Transformed for A Life in Heaven

Phil 3:20-21

  • To live in Heaven, we will need to have a body prepared to live for eternity
  • God will transform our bodies into a body like his son.

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

There are a number of different things we learn. While we don’t have a detailed blueprint for our spiritual bodies, we do get some idea of the greatness, power, and wonder of what our own resurrection bodies will be like. Paul’s point is simple—you’re going to be changed. Transformed.

Jesus’ resurrection, was the prototype of our future resurrected bodies

We will have a new body that is spiritual body that is tangible (Luke 24:36-39, John 20:15-16)

Jesus had a body that looked human, but was also changed in some ways.

Paul mentions ways God will transform our bodies.

Our bodies will be changed from perishable to imperishable, dishonor to glory, weakness to power, mortality to immortality. While we get old, tired, worn out, joints & muscle ache, fatigue, back ache, start losing our sight, hearing, heart problems, we will have a body that will be free of sickness and death, the corruption of sin, and made to last forever. We will have a body that will be immeasurably more powerful that our present one.

We see it in the Resurrected body of Christ

Jesus appeared and disappeared at will, reappearing again at another location far away.

He could walk through walls and closed doors, and yet also could eat, drink, sit, talk, and be seen by those who He wanted to see Him.

He was remarkably the same, yet even more remarkably different.

He disappeared from their sight of the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:31)

He defied gravity and ascended into the air (Acts 1:9)

We will have a transformed body. But the best part part of our transformation won’t be the transformation of our bodies, but the transformation that takes place inside—the transformation of our hearts.

We will be like Him! We will love like Jesus!

When Christ comes, all evil will be abolished, completely purged from our hearts.

You will still be you, but you’ll be a better you. —the you God intended you to be, free from the corrupting influence of sin and selfishness.

Just as with our Lord, our bodies, which are now perishable, dishonored, weak, and natural, will be raised into bodies that are imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual.

Since Jesus conquered death, we do not have to look forward to death in fear or dread. Christ overcame it. Death has been defeated and we have hope beyond the grave (54-58).

As a result:

  • Let nothing move you
  • Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord. We should give all our hearts to doing the Lord’s work
  • Your labor in the Lord is not in vain; even when you do not see immediate results