Philippians #060 - Learn the Bible Broadcast - Philippians 3:21
Pastor Andrew B. Ray

Antioch Baptist Church
5709 North Broadway
Knoxville, TN 37918
http://www.LearntheBible.org

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Philippians #060 - Learn the Bible Broadcast
Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

2. Our future conversation (Philippians 3:21)
a. The present condition of our body
(1) It is vile (Philippians 3:21).
(2) It is earthy (1 Corinthians 15:35-50).
a) It is corruptible (1 Corinthians 15:42; compare with Genesis 3:19; Job 17:10-16; Psalm 16:10; Psalm 49:14; Jonah 2:6; Acts 2:25-32; Acts 13:33-37; Romans 1:23; also see Job 19:25-27). This is why the Jews expected the body of Lazarus to stink (John 11:39).
b) It is dishonourable (1 Corinthians 15:43; Psalm 35:26; Proverbs 6:33; Romans 1:24; also see 1 Corinthians 4:10).
c) It is weak (1 Corinthians 15:43; Job 14:10; Psalm 6:2; Psalm 102:23; Psalm 109:24; Ezekiel 16:30;1 Corinthians 11:30).
d) It is natural (1 Corinthians 15:44; 1 Corinthians 15:22); Suggesting this is the body obtained by man by his natural birth
e) Note the differences of emphasis
i) Corruptible; its decay after death
ii) Dishonourable; the results of sin or other infirmities
iii) Weak; the proneness to sin or other infirmities
iv) Natural; the vulnerability to sin or other infirmities
v) Our bodies are vulnerable and prone to infirmity. They bear the results of such problems and would do so until there was nothing left.
(3) It is mortal (1 Corinthians 15:53-54); Suggesting that it has the ability to die
(4) It survives on blood (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14; Deuteronomy 12:23); Note: Flesh and blood are the dichotomy for which man is known (Matthew 16:17; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Galatians 1:16; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 2:14)
b. The change of our body (Romans 8:17-25; 1 Corinthians 15:35-57)
(1) The time of the change (1 Corinthians 15:35-57)
a) Death is the departure of the soul and spirit from the body (Genesis 25:8; Genesis 35:18).
b) At death, a believer is immediately in the presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
c) A believer’s body is subject to corruption just as is the body of an unsaved person.
d) The believer’s body is not changed until the Lord returns to catch away the church (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
(2) The title of the change (Romans 8:17-25)
a) The adoption
b) The redemption of our body (Ephesians 1:14; Ephesians 4:30)
c. The future condition of our body
(1) Generally speaking—“like unto his glorious body”
a) Awaking with His likeness (Psalm 17:15; see Genesis 1:26)
b) We shall be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 15:49; see Genesis 1:26).
c) We shall be like Him (1 John 3:2-3).
(2) Specifically, speaking
a) Glorious from vile (Philippians 3:21)
b) Heavenly from earthy (1 Corinthians 15:45-50)
i) Incorruptible from corruptible (1 Corinthians 15:42)
ii) Glorified from dishonourable (1 Corinthians 15:43)
iii) Power from weakness (1 Corinthians 15:43)
iv) Spiritual from natural (1 Corinthians 15:44)
v) Immortal from mortal (1 Corinthians 15:53-54; see 2 Corinthians 5:1-11)
(a) The present house
(i) It will dissolve (2 Corinthians 5:1).
(ii) It allows for groaning (2 Corinthians 5:2, 4).
(iii) It allows for burden (2 Corinthians 5:4).
(iv) Not allowed in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:6)
(b) The future house
(i) A building of God (2 Corinthians 5:1)
(ii) Not made with hands (2 Corinthians 5:1)
(iii) Eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1)
(iv) Our desired clothing (2 Corinthians 5:2-4)
(v) Wrought by God (2 Corinthians 5:5)
(vi) The final purchase that was initiated by the giving of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5)
c) Life from death (1 Corinthians 15:22)
i) What happened to the soul (John 5:24; 1 John 3:14)
ii) Shall happen to the body
(3) The implications
a) The glorified body cannot experience death or pain (likely includes any infirmities of the flesh) (Revelation 21:4).
b) The glorified body is not limited in time, travel, walls, objects, etc. (Luke 24:13-15, 30-37; see John 20:19).
c) The glorified body might be void of blood (Luke 24:39).
i) Man is described as “flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16).
ii) The Bible states that “flesh and blood” cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50).
iii) The resurrected Lord pointed to the fact that He had “flesh and bones.”
iv) It might be that this was done because the disciples would be able to easily identify the flesh and bones.
d. The power to make this change (Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 51-57; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Revelation 1:18)