1 Corinthians 15:20-58 21st April 2002 Basingstoke
THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE
When Nikita Khrushchev died, a humorous story circulated in political circles.
The Communist party who’d cast Mr Khrushchev aside were uncomfortable about burying his body on Soviet soil.
So they called the President of the United States, Richard Nixon, asking if the U.S. would take Khrushchev’s corpse.
Nixon had his own problems at the time and declined.
Then the Soviet leaders tried Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel.
She was agreeable but added, "I must warn you that this country has the world’s highest resurrection rate."
We may laugh but the events of Easter and the Resurrection give us hope!
Jesus’ resurrection gives hope to every Christian believer that death is not the end.
However it was for Krushchev – Christian believers will rise again! Death is not final!
Corinthians caught in materialistic world couldn’t see beyond their present troubles.
Like today many have no hope - when you die that’s it!
No future, only death. How gloomy! Despair!
v13 "Some of you say there is no resurrection from the dead"
Listen! Truth is quite the opposite.
Christians like others face world’s troubles but we see them in the light of eternity!
1. OUR HOPE GIVES US CERTAINTY:
(i) Certainty there’ll be a Harvest! v20 v23
v20 "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep".
In answer to sceptics who were saying when you’re dead you’re dead
Paul states firmly in light of the resurrection "But Christ has indeed risen!"
A new day has in fact dawned!
Jesus is the 1st fruit of an immense harvest yet to come - an OT Picture.
The 1st fruits of harvest were offered to God – He promised the rest will follow.
Jesus the 1st fruit has risen and God promises a full “Harvest” of his people will be gathered in ..
v22 "Those IN CHRIST will ALL be made alive"!
“All” is explained in v23 as "Those who belong to Him"
Again in v23 Paul talks about the "First fruits".
All who by Grace are IN CHRIST will be raised from death! It will have no hold!
That includes you if you’ve committed your life to Him. You’ll be part of the harvest!
In Spiritual sense already happened.!
Eph 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
But our perishable human bodies can’t inherit the imperishable!
In v50 Paul declares Flesh and blood can’t inherit the kingdom!
We must wait for resurrection day!! Jesus return! We will be given new bodies
v23 "Each in His turn" clear order- Military term.
1st of all “Christ the first-fruits”. Then those of us who belong to Him
Order will be – “Asleep in Christ” v20,= those who’ve already died as believers Then “those alive who belong to Him” v23 = those alive when He returns
§ If you are a Christian Believer then since Christ is risen and You are IN HIM
You can be certain of Resurrection too!
Our Hope is based on the certainty of God’s Promised harvest of believers
Jesus has risen He is the first- fruit. You certainly follow Him!
(2) Certainty that Death has been defeated v21-22
“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Death isn’t merely a natural or unpleasant thing- its punishment for Human Sin!
Adam disobeyed God - “Eat and you’ll surely die!” and He died and so will we.
But....
Here’s another man. Not a man from Earth but a man from Heaven!
v47 Adam was of the dust of the earth,… Christ from Heaven!
Christ came from heaven and became a man
The man from heaven! The sinless Son of God gave Himself as a sacrifice for me upon the Cross.
Paid the penalty for all my guilt, my bitterness, selfishness and pride, Paid for all my defiance and my rejection of God,
Paid for my independence & my wilfulness that left God out in the cold.
Jesus, the pure, holy one the man from heaven took the wrap for me and for you!
The man from heaven died for you! Judgement on sin was carried out He bore it!
By doing that and rising again the sting of death has been removed!
v55 Paul quotes prophecies of Isaiah and Hosea – fulfilled in Jesus!
Hosea 13:14 "I will ransom them from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? "
Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.
Jesus has done that Paid the ransom price! Redeemed us from death!
He has removed the disgrace from us by dying for us and has risen from death
Death and the grave had no power over Him
He is the life giver who gives us life v22, v45 He wipes tears of grief from our faces
v49 Just as we have borne the likeness of Adam we shall bear the likeness of Jesus!
There is Hope, we can be certain because Jesus defeated death! It’s Penalty paid!!
There is life and victory in Jesus!
(3) Certainty that God’s Kingdom will come! v24f
v24 The end will come when Jesus hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
Bible shows us the world isn’t aimless. History is moving towards a goal!
The end will come - Telos- Not end but fulfilment completion
History is moving towards a day of reckoning, when God’s purposes for creation will be fulfilled. The day of Jesus return!
We are “Teleological beings”!! Life is not aimless or haphazard chance!!
v25 Jesus will reign until he’s put all his enemies under his feet.
v26 Last enemy to be destroyed is death.
v28 Jesus himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all”.
That’s where our universe is headed - Ultimate goal = "God may be all in all" v28
As Christians we’re destined to share in His kingdom!!
God will be revealed as judge - He will have the last word on our lives
Every single living soul will bow the knee before Him centre on Him
Judgement day will be a day full of Hope for Christian believers.
Wrongs and injustices will be accounted for!
God’s sovereign rule universally recognised & Death and evil overthrown!
Those who belong to Christ will be saved!
Sadly those outside of Christ will face a lost eternity of eternal separation - Hell!
Our Hope is based on certainty-
§ Certainty Jesus rose - 1st Fruit, there will be a harvest! We will be part of it!!
§ Certainty the Man from heaven died & rose. Death’s sting gone! Sins penalty paid!
§ Certainty that God’s Kingdom will come – a day when all history will reach the climax of God’s plan As believers we belong to that kingdom
2. OUR HOPE HAS MEANING v29-34
(1) Our Hope gives meaning to Baptism v29
v29 "Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
Like Mormons some in Corinth mistakenly practised baptism by proxy!
Paul doesn’t agree with the practice but uses it to make his point
Why on earth baptise someone on behalf of the dead if there’s no resurrection!!
If the dead aren’t raised they’re gone for good! There’s no point in doing it!!
We don’t baptise people on behalf of those who have died
But Baptism is a sign of life- of resurrection –
It’s a drama based on Jesus death & resurrection
Believer goes into the water – your old life buried with Christ.
You come out raised to new life living in power of His spirit
Baptism only has meaning if there’s resurrection!
(2) Our Hope gives meaning to Suffering v30-32
Paul asks why on earth do Christians put themselves in danger for the Gospel if there’s no resurrection? Why suffer for the Gospel if life is only for now?
Are Christians masochists?
Look through centuries millions of martyrs - Why did they suffer if no resurrection?
v32 "If the dead are not raised.." Surely better to say "Let us eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die!! "
Suffering for gospel only has meaning if there’s a resurrection! If there’s a future
Only has meaning if there’s justice – wrongs will be righted – reward for faithfulness
(3) Our Hope gives meaning to moral behaviour v33-34
Paul warns about behaviour.
v33 "Don’t be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; "
What is the point of keeping your self pure if death is end?
If life’s preparation for eternity it makes sense to watch how you live now
If I know I must give account to God, it’s good to watch how I live!
If I know I’m going somewhere holy and pure – a reason to watch my life now!
But if there’s no resurrection – there will be no judgement! Why bother?
Hope gives meaning to:- Baptism, Suffering, and Holiness.
3. OUR HOPE PROMISES CHANGE v34-44
None of us like change – but be ready for some change when you die!!
What’s going to happen when we die?
Maybe it’s a question in your own mind?
v35 "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?"
v50 makes clear our present bodies are incapable of future glory.
But we are told we will share Christ’s likeness!
We’re also told there will be continuity with our bodies –
We shall be raised, not destroyed, not reincarnated or recycled (Hindus)
(1) There’ll be Change when your body Dies v36-38
Our present bodies won’t last for ever – some of you are only to aware of that now!
Paul illustrates from nature, just as Jesus did.
He said a grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die before new life can begin.
“How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.
Your body will wear out - become ill, - eventually it will die and be buried and decay.
There can be no new life without first your death and burial.
(2) There’ll be Change that results in a new body v39-44
In the physical realm we see a variety of bodies human, animal, sun, moon stars etc
Each has a body to suit its own environment.
A Star won’t shine in water, A fish won’t live long in the air.
Your body may be useful now but will be useless in the perfection of heaven. Your body will be buried & rot, your ashes will be scattered round the crematorium
But v44 God promises to provide a spiritual body suited to His kingdom.
"It is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body"
Contrast in v42ff
Physical body is Perishable v then it will be Imperishable body
Present body knows Dishonour v then it will be full of glory
Present body knows Weakness v then it will be powerful
Present body is Natural v then it will be spiritual
There’s much we’d love to know but we’re not told – Only told what we need to know!
We can look to Jesus resurrection body for some clues.
bore marks of crucifixion -clearly same person yet unlimited by time & space He passed through walls, locked doors yet he could be touched he ate food.
His glorified body ascended to heaven into heaven.
V49 says “We shall bear the likeness of the man from heaven!”
There’ll be no tears, no pain, no tiredness or arthritus
No cancer or bad backs, no aging no death!
What a change! What a hope! Watch this space....
4. OUR HOPE ANTICIPATES JESUS COMING v50-54
v51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- in a flash, 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. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
This is a “MYSTERY”!! – its not obvious – we can only know because God reveals it.
We can’t work it out in our minds something we must receive by faith
Wonderful thing here is that Death is pictured as sleep –
Your next conscious moment will be waking in the presence of Jesus –
You’ll awake to Jesus’ return –
The Resurrection will happen on the day He comes back!
The very last day of time and eternity – the last page of history.
So our death moves us from time into eternity.
You’ll be Woken not by an Alarm clock but by a Trumpet! v52
The transformation will take place “in the blink of eye!” v52
In a flash - a moment - Greek word "atom" = in the smallest possible unit!
In death there is nothing to fear - In that split second you awake you’ll be raised to new imperishable immortal life with Him!
Praise the Lord!
CONCLUSION v58
v58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Because of our Hope:
1. STAND FIRM. “Let nothing move you” – Receive Assurance
Let God’s Word remove all trace of fear from your heart & mind.
Don’t let fear rob you of the certainty and Hope that God wants you to enjoy now
2. BE COMMTTED “ Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord
There’s a purpose to all this! The victory will be real its not false triumphalism
But this isn’t something merely to put your own mind at rest –giving you hope
As you receive this message there’s a responsibility to share it with others
Many people around us have no hope whatsoever
They live with a vague belief in heaven – at most funerals people often say “well he’s in a better place now” without any firm basis for believing that
The reality is that without faith in Christ they face a lost eternity
So if you know the truth “Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord”
Don’t be idle
I wonder if you’re one of those people who isn’t sure how you stand
Do you know without a shadow of doubt what your destiny is?
Q? On what basis do you believe you have eternal life?
Based upon your own achievement and goodness? You’re in for a shock!
Our hope is built on nothing less that Jesus – on His forgiveness brought about by His death on the cross for us – unless you have received his forgiveness and His gift of eternal life you have no hope.
Today all that can change – I urge you to come to Christ – confess your sin receive His forgiveness receive His gift of eternal life
You can have Hope
It’s Certain – death is defeated - God’s Kingdom is coming!
It has Meaning – meaning is seen in Baptism rising from death to new life
- It makes sense of suffering, it gives meaning to living a moral life.
It means change. after your present body is decayed you’ll have a new body!
It anticipates Jesus return - we will see Him and be with Him for ever!
