I am little late in updating my post because of the time which I was unable to get. So sincere apologies to those who are following my Sunday Church experience. The passage for meditation was 1 Corinthians:15:50-58.
Pastor Andrew started with a little tale to humour and set the tone of his sermon. A man always use to sleep when a pastor preached. So one day a pastor thought of doing something different so that from the next time onwards at least this person would make an effort to keep awake. So when this man slept the pastor shot a question and said very softly that all those who wants to go to heaven stand up. The congregation except this man stoop up. Then he shouted all those who want to go to hell stand up. Then this man who was sleeping woke up in a hurry stood up. This man was puzzled and he then said to the pastor that I don't know what are we voting for but it seems that only me and you are in favour of it :)
Now the rest of the sermon went like this.
Some of the churches in Corinth (1 Corinthians 15:12) did not believe in resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:35) Some of the churches stopped believing in the resurrection of the dead. Churches in Corinth became materialistic and lost view of the future. (Mark 12:8) Jesus encountered those who did not believe in resurrection. They believed in life now and enjoying that life to the fullest. (Isaiah 38:18) They believed but not in the same way as it is to be believed. Today one of the major religion believes in the concept of reincarnation. Moksha is a higher state of and for the spirit. Marxist believe that the concept of life after death is what the rich propagate. The soul escapes the body which is evil (in some beliefs). Some said that the holy spirit is enough and they did not look at the future. (1 Corinth 15:50-58) Paul says we shall be transformed. Focus is on two type of people : one who is dead an the other who is alive in Christ. (1 Corinth 15:42) Paul says the phenomenon will happen when Jesus arrives. Those dead and those alive will undergo change. Spiritual body will undergo transformation. How is the spiritual body attainable (1 Corinth 15:45). Jesus is the life giving spirit. Flesh and blood will not inherit the kingdom of God. The holy spirit in power will resurrect us in spiritual life and give us a spiritual body. Body will be under full control and will be under the dominion of the holy spirit. Paul is talking about it being a mystery. New testament reveals plenty of things. It has answers because of Jesus Christ. When will the transformation happen ? It will happen in a split of time. (Revelation 11:15) The seven angel will sound the trumpet. Some of us are not believers. All of us will be raised but not in the same way as one images Jesus, But all will not enter the kingdom of God. This morning the Lord is calling you that 'I will give you the spiritual life'. the incorruptible is a body which God gives to each one of us. The sting (sin) is taken out from the bee (death) because of grace of God. Death drives its power from sin. When Jesus rose it lost its power. We sing doxology which is the doxology of the early Church as a sign of victory over death. Some may have come to church today from conflicting situation but God says 'Come to me'. Paul talks about steadfast heart. We should always work for and towards the kingdom of God. Our heart should perceive with the knowledge that its labour in Lord is not in vain. this morning the resurrection phenomenon is inevitable. We need to get involve in the kingdom of God. I believe in resurrection by faith. Do You??? Faith sees the way, faith sees light, faith is what we need to exercise.
Nice sermon I would have to say :)
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