Last week we read how Paul reiterated the message of the Gospel and the certainty of Christ’s resurrection.
• He has to re-emphasize that because among the Corinthians was a group of believers who denied the resurrection of the dead.
• They were the arrogant troublemakers who were immature but think of themselves as super-spiritual and better than the rest.
• They believed that they have already attained the spiritual life in the here and now and there is no need for any future resurrection.
• It was for this reason that Paul has to write this chapter.
Paul set the stage for countering such a false assumption by stating, at the start of this chapter - that which is “of first importance” (3) – is that Jesus Christ has been raised.
• He appealed to the traditions of the church, to the many eyewitnesses and his own encounter with the risen Christ.
• We have ample historical evidence of the resurrection of Christ and hence, “How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (12)
1 Cor 15:12-28 ESV – THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For “God 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. 28When 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.
There are two parts to Paul’s argument here:
• 12-19: “If Christ Has Not Been Raised” (14)… and Its Implications
• 20-28: “But Christ Has Been Raised” (20)… and Its Implications
“If Christ Has Not Been Raised” (14) and Its Implications (12-19)
This group of proud Corinthians were not questioning Christ’s resurrection but the resurrection of the dead.
• They believe that they will have some kind of “spiritual” existence after death rather than a bodily resurrection like Christ.
• Influenced by Greek philosophy, they think of the body as a prison that traps the soul and at death, we are delivered.
Paul argues that we cannot believe in Christ’s resurrection and not the resurrection of the dead. We cannot separate the two.
• We either have both or none. The resurrection is not a good-to-have but an integral part of the Gospel.
13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
• To deny the resurrection is to deny the resurrection of Christ too.
• It is logically impossible to believe in the resurrection of Christ and yet not ours. We cannot have one without the other.
• To believe that He rose on the third day would mean the dead in Christ would be raised as well. Christ’s resurrection guarantees ours.
Since God has provided undeniable proof for Christ’s resurrection (last week’s message) – seen by Cephas, the twelve, more than 500 witnesses, and Paul himself – then there would be the resurrection of the dead.
• The implication of denying the resurrection of the dead is the denial of Christ’s resurrection.
• For on what basis can we believe in the resurrection of Christ when there is no resurrection of the dead?
14“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”
• Suppose there is no resurrection and Christ has not been raised, the implications are huge. Paul began to list them.
• (1) Our preaching is in vain, useless. What and why are we preaching? What message do we have? A Saviour who died with no evidence of life beyond?
• (2) Our faith would also be in vain, futile. What are we trusting in? On what basis do you believe?
And (3): 15We are even found to be misrepresenting God because we testified about God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
• We are false witnesses telling some fake news! We are “mispresenting God” and making the false claim that He raised Christ.
• That would make us liars, preaching a lie and carrying it out in God’s Name. We are defaming God.
There are serious implications when we deny the resurrection, Paul says.
• Consider carefully what you are believing. Consider what we have heard and believed regarding the Gospel and the risen Christ.
• Consider the evidence that God has shown us, through church traditions and the many eyewitnesses, including mine, Paul says.
And the implications continue…
17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If Christ has not been raised, we have no proof of God’s acceptance of His sacrifice.
• If Jesus remains dead, then our faith is futile and sin remains. And for those who have died, they perished for good. There is no future of any kind.
Paul makes a connection between the resurrection and our salvation.
• Without the resurrection, we have no divine vindication of the righteous sacrifice of Christ and no sure validation of our redemption in Christ.
• We have no clear verdict. The work of Christ on the cross remains a “question mark”, a mystery. There is no vindication or validation of what took place at the cross.
• Without the resurrection, we are left guessing about our atonement. Where is the certainty of our justification in Christ? How sure are we that we are saved?
Paul states it clearly when he writes Romans (later on).
• Rom 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” NIV
• Rom 5:10 “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” NIV
• The resurrection of Christ testified to God’s acceptance of His sacrifice. He was raised for our justification!
If not, Paul goes on here in verse 19: 19If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
• If all we had is this earthly experience with Christ (since He ends up in death), then we are “of all people most to be pitied”, because we have given our lives to preaching it, believing it and serving it.
• We are not only “scammers” misrepresenting God but being “scammed” ourselves. Cheated and deceived.
• We are victims of a scam, living like we have great hope and a future.
CNA has this documentary a few weeks back about an online job offer scam. The syndicate uses social media to advertise high-paying jobs to lure their victims.
Once the candidates were brought into the country, they were led to a building and became their subjects, held like prisoners within the compound. They were helpless because their passports and phones have been confiscated.
They were taught to operate cheating scams online and on the phones, and forced to work long hours. They were beaten and starved when they choose not to cooperate. That’s their so-called high-paying jobs – scammers!
It was pitiful. They had fallen for a lie!
“But Christ Has Been Raised”… and Its Implications (20-28)
Having laid out his arguments, hypothetically, if Christ has not been raised, Paul now states the truth! But Christ has indeed been raised.
• Paul has already argued his case confidently in the section before this.
• Christ has been raised – based on church traditions (oral and written), the many eyewitnesses and my encounter with the risen Christ.
• That’s the truth! What are the implications of this?
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
• Christ led the way. Being the very first resurrected Being, He has become the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”.
• Paul uses the phrase deliberately - those who have “fallen asleep” – implying their will arise from their sleep.
Saying He is the “firstfruits” means there are more to come. “Firstfuit” is a harvest word. With the “firstfruits”, we can anticipate the rest of the harvest.
• In other words, whatever happened to Christ will surely happen to those who have trusted Christ, those who have fallen asleep in Christ.
• Followers of Christ will follow Christ. His resurrection anticipates ours.
• His resurrection is proof that there will be more to come – the resurrections of those who have believed Christ!
21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ.
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” We studied this in Romans 5.
• The first Adam brought sin and death, but Christ brought righteousness and life.
• The disobedience of one man led to God’s judgment; the obedience of Christ led to God’s justification of sinners.
• Because Jesus paid the penalty of sin brought about by the first Adam.
Paul has earlier written to the Thessalonians in 1 Thess 4:13-14
13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
At the return of Christ, all who have “fallen asleep” will arise.
• And at the end of the age, all the dead will be raised to face God at the Last Judgment.
15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. It is not our body that will be destroyed but death.
• Our bodies will be transformed, not destroyed. Paul says later in 1 Cor 15:51-53:
51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
Let’s conclude:
Christ’s resurrection is the heart of the Gospel. Take that away, there is no hope for us.
• Our resurrection is sure because Christ has been raised. And because He has been raised, then…. (let me reverse the words said here):
1. Our preaching is not in vain, it has eternal significance (14)
2. Our faith is not in vain, it is anchored in the unchanging truth of the Gospel (14)
3. We are true witnesses of what God has said and done (15)
4. We are no longer in our sin, we are forgiven and justified (17)
5. We who “fall asleep” will awake and be transformed in His presence (18)
6. We are greatly blessed and not pitiful (19)
Let me close with this thought. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
Jesus was confronted by the death of his friend Lazarus. He arrived at the place late:
John 11:21-26
11:21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
[the perspective of man, emphasizing His absence or His delay…]
22But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.”
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
[theoretically correct, the resurrection can only happen in the distant future…]
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Jesus said, “I AM the resurrection and the life” and challenged her to believe it.
Martha saw TIME as a great obstacle, even for Jesus…
• “You should have come before he died; it’s now too late, and about resurrection, well that has to wait until the last day!”
• Jesus draws her attention to the present. “I AM the resurrection and the life.”
• It is not about the EVENT but the PERSON of Jesus. There is no resurrection apart from Him; there is no life apart from Him.
We have victory over death the moment we place our trust in Jesus Christ.
• The focus is on the PERSON of Jesus Christ. We are assured today of the future realities because of Jesus.
• John 17:3 says “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
• Eternal life is not defined by time but by a relationship with Christ.
Jesus went to the tomb and even before He called Lazarus out…
• 11:40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”
• Jesus said all these BEFORE Lazarus was resurrected and not after. It’s so easy to say them after. Jesus believes and trusts the Father fully.
• His challenge to Martha remains the same: “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (40)
• 43When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”
Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
• Can we trust Him today? Is there anything too hard for Him?
• Can we believe Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, You are the resurrection and the life. Not just for the distant future but for now. You speak life to those who are spiritually dead or dying and to those who are grieving and without hope.
Grant us this faith in the midst of our daily challenges. Your presence with us changes everything. We believe You, Lord. You are our assurance and our hope.
No tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword can separate us from Your love. In all these things we are more than conquerors because of You.
We thank you for your presence with us. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
You can listen to the audio sermon with slides at https://youtu.be/BpLfl2QR7bY
Earlier audio sermons are available at https://tinyurl.com/KTCC-EnglishService
