June 22, 2023 -- I Corinthians 15:38-40 -- Jesus' resurrection has deep, beautiful, profound implications. Ponder it.

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But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.
I Corinthians 15:38-40 ESV

This morning my fellow Associate Reformed Presbyterian pastor, the Rev. Benjamin Glaser, preached from I Corinthians 15:35-49. He, like me, is a guest at the General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. It was a pleasure to hear him preach. The theme for preaching is focused on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are some implications of the resurrection that we, as believers, may not often think about, though we are encouraged to do so. Let me make reference to his sermon.

The Rev. Glaser’s church, Bethany ARP, recently celebrated their 225th anniversary. He noted there have been a lot of funerals; about 3 acres of cemetery surround the church; the neat thing about it; all of the headstones of that cemetery are facing east. Why? Because that is where Jerusalem is; where we believe Jesus is going to return. They who are laid in the ground have been placed there in the hope of the resurrection; there they will see their coming Savior. The Rev. Glaser quoted the shorter catechism.

Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are, at their death, made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection.

Heb. 12:23; 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23; Luke 23:43; 1 Thess. 4:14; Isa. 57:2;
Job 19:26-27.

Dear fellow believers, isn’t this reading soul-refreshing?! From Jesus’ death believers derive the supreme blessing of knowing their bodies rest in Him. Even in the grave there is such assurance Jesus is in charge. From Jesus’ resurrection believers derive the supreme assurance that at their death they are made perfect in holiness and immediately pass into glory with Him. How great is our God and what joy there is in our salvation.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your great Name! How great is the salvation You have poured out on Your people in Jesus Christ. How great is the confidence hope that You have sealed to our hearts by Your powerful Spirit. Living God. Teach us, glorious God, to ponder the depths and heights of the blessed salvation given us in Jesus, Your beloved Son, our Savior. Amen.

https://youtu.be/KLTu1xv2-Us "Oh, the Deep Love of Jesus!" Simon Khorolskiy

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