Part 3: Questions about Heaven
Scripture Lesson for the Day: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9, 12-20, 35-53 (NLT)
Cornerstone Text: “But someone may ask, ‘How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?’” (1 Corinthians 15:35, NLT).
What does Easter have to do with Heaven?
The correct answer to this question is everything!
> Did Jesus really rise from the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:1-9)
“After more than 700 hours of studying this subject, I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is either one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the minds of human beings, or it is the most remarkable fact of history”
(Apologist Josh McDowell, Author of “Evidence that Demands a Verdict).
> Why is it important to believe in the resurrection of the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:12-20)
The consequences of no resurrection of the dead include…
- Jesus is still dead and buried. (vv. 13, 16)
- Preaching and believing in Christ is futile and foolish. (v.v. 14-15)
- The gospel message is a lie making all of us liars. (v. 15)
- We are still under the condemnation of sin. (v. 17)
- Those that have died in Christ are lost. (v. 18)
- Christians are a miserable people to be pitied for believing in Jesus Christ. (v. 19)
> What kind of bodies will we have in Heaven? (1 Corinthians 15:35-44, 49)
The seed flesh and stars teach us an important lesson about our resurrection body.
“The dead body that we bury in the ground and the resurrection body that comes from it will be dramatically different” (1 Corinthians 15:38, The Message).
Key Easter Lesson: The story of the caterpillar, cocoon and the butterfly.
> What is the secret that unlocks the mystery about Easter and Heaven?
“Listen, I tell you a mystery…” (1 Corinthians 15:51a, NIV).
“What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These perishable bodies of ours are not able to live forever…For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die”
(1 Corinthians 15:50, 53, NLT).
“The body of B. Franklin, printer, (like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding) lies here, food for worms. But the work shall not be lost;
for it will (as he believed) appear once more, in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the Author” (Epitaph written by Benjamin Franklin for himself).
> What does Jesus’ resurrection mean to you today?
Closing Challenge: The scriptures teach us that “our heavenly bodies will be just like Christ’s” (1 Corinthians 15:48b, NLT). Heaven is real and Jesus has made it possible for you to make it your home. He has provided all that you need minus one thing. Your belief in Him as your Savior and Forgiver. Will you place your trust in Him today?
