Weekly Pastoral Message prepared by Rev. Murray Adamthwaite
for Sunday 26th April 1998

From the Pastor: The Reurrection III

"Even we ourselves groan, ... waiting eagerly for ... the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:23 Growing old is the regrettable experience we all face; the crop of brown hair we once had is now all white and mostly gone; the 20-20 vision we used to enjoy now needs boosting with spectacles; and the strength we could once muster is no longer available for the things that we like doing. Our bodies are wearing down! One day they will be not only down but also out. We will be gone. The process toward that ultimate end is irreversible, however much medical science, plastic surgery and beauty therapy may try to slow it. This depressing fact of life is according to the Bible the consequence of sin: when man rebelled against his Creator the whole of nature was cursed and subjected to decay and death. It cannot be reversed because God has made it impossible. For the Christian, however, this pall of gloom has a light at the end. While like all others he must accept the loss of his present body. the living God will grant a new one. At the resurrection of the righteous every believer who has died will rise with a new body, one which will never decay or wear out, which will realize beauty and glory never approached in this world, yet retaining the identity with the present body. This is the redemption of the body, turning back the curse, bringing in the glory and wonder of the new creation. How and why? Because though by man came death, by a man has come the resurection of the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:22. To participate in this, however, you must believe, hope in the risen Christ, believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, Romans 10:9, and thereby be saved.