1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Resurrection and the Kingdom of God
50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Paul is teaching Christians about what happens after death.
The Christians at Corinth had many questions.
Many people still have questions.
Paul speaks of inheriting the Kingdom of God.
Being a part of the Kingdom of God.
He teaches that our bodies are corrupt.
They will not last forever.
Our bodies will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
They must change before we go on to heaven.
He calls that change “incorruption”.
Paul says that it is possible to inherit the Kingdom of God
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God…”
The Kingdom of God is something that should be sought after.
Matthew 12:28 “…surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
The Kingdom of God is something that people can be in the midst of, and not recognize.
Matthew 19:24 “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Other passions can keep us from the Kingdom of God.
Mark 1:14,15 “’Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”’
The Kingdom of God calls for repentance and commitment through faith.
Mark 4:11 “’And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God;”’
Perceiving the Kingdom of God comes only be revelation from God.
Mark 4:26-29 26And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, 27and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. 28For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Kingdom of God is almost imperceptible in some ways.
As crops grow almost unnoticed, God works steadily in the hearts of those who seek Him, repent from their sins, and have faith in Jesus.
Mark 10:14,15 “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Simple, childlike faith and trust.
Mark 12:34 34Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
Honest inquiry towards God moves a person towards the Kingdom of God.
Luke 8:1 1Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is about good news.
Luke 9:62 62But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The Kingdom of God calls for a wholehearted commitment.
Luke 13:28-30 28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”
Not everyone will enter the Kingdom of God.
Weeping and pain await those who miss the Kingdom of God.
Many will be surprised in that day.
Luke 22:15-18 15Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
The Fulfillment of the Kingdom of God is in the future.
Luke 23:51 51He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is something to be looked for, and anticipated.
John 3:3-8 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
One cannot even see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.
Being born again is not the accomplishment of man.
It is the work of God.
Romans 14:17 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The Kingdom of God is not experienced through rules and regulations.
The Kingdom of God is internal, righteousness, peace, joy.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
Sinners can be forgiven and cleansed from their sins, and they can then enter the Kingdom of God.
People who die in their sins will never enter the Kingdom of God.
How then can people enter the Kingdom of God?
1 Corinthians 6:11 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Washed- spiritually cleansed
Sanctified- set apart and made holy by the work of God
Justified- pronounced not guilty
In the name of the Lord Jesus- Not by your own good deeds.
By the Spirit of our God- The Holy Spirit who moves among us.
Turn to 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Sigmund Freud –
“And finally there is the painful riddle of death,
for which no remedy at all has yet been found,
nor probably ever will be.”
Jesus Christ-
“I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me,
though he may die, he shall live.
And whoever lives and believes in Me
shall never die.
Do you believe this?”