1 Corinthians 15:35-49
Sermon Outline
“But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?’” (1 Corinthians 15:35)
Resurrection Bodies: Look at Seed Plants (1 Corinthians 15:36-38)
- Seed sown produces a different plant
- Our earthy bodies are like seeds
Resurrection Bodies: Look at the Glory of Diverse Materials (1 Corinthians 15:39-41)
- There is a diverse, glorious splendor in the diverse materials of creation
- Our earthy bodies are one type of material
Resurrection Bodies: Look at the Difference between Adam and Messiah Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:44b-49)
- The natural, soulful life of Adam that comes first
- The spiritual, heaven-rich life of Jesus that comes at completion
A Simple Summary of Resurrection Life (1 Corinthians 15:42-44a)
- Perishable → Imperishable
- Dishonor → Glory
- Weakness → Power
- Naturally animated body → Spiritually animated body
Discussion Questions
- When you hear about the resurrection of the dead, what sort of things come into your mind?
- As we continue looking at 1 Corinthians 15 this weekend at Eastbrook, we are looking at what resurrection bodies are all about. Whether you are alone or with a small group, ask God to speak to you and then read 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 aloud.
- In verses 35-41, Paul offers two pictures of what physical resurrection is similar to in our everyday experience. What are the two pictures and what do they communicate to us about resurrection? What other pictures do you find helpful or getting a sense of what resurrection means?
- Paul summarizes the contrast between our current bodies and resurrection bodies in verses 42-44 with four word pairs. What are those word pairs and what do you think they mean?
- The NIV translates the last pair of words, “it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” This phrase has caused some misunderstanding in the western world, particularly in some translations which contrasts a physical body with a spiritual body. The first phrase, translated ‘natural body’, is derived from the word for ‘soul’ and reflects being animated by human nature here. The second phrase, translated ‘spiritual body’, is derived from the word for ‘spirit’ and reflects being animated by the Spirit of God. This is not a contrast between the physical and abstract spiritual, but a contrast between ordinary human nature and spiritually renewed human nature. What do you see as the significance of this?
- When you read verses 45-49, what sort of hope do you draw from these words?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study? If you are alone, write it down. If you are with a small group, discuss these things with one another.