2nd June 2026

2nd June 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (1 Corinthians 15v13-14) 


Message (Scott Woodburn)


If a Christian dies before the return of Jesus then their souls will be made perfect and carried by the angels to Heavenly glory. But when Christ returns the separation of body and soul will end and you and I will be given new bodies. To some this sounds like fanciful nonsense but the Scriptures are clear in their teaching. Long before the resurrection of Jesus, the hope of such an event was evident in the hearts of God's people.


A man who could well have been Jesus (Daniel 10v5-6) told Daniel that "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12v2). Additionally Job famously declared "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. " (Job 19v25-27).


Later, Paul would underscore the vital importance of the resurrection saying "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." (1 Corinthians 15v13-14). Do you see Paul's point? If the dead don't rise from the grave then Jesus didn't and we have believed a lie. Needless to say, we believe that Christ was raised and just like our Saviour one day we stand again upon the earth with brand new bodies which will never die.


But what will we be like? What age will we be? Will my belly be as big? Will I get my hair back? You might be surprised to hear that the Bible doesn't really answer these questions. But I think G.I. Williamson is helpful with his comment "The resurrection body will be the same in substance and identity but different in its qualities and powers."


So you and I will still be who we are. I'm not suddenly going to take on a new identity. Yet with that said I will be the best version of Scott Woodburn ever. I'll be me without all my sin, pettiness, immaturity and nonsense. I will be glorified and receive a resurrected flesh and blood body which will be mine forever. But Williamson was right when he told us that we will have different qualities and powers.


When Jesus was raised it was clear that something had changed. After speaking to the two men on the road to Emmaus He was able to immediately vanish from their sight (Luke 24v31) and when the Disciples found themselves afraid with the doors locked, Jesus was able to appear in their midst (John 20v19). In these small ways we see a little glimpse of how things will be different for us when we receive our resurrected bodies. I suspect the limits we have become accustomed to in this world will disappear.


The resurrection has long caused many to scoff but it is truth and we can eagerly look forward to the Lord's return. B.B. Warfield was right "It is only in almighty grace that a sinner can hope; for it is only almighty grace that can raise the dead."


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q85 What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin? To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.
​