July 7th, 2024
Message Text: 1 Corinthians 15:44b-49
“Jesus: The Consummate Adam”
Auxiliary Text: Genesis 1:26-28
Call to Worship: Psalm 8
Service Orientation: Paul contrasts the natural body with the spiritual body so we might better understand the marvelous truth of our inherited, glorified state as resurrected believers “In Christ” and live into the reality we will one day become.
Memory Verse: And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. —1 Corinthians 15:49
Background Information:
- Paul has to convince his Corinthian audience that there truly is a resurrection. He does this by giving concrete details of what our glorified bodies will be like. Unlike both the Greek [disembodied spirits] and Jewish views [no different than our current earthly bodies].
- Adam is the head of the human race. Made in the image of God, Adam passed on to his offspring both physical qualities and moral attributes. But Adam did not receive the gift of immortality, because God wanted to test him in a probationary period (Gn 2:17). Adam failed and through him sin entered the world and with sin came death (Rom 5:12). Angels drove Adam from the Garden of Eden to prevent him from eating the fruit of the tree of life and living forever (Gn 3:22-24). However, that which was lacking in Adam is now perfected in Christ. By conquering death, the second Adam achieved immortality. (Simon J. Kistemaker, NT Commentary: 1 Corinthians, 575)
- (v. 45) Genesis 2:7 is quoted with two important additions. The apostle inserts the word first to prepare for its opposite, the last. Also, he adds to the Greek word for man the Hebrew word Adam. This simply meant man but Paul reserved it for the special sense of the inaugurator of an order of humanity (vs. 22; Rom 5:12-18). . . . This second Adam was not a soul that possessed life; he was himself the Spirit (2 Cor 3:17), the one who gave life (Jn 6:63) through the Spirit which he bestowed (Jn 20:22). (George Buttrick, The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol X, 247)
What can we learn about our future life (bodies) from this passage?:
I- We, like the First Adam have a natural , perishable, mortal, weak body. (1 Cor 15:44b, 46; see also: Gn 2:7; Job 4:19; 10:8-9; 14:1-22; Ps 139:14; 144:3-4; Eccl 3:20; 12:1-7; Isa 40:6-8; 64:8; 1 Cor 15:22; 2 Cor 4:7-5:8; Heb 9:27; 1 Pt 1:23-25)
The spiritual body then is the organ that is intimately related to the spirit of man, just as the present body is intimately related to this earthly life. (Leon Morris, Tyndale NT Commentaries: 1 Corinthians, 223)
Now, under the old way of life, we were one with Adam, sharing his sin, inheriting his death and having his body; but, under the new way of life, we are one with Christ and we shall therefore share his life and his being. It is true that we have a physical body to begin with, but it is also true that one day we shall have a spiritual body. (William Barclay, Daily Study Bible Series: The Letters to the Corinthians, 157-8)
II- The resurrected Last Adam, Christ, has a spiritual, imperishable, immortal, hyper-victorious body. (1 Cor 15:44b — 46; see also: Lk 24:36-43; Jn 20:19-29; 1 Cor 15:20-23, 35-49; Acts 1:3; 1 Jn 1:1 )
In light of Jesus’ own affirmation that he had flesh and bones (Lk 24:39), and because the passages that appear to require Jesus to be immaterial speak only of the disciples’ perception of Jesus (Lk 24:31b, 36; Jn 20:19, 26), it seems best to affirm that Jesus’ resurrection was the fully physical resurrection of the body that had died. As Phil 3:21 says, and as many other passages of Scripture affirm, it was a body that had taken on new properties (Lk 24:31a, 37, Jn 20:15b, 17, cf. 1 Cor 15:42-44), but it was nevertheless a physical body of flesh and bones that could consume and digest food (Lk 24:39-43). If this is so, then the resurrection was a powerful affirmation of the goodness of God’s physical creation prior to the corrupting effects of sin and of God’s ability to reverse those corrupting influences through the work of Christ. (Frank Thielman, The NIV Application Commentary: Philippians, 208) {bold red emphasis – Pastor Keith}
The full measure of our creation in the image of God is not seen in the life of Adam who sinned, nor is it seen in our lives now, for we are imperfect. But the NT emphasizes that God’s purpose in creating man in his image was completely realized in the person of Jesus Christ. He himself “is the image of God” (2 Cor 4:4 NASB); “He is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). In Jesus we see human likeness to God as it was intended to be, and it should cause us to rejoice that God has predestined us “to be conformed to the image of his son” (Rom 8:29; cf. 1 Cor 15:49): “when he appears we shall be like him” (1 Jn 3:2). (Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 445) {bold red emphasis – Pastor Keith}
In the account given by John, the Master offers Thomas the opportunity to apply his own test (Jn 20:27). So far as these records are concerned there is no doubt that Jesus is represented as having appeared in bodily and identifiable form to the disciples. But with a significant difference. He was untrammeled by physical conditions. He could appear and disappear at will. No obstacle could keep him apart from his followers. To convince them of his bodily substantiality he once ate a piece of fish (Lk 24:36-43). (George Buttrick, The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol X, 246) {bold red emphasis – Pastor Keith}
III- Those “In Christ”, now with a natural body, will one day, in heaven, enjoy a glorified, spiritual body just like Jesus’. (1 Cor 15:48-49 see also: Acts 3:21; Rom 8:11, 29-30, 37; 1 Cor 15:20-28, 42-49; 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:1-12; 2 Pt 1:3-4; 1 Jn 3:2; Rv 21:5)
In the Biblical sense, the spiritual man is the man who has been begotten again, and has had not a part of his nature but all of his nature transformed by the supernatural act of the Spirit of God. (J. Gresham Machen, The Christian View of Man, 142)
Just as Jesus’ body was transformed at his resurrection, so his followers will experience a physical transformation at Christ’s return and receive from him a body that is completely controlled by the Holy Spirit. All the believers will have a spiritual body that is akin to the body of Christ (Phil 3:20-21). (Simon J. Kistemaker, NT Commentary: 1 Corinthians, 576)
I am often impressed by the way Paul builds word upon word in a statement like this {Phil 3:20-21} so that there might be no doubt about what he is saying. In the first part of the sentence he speaks of the change that shall come in our bodies, and the word he uses in that expression is schema. This is the same word used in Rom 12:2 where the Christian is encouraged not to be conformed to this world. It speaks of an outward conformity.
But Paul also says that our bodies are to be “fashioned” like His glorious body. And here the word morphe is used. It also occurs in Rom 12:2. It points to an inward transformation. Paul uses both terms and by them teaches that our transformation will not only be external but internal also, so that we shall be conformed both inwardly and outwardly to the image of our blessed and glorified Lord. In that day we shall be like Him in body, soul, and spirit. (James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary; Philippians, 258) {bold red emphasis – Pastor Keith}
Christ is the true image of God (2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15) and we are even now “being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor 3:18). Christ is in us as the hope of glory (Col 1:27). Ultimately, redeemed man shall be conformed to this image (Rom 8:29). They shall be like Him (1 Jn 3:2) and be satisfied with beholding His form (Ps 17:15). Our bodies shall be like His glorious body (Phil 3:21). We shall have a new eschatological body (1 Cor 15:42f.). The Christian, having had the glory restored to him, will become what he was originally intended to be. The wise shall shine (Dan 12:3). He shall share a glorious inheritance (Eph 1:18). The riches of God’s glory will be shown in us (Rom 9:23). Christ will be glorified in His saints (2 Thess 1:10). Crowns shall be given at that day (2 Tm 4:8; cf. 1 Pt 5:4). We shall “appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4). The word that sums up the final state of the believer is “glorification.” (Merrill C. Tenney, The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. Two, 735)
Worship Point: When you consider the fact that the God of the Universe has given believers an honorable and majestic origin (as we were created in His likeness and image), and a glorious, inconceivably wonderful destiny for all eternity after we die; that means our current life here on earth also has cosmic importance, significance, meaning and purpose. (Mt 12:36; Acts 3:21; Rom 8:11, 29-30; 1 Cor 15:20-28, 42-49; 2 Cor 3:18; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:1-12; 2 Pt 1:3-4; 1 Jn 3:2; Rv 21:5)
What we need to come to terms with, though, if our origin is insignificant, and if our destiny is insignificant, to have the courage and guts to admit that your life is insignificant. If your origin and destiny are both insignificant, you just don’t matter. (Tim Keller, sermon on Ecclesiastes)
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest to the Glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. (Nelson Mandela; President of South Africa)
Gospel Application: It is only by Jesus and His Spirit that our hope of obtaining a glorified, spiritual body is conceivable let alone assured. (Mt 19:28; Rom 8:1-30; 1 Cor 15:21-22, 43-53; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:7-5:10, 17; Gal 3:1-29; 5:18-25; Eph 1:15-22; Phil 3:20-21; Col 1:15-23; 2:6-15; ch 3 {3:10}; Heb 8:4-13; 10:1-17; 1 Jn 3:2; Rv 21:5)
It is impossible for an unspiritual person to discern spiritual things. We are not by nature spiritual persons. A person cannot discern spiritual things until that person is first made alive to spiritual things by the Spirit of God. (R. C. Sproul, The Mystery of the Holy Spirit, 56)
The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God. (C. S. Lewis; Mere Christianity, 154)
Mankind is so far away from what we were originally designed and created to be, that finding our way back would be totally impossible without Christ as our example, and our means. Mankind was created in the image of God (imago Dei). There is no more perfect example of that than Christ. Once we see the imago Dei in every human being, it must radically change how we live, respond, and relate to others and must radically change our values and priorities. (Pastor Keith in a message given April 11th, 2010; at the Hillsdale Free Methodist Church, from Gen 1-2; Hebrews 1:1-4; John 19:5, “Man in God’s Image”)
Spiritual Challenge: Be encouraged to bear suffering from a fallen world. Live with the knowledge that if you are “In Christ” you WILL one day have an imperishable, glorified, hyper-victorious, spiritual body. Therefore, allow the knowledge of this reality to empower you to live holy victorious lives no matter what. (Rom 8:18-31; 12:1-2; 1 Cor 15:58; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:7-5:10; Gal 2:20; 5:15, 25; Eph 5:8; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:1-17; Heb 12:2; 1 Pt 1:11; 2:16; 5:10; 2 Pt 1:3-4; 1 Jn 3:2)
The only fatal error is to pretend that we have found the life we prize. (John Eldredge; The Journey of Desire, 14)
What if being human means to keep vigil, to long to be free, to battle with pain, to be discontented with the fallen world in which we live to weep, to hunger, thirst, to mourn to wait. What if to become inhumane is to accept this fallen world as the norm? (Henri Nouwen, Reaching Out, 24)
Our present sufferings are preparing us for something so incomparable, so amazing, so marvelous that there are no words to describe it. That means that no trial, no pain, no isolation, no heartache, no loneliness, no weakness or failure, no sense of being put aside, is without significance. All of it is playing its part in accomplishing God’s work in your life and the lives of others. It is building for us an incomparable weight of glory. (Ray Stedman, Expository Studies in 2 Corinthians: Power Out of Weakness, 90) {bold red emphasis – Pastor Keith}
As the God-Man, Christ is the prototype of the new, redeemed humanity. The Christian is the person who in repentance and faith, by the Holy Spirit, is identified with the Christ who died and rose again for him. He is dead, and the life he now lives is that of Christ in him (Gal 2:20). He is a new creature (or creation); the old things have passed and new things have come (2 Cor 5:17). This redemption has an ethical implication. He is born again in Christ, and hence the whole movement of his life is to be one of being made comformable to Christ. Every thought is to be brought captive to Christ’s obedience (2 Cor 10:5). The mind of Christ is to be his mind (Phil 2:5). As the mind is renewed, so conduct should be transformed. The old man is to be put off with his wicked works, the new man put on, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:22ff.; Col 3:9ff.). The process of the Christian life is that of the fashioning of the image of Christ in His people. But there is also an eschatological implication. As Paul says in 1 Cor 15:49, at the last day we shall finally bear the image of the heavenly. The Lord Jesus “will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil 3:21). “We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 Jn 3:2). The original purpose of God, that man be created in His own image and after His likeness, will thus be brought to perfect and glorious fulfillment in the new creation, when the redeemed people of God bear the image of their Lord and Head, who bore the image of sinful man for them, and who is Himself the express image of God. (Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol 2, 805) {bold red emphasis – Pastor Keith}
We must reassert the words of Joseph Rickaby: “the Cross does not abolish suffering, but transforms it, sanctifies it, makes it fruitful, bearable, even joyful, and finally victorious.” (Robert Lewis, The Church of Irresistible Influence, 97)
So What?: “In Christ” we will become like Jesus; in more majestic and magnificent ways than we could ever dream or imagine. (Psa 8; Isa 64:4; 65:17; Mt 19:28-29; Acts 3:21; Rom 8:29-30; 1 Cor 2:9; 1 Cor 15:20-28, 42-49; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 3:20-21; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:1-12; 2 Thess 2:13-14; Heb 2:10; 1 Pt 1:3-4; 2 Pt. 1:3-4; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Rv 21:5)
This brings us to such dizzying heights as to merit the charge not only of megalomania (illusions of grandeur), not only of hyperbole, but of blasphemy itself, if these conclusions are invalid. God has exhausted human language to open our eyes to the immensity of His plan for the redeemed. Unless the words of inspiration are meaningless, the preceding is no exaggeration. “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” (1 Cor 2:9). (Paul E. Billheimer, Destined for the Throne, 38)
Man has received from God a life, a nature, a spirit, capable of partaking of His own life and spirit. His will and His holiness, capable of likeness to and fellowship with Himself, even to the sitting on His throne, and sharing with Him the dominion over all creation. What a destiny!
How gloriously we see that destiny fulfilled in Jesus! It was because man had been created with a nature, capable of such a destiny, that the Son of God could become man, and not count it unworthy of His divine glory Himself to work out that destiny. He came and proved what the life of man was meant to be–how humility and subjection to God were the sure path to glory and honor. He came and glorified a life of humiliation as the training-school for the exaltation to the right hand of God; fulfilling man’s destiny in Himself as Son of Man, He, as Son of God, fulfilled it for us too. (Andrew Murray, The Holiest of All, 72-3)