Episode 1197
What Does It Mean That 'Everybody' Comes Alive in Christ? (1 Corinthians 15:19-28)
This podcast episode elucidates the profound assertion that death does not possess the ultimate authority over our existence, as articulated in the passages from 1 Corinthians 15:19-28. We delve into the implications of this declaration, emphasizing that death, often perceived as an insurmountable adversary, is rendered powerless by the resurrection of Christ. The episode further explores the inclusive nature of salvation, underscoring the radical notion that "everybody" is encompassed within the promise of resurrection, a concept that transcends traditional theological boundaries. We engage in a critical examination of the personal ramifications of death and loss, affirming that hope is not an abstract notion but a tangible reality for those grappling with grief. Through reflective points to ponder and actionable steps, we invite our listeners to embrace this transformative understanding and to extend the notion of inclusivity to all facets of their lives.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of viewing the Bible through a progressive lens, thereby making it more relatable to contemporary listeners.
- A significant theme discussed is the notion that death, as our ultimate enemy, will ultimately be defeated, offering hope amidst grief.
- The concept of 'everybody' is highlighted, indicating that all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs, are included in God's promise of resurrection.
- Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their personal relationships and consider who they may have excluded from their lives, as a call to inclusivity.
- The episode invites participants to embrace a grounded hope in the face of death, asserting that it does not have the final say over our lives.
- Throughout the readings, there is a consistent reminder of the transformative power of love and community, advocating for unity and acceptance over division.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Transcript
Hello, my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version Relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B: Corinthians: Speaker B:And if Christ weren't raised and all you're doing is wandering around in the darkness as long as ever, it's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection because they're already in their graves.
Speaker B:So if we all get out of Christ as a little inspiration for a few short years or pretty sorry lot.
Speaker B:But the truth is that Christ has been raised up for the first and a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries.
Speaker B:There's a nice symmetry symmetry in this.
Speaker B:Death initially comes came by a man.
Speaker B:A resurrection from death came by man.
Speaker B:Everybody dies in Adam.
Speaker B:Everybody comes alive in Christ.
Speaker B:But we have to wait our turn.
Speaker B:Christ is first with those with him at his coming, the grand consummation when after crushing the opposition, he hands over his kingdom to the Father.
Speaker B:He won't let it up until the last enemy is down.
Speaker B:The very last enemy is death.
Speaker B:As the psalmist said, he laid them low, one and all.
Speaker B:He walked all over him.
Speaker B:When Scripture says that he walked all over him, it's obviously that he couldn't at the same time be walked on.
Speaker B:When everything and everyone is finally under God's rule, the Son will step down, taking his place with everyone else, showing that God's rule is absolutely comprehensive.
Speaker B:A perfect ending, profound passage of scripture that ends the reading.
Speaker B:Let's get into a couple of points to ponder to go a little deeper here.
Speaker B:Point upon our number one the last enemy is death, and that is personal.
Speaker B:Paul makes a list of enemies that need to be defeated before this whole story reaches its conclusion, and the very last one on the list, the final boss, if you will, is death itself, not death as an abstract concept.
Speaker B:Death, the thing that takes people we love, the thing that sits in the corner of every hospital room, the thing that interrupts futures and ends conversations too soon.
Speaker B:Progressive theology sometimes gets cautious around cosmic end times and language like this.
Speaker B:And honestly, that caution is understandable.
Speaker B:A lot of harm has been done in the name of apocalyptic theology.
Speaker B:But here's what I don't want us to miss.
Speaker B:Paul is making an incredibly concrete human claim.
Speaker B:He is saying that death, the actual enemy that causes actual grief and actual people, does not get the last word.
Speaker B:I have conversations like this quite a bit because I have a. I host a cancer related podcast.
Speaker B:I'm a cancer survivor myself, and I sit with people for whom death is not some sort of theological abstraction.
Speaker B:It's a diagnosis, it's a reality that they're dealing with, is a timeline.
Speaker B:They see it in the faces of people that they love.
Speaker B:And what Paul is saying here is really speaking to all those people.
Speaker B:I see your enemy, I name it, and I'm telling you, death loses.
Speaker B:This is not some pie in the sky escapism.
Speaker B:This is the most grounded, most courageous hope you can offer to someone sitting in the dark.
Speaker B:Yeah, death is real death.
Speaker B:So is loss, but so is hope.
Speaker B:Point to pointer number two.
Speaker B:Everybody is the most radical word in this passage.
Speaker B:Look at verse 22.
Speaker B:Everybody dies in Adam.
Speaker B:Everybody comes alive in Christ, everybody.
Speaker B:Paul doesn't say some people, the right people, the chosen people.
Speaker B:He doesn't say those who say the correct prayer or do the right ritual or have the correct theology, or belong to curtain, you know, some correct denomination.
Speaker B:He says that word, everybody.
Speaker B:And from a progressive theological standpoint, that word is worth camping out with for just a moment.
Speaker B:So much of religious history has been building fences, deciding who's in and who's out, who qualifies for resurrection, hope, who doesn't quite make the cut.
Speaker B:Paul seems almost bored by that enterprise.
Speaker B:He just says everybody and moves on.
Speaker B:And then there's this breathtaking image at the end when everything is finally made right.
Speaker B:The Son himself steps down and takes his place with everyone else.
Speaker B:Not above, not below, not separated, not behind some velvet curtain or rope of holiness.
Speaker B:It's like words like with, among, alongside.
Speaker B:Amazing.
Speaker B:My wife have been married for over 34 years.
Speaker B:We got great kids, great grandkids, and they're the absolute light of our lives.
Speaker B:And one of the things I've learned from loving a lot of from loving a lot of people across a lot of years is that the most transformative thing you can do for someone is simply refuse to exclude them.
Speaker B:And that is what the end of this passage looks like.
Speaker B:A God whose rule is so comprehensive, so complete, so all encompassing that nobody is outside of it.
Speaker B:A perfect ending, Paul calls it, and I think he means it too.
Speaker B:So here's your action step.
Speaker B:Think about who maybe you've mentally or maybe even physically have been putting outside the everybody of your life.
Speaker B:Maybe it's someone you disagree with politically, maybe somebody who's hurt your feelings.
Speaker B:Maybe maybe it's something you've done to yourself.
Speaker B:In this week.
Speaker B:Practice saying the word everybody and mean it without exception, including yourself.
Speaker B:Let Paul's word be bigger than your list.
Speaker B:We're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a minute.
Speaker B:I want everybody to know that we have a resource for you with you, help you with your home Bible study.
Speaker B:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Methodology.
Speaker B:You're going to find it helpful for your home Bible study.
Speaker B:You pick it up for free at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray God remind us today that everybody really means everybody, including us.
Speaker B:Teach us to live like death has already lost.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
