We learn by comparisons or relationships. Definitions are often made by comparison. For example, synonyms for the word dark are dim, dusky, dusk, darkly, obscure, murky, opaque, gloomy. Then the dictionary gives this definition: “lack or deficiency of light, or illumination of whatever kind.” You see what I mean? We learn by comparisons. This was Jesus’ method of teaching. He taught by parables. He often said, “The kingdom of heaven is like .. .” Then He made a comparison. But there are some conditions in life that we find difficult to define. We may call them incredible, that is, hard to believe.
One of them is space travel, like the space platform, 240 miles into space. What several decades ago appeared impossible is now an everyday experience. Who would have thought 40 or 50 years ago that people would go 240 miles into space and live there for weeks or months?
To the critics certain realities revealed in the Bible are impossible. Therefore, they reject what the Bible reports as having happened. One of those is the resurrection of Jesus. We have been examining the apostle Paul’s great discourse on the resurrection in I Corinthians 15. Now to understand this, the first step we must take is to believe Paul’s argument. Faith will unlock truth that reason finds impossible. I further state, that faith is not unreasonable; it goes beyond reason. So from I Corinthians 15:35-50, I wish to help in your UNDERSTANDING THE INCREDIBLE.
35 But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 [Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]:
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39 All flesh [is] not the same flesh: but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, [and] another of birds.
40 [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another.
41 [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory.
42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.
48 As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Follow me as I show you the necessary STEPS to Understanding the Incredible from Paul’s words.
Step one is:
