for the Lord today?

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:29-32

1 Cor 15:29-32  (29) Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (30) And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?(31) I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (32) If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.

Paul continues his argument to prove the existence of the resurrection and the eternal afterlife..

To understand what Paul meant in these verses we must understand several points in the context of Paul’s questions:

1. Remember,  one aspect of baptism is that it is a public profession of Jesus’ death,      burial and resurrection. Three of the main results of baptism are:
   
   
   
   1. It benefits the spiritually dead (lost mankind) by presenting a witness of the work of Christ. (vs 29)
   
   
   2. It reaps eternal rewards for the Christian by obeying Christ and associating themselves with Christ and His work. (verses 30-32)
   
   
   3. An unintended result was to bring persecution upon the Christian. In the days of Paul, when they associated themselves with Christ (by baptism) they were, literally, taking their life in their own hands.  (verses 30-32).
   
   
   
   

By putting the above information together, it leads us to a proper understanding of Paul’s statements. Paul is saying this…

Verse 29 - If there is no resurrection or afterlife, why would Christians be putting their lives on the line (at their baptism) for the benefit of those who are spiritually dead?  If there is no resurrection or afterlife, why be concerned about the lost’s spiritual condition? Why sacrifice the Christian’s safety to give the lost a witness of Christ’s work through baptism?

Verse 30 & 31 - If there is no resurrection or afterlife, why would Christians be willing to risk their lives (at their baptism) to obey their Lord? How can Christians rejoice in the midst of persecution if it were not for the hope of a resurrection and afterlife?

Verse 32 - If there is no resurrection, instead of willingly making sacrifices for their God and the lost around them, why doesn’t the Christian “live it up”? What advantage is there to serving God in this life, if we will not be blessed with rewards and an eternal home?

Summary of our text for today…. When A Christian is willing to suffer persecution for being a gospel witness, it proves that there will be a future resurrection of both lost and saved.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:27-28

1 Cor 15:27-28  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Why does Christ possess authority over all? Because God the Father has given to Him that exalted position. (1 Pet 3:22, Phil 2:9-11)  Why was Christ placed in that position?  It is due to His obedient, self-sacrificial death on the cross (Heb 10:12)  Notice, when the Bible says that Christ is placed over all, it is speaking of all the creation of God.  Paul, here, makes it plain that Christ does not hold authority over God the Father.

Although Christ possesses all authority, all things are not yet “subdued” (to be obedient and submissive) under Him.  Rebellion still exists in this world.  Although the Christ is “Lord over all”, there are those who are not willingly in submission to His rule in their life.

There is coming a day, throughout eternity, when the Lord will not only possess authority, but His authority will be completely, perfectly submitted to by all creation. For those who are saved, this perfect submission will take place in His presence on the New Heaven and New Earth.  For those who are lost, they will be in perfect submission to His will, facing eternal separation and punishment in the Lake of Fire.

One of the outstanding characteristics of those truly saved is the willful submission to the authority of Christ over us.  Although our submission is not perfect, due to our sinful flesh, we still actively seek to please the Lord with our lives.  The mark of one who has never received the grace of God in their life is a “no care” attitude about the Lord’s desires for their lives.

Do we care about what the Lord desires for our lives? Are we consistently seeking to do what is pleasing to Him? Our eternal destiny can be revealed to each of us by our honest answer to this questions.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:24-26

1 Cor 15:24-26  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Paul now moves our attention from the resurrection of Christ (at His first coming) to the final resurrection of both believers and the lost (at His second coming).

At the second coming of Christ, His position as Sovereign Lord over all will be revealed. One of the ways His sovereignty will be made known is by the final resurrection.  The final resurrection will prove that He holds the authority over both spiritual and physical death.

Christ won the victory over death at His first coming.  His crucifixion and His resurrection are the basis for that victory.  But at the final resurrection, He will clearly display His victory over death.  This will take place in two ways:

1. When the believer’s body will be raised, glorified and enter eternal existence with God, the world will acknowledge He is Victor over both spiritual and physical death.


2. Likewise, when those who have not trusted in Him will be resurrected and consigned    to eternal existence in the Lake of Fire will also prove He has won the victory over death.

As we think about our coming resurrection and the blessings connected to it, let’s also keep in mind that it is only because He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords that we can receive these future blessings!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:20-23

1 Cor 15:20-23 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Paul uses two examples (firstfruits and death) to help us understand that the resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of our future resurrection.

When Paul describes Christ as the “firstfruits” he is teaching us that Christ’s resurrection is the first of many to come. In the OT, the Israelites were required to give the first portion of their crops back to the Lord.  They then could keep the remaining portion of the harvest that followed.  Just as the firstfruits of the harvest was the first part of the harvest, so too the resurrection of Christ .  His resurrection took place first, with more resurrections (all believers) to follow at His second coming.

Paul also uses the fall of mankind to explain our assurance of a future resurrection.  Here, Paul explains that the action of one affects many.  When Adam fell, his fall brought spiritual and physical death upon all of mankind.  So, too, the resurrection of Christ.  Christ’s resurrection and everything it implies (satisfaction of the sin debt of His people, the successful accomplishment of the Father’s will etc etc) brings about the believer’s spiritual quickening (receipt of life) and future resurrection, glorification and eternity with the Lord.

How wonderful it is to know that because He arose we can be absolutely certain we will arise to eternity with Him!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:16-19

1Co 15:16-19  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Paul continues to give us a list of the consequences of denying the existence of the physical resurrection of the dead…

1. If there is no resurrection of the dead; then Christ is not risen from the dead.


2. If Christ be not risen from the dead; then our faith is vain (worthless) and we are under the bondage of our sins, facing eternal punishment.


3. If mankind is still under sin’s bondage and punishment then those who have died in Christ are perished (to be destroyed with no hope of deliverance).


4. If our hope of salvation in Christ only applies to this temporal world then as Christians, we are more miserable than anyone else in this world.

Why, as Christians, do we set apart one day a week to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection? Every Sunday, when we gather together to worship our Lord, we are celebrating His life, His work and His resurrection which is the foundation of all of our future hopes and beliefs.  Christ’s resurrection makes certain our future with Him.

Let’s thank our Lord for the truth of His resurrection and for the blessing of assurance of our salvation past, present and future.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:12-15

1Co 15:12-15  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  (13)  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  (14)  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  (15)  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

One of the popular teachers of the day were the Sadducees.  They denied the existence of life after death and all other related teachings such as resurrection of the body, and eternal rewards etc etc.  Apparently this doctrine had slipped into the Corinth church.

Paul, in opposition to this false teaching reminds the Corinth church of the importance of the doctrine of the resurrection.  He makes the argument that if there is no life after death, followed by a bodily resurrection then, logically, there would be great repercussions to our entire belief system.  Here is Paul’s reasoning:

1. If there is no resurrection of the dead; then Christ is not risen from the dead.


2. If Christ be not risen from the dead; then the gospel that we preach is worthless.


3. If the gospel we preach is worthless; then our faith in Christ and His work is worthless and we are liars.

Let’s thank our Lord that His resurrection IS THE TRUTH!  Our faith is not vain, we are speaking the truth!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

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SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:9-11

1 Cor 15: 9-11  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  Therefore, whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Paul tells us of the nature of his revolt against God (and the people of God) which took place before his salvation.   He was guilty of committing the murder of God’s people (Acts 8:1, 9:1-19, 22:4, 22:20).  These outward acts of rebellion were a display of his heart’s hatred against God.

In spite of Paul’s pre-salvation hateful actions of murder, he was still used greatly by the Lord.  How could this be?  Paul plainly declares that it was an act of God’s grace!  It was entirely of God’s grace that brought Paul to Christ, changed Paul’s rebellious heart, forgave Paul of his sin, and equipped Paul for servant-hood.

If you are like me, we look back at our lives with regret knowing that, in many cases, we have horribly failed our Lord by rebelliously going apart from His desires for us.  In some cases, we may feel as if we have totally ruined our lives and disqualified ourselves from future service for Him. If this takes place… just take a moment to think of Paul and the supremacy of God’s grace!

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Cor 15:3-8

1Co 15:3-8  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

The gospel is the “good news” about the Messiah and what He has done for us.  Paul gives us a listing of the very basics of the gospel message:

1. The gospel is a message originating with God and handed down to mankind.


2. It includes a three-fold  fulfillment of OT prophecies and teachings: Christ’s death, burial and  resurrection.


3. The gospel message also  includes the unquestionable proof of its reliability found in its many,  varied eye-witnesses.

Paul says this message was “delivered” to the Corinthian church members.  The Greek term translated “delivered” is an interesting word.  It combines at least two ideas.  It involves “handing over” and “entrusting for safekeeping”.  In other words... it was “handed” it to them for their personal salvation, as well as “entrusted” to them to minister to others.

As we relate the gospel message to others, let’s be sure we relate it a clear, concise and caring way.  Not only are we affecting the lives of those to whom we are speaking; but, following their salvation, we are also affecting the lives of all with whom they may share the message.

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/

SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/

SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com