Introduction:

The butterfly is a beautiful symbol for us of our future transformation – that transformation will occur because of the power of Jesus Christ. Butterflies are magnificence creatures of God. There are almost 20,000 species of butterflies. You may not have known this but butterflies use their feet to taste. Since food is their priority, those taste receptors help the butterfly locate the right plants and the key nutrients it needs for its survival. Butterflies have only a liquid diet and they only live for a few weeks. Their wings help them against predators. The butterfly develops through a process called metamorphosis.
The butterfly becomes so much more beautiful after its transformation and flying becomes a wonderful transformation for the butterfly. It symbolizes for us our future transformation that will occur to every believer after death. God makes this possible. Folks, do you know if you are saved and born again that you too will be transforms by the power of the Resurrection of Jesus and become an unbelievable magnificence new creature of God.

Unfortunately, most Americans don’t believe they will experience a resurrection of their bodies when they die, putting them at odds with a core teaching of Christianity. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without it the believer has no hope for this life or for the life to come. The apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain” (1 Cor. 15:17). Our belief in this great teaching is not based upon some religious feeling or upon an unfounded idea about what may have happened in the past. Nor are we talking about an isolated rumor, but about evidence to support it.

More evidence exists for Christ Resurrection than there is that Alexander the Great was an emperor. Just as there is evident for Christ Resurrection so there is Biblical evident that another resurrection shall take place. In his book, Countdown, G. B. Hardy asked some thought-
provoking questions about the resurrection. “There are but two essential requirements: 1. Has anyone cheated death and proved it? 2. Is it available to me?
Yes, it is in Jesus Christ the next resurrection is yours and mine! (Gospel presentation) —Romans 6:6 and Galatians 2:20
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Act 24:15 And have hope toward God, … that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

I The Mystery Resurrection -[51] Behold, I show you a mystery…

1.) Paul called it a mystery. Why is it called a mystery? A mystery in the scriptures is a previously hidden truth now revealed by God. When Paul speaks of sleep he means death… we shall not all die! Turn to 2 Corinthians 3:18. The Greek word for change also translated transfigure is μεταμορφόω (metamorphoō), which occurs 4 times in 4 verses in the Greek NT. Like the magnificence transformation of the butterfly we too will be metamorphoo.

2) This mystery is what the world will try to resolve at the resurrection or Rapture of the church. There is a generation that shall not die but shall be changed. It will not only be the rising of the dead but the mysterious disappearance of countless millions. We will be taken to be with Jesus and changed from this corruption to immorality. Read with me verse 42… We will experience the power and magnificence’s of his resurrection.

3) Note with me verse #52… It will all happen so very quickly.. in a moment; Paul said in an twinkling of an eye! That is incredibly fast. G.E. corporation device electronic equipment that is able to measure such speed. Their timing equals 11/100 of a second! Light travels at 186,000

4) What has Happen? – The last trumpet sounded… vv.52 for the trumpet shall sound.. Trumpets were used in biblical times to assemble the people or for marshaling a host to battle. Further evident of this founded in I Thess. 4:13-18.

1TH 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. [2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. [3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

5) We note that the “corruptible” meaning our moral bodies has been changed to an immoral body like that of our resurrected Lord. Heaven does not except sinful moral flesh nor our carnal things. These are left behind. That is why at the rapture all your belongings will be left where- ever you are…
The good news is we are resurrected with our Saviour. The power of His resurrection gives us a new life in the here and now and a wonderful transform life in the hereafter not to mention the hell on earth that we will be delivered from. Those who have not accepted Christ shall be left behind and their lives will be filled with unimaginable horror. But the hereafter for us who are saved will be unspeakable. Paul’s declared…

I Co.2[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him . Those who are saved will experience….

II The Power of the Resurrection (Vv.26 and verses 55, 56)

1. Folks, the reality of the resurrection is that death has been defeated. Paul said. “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” It is no longer the impregnable enemy. Christ conquered death completely and he assures His followers that we too will share in His victory. Death does not own us nor can it claim us and we need not fear death. It cannot hold us in its darkness nor can it keep us. In fact death becomes the vehicle that enables believers to experience God’s glory. The glory we spoke of in the complete metamorphosis of our bodies. The promises are your— claim them.

Death has no power over you. I am a child of God and the Lord is my Shepherd….
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

You never stop being the person you were created. Death cannot take away who you are because you belong to God who is your guide unto heaven. For this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death. Psalms 48:14

Death has no darkness for you because God awaits His children to come home.
Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15

You will be with God and where He is there is no darkness.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee]. Psalm 139:12

You will not fear the place that God’s son has prepared in heaven because Jesus said,
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. —John 14:1-3

You will have a new body and will live on forever, death cannot end you nor can it keep you. …we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them (those that have died) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. I Thess. 4:17
Words cannot convey the facts of heaven—perhaps because we humans are unable to comprehend them.

Conclusion

Jesus said that He came to give us an abundant life (John 10:10). When we experience the power of His resurrection, we will truly live before we die. Do you believe that? It takes faith. Faith is the final ingredient. Some of you here today won’t believe because you can’t reason it, you can see it, you don’t fully understand it. However, without the component of faith you NEVER WILL!
Because of Jesus’s resurrection from the dead, He is alive and present with us today. Whatever situation we face, Jesus understands and cares. And He will carry us through.

Remember, that Jesus appeared a number of times to his disciples and Thomas was not there. He would not believe the others. So, I leave you this morning with the words of our Resurrected savior. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Your life is the sum of the responses you have made toward God. God loves you and has made himself know unto you what you do next is your decision.