Good morning, everyone. All right, we will be reading from Acts chapter 17, and we will start at verse 22 and go all the way to the end of the chapter. So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription. To the unknown God, what therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made of man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth. having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being. As even some of your own poets have said, for we are indeed his offspring. Being then his offspring, God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an imaged form by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all his people everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. And of this he has given assurance to all, by raising him from the dead. Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others said, We will hear you again about this. So Paul went out from their midst, but some men joined him, and believed among whom also were Dionysus the Areopagi, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. Beloved, Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed. Amen. What a beautiful thing. We serve a living Savior, not one that is dead and buried in the grave. I would encourage you to open your Bibles to Acts chapter 17. Acts chapter 17. Let me read just a little portion of what was already read. Verse 30 through verse 34 and then I will be dealing with even less of this section. Acts chapter 17. I will read it. I will pray and then we'll dig into this precious passage. Verse 30, here's what God's word says. the times of ignorance God overlooked but now he commands all people everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead some mocked but others said we will hear you again about this so Paul went out from their midst but some men joined him and believed among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them let's pray Father, we come before you in the only name that matters, the one in whom your whole soul finds complete joy and delight. our King, our Savior, the Lamb who was sacrificed for sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ. And we thank you, Father, for Him. And we thank you for the work that He has accomplished on the cross on behalf of us. Father, we are fully aware of the fact that we come here to praise you, to love you, to hear from you, knowing that we are your children, but it's only because of what He has done for us. And Father, we want to respond with greater joy and with greater love, and we want to show you greater affection, Father, but our own hearts are so weak and our emotions are so fleeting, Lord, that we admit that we're drawn away by so many winds and waves that come and hit us left and right. And so, Father, it is our plea as your people, refresh us. Once again, remind us. Once again, in the power of your Holy Spirit, open our comprehension that we might gather up the riches of what was done for us through Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen. Amen. So beloved, what comes to your mind when you think about the Lord Jesus Christ? You know, Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew chapter 16, who do you say that I am? But right before that, he said, who do people say that I am? And they said, some think that you're John the Baptist, some think that you're Elijah. That kind of confusion hasn't changed one whit. When you think of the Lord Jesus Christ, what comes to your mind? How do you think about Him? He is undoubtedly the most popular figure of all history. No one has written more or no culture, no other man has been written about more than the Lord Jesus Christ. no one has been cited more than Jesus he is the topic of debates he is the topic of books, theologies learning centers have been formed by him and a number of different even religions have sprouted out from the teachings of Jesus there is no more central figure than Jesus even his birth divides time large figures in the cultural history have said few things about him listen to John Lennon he says that there's truly no one bigger than the Beatles in fact one day the Beatles will be bigger than Jesus so for him there was no one bigger President Bush George W said that Jesus was his favorite philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche boasted and said, Jesus died too early. He himself would have revoked his own doctrine if he had lived to my age. The French conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte said this, Alexander, Caesar, and Charlemagne and myself founded empires, but on what foundation do we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. but not Jesus Christ. He founded an empire upon love and at this hour millions of men would die for him. I don't understand it. That cuddly man Fidel Castro said, I never saw a contradiction in the extraordinary figure of Jesus Christ. And beloved, there really is no other message that has been as convoluted as exploited than the message of Jesus Christ. Every politician climbing the ladder of American political engagement either favorably talks about Jesus to win the election or talks unfavorable about Jesus to win the election. A handful of religious leaders today try to avoid him. so they can gain a following and many talk about him to gain a following. In fact many people even today claim to be him. No historical figure has been more marginalized than Jesus Christ and no figure has been commoditized than Jesus. He has become a marketing ploy for hundreds upon millions of people over centuries. He's become a brand, a logo, a catchphrase. He's a pick-me-up. He's been fictionalized in The Last Temptation of Jesus. He's been humanized by The Passion of Jesus Christ. He's been satirized by South Park. He's been romanticized by countless of admirers and sanitized by our Christian culture. In fact, the church is as guilty as anyone else. You and I are guilty of marketing Jesus. The church has put a gloss over him. We've got spin doctors and so-called pulpits that actually speak about a man that does not reflect the Jesus of the Bible. Even in fact, today, there are those that are looking for eggs from a bunny in the name of Jesus. What sense does any of this make? So we ask ourselves, let me ask you again. Who's this Jesus? What makes him exclusive so that when we say that we're Christians, we are talking about something absolutely exclusive from all that this world offers. Is that how you view yourself? Is that how you view Jesus Christ? And so let me help. How do we begin to think about this? There are millions of ways we can go. But this morning, I simply want to be able to focus on the resurrection of Jesus who is the Christ. I want you to notice that in this text over here in Acts chapter 17, we actually find this message that the apostle is preaching. he could have said a million things about Jesus yet I want you to notice look at verse 31 right at the end he says this because he has fixed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed And of this he has given assurance by all by raising him from the dead." Paul makes a beeline to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and they got it. They understood it. Because it says in verse 32, Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. This is so extremely clear. Here's our first point, beloved, is that you and I, if you're following worship guides, you will see that the most important thing about the Christian message is that Jesus Christ is actually alive. That is the central point of the Christian message. That is the only reason I am in this pulpit with this Bible open because Jesus is alive. When you think about all those people that have claimed divine knowledge or have claimed some sort of philosophical superiority, beloved, do you know every one of those people are dead and all their thoughts with them are buried six feet under? But not Jesus. It's exclusive. Plato is dead. Socrates, he's dead too. Alexander, he's dead. Homer is dead. But Jesus, he's alive. Confucius is dead. Darwin is dead. Rene Descartes is dead. Joseph Stalin is dead. Sigmund Freud is dead. But Jesus is alive. Friedrich Nietzsche is dead. Buddha is dead. Gandhi is dead. Mohammed is dead. Christoph Hitchens is dead. But Jesus is alive. Do we actually know that deep down in our bones all the way down to our toes that we serve a risen Savior? And that's what makes you and I and what we believe extremely exclusive. All truth claims throughout human history beloved come from people who are today dead. But when Jesus speaks He speaks because He is alive even today. Without the resurrection, this Bible is insignificant. Without the resurrection, the gospel is empty. Without the resurrection, beloved, you are still in your sins. Without the resurrection, all this means nothing. Because of the resurrection, because of the empty tomb, all this matters. Paul says it this way in first Corinthians 15 17 and if Christ has not risen has not been raised your faith is futile and you are still in your sins and so think about this the Bible is pervasive in its talk about the resurrection and so should we Paul has an opportunity to preach. You know what he does? He preaches the resurrection. You go to Acts chapter two, Peter is preaching. What is he doing? He's preaching the resurrection. When we talk about Jesus, we talk about an alive savior. It's pervasive right throughout scripture. When you think about Jesus, John chapter 2, he's first time he is in his ministry and what is the first thing that he begins to speak about in the beginning of his ministry? Listen to John chapter 2 verse 18. So the Jews said to him, what sign do you show for us with all these things? Jesus answered, destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews said, it has taken 46 years to build this temple and you will raise it up in three days? but he was speaking about the temple of his body you see Jesus had promised that when he dies it will be followed by a resurrection right in the beginning of his ministry Not only that, but during his ministry, he talked about the resurrection, Mark 9, 9. And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to tell anyone about what they had seen until the Son of Man had been raised from the dead. Verse 10, so they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. So the beginning of his ministry talks about resurrection. In the middle of his ministry talks about the resurrection. Well, after his ministry, when he rises from the dead, Listen to Acts 24 verse 5. He's actually walking with these men on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. And what's he doing? He's talking about the resurrection. Luke 24 verse 5. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the man said to them, why do you seek, or I should say, the man said to them, why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here. But He has risen, I'm sorry this is at the tomb. Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise and they remembered His words. What about the Old Testament? Does it talk about the resurrection? Yes! In Psalm 16, David is actually talking about his body not seeing decay and Peter picks up Psalm 16 and he says that David was not talking about himself, David was talking about the Savior whose body will never ever see decay because he'll be resurrected. Listen to Acts chapter 2 and in verse 27, for you will not abandon my soul to Hades or let your holy one see corruption. You've made known to me the paths of life and you will make full the gladness with your presence. And then Peter says this, brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried and his tomb is with us today. Peter is saying David's dead. His tomb is right here with us. This section is not referring to David, it's referring to the resurrected Savior who was prophesied about in Acts 16. Peter says, he foresaw about the resurrection of the Christ and that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. What about the future? Do you know, beloved, you're going to be in the presence of the Living God? And do you know what you're going to be praising God for? That there's actually a resurrected Savior who saved you and me. You see, the resurrection is central. In fact, the resurrection has been in the plan of the Living God before time began. It's not an addendum. It's not added. It's actually God's plan from before creation. The resurrection is central. It's pervasive throughout scripture. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 21, For as by a man came death, by a man has also come resurrection from the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. Beloved, this is one of the most beautiful things that you and I must build our faith on, is that we have a Savior who is alive. And so when someone asks you, so what's it about Christianity that you like? Here's the answer. Jesus is alive. He's alive. Just stop right there. Some will mock, some will say, hmm, I'll hear about this later. And some will believe he's alive. So right over there, this news about the resurrection fills the pages of scripture, but there's also implications behind it that we must understand. What does this even mean? You see, Luke records these words of Paul as he is talking to those Athenian philosophers at the Areopagus. But it was too much for them to handle. This was the last straw. You see, these men lived in a pre-scientific age, but they didn't live in a pre-common sense age. Who rises from the dead? No one. I mean, these guys sit around at Mars Hill and they talk about all the new things that seem to come from all different corners of the earth, but they've heard nothing about someone being raised from the dead. So this message that Paul is bringing is exclusive. What does this even mean? Let me tell you a few things. Firstly, one, it means that Jesus rose physically with a physical body. Sometimes when you and I talk about Jesus, you know, people are hearing, here's what they're hearing. Jesus is alive in the teachings of his people. Is that what Paul means? No. Jesus is alive in his philosophical education. Is that what Paul means? No. Jesus is alive because his followers are propagating his teaching. Is that what Paul means? No. Paul is actually saying that Jesus arose physically in his flesh. He's actually alive. That's what Paul is saying. So if you want to talk about the risen Christ, don't explain it away in saying that somehow he's alive because his followers are alive. No, he's actually physically alive. Here's what Paul meant, that Jesus has a physical body that was reanimated, brought back to life. It came to life again. That means while he was in that tomb, his heart started beating. Electric impulses shot through his brains. One eye opened, the other eye opened. His lungs took in air. He actually got up. He took that face cloth off, he folded it off, took the spices off, took his shroud that he was in, put it aside, and he actually got up. Physically, he was actually alive in the flesh. That's what we're saying, that he was dead, but now he's alive. That's exactly what Paul is saying and what our Bibles are saying. And let me say one more thing. Do you know that particular body is still alive today? And so we must take the resurrection out of the realm of, well, that's an interesting idea. That's a very interesting theological proposition. That's a wonderful philosophical rabbit trail. No, beloved, this is physical. He's actually alive in a body. That's what the Bible is saying. So how many people saw him? Well, over 500. If you and I could interview one or two or all 500 and say, so what was he like? Here's what you would hear. We saw a body, a real physical body. It had physical form. It was visible. It was tangible. If we had a scale, we could actually weigh his body. If you had a camera, if it was invented, you would actually be able to photograph his body. He had hands, he had feet, he had eyes, he had a nose, he could speak, he could eat, he could swallow, he could ingest food. He was able to think, he had a brain, he was capable of moving, locomotion, he made bread, he baked it, he even went and caught fish, and he cooked it, he gutted it. He was capable of walking miles on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. He had a body with flesh and bones, which bore the marks of a recent crucifixion. He even told Thomas to touch all his marks. He was visible. He was tangible. You could hug him. You could kiss him. He had human scent. The whole event, beloved, the Bible is telling us was actually completely human. It was crass. It was true human flesh and blood that arose from the dead. That's the Christian faith. That's what we actually believe. Let me put it another way. There is a place that Jesus is right now. In flesh and blood. Right this very second. You see, he's not just in your memories. Some would say he just exists in your memories. He's in the past. No, he's not in the past. He actually is alive right now. He's not in the past like Princess Diana existed in the past. Genghis Khan existed in the past. No, he's not in Nelson Mandela or Henry VIII. He's actually alive today. He exists this very moment in a human physique. But not only do we know that he's alive, but we know where he is right now. Do you know that he is right now at the right hand of God in power and majesty? There's actually a man, a human being in the presence of God. Just think about that. Jesus is actually present in heaven with God right this current second in a physical human body. That's what we say the Bible teaches and it does. He is not a disembodied spirit. He is not sitting on a cloud somewhere. He is a resurrected man. He is our great high priest and he in flesh and blood is actually at the right hand of God. Do you know that at Mars Hill people didn't believe that? And do you know that people in Sparks, Reno and Carson City don't believe that either? Do you know Paul had a message that was exclusive because of this risen Christ? And do you know you have the very same message? This is the message we have. He's alive. I'm insisting that he has a physical form and is in a certain place right now. And do you know what? He is coming back. And he's coming back, you know where? To this earth. This terra firma. This ground. The very dust that you stand on. He's coming back. Okay, so there's the physical part. But there's something else that the Bible tells us about the body of Jesus. And that is, it was a transfigured body. You see, that body, even though it is flesh and blood, went through the most radical transformation. The most radical transformation. I mean, just think about his body in the tomb. When his body was entombed, it was a weak, pathetic body. Think about what they had done to him. They had tied him up. They had whipped him. They had bruised him and hurt him and slapped him. They put a crown of thorns in him. His body was bruised, beaten, lacerated. He hung on the cross for hours. It was sun burnt. It was weak. There was even a spear put in his side after he had died. All his bones were intact. In other words, the body that they put in the tomb was a body that was actually completely weak and ruined and finished. He was pronounced officially dead when he was taken down from the cross, even though his body was taken tenderly by Joseph of Arimathea and put inside this one tomb. Spices all around him wrapped up in this shroud and actually had this massive stone that was rolled in front of the mouth of the tomb and sealed so that wild animals would not come and take that body. but this body rose. The condition of that body that it went in was in humiliation, but that body was raised again. That body came alive again. After a few days, that body was transfigured. That body returned with life. It was restored. The impotence was ruined. The helplessness was terminated. Death and its hold on that body was dethroned. The presence and the taste of death vanished before that body. The body of Jesus was raised. It was raised in power and glory and splendor. That body will no longer wear a crown of thorns. That body will no longer die. That body is no longer in any way, shape or form going to be a body that is affected by man. Think about Paul on the road to Damascus. He comes across the risen Christ and he falls to the ground and he was brighter than the noonday sun. What kind of body is this? John in Revelation chapter four, he sees Jesus in this glorified body. And here's what Revelation chapter one verse 16 says, his face was like the sun shining in full strength. What kind of, listen carefully, what kind of physical with bones, with blood body is this that it shines bright in the sun? We must hold these together in tension. It's a real body. But it's a body you cannot handle. The human frame cannot handle this body. I can tell you this, that the stone was rolled away not so that Jesus could get out. It was so the disciples could get in. He already got out. He doesn't need. the stone to be rolled away. This body could actually, with this body could actually go through walls. This body could actually appear or disappear at will, but it was real flesh and blood. You could actually touch this body. It wasn't a spirit. It wasn't emanation. It was actually flesh and blood that was glorified. But that's exactly what the Bible tells us about Jesus. This body had been crucified in weakness. It was raised in splendor. This body was a body of humiliation when it went to the grave. And it came about as a body of glory. This was the physical body of Jesus Christ. And this is what Paul was actually preaching in Athens. This is what Peter is preaching. Beloved, is this what you and I preach in our cities? We're not saying that Jesus only went to the cross. That's true. He took our sin. That's true. He died. That's true. But the best part that makes the cross efficacious is that He arose. And He arose with a physical body. But that physical body was not simply just a body like ours, but it was a glorified body. Do we have a handle on that? You know why? Because getting a handle on this changes the Christian life. Here's where we move to a second point because that was the message of the resurrection. But what is the meaning of the resurrection? Beloved, I'll tell you here it is. You're going to get the same body. Can you imagine that? You know why Jesus went through all this and why it's recorded for us? So that you and I might actually persevere as Christians knowing that that is exactly what you and I are going to be like. Who would have thunk? This is exciting! Beloved, do you know, let me give you four. Firstly, do you know you'll be resurrected? You're going to be resurrected. And do you know that the spirit of God in us right now listen very carefully even though we might think we're really smart and we understand a lot we think we're doing it all but do you know it is the spirit of God that actually takes the word of God and actually applies it to our hearts and actually transforms us from one glory of One degree of glory to another degree of glory, but that does not end Do you know that when you die the very same Spirit of God that is in you? He is the one that's actually gonna take your body of flesh and actually transform it into the resurrected Glorified body that is gonna be one day The Spirit of God does not end his work the minute you die. He actually finishes and accomplishes the very work that he was sent to do Romans chapter 1 verse 4 says this, Jesus was declared to be the son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead. And then Romans 8 11 says this, if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give your mortal bodies through his spirit who dwells in you. He will give you life. Do you know that? How exciting is this message of the resurrection that you and I are not going to have these bodies anymore, but the very Spirit of the living God is going to transform our bodies. in who dwells in you is the spirit of God you know what he's doing right now he's actually communicating truth to you that no man can communicate and he is giving you truth so that you'd become more like Christ even in this beautiful teaching it's going on right now every time you say I get it it's because of the spirit of God and that is a down payment to show you that one day you will be a glorified human being listen to Romans 6 Now, if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again. Death no longer has dominion over him. Do you know, beloved, because Jesus lives in resurrection power, you will live in resurrection power. Do you know because Jesus, having died once, will never die again, you will die once and you will never die again. Do you know because Jesus lives in the power of an indestructible life, you will live in the power of an indestructible life. When you have resurrected life, it is indestructible. For how long Akash? For as long as God is God. How long is God going to be God? For all eternity. That means you're telling me that I'm going to live on forever the power of indestructible life and the answer is yes. Can you imagine that for the Christian to actually think and say, are you saying that I'm going to live in glory with this new body forever? And the answer is yes. This is not home. This piece of junk, that's what this is. Wherever we dwell, it's a big piece of junk. That's what you can call your house. Welcome to my piece of junk. I drive this piece of junk. I look like a piece of junk. Until one day, we must think clearly the resurrection actually gives us traction in our thinking. As opposed to looking at this world and saying, this is my treasure. This is my home. It isn't. Oh beloved, let's not be blind and deaf and dumb. But Christians, we have the power of the living God is spirit coursing through our souls. How should we then live? That's the question. Listen to what Paul says when he knows that death is coming. Philippians 1.20, he said, It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage, now as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Here's what he's saying. Jesus is going to make me beautiful in the resurrection day. It has nothing to do with me. He's doing it. Whether I live, it's for God's glory. Whether I die, it's for God's glory. It's all about God. It's about Jesus Christ. That's how we live as Christians. It's about the Savior, what He has done for us on the cross. We just don't simply say it is a propositional truth and carry on with our lives. No, it is a propositional truth that actually changes our very souls. Listen to what he says this transformation that's coming up Philippines 320, but our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ who will listen transform listen our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself what Paul is saying the entire sovereign power of the triune Godhead is going to be involved in a transformation that we go from this body to a body just like the Lord Jesus Christ. Who can imagine that? Hey, you know what? You're going to fall apart. That's just the way it's going to be. You're just going to die. That's just the way it's going to be. Everything's going to hurt. Just deal with it. You are going to get really old. Point is, why complain? Let's look forward to the glory that awaits us. Has the resurrection changed your thinking? Not only will we be resurrected, number two, we'll be transformed. Notice Paul doesn't say we will be re-embodied, he says you will be transformed. I want you to listen to a few verses. Romans 8, 29. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Do you know that you and I one day will blossom into what God has ordained for us before time began? It's very hard for us to be able to comprehend this because of our human thinking. But Paul gives three different illustrations in first Corinthians 15. So go to first Corinthians 15 and notice he's trying to illumine our thinking. He's trying to give illustrations. He's trying to help us understand. Here's illustration number one. We'll be, he, he is an illustration of a seed, a seed. 1st Corinthians 15 let's pick up in verse 35 1st Corinthians 15 verse 35 but someone will ask how are the dead raised? with what kind of body do they come? that's our question Paul's answer he's so kind you foolish person what you sow does not come to life unless it dies And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body, as He has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body." Here's what he's saying. Paul is saying, think of a seed. There is such a dramatic change. It's almost like looking at a small, brown, shriveled up, yucky looking seed that you put into the ground. Let me stop for a second. Which of you loves your seeds and take pictures of your seeds and decorate your house with seeds? We don't care about seeds. They're ugly and they're small. That's what we are right now, a seed. But, man, it's spring right now. Haven't you, hasn't the flowers, haven't they just taken away your breath? I can't, just like go for walks. I mean, there's a smell, the aroma, The beauty, the colors, the hues. As you're walking, it's like, this is insane. It came out of that dirty, small, muddy bulb? That seed? Beloved, what Paul is saying is, you and I have no clue. What's coming is going to absolutely astound us. What you're going to be when your body dies and what God's going to do with it is simply shocking. That's the first illustration. He thinks of a seed. Here's the second. He goes to terrestrial objects and celestial objects. Look at verse 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. 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. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, another glory of the stars, differ from star in glory. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable. What is raised is imperishable. What is sown in dishonor is raised in glory. What is sown in weakness is raised in power. What is sown in a natural body is raised up in spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Here's what he simply says, I want you to compare terrestrial and celestial objects. Look around you and here's what you find. You find human beings and you find animals and you find all kinds of things. And then you've got the celestial objects. You've got the star and you got the sun and you got the moon. Now, is there any relation between the two? They are so different. They're so vast. What Paul is saying is that you are, you and I are right now more like a terrestrial object. I mean, so You and I are more like our dogs than like the sun, right? We have a dog, his name is Bootstrap. The guy is few fries short of a Happy Meal. He's got a tooth sticking out and he doesn't know which way is left or right. He doesn't know what to do. The guy's consistently lost. He doesn't even know what he exists for. Beloved, you and I are a bunch of bootstraps. That's what we are. We have no clue. But look at the sun, look how beautiful, look at the moon, look at the stars. I mean people take photographs. You look at the planets, you look at the celestial objects, you look at supernovas, you look at the colors, the hues, you look at all these supergiants, you look at Saturn, you look at the rings and you see the comets and you're just blown away. You're thinking this is so Beautiful! There's nothing like that on earth. And that's absolutely right. That's Paul's point. You and I are like more like a dog than that beautiful, stunning celestial object. Paul is trying to show that one day you and I are going to cease being our little pets like them. We're going to be more like something that you and I have never imagined. Can you imagine that? No! That's the point. He's stretching our thinking, saying, take in the universe, the sky, the heavenly glories, and you know what? The difference between you and a celestial, a terrestrial and celestial object, that's what's gonna happen to you. It's gonna be so different. What should this do for the Christian? How should we then live? For here? For our little dog bowls and our little dog treats? Why, beloved, would we be so small-minded and go to the world and say, world, can you help us think? The poor world is spiritually dead in its sins, deaf, dumb, and blind. Do not go to the world. Get to the word of God. Let him transform your mind. Don't be conformed. That's the second illustration. Here's the third one. And we've already kind of touched on it, but here's what he says. Thirdly, there's a heavenly quality that's coming in your life. Look at verse 48. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust. And as the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Beloved, do you know that you belong to two distinct humanities? You belong to the realm of Adam and so you deal with sin and in your own flesh you struggle. But beloved you also belong to the humanity of Jesus Christ that you will be glorified. You actually have two distinct humanities beloved that you're going to be dwelling in. One is earthly, one is heavenly. You're going to be something that you and I cannot even at this point ever even think or imagine. It's going to have a heavenly quality. That's his point. It's going to have characteristics like the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the point. We cannot comprehend it but that's exactly what it's going to be. We're going to have a natural body that's going to be fitted for a world and we're going to have the spiritually beautiful body that's going to be fitted for that entire realm that God is going to put us in. Look at verse 51, 1 Corinthians 15. When will all this happen? When will we transform? Notice, look at the language he uses. Verse 51, it's going to happen momentarily. 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, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. You read those words? That's about us. We shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and the mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. Beloved, right now we see dimly, but one day we shall be changed. Is that exciting? You said language over there where it says in the twinkling of an eye, here's what he's saying, it's gonna happen so fast, so instantly. It's in a small, long process. Thirdly, we will be regenerated. We'll be regenerated. Now, when you're thinking about regeneration, usually we're thinking about salvation, which is absolutely true. But do you know there's a time coming that you actually are gonna be in this body that God is gonna make for you and give you this glorified body that's actually gonna match your regenerated or renewed environment. You will be a believer that is suited for the environment that God is gonna provide for you. Listen to Titus chapter 3 verse 5. He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration, that word over there is renewal. In fact, he even says it, and the renewal of the Holy Spirit. So there's something brand new that's gonna happen to us, that's already happened to us in salvation, but we won't see the ultimate end of that renewal that's taken place until we get to the new heavens and the new earth, which is also renewed and restored for us he says it this way Jesus says this in Matthew 1928 Jesus said to them truly I say to you in the new world the language is the regenerated world the renewed world When the son of man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on the 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. Do you know, beloved, that this current creation, this current world is like an old garment. You have those garments, don't you? Those shirts that are long, the neckline is brought down, it's got a few holes in the armpits. That's what this world is like. It's like an old flannel shirt, something full of stains. And one day God's going to take this shirt. He's going to roll it up and he's going to be done with it. And he's going to have a brand new creation. And the regenerated body that you and I are going to have is actually going to survive and live and thrive in that new creation. Here's the way Hebrews 1 10 onwards says, and you Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain. They will wear out like a garment, like a robe. You will roll it up. You will roll it away like a garment. They will be changed, but you are the same. That's quoted from Psalm 102. This entire creation will be rolled up and put away like an old garment, but we will receive a new creation so that you and I may dwell in it. Listen to what Peter says, 2nd Peter chapter 3 verse 13, but according to his promise, we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. And then I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth that passed away and the sea was no more. That's Revelation 21 one. Do you know that you will be changed? and the environment will be changed so that you and I might live in this renewed heaven and earth. Beloved, this is all because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Is this right now in your thinking? This is what we preach. This is what we tell this poor, dying, raggedy, old garment world. That there's a new heavens and a new earth. I love the language Paul uses. He uses the picture of a woman pregnant just about to give birth. She's in labor pains. He says that's what this creation is like. It is so old. But from it is going to come the beauty of a new creation. Romans chapter 8 verse 19. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. Creation is waiting to see this restored. renewed, regenerated, brand new like Jesus set of human beings. That's what creation is waiting for. That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. That creation itself is waiting for this renewal. And then he says in verse 22, for we know the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Beloved, do you know what Jesus has done? He has come and He has drawn out the sting from death. He has come and taken the venom out of death. And in doing that, He has brought to us a resurrection from the dead. And us, we'll be restored to a brand new glorified humanity, to live in a brand new God-glorifying world, a new heavens and a new earth. Isaiah says, Isaiah 55 verse 12, this is what this new creation will look like, listen This is obviously poetry. For ye shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace. And the mountains and the trees shall, before you know this, shall break out into singing. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come the cypress. Instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle. And it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Do you know you are going to this place of everlasting, infinite, immeasurable, unending, eternal joy? in a brand new body, all because of the resurrection. Do you think the resurrection might be important? That's the Christian faith. That's what we're celebrating today. First John says something in chapter three, is that we'll be even given a new nature. 1 John 3, 1, see what kind of love the Father has loved, has given to us, that we should be called children of God. So we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. Beloved, can you imagine seeing God and actually being just like Him? We're not talking about deity, but what we are saying is God is going to finally bring us to this place as to why salvation began in the first place. Don't you right now feel hampered that you can't even speak to God? Sometimes you can't even pray clearly, you can't even think clearly, you can't read your Bible clearly. You know, sometimes I think of children who want to tell their parents that, that I love you. You want to tell your parents, I love you, but you can't even seem to get those words together. There's so much, so much hindrance, so much sin. And that's the very same thing we go through even now with God. We love him. We come here to worship him. But there's so much running through our minds that sometimes we can't even read what's being said. And after we realize, oh my, what was I singing? I forgot. I don't know what words I was singing. We are so hindered. But a time is coming, beloved, that you and I will actually be able to be with God and be able to express the deepest desires and love and affection from our hearts to God. Nothing will stop us. no time restraints, no sin, the deepest, most satisfying conversation with God to tell him how much you love him. You know, it's one of the most beautiful things when you are with your spouse and you can actually look at your spouse and look at your spouse and actually say, do you know how much I love you? I love you so much. I would give anything for you. And we are human beings saying that to our spouse. And there is some sort of alleviation in our hearts to be able to express that and experience pleasure. But still, there's lots we cannot do. But a time is coming when we'll actually be able to tell God, Lord, we love you. We respond with wonder and praise and glory at God. and tell him with everything that we are, how much we love him. And that can go on forever. When you love someone, when you love someone with all of who you are, there is no greater delight in communicating that to them all the time, all the time. We have little faint slivers of that. But a time is coming when we'll be able to tell God that completely, fully, forever, consistently. With new bodies just like Him, in a new heaven, a new earth. Our cry to be pure and spotless now will be over. Our cry to see His great salvation will be over. Our cry to be perfectly restored in Him will be over. We'll finally reach glory, beloved. We will cast our crowns before Him and we'll be lost in wonder, love and praise. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, 24, he says, and then the end will come. Beloved for us, that's just the beginning. That's the beginning of our salvation. Do you know what the resurrection also means? It doesn't only mean that but John says this 1 John 3,3 and everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure do you know the hope and the beauty of the resurrection actually makes you and I fight sin and find all the world and all their offers and call it what it is and repent and run to Christ repent and run to Christ repent and run to Christ that is the life of a person that is living and gets the resurrection He calls sin, sin and he runs. He keeps himself pure. There's no excuses. There's no rationalizations. We keep ourselves pure. He who has this hope purifies himself. So, what's your response this morning? Look at Acts 17. three responses response number one verse 32 now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead some mocked are you that person? some jeered some sneered some laughed some said You have no idea what you're talking about. We are so sophisticated. There was no one more sophisticated than the Greeks in philosophy, in art, in culture, in literature. They laughed, they jeered. Are you that person today? Maybe there's some of you that are saying, hey, you know what? This is very interesting, but I think I'll hear more about it later. I'll be back next Easter. Look at the rest of us 32. But others said, we will hear you again about this. These were the indecisive. These were the admiring academic gentlemen that said, it doesn't suit me. And then notice the last one was 34. But some men joined them and believed among them who were Dionysius the Areopagi. This would be a person that would be an aristocratic philosopher in Athens and then also Damaris and many others with them. Beloved, let me just say this to you. The living God of heaven and earth has brought you here not by accident, but you are here because of his sovereign pleasure you know why? because he wants you to have the message of salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ your only work over here this morning is to repent from all your sin hold on to Jesus Christ and do you know this future that we're talking about this resurrection that we're talking about God's Holy Spirit will enter you and apply it to you right now Can you imagine you walked in here as a dead human being and you leave here as an alive human being on your way to glory. You walked in here as a person that was on your way to God's eternal wrath because of a rebellion and you can leave here as one that submits in joy as a child of God. I am pleading with you do not leave this place with your intellectual nose up in the air thinking I will hear about this later. The God of heaven and earth has brought the message of good news to you. There is no better news. Turn on all the talk radio, go to all the newspapers, go to every single website and tell me if you can find news better than this. Freedom from death and eternal, infinite, joyful life. Can anybody find that? Awfully silent. Only in Jesus Christ. Only in Jesus Christ. Repent, beloved. Come to Jesus. You will have life and you will have life abundantly. You don't even know what life is. You're simply walking around like a seed that looks like a dog in this world. No, beloved. Come to Jesus Christ. The glory that awaits you is so stunning. Do you know right now? I think about those that are in glory right now. Do you know, beloved, if we had to see them, we would have to be held back so that we would not fall down and worship them because they look so much like Jesus Christ. Can you imagine what the small, tiny, shriveled body of Todd's mom, Ruby, was like on Friday and what she's like right now? Beloved, that's true for every Christian here. And so how should we live? I'm going to ask you, who is this Jesus? And our answer better be, He is the alive, risen, reigning, sovereign King of heaven and earth who has purchased eternal life for me. Amen? Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for your Word. thank you father that you are faithful and the work that you have begun you will accomplish it in each one of us till you bring us to glory and to be able to see you face to face and be just like you who can imagine But Lord, in our hearts there is a burning desire to want to remember that all the time and to fight as good soldiers of the cross to persevere in this world knowing that time with you, Lord, is simply one heartbeat away. Oh, how we thank you for that. In the name of your son, we pray. Amen.