The Apostles' Creed: The resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell; On the third day '
He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the
right hand of God the Father almighty;
From there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5, Revelation 22, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Peter 1:3-5
Intro: This sermon concludes a series on the Apostles' Creed, focusing on the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. It contrasts worldly hopes with the true Christian hope of a renewed creation and eternal life with God.
Key Points:
- Heaven: Beyond Misconceptions:
- Popular ideas of heaven are often a blend of various sources, not solely biblical.
- These misconceptions can diminish our hope and lead to misplaced priorities.
- The world pushes a narrative of "best life now" centered on material success and retirement.
- Worldly hope is dependent on circumstances and ultimately ends with death.
- A Better Hope: Jesus Christ:
- The Bible acknowledges the pain and brokenness of the world.
- Christian hope is rooted in Jesus Christ, who conquered death and promises a renewed creation.
- Jesus's resurrection is the vindication of his claims and the foundation of our hope.
- The ultimate hope is a wedding: the marriage of heaven and earth, a new creation.
- The New Earth: A Reality:
- Revelation 21 and 22 depict a renewed earth, a city filled with God's presence.
- All pain, suffering, and death will be gone.
- We will experience God's presence fully and forever.
- The resurrection of the body means we will be fully human, renewed and transformed.
- Living in the Kingdom Now:
- The kingdom of God is both future and present.
- Resurrection life is available now through the Holy Spirit.
- Christian holiness is about living as citizens of heaven, embodying kingdom values.
- We are called to bring foretastes of the kingdom into the present through acts of justice, mercy, and love.
- Our work now has eternal significance.
- The Church's Role:
- The church is called to be a foretaste of the kingdom, a community that reflects God's love and justice.
- We are to be a light in the darkness, offering hope and healing to the world.
- We are to live as resurrection people, embodying the values of the coming kingdom.
- Responding to God's Call:
- Invitation to those outside the kingdom to come to Jesus.
- Renouncing worldly hopes and embracing the hope of the resurrection.
- Seeking prayer for healing and strength in the face of life's challenges.
- Participating in the Lord's Supper as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and a foretaste of the wedding feast.
Conclusion:
- Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the risen King, who promises a renewed creation and eternal life.
- We are called to live as citizens of heaven, embodying kingdom values and bringing foretastes of the kingdom into the present.
- God's love and power are sufficient to overcome all pain, suffering, and death.
Call to Action:
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