LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

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HOMILY 36

The double resurrection of souls and bodies and of the differing glory bestowed upon the risen.

1. The resurrection of the souls of the dead takes place even now in time of death. But the resurrection of bodies will take place in that day. Just as in the heavens the stars are fixed, but all are not equal, one differing from the other (1 Corinthians 15:41) in brightness and magnitude, so also in spiritual matters there are degrees of progress according “to the measure of faith, in the Spirit himself” (Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 12:9), one being richer than another. And Scripture says, “He that speaks in a tongue, speaks by the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 14:2). Such a person is a spiritual man, speaking to God. But he who prophesizes, “builds up the Church” (1 Corinthians 14:2). Such a one possesses a greater degree of grace. For the first one edifies himself alone, the other also the neighbor. This is like the grain of wheat sown in the earth. The same grain out of the same earth brings forth many and differing grains. And again from the sheaves, some are larger while some are smaller, but all are brought together to one threshing floor, to one barn. And even though they are different, one bread is made from them.

2. Or as in a city there are crowds of people and some are infants, some are adults or some adolescents, and yet all drink water from one fountain and eat from one bread, all enjoy the same air. Or in the case of lamps, one may have two wicks and one have seven. But where there is a more abundance of light, there the illumination is greater. As many as are in fire and light, such cannot be also in darkness. But there is a great difference. It is like the case of a certain father who has two sons, one a child, the other a youth. He sends the older one abroad to cities and foreign countries. But the child he always guards since he is incapable of doing anything. Glory to God. Amen.