There is one prevailing truth which the Bible keeps reminding Christians about, that is our eternal fellowship with God. This is not just our destiny, but it is also our longing. We were created with a sense of eternity in our hearts, which can only be realized in actuality when we behold God on the last day and enter into eternal fellowship with God. In this passage, the Apostle Paul explains why and how we need to keep groaning for our eternal home, which is God Himself.
Christianity is the only religion or a worldview which teaches us that people who take refuge in Christ, people who believe that He is the only Savior of their lives, will overcome death and sin. These are two of the most powerful evils in our life which are inescapable, they’re very part of our existence. But God promises that He will deliver His people on the last day when Christ returns. In this passage, we learn that Christians will have victory over death and sin when Christ returns to take them home (heaven), but we also learn what Christians are required to do until that day comes.
Christianity rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is this doctrine, that confirms and seals the salvation of the sinners redeemed by Christ. Not only that, but it also ascertains bodily resurrection of the redeemed people. But how does that happen? What faculties of our bodies will be restored, and in what condition? And how does this doctrine of the resurrection of the dead help us here and now, practically? This sermon tries to provide answers to those perplexing, yet important questions.
Every religion provides some kind of answer to life after death. Some religions belief in reincarnation, others emphasize on this life as all there is and nothing beyond that. But these views miss an important point, they do not mention our relationship with God, the Creator of life and death; they do not talk about the purpose and existence of our lives in the light of eternity. Most importantly, they do not give hope of a life beyond death free of sorrows, sin, pain, evil and suffering. Only Christianity gives such a hope, it is found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the Resurrection and the life! Listen to the sermon to find out what that means.
Spiritual gifts are primarily given to Christians for the benefit and the edification of the church, so that the church might be blessed with all the necessary resources through the gifts of God’s people. But it is possible for Christians to boast about themselves and their gifts and not serve others through their gifts. It is possible to make the gifts an end in themselves and not have a greater purpose. In this passage, we learn that spiritual gifts only serve to strengthen others and love people because the gifts are temporary but Love is not.