Last Sunday – The Resurrection is our sure foundation –
1Corinthians 15:12-21Christ’s resurrection (and what it does to us) is our only sure foundation.Our preaching and faith hinges on the certainty & confidence of Christ’sresurrection…. continuing
Our Hope After Death
- We don’t think about death, unlike the Corinthians.
- Because death was a daily reality, they were concerned.
- We have to think about death so we know how to find hope.
- A wrong understanding can mislead us & take us on a destructive path.
In this chapter, Paul corrects a mistaken idea among some Corinthians that Christians will never be resurrected in bodily form.
- If not corrected, it could have left them hopeless.
They believed, as taught by the culture around them that either death is the end of a person entirely or that only the spirit goes on into some vague afterlife. Paulis showing that, instead, Christians will be resurrected to entire, physical lives just as Christ was after His crucifixion.
Why? – Our understanding will have a significant implication on how we live today
I am hoping that what we will hear today will make To have the proper perspective about life after death –
1. We have to understand the order in which events have unfolded in the past (v. 22-23)
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”
- When God created ….
- Adam’s sin brought both physical and spiritual death to all humanity:
- Physical death: The eventual decay and cessation of bodily functions
- Spiritual death: Separation from God and a broken relationship with Him
This affects every person born into the world – we inherit the consequences of Adam’s original sin.
- His death became the pattern for all who would follow, because all are born into Adam’s sin.
- Therefore, Because Adam died, all die.
- There is no restoration or resurrection of those who die in sin
Redemption through Christ’s Crucifixion
- But God so loved the world he sent his son to … not only did he die, but on thethird day, he rose again from the dead.
- But his resurrection from death became the inevitable pattern for all forgivenfor their sins through faith in Him.
- Because He was resurrected in His bodily, physical form, all who are in Christ will also be physically resurrected from the grave when the time is right.
- Christ’s resurrection brings life to all who believe in Him
- There is an order to the resurrection: Christ first, then believers at His return
Our hope in death, based on the past events described, is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope encompasses several key aspects:
- Assurance of our own resurrection: Just as Christ was resurrected, we too will be raised to new life. – What a beautiful truth to behold!
- Victory over death: Christ’s resurrection demonstrates that death is not the end, but a transition to eternal life for believers.
- Transformation of our bodies: We will receive glorified, incorruptible bodies like Christ’s resurrected body.
- Reunion with fellow believers: We will be united with other Christians who have died in Christ.
- Eternal life in God’s presence: Our resurrection guarantees an eternity spent in perfect fellowship with God.
This hope gives us comfort, purpose, and motivation to live faithful lives, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secured through Christ’s victory over death.
2. We have to understand the order in which the event will unfold in the future (v. 24-28)
24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God[c] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
- Christ will ultimately defeat all enemies, including death itself.
- sometimes described as the “resurrection of the church,” comes “the end.”
- Christ will take possession of and hand over the Kingdom of God to the Father,but only after destroying—or “dethroning”—every ruler, authority, and power.
- earthly rulers or spiritual powers or both. Whatever has authority in the heavens or on earth will be displaced by Christ as He takes authority over all things.
- no details of the end times, but what he suggests is a battle or war for control over the earth that Christ will ultimately win for the sake of God the Father.
All of this will take place after His followers have been resurrected from the dead,as Christ was.
- He will hand over the kingdom to God the Father
The final enemy Christ will defeat is death itself. In a sense, Christ’s defeat of death began with His own resurrection from the grave. It will continue with the resurrection of all who have believed in Him. It will be final when death is no more(Revelation 21:1–5).
Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV): “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
At that moment, the victory over death and sin will be complete, and those who have believed in Christ will be free from it for all eternity (1 John 3:2; 1Corinthians 15:51).
1 John 3:2 (ESV): “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
1 Corinthians 15:51 : “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”
Instead, it is the Father’s power that will enable Christ to gain the victory, followed by Christ’s giving to the Father the glory of the conquered kingdom.
- God will be “all in all” – the ultimate fulfillment of His sovereignty
The final goal of this, and the purpose of all of history and the lives of all who are in Christ and of Christ Himself, is that God will be “all in all.” In other words, God’s glory will reign supreme over the entire universe.
Our Hope in Death, Based on Future Events:
- Anticipation of Christ’s return: We eagerly await the second coming of Christ,which will initiate the resurrection of believers.
- Participation in Christ’s victory: We will witness and partake in Christ’s ultimate triumph over all evil powers and authorities.
- Freedom from death’s power: We look forward to the final defeat of death itself, knowing it will no longer have any hold over us.
- Complete restoration: We anticipate the end of all suffering, pain, and tears,replaced by perfect joy in God’s presence.
3. We have to understand how to live today, knowing the past & the future (v. 29-34)
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”[d] 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not goon sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
- Paul uses rhetorical questions to emphasize the absurdity of denying theresurrection
- Don’t you see, I am so sure of resurrection that I put my life at risk every day.
- Our present sufferings have meaning because of the future Resurrection
- Paul tells the Corinthians in this verse that he boasts about their coming to Christ as one of the success stories of his ministry. All of that would be worthless, he implies, if there was no resurrection from the dead. There would be no point to his dying “every day,” likely meaning that he faced the real possibility of death constantly for the sake of Christ.
- Preaching the gospel does not bring him wealth or pleasure or status. Instead,it led him to fighting with beasts in Ephesus.
- In any case, without the hope of resurrection for himself and those he preaches to, Paul assures his readers he would not continue to do what he is doing. Instead, he would live like those philosophers of his day known as the Epicureans, who attempted to live life to the fullest since they were convinced nothing came after. He quotes from Isaiah 22:13 to capture that spirit, “Let useat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
- Belief in the resurrection should impact our daily Lives
- We must be vigilant against false teachings and immoral Influences
- Our lives should reflect the knowledge of God
Based on verses 33-34, Paul provides guidance on how we should live today,knowing the past and future events:
- Be cautious of bad influences: “Bad company ruins good morals.” We must be careful about the company we keep and the influences we allow in our lives.
- Stay spiritually alert: “Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right.” We should maintain spiritual vigilance and not become complacent in our faith.
- Pursue holiness: “Do not go on sinning.” Knowing our future hope should motivate us to live righteously in the present.
- Seek knowledge of God: “For some have no knowledge of God.” We should continually strive to deepen our understanding and relationship with God.
These instructions emphasize the importance of living intentionally and righteously, with our future hope in mind, while avoiding negative influences that could lead us astray.
Conclusion:
The resurrection of Christ is not just a historical event but a powerful reality that shape our present and future. It gives us hope, purpose, and the motivation to live holy lives. Let us embrace this truth and allow it to transform every aspect of our existence.