Three possible meanings of this verse:

• The passage speaks of the blessings of the Christian after this life. The glory of Heaven.
• The word in tells us that God’s inheritance is found in us. We are His inheritance.
• The word in also points to location. It could mean in us; in our bodies. Glorified bodies.

The Greek word in (en) has various meanings.

• In the KJV Bible it is found with the various meanings as follows:
• in 1902, by 163, with 140, among 117, at 113, on 62, through 39, misc 264

I. The Glorified Body

If His inheritance in us speaks of a blessing which has it’s physical location in us, then it is easy to assume that this speaks of the Christian’s glorified body which he will receive.

A. Jesus Had A Resurrection (Glorified) Body

1. Jesus had a glorified body, suited for Heaven. Turn to Luke 24:36-43
2. Jesus appeared to them, though they were behind closed doors
John 20:19, 20, 26 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord…²⁶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”

a. Jesus wasn’t limited by the laws of physics that limit us
b. He could appear and disappear
Luke 24:30, 31 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
c. He traveled through the heavens
Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

2. Christians are promised a glorified body like Jesus’
Philippians 3:20, 21a For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…

B. What Will That Body Be Like? 1 Corinthians 15:12-28,35-58

II. What Happens When A Christian Dies?

A. They Are Immediately With Jesus Philippians 1:19-24

B. They Are Conscious & Not Asleep 2 Corinthians 5:8, 9

1. Paul says that we can be absent from the body, but still be pleasing to the Lord.
We can, (right now in death), be pleasing to the Lord. (Present tense Greek verb)

2. This would seem to contradict soul sleep, which speaks of dormancy, inactivity

C. They Will Eventually Be Clothed 2 Corinthians 5:1-7

1. This body called a “tent”. Temporary and weak by comparison with the new body.
2. Christians are not designed to be unembodied spirits, ghosts, etc.
3. In this tent we groan (especially when you get older)
4. Mortality swallowed up by life.
5. God had prepared us to be further clothed.
6. We anticipate that further clothing in faith, but also as we have a guarantee from God, the Holy Spirit within us, bringing forth that yearning.

D. When Does That Glorification Take Place?

1. The Christian is a tri-unity: body, soul (mind, emotions, will), and spirit.
2. Upon salvation, the soul and spirit are immediately made new.
3. The body will not be made new until Jesus comes back for His church.
4. At death, the spirit/soul (awareness, emotion, choice) of the believer are with Jesus.
5. The Body is made new at the rapture of the church.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
6. Eventually, the Christian is made entirely new in body, soul and spirit.
7. This is a debated topic among Christians.
No need to be dogmatic about the sequence of events.
8. However, the physical resurrection of the dead is a non-negotiable truth.

III. Why Should We Care About A New Body?

A. Comfort In Present Day Afflictions 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
B. A Purifying Aspect Of Our Faith

1 John 3:2, 3 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

C. Because We Need A New Body To Be Where Jesus Is

1 Corinthians 15:50-53 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality

D. Summary

Read Romans 8:18-24. Creation groans to see Christians in their new bodies.

1. Jesus was still Jesus after he was raised. You will still be you.
2. Jesus acted very human in many ways. So will we.
3. Jesus knew his friends and loved ones. So will we.