The sermon by Eric Bechler discusses the state of man after death and the resurrection, based on the Second London Baptist Confession, Chapter 31, Paragraph 3. It emphasizes that both the just and unjust will be resurrected when Christ returns. The unjust will face shame and everlasting contempt, as highlighted by scripture references such as John 5:28-29 and Daniel 12:2. This resurrection is depicted as a terror for the ungodly, who will bear the punishment they deserve. In contrast, the resurrection is a comfort to the godly, whose bodies will be raised in honor and made conformable to Christ's glorious body, as explained in Romans 8:11 and 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. The sermon encourages believers to use their bodies for God's glory, urging them to live righteously and be mindful of their actions and choices. It concludes by encouraging reflection on daily life and setting one's mind on heavenly things, as stated in Colossians 3.

Our reading today from the second London Baptist confession comes again from chapter 31 today in paragraph 3 of the state of man after death and of the resurrection of the dead The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ be raised to dishonor the bodies of the just by his spirit unto honor and be made conformable to his own glorious body. We continue our look at the state of man after death. We've discussed the intermediate state, what happens to man from when he dies until the second coming, and what happens to the quick and the dead, those still alive when Christ returns and those who have died, whose bodies have long since returned to dust. Today in our final paragraph for this chapter, we focus on the resurrection of the just and the unjust, of those in Christ and those not in Christ. We'll start by first looking at the unjust.

At the last day when Christ returns, the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we, those still living, shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15 52. And all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth. They that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5, 28 and 29.

It's not just the righteous who will be resurrected, for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. That each one may receive the things done in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Second Corinthians 5 10. All of those who have previously died must first be raised for all must appear and bear the punishment that they deserve. For Paul states, for whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Paul when defending himself before Felix the governor makes the same point that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and the unjust. Acts 24 15 and We find this teaching not just from Jesus' own words and that of his apostles, but also from the Old Testament. From Daniel 12, 2, we read, And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

What do these passages tell us about the unjust, the wicked? We're told by scripture that they shall be raised to shame and everlasting contempt. Shame involves a deep sense of guilt and exposure of one's sins. It is synonymous with disgrace and dishonor. Isaiah says, And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me, for their worms shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh." Isaiah 66 24.

This imagery underscores the nature of the punishment and the continual disgrace of the wicked. This is the destiny of those who do evil. Wilhelmus A. Brackel has some pointed words for those who reject Christ. The doctrine of the resurrection is a terror to the ungodly.

For the very body which they now cherish so much, for which they slave so much to satisfy and beautify it, will eternally bear unbearable pain in hell. Those eyes which you now misuse so greatly to stir up filthy lust whereby you now display the wrath, pride, and vanity of the heart, will behold with terror the Lord Jesus, the righteous judge, and will never see light anymore. Those ears which are now ready to receive all vanities, curiosities, immoral language, foolishness, and backbiting will hear with terror the sentence of the judge, depart from me you cursed. That mouth and tongue which you now misuse to curse, to lie, to backbite and say vain things, indulge and carouse, drink and fornicate, will then howl and scream and in grief you will chew on that tongue. Instead of the secrets which you exude to show your greatness, make yourself attractive and arouse others sexually and be stimulated toward fornication, yourself there shall be nothing but unbearable stench for you.

Those hands which now handle cards and dice and for today's smartphones in which you now misuse in unrighteousness and the execution of all manner of subtle devices you will then ring in pain. Yes all those members which you are now using as weapons of unrighteousness to serve the world in sin will eternally be in the flames. Just as this doctrine of resurrection is a terror to the ungodly, it is a comfort to the godly, which takes us to the second part of our paragraph, that the bodies of the just will be raised and to honor by his spirit and be made conformable to his own glorious body. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, whose sins have been forgiven, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we will be raised from the dead.

But if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead, dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8-11. And what becomes of our bodies as believers when we are resurrected. John tells us that we shall be like him. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1st John 3 2.

Our vile bodies will be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Philippians 3 21 And Paul using contrast describes what happens to our bodies. It is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor.

It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness and it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body. It is raised a spiritual body. First Corinthians 15, 42-44.

Our mortal bodies are subject to death and decay. Our resurrected bodies will be eternal. They will not decay. They will be imperishable. Our original bodies are corruptible.

Because of sin, our original bodies are characterized by shame and dishonor. Our resurrected bodies will be incorruptible, will not even be able to sin. They will be fashioned like Christ's glorious body. Our mortal bodies are weak and are subject to disease, fatigue, and breakdowns. But our resurrected bodies, they will be free of these things.

They will be raised in power. As we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly man, 1 Corinthians 1549. If this, this glory, is what will become of our bodies, there is no reason to wait. Begin today to use your bodies now for the service of the Lord. Paul tells us, let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, that ye should obey it in the lust thereof.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God. As those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of the righteousness of God, Romans 6 12 through 13, What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not of your own, not your own. For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1st Corinthians 6, 19 through 20.

Brackle explains, Let our light shine before men in order that God might be glorified. We must do so with the body. Therefore give heed to your entire physical constitution. Let your conduct be upright, natural, moral, wise, honorable, and pleasing. Use your eyes to behold the works of God and for the reading of his word.

See to it that your eyes are neither stern, angry, proud, shifty, shameless, adulterous, curious, nor unstable. May it be your continual prayer. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity. Psalm 1937. Close your ears to all foolishness, vain and frivolous conversations, backbiting and curiosity.

Rather let your ears be open for the word of the Lord, for the complaints of the poor and sorrowful, and with composure seek to understand well what is being said to us. Use your tongue to God's honor, that is to sing his praises, to glare his perfections, and to be of benefit to your neighbor. Use your hands to be diligent in an honorable profession in all the management of your body and the utilization of its life. Only endeavor to adorn godliness, to be an example to others, and to render glory to God until this corruptible put on incorruption and this mortal immortality and this vile body glory. What about you?

What are you putting before your eyes each day, each week? Are they buried in your phone? Are they sneaking a peek at pornography? Are you watching vulgar or unprofitable movies? Or are you reading God's word?

Looking, Are you looking for his presence in your day-to-day life? Are you noticing the needs of the people around you? What sounds come to your ears? Is it sermons from faithful preachers? Is it the sound of hymns praising God?

Or is it gossip or frivolous conversations? Is it curse words or taking the Lord's name in vain? Is it questionable music? And are you using your tongue to God's honor? Are you cursing?

Are you speaking with anger, lying, or gossip? Or are you praising God, singing praises to Him, and sharing His word with others, and speaking to others in an edifying way. How are you doing? Are you even thinking about things like this? Do you ever ask yourself in the morning, What can I do for Jesus today?

We're busy people. We're very busy people. We're busy working. We're busy raising children. We're busy even helping others.

We're busy doing good things. And we're busy also from filling our days with unprofitable choices. In all our busyness, are we too busy for the Lord? Is there time in our schedule to do the things for the Lord? What can I do for Jesus today?

How can I use my eyes, my ears, my tongue, my hands, my feet for the glory of God? From Colossians chapter 3, set your mind on things above, not on the things of the earth. And whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto man. Amen.