INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Christ is Risen
2. Christ is Reigning
3. Christ is Returning
Remarks.
1. In the world in which we live there are many uncertainties. These are perilous time. Stock market and bank crashes, stocks up and down, once a good means of financial security-now uncertain. World peace is constantly threatened. Terrorism is on the rise, now even in America. Gang violence so terrible, it leaves doubt that our children or grand-children will even finish grade school, much less high school or college; because of the gun violence in them. Someone has said the only thing that is certain, is uncertainty itself. Beside these, still another issue plagues our world, our nation, and the church; and that is religious uncertainty. In the early 1980s, a national group survey thousands of religious leaders concerning, the virgin birth, the miracles of Christ, and the resurrection from the dead. Many denied all these biblical truths. Others had no doctrinal stand. And some of our own brethren doubted these spiritual truths. But, Paul affirmed three things in our lesson text, which we will share with you this day.
2. First, Paul affirms the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Many theories are advocated today concerning this vital doctrine and truth. There are many false doctrines concerning His resurrection. To mention a few, “He just swooned away, but did not die;” or “His disciples stole the body;” or “the women went to the wrong tomb;” and finally, “He was raised spiritually, but his body has been turned into gases and is being preserved somewhere as a memorial unto God.” But Paul, declared: "But now is Christ risen from the dead," 1 Corinthians 15:20. And, if there be no resurrection: "Then we are men most miserable, yet in our sins, and without hope in this world and the one to come."
3. Secondly, Paul affirms that Christ is now reigning over his kingdom. And that we are subjects of his kingdom. He says: "For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death," 1 Corinthians 15:25. Note, He reign NOW, and will continue till He returns. Not He will begin His reign when He comes! Christ was raise: for our justification; to declare his Sonship; to sit on David throne; and to reign over his kingdom, "as king of Kings and lord of Lords," until death shall be destroyed; when Jesus returns to claim his own.
4. Lastly, Paul affirms that Christ is returning. First, at his return, there will be a resurrection of the dead. He says: "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming..." Further, “He (Christ) shall deliver up the kingdom to God." Not set up his kingdom. Finally, "He (Christ) shall put down all rule, all authority and power." Not take it up. Unlike many religious leaders today; Paul does not speak of a teaching known today as the rapture; seven years of tribulation; or a 1000 year reign on earth when He comes. But, rather when He comes that will be "THE END," 1 Corinthians 15:21-24.
BODY OF LESSON
I CHRIST IS RISEN
A. The beloved Apostle in this text states that Christ had indeed been raised from the dead. He says: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept," 1 Corinthians 15:20. The resurrection was the subject of Jesus' teaching to his apostles for nearly 3½ years. Paul says in Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." Elsewhere he says: "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David, according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead," Romans 1:3-4.
B. Christ’s resurrection was the subject of apostolic preaching, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.
1. Peter preaching on Pentecost, Acts 2:29-36.
2. Paul's preaching: "And the times of this ignorance... Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter," Acts 17:19-34.
3. The resurrection of Christ is an established fact in history, as well as his death, and his life. How can any accept his life and death which we learn from scripture; and deny his resurrection which also we learn from scripture?
4. The church has lost the importance of apostolic preaching concerning the resurrection of Christ.
C. Christ’s resurrection was the subject of OT prophecy. Notice these old testament scriptures, Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Isaiah 53; Psalms 2, 16, 22, & 110.
1. All of these references make some reference to his death, burial, resurrection, and the exaltation of Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
2. Paul referred to these text when he said: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures," 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
D. Christ’s resurrection was the subject of eye witness persuasion, 1 Corinthians 15:5-11. "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve...And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time," Acts 9; 22; 26.
E. Theories concerning the resurrection. There are four theories being advanced today regarding the resurrection of Christ. Let's consider each of them as we proceed in this lesson.
1. Resurrection was spiritual not physical, John 2:19-21. They saw him after his resurrection, Luke 24:36-49. They saw his body, with the holes in his hands, and his side, John 20:24-31.
a. Acts 1:1-3 "The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up...To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs...." It was the body of Christ, the same which hanged on the tree, which was buried, that was raised from the dead.
b. Illustrate: JW, Body turned into gases being preserved as a memorial before God. The body was provided to give the apostles faith. More than that, if they are right, the body was a fake, they were deceived by Christ; and bared witnesses of a lie. And Christ sent them out as false witnesses; to preach a lie regarding his resurrection.
c. And worst if he is not raised, they suffered persecution and death for their faith; and countless billions currently believes a lie which is sanction by God, and the commission of Jesus Christ. Illustrate: The physical body of Christ, Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
2. Body was stole by the disciples. Not true. These frighten men were hiding for fear of the Jews, John 20:19. They had forsaken him, Mark 14:50. They denied knowledge of him. Surely these men did not steal the body. Testimony at the tomb does not bear such witness. Notice: Linen cloth, John 20:5-7; John 19:40; John 11:44; and Luke 24:12. Why would they take time to unwrap the body? If they stole the body; they would have carried off the linen cloth as well. The grave clothing proves positively, he was raised.
3. Swooned away. Did not really die, just appeared that way. However he was beaten, drug a cross to Calvary, was nailed to it; hung there for more than 6 hours; a soldier pierced his side; and he pretended to be dead. But explain how he burst the linen cloths, broke down the door and over powered the guards to flee. It takes more to believe this than the written testimony of the scriptures: he was dead, buried and raised from the dead, John 19:40, Matthew 28:1-10.
4. Women went to the wrong tomb. If so, the officials sealed the wrong tomb; the soldiers guarded the wrong tomb; the angels went to the wrong tomb; the disciples inspected the wrong tomb, and God did not know where his Son was buried. How foolish. But why was Jesus raised? He was raised "for our justification; to declare his Sonship; to sit on David's throne; and to reign over his kingdom until he returns." Let’s consider our next point.
II CHRIST IS REIGNING
A. He is reigning. The second certainty that each Christian can know, is that Christ is reigning over his kingdom NOW.
1. Paul says: "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death," 1 Corinthians 15:25-26.
2. The angel of the Lord announced to Mary, that Jesus shall reign over His kingdom. Notice: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and his kingdom there shall be no end," Luke 1:32-33. When did Jesus begin his reign?
B. His reign began. Peter states in his sermon on the day of Pentecost when Christ began his reign. "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David...he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne...," Acts 2:29-36.
1. Peter said Jesus was, "RAISED TO SIT ON DAVID THRONE," Acts 2:30. Therefore, he began his reign after he took his seat on David throne. The Ancient of Days gave Christ his throne and he began his reign after returning to heaven.
a. First, notice Daniel: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed,” Daniel 7:13-14.
b. Further, notice Jesus returns to heaven with clouds. “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,” Acts 1:9-11.
c. Finally, notice Paul’s discussion of his return. “But I would not have you ignorant, brethren…Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another…,” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
2. Paul says Jesus: "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high...But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:13.
3. Paul again: "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool," Hebrews 10:12-13.
4. Illustrate: Ascended with his blood, made atonement for sins, to put away sin forever, then sat down at the right hand of God, to reign over his kingdom forever.
C. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews, but now is my kingdom not from hence," John 18:36. Daniel spake of the kingdom of God: "In the days of these kings, shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom...," Daniel 2:44.
D. Christ’s kingdom is NOW. Jesus promised the kingdom to appear in the apostles’ lifetime, Mark 9:1. They sought it before Christ ascension, Acts 1:6-7.
1. Kingdom is preached after Pentecost as existing. "Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God," Acts 8:12.
2. Paul and the kingdom of God. "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of Gods dear Son," Colossians 1:13. Also, the Apostle John claimed membership in the kingdom of God.
3. The apostle John: "I John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ," Revelations 1:9.
E. Christ’s reign is "Till." He will continue to reign "till" death has been destroyed. Paul said, "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Till is an adverb or time. It began when He sat; and will continue till he return to destroy death and the grave.
1. Some argue when Jesus comes he will set up his kingdom, and reign over it for a 1000 years.
2. But Paul said: "But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; after-ward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then COMETH THE END, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the father; when he shall have put down all rule, all authority and power.”
3. Not set it up a kingdom, but deliver it up. Not to take up rule, but to put it down all rule, all authority and power.
4. Not to begin a 1000 year reign, but to declare the end! Illustrate: Rapture, 7 years of tribulation, 1000 year reign. Notice: 2 Peter 3:9-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Let’s consider our last point.
III CHRIST IS RETURNING
A. Lastly, Paul affirms the second coming of Christ. This we can also be certain will occur. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end," 1 Corinthians 15:20-24. See Leviticus 23:9-11.
1. Paul affirms, Christ is coming, and that will be the “end.” The end of what? The end of the “last days,” Hebrews 1:1-3.
2. Notice further discussion of the “last days,” Joel 2:28-29; Isaiah 2:2-3; and Acts 2:16-18. We’re living in the “last days.”
3. And Christ shall return on the “last day” in the “last days” or “the end.” Paul describes this event in 1 Corinthians 15:23-24.
B. The resurrection promised. Paul says death shall reign until Christ returns. At that time there shall be an “end” to death, because all the dead shall be raised. “All shall be made alive” and the “last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,” 1 Corinthians 15:25-26.
1. The millennialist however, contends for the rapture, 7 years of tribulation, and a 1000 year reign of Christ on earth, when the Lord comes. Paul affirms the resurrection and then the “end.” Jesus also promised a resurrection at the “last day.” He says: “I will raise him up at the last day,” John 6:39-40; John 11:23-26. Who will he rise up?
a. Those that will come to Jesus “will be raise up at the last day.” Notice: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day,” John 6:44; John 14:6.
b. Those that have eternal life. “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day,” John 6:54. See also Luke 22:17-20; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30. Illustrate: Communion – Lord’s Supper.
2. Martha understood her brother would “be raised at the last day.” "Thy brother shall rise again. Martha said unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die," John 11:23-26. Illustrate: The last day. A great resurrection is coming.
3. The resurrection of the “good and evil shall take place at the same hour” on the last day.
a. Jesus said: "Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming, in which 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 5:28-29. When will this occur? For the hour is coming.
b. The just and the unjust, Acts 24:15. All will not sleep, but all will be changed, “when Jesus comes,” 1 Corinthians 15:50-52.
4. Therefore, “the end” and the “last day” are the same. The end/last day shall come at the consummation of all things in the “last days,” Acts 3:21. No mention of a 1000 year reign when the Lord comes, but rather, “the end” or the “last day.”
C. The judgment will come “at the last day,” John 12:48. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
1. First, Acts 17:30-31, “He hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness.”
a. Matthew 25:31-46, reveals a picture of the Lord’s return and the judgment.
b. Therefore, he judgment will take place when the Lord returns, “at the end,” or on the “last day.”
2. Further, Paul says: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad," 2 Corinthians 5:10.
3. Finally, in Romans 14:10, "For we all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Judgment shall begin at the house of God, 1 Peter 4:17-18.
D. The time for rewards. "And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as he has done," Revelations 22:12. Illustrate: Separate the sheep from the goats, Matthew 25:30-46. Also, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his ..., for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil," Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
E. Are you ready for his return? These are the last days. Christ has prolonged his return to give all time to repent.
1. “The Lord is not slack....But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heaven shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up,” 2 Peter 3:9-10. See also, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
2. Also, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then suddenly destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief,” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.
3. When Christ cometh, then cometh “the end.” Not a 1000 year reign, but the end!! If it would happen today even now, where will you spend eternity? Have you made preparation for the life that is surely to come?
4. Jeremiah wrote of Israel, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved," Jeremiah 8:20.
5. Remember beloved, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words,” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. Also, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Read and comment. All shall be changed-not all shall sleep. As I conclude, recall we discussed.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. Christ is Risen
2. Christ is Reigning
3. Christ is Returning
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, Paul affirmed the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Many theories are advocated today concerning this vital doctrine and truth. We discussed several false doctrines concerning His resurrection. To mention a few, “He just swooned away, but did not die;” or “his disciples stole the body;” or “the women went to the wrong tomb;” or finally, “He was raised spiritually, but his body has been turned into gases and is being preserved somewhere as a memorial unto God.” But Paul, declared: "Christ is risen from the dead," 1 Corinthians 15:20. And, if there be no resurrection: "then we are men most miserable, yet in our sins, and without hope in this world and the one to come."
2. Secondly, Paul affirmed the Christ is now reigning over his kingdom. And that we are subjects of His kingdom. He says: "For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death," 1 Corinthians 15:25. We noted that He is reigning NOW, and will continue His reign till he returns. Not He will begin his reign when he comes! Christ was raise: for our justification; to declare his Sonship; to sit on David throne; and to reign over his kingdom, "as king of Kings and lord of Lords," until death shall be destroyed; when He returns to claim his own.
3. Lastly, Paul affirmed that Christ is returning. First, at His return, there will be a resurrection of the dead. He says: "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming..." Further, “He (Christ) shall deliver up the kingdom to God." Not set up His kingdom. Finally, "He (Christ) shall put down all rule, all authority and power." Not take it up. Unlike many religious leaders today; Paul did not speak of a teaching known today as the rapture; seven years of tribulation; or a 1000 year reign on earth when he comes. But, rather when He comes, that will be "THE END," 1 Corinthians 15:21-24.
C. Invitation. Explain the gospel plan of salvation. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:36-38.
D. Exhortation. “With many other words did he testify and exhort,” Acts 2:39-41.
E. Motivation. "Today is the day of salvation, now is the acceptable time," 2 Corinthians 6:2.
