Preaching On The Resurrection of the Body.
Preaching on the Resurrection of the Body
In the last couple of posts we considered two ways to look at the doctrinal statement: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” The next phrase in the Apostles’ Creed is: “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” No doubt you recognize the challenges of this statement. In fact, one very prominent church in the United States refused to say the Apostles’ Creed, and one of the reasons was that this is the most difficult statement in the creed to believe.
People raise questions in wonder at this sentence: “What about cremated people?? Then there are those buried at sea, or who die as a result of a sinking boat? The bodies of people who died in a burning house would be very difficult to recreate, wouldn’t they?
Last year I had the opportunity to tour Pompeii in southern Italy. There are figures of people in various parts of city. They were covered with ash when the volcano erupted. The bodies now are completely gone, except for a few teeth. What about them?
Obviously, this is a challenging statement. I listened once to a preacher say that Christians should never consider cremation,, because we believe in the resurrection of the body. My immediate thought was, what about all the people whose funerals I performed who were planted in the ground? Those bodies are decaying.
Also, None of the bodies of the ancient believers is in one piece now.
So, preaching on the resurrection of the body as one of the precepts of our faith is not going to be easy. Let’s look at an approach that could be helpful.
The Fundamental Problem Addressed by Resurrection
Death is the great universal and feared reality among us humans. And we all have to face it. I’m in my 70’s as I write this blog post, and I have to say that the reality of death is greater for me than it was 50 years ago. I am going to die, and if family genetics hold true, it will likely be in the next 15 years.
But for others, the reality is even closer. A beloved family member is dealing with cancer, a particularly virulent kind, and may die sooner than I, even though he is in his 40’s.
How in the world can we face death? Paul writes of this in 1 Corinthians 15, the great chapter on the resurrection:
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
What a great promise! The dead will be raised!
Preaching on the resurrection of the body will be joyfully received by your people.
Proclaiming the Timing
Here’s a great way to end your sermon, verses from later in the 15th chapter of CorinthiansL
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
Here’s a good resource sermon for you on this topic.
