INTRODUCTION:
A. Aim: To discuss the theme, "Christian Certainties."
B. Pro: To establish that there will be no rapture, seven years tribulation or 1000 year reign on earth at Jesus Second Advent.
C. Text: 1 Cor 15:20-26
D. Outline:
1. He is risen:
2. He is reigning:
3. He is returning:
E. Remarks:
1. In this world in which we live there are many uncertainties. These are perilous time. Corporate scandals, stocks market crashes, stocks and bonds once a good means of financial security-now uncertain. World peace is constantly threatened. Terrorism on every front, now even in America. Gang violence so terrible, it leaves doubt that our children or grand children will even finish grade school, much less college. Some one has said the only thing that is certain, is uncertainty itself. Beside these, still another thing plagues our world, our nation, and the church; and that is religious uncertainty. In 1980, a religious group surveyed thousand of religious leader concerning the virgin birth, the miracles of Christ, and the resurrection from the dead. Many denied all these. Others could not determine their scripturalness from the bible. And some close to us even doubt these spiritual truths of the scripture. But, Paul affirmed three things in our scripture lesson, which we desire to 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 of the NT. Some would have us to believe several false doctrines concerning Christ’s resurrection. To mention a few, he just swooned away, but did not die; his disciples stole the body; 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 (JW). But Paul, declared: "But now is Christ risen from the dead..." Cor 15:20 If there be no resurrection: "then we are men most miserable and yet in our sins."
3. Secondly, Paul affirms that Christ is NOW REIGNING over his kingdom. And all of us are worthy subjects in the kingdom of Christ. 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 Cor 15:25 Note that he reigns NOW and until he comes to abolish death. Not he will 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 - "the redeemed from the earth."
4. Lastly, Paul affirms that Christ is returning. At his return there will be a resurrection of the saints. 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 firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming..." When he comes Paul says: "He shall deliver up the kingdom to God" Not set it up. When he comes: "He shall put down all rule and authority and power" Not take it up. Unlike many so called religious leaders today; Paul did not speak of a rapture, seven years of tribulation; or a 1000 year reign on earth when he comes, but rather when he comes this will be "THE END." 1 Cor 15:21-24
BODY OF LESSON
I. HE 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 firstfruits of them that slept." 1 Cor 15:20 Christ’s resurrection was the subject of his teaching to his apostles for nearly 3½ years. Mt 16:21"From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priest and scribes, and be killed, and be raise again the third day." Paul says in Rom 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." Rom 1:3-4
B. The message of the resurrection of Christ was the subject of the apostles’ preaching. 1 Cor 15:1-2; 12-19 Peter on Pentecost. Acts 2:29-36 Paul’s preaching. Acts 17:19-34 "And the times of this ignorance... Because he hath appointed a day, in the 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." 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? The church has lost the importance of apostolic preaching concerning the resurrection of Christ.
C. The message of the resurrection of Christ was the subject of prophecy. 1 Cor 15:3-4 Notice also, Due 18:15-19; Isa 53; Psm 2, 16, 22, 110, Dan 12, & Zech 13:7. All of these references make mention of his death, burial and resurrection. Paul says: "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."
D. The resurrection of Christ was the subject of proven eyewitness testimony. 1 Cor 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 1, 2, 9; 22; & 26 Illustrate: Eye witness testimony in court.
E. Theories concerning the resurrection. Comments from the Passover Plot.
1. Resurrection was spiritual but not physical. Jn 2:19-21 They seen him after his resurrection. Lk 24:36-49 The apostles seen his body, with the holes in his hands, and in his side. Jn 20:24-31 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 had hanged on the tree, which was buried, that was raised from the dead. 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 correct. The body was a fake, they were deceived by Christ; and bared witness of a lie. And worst, they suffered persecutions and death for their faith; and countless billions now believe a lie, which has the sanction of God, and commission of Christ. Illustrate: Body of Christ. Phil 3:20-21; 1 Jn 3:1-2, 1 Cor 15:50-58
2. Body was stole by the disciples. Not true. These frighten men were hiding for fear of the Jews. Jn 20:19 They had forsaken him, Mk 14:50; They denied knowledge of him. Surely these men did not steal the body. Evidence at the tomb does not bear witness that the body had been stolen. Notice: The linen cloth. Jn 19:40; 20:5-7; 11:44; and Lk 24:12 3. Swooned away. Did not really die, just appeared that way. However he was beaten, drug a cross to Calvary, was nailed to it; he hung there for more than 6 hours; a soldier pierced his side; but he only pretended to be dead. Then at the right time (we don’t know how) he burst the linen cloths, broke down the door and over powered the guards and fled. It takes more to believe this than the written testimony of the scriptures: he was dead, he was buried and he was raised from the dead. Jn 19:40, Mt 28:1-10
4. Women went to the wrong tomb (it was dark) Jn 20:1. If this be so, then the officials sealed the wrong tomb; the soldiers guarded the wrong tomb; the angels rolled away the stone at the wrong tomb; the disciples inspected the wrong tomb, and God did not know where his Son was buried. How foolish. Mt 27:59-61, Mk 15:42-47 But why was Jesus raised? "For our justification; to declare his Sonship; to sit on David’s throne; and to begin reigning over his kingdom."
II. HE IS REIGNING:
A. Christ’s reign is NOW. The second certainty that each Christian can know is that Christ is reigning over his kingdom NOW. Paul says: "For he must reign, till (adverb of time) he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor 15:25-26 The angel of the Lord announced to Mary Jesus’ reign over his kingdom. Lk 1:32-33 "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 for ever; and his kingdom there shall be no end." Here the angel pronounces that Jesus shall be given the throne of his father David, and will reign over the house of Jacob forever. When did Jesus receive his throne and begin his reign? It seems to me if we can answer that, then the question of his reign has been settled. Won’t you agree?
B. Christ raised to Sit. Peter states in his sermon on the day of Pentecost that Christ was raised to sit on David’s throne. Please go to Acts 2:29 beginning. Are your eyes there church? "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, Peter said that Jesus was "RAISED TO SIT ON DAVID THRONE." Therefore, he began his reign after he took his seat on David throne. C. Christ kingdom is spiritual. Jn 18:36 "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." Daniel spake of that kingdom. Dan 2:44 "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom..."
D. Christ’s kingdom is NOW. Why? Because his reign is NOW! Jesus promised that the kingdom would appear in the apostle’s lifetime. Mk 9:1, Also Acts 1:6-7 The apostles sought it before Christ ascension. Kingdom preached after Pentecost as existing. Acts 8:12 "Philip preaching the kingdom of God" Paul taught the kingdom of God. Col 1:13 "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." Also, the Apostle John claimed membership in the kingdom of God. Rev 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ."
E. Christ must reign "till." Christ reigns over his kingdom NOW and it will continue until 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." Some argue when he comes he will set up his kingdom, and reign over his kingdom for a 1000 years. But, Paul says: "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; 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 and all authority and power." Not set it up, but deliver it up. Not to take up rule, but to put it down. Not to begin a 1000 year reign, but to declare the end! Illustrate: Rapture, 7 years of tribulation, 1000 year reign (R7_1000). Theories from prominent denominational literature, but not in the bible!
1. These verses (1 Cor 15:24-26) imply that Christ now rule and all things are under his feet but one thing. That is Death. When did God put all things under his feet?
2. Paul says to the Ephesians: "He (God) wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all." Eph 1:20-23 Notice God raised him, set him at his own right hand, put all things under his feet. Mt 28:18
3. Peter says: "Christ, who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." 1 Pet 3:21-22, Acts 1:11, Eph 4:8-10
4. Hebrew letter says: "Who...when he had himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high...But unto the Son he saith, thy throne, O God is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?" Heb 1:3,8,13
5. Remember Peter, "For David is not ascended into the heavens, but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore...both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:34-36, Rev 19:6-16, 1 Tim 6:13-16 He is both: Lord and Christ. He is both: Son and God.
6. Conclusion: Christ was raised to sit on David’s throne. He began his reign when he sat down on the right hand of God as "Son and God" and "Lord and Christ." All things are under his feet except death. He will continue to reign until he returns at his Second Coming. At which time he will abolish death (with the resurrection), and then put down all rule and authority and power. The millennialists have it all wrong. There is no R7_1000.
III. HE IS RETURNING:
A. Lastly, Paul affirms the Second Coming of Christ. This we can also be certain. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end. ..." 1 Cor 15:22-24 Paul affirms, that at Christ’s coming, that will be the “end.” The end of what? The end of the “Last Days.” See Heb 1:1-2; Joel 2:28-29; Isa 2:2-3; and Acts 2:16-18 We are living in the last days. And Christ shall come on the “last day” of the “last days” or “the end” as Paul describes it in 1 Cor 15:23-24 Two important things will happen on the "last day" of the "last days" or at "the end." They are the resurrection and the judgment!
B. The resurrection promised on the "last day." 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...." 1 Cor 15:25-26
The millennialists however, contend for a rapture, 7 years tribulation, and a 1000-year reign of Christ on earth, when "He comes." Paul affirms a resurrection when "He comes" or "and the end.” Jesus also promised a resurrection at the “last day.” Jn 6:39, 40 “...I will raise him up at the last day.” Who will he raise at the "last day"?
1. Those who come to Jesus, “will be raised at the last day.” Jn 6:44-45 “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. It is written in the prophets....” Jn 14:6
2. Those who have eternal life, Jesus “will raise at the last day.” “Jn 6:54 “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” Lk 22:17-20; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:23-30
3. 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..." Jn 11:23-26 Illustrate: The last day. A great resurrection is coming.
4. The resurrection of the “good and evil shall take place at the same hour” on the last day. Jn 5:28-29 Jesus said: "Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming, in the 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." Jn 5:28-29 The just and the unjust. Acts 24:15 All will not sleep, but all will be changed. “When he comes.” 1 Cor 15:50-52
5. Therefore, “the end” and the “last day” are the same. "The end" or "the last day" shall come at the "consummation of all things." Act 3:21 There is no mention of a rapture, 7 years of tribulation or a 1000 year reign when the Lord comes, but rather, the “last day” “the end” and "consummation of all things." (The body and spirit once again reunited as a result of the resurrection "at the last day" or "at his coming" "at the end").
C. The judgment promised “on the last day.” Jn 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.” Also, Acts 17:30-31 “...he hath appoint a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness....” Matt 25:31-46, Reveals is a picture of the Lord’s return and the judgment. Therefore, judgment will take place when the Lord comes, “at the end,” or on the “last day.” 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 Cor 5:10 Also, in Rom 14:10 "...For we all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Judgment shall begin at the house of God. 1 Pet 4:17-18
D. The time for rewards. Rev 22:12 "And behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as he has done." Mt 25:30-46 Illustrate: Separate the sheep from the goats. Also, Ecc 12:13-14 "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."
E. Are you ready for his return? These are the last days; Christ has prolonged his return to give all men time to repent. 2 Pet 3:9-10 “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.” See also 2 Thes 1:7-10
1. Coming as a thief in the night. 1 Thes 5:1-4 “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh 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.” When "Christ comes," 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? Jeremiah wrote of Israel, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Jer 8:20
2. 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 Thes 4:16-18 Also, 1 Cor 15:50-58, Read and comment. There is no mention of a R7_1000 in any of the verses we have studied. No second chance. No additional time to repent. No 1000-year reign of Christ on earth. These theories exit only in the mind and imagination of men - not in the scriptures. If you would be saved - now is the time. Today is all you have - tomorrow is not promised.
CONCLUSION:
A. Summarize main points.
1. He is risen.
2. He is reigning.
3. He is returning.
B. Christ is raised, and so shall all be. Whether unto life or damnation depends entirely on us. Then it will be too late. Each saint must accept the truth of the resurrection. For this is the hope of our salvation. 1 Jn 3:1-2; Phil 3:20-21
C. Christ is reigning over his kingdom. Which we are all members. We are his subjects. And as such, he commands and we ought to willing obey his will. He wants our willing obedience in every facet of service. He wants our willing trust in every situation in life. He wants our triumphant success over every problem in life. And as King of kings, and Lord of lords, he can assure us of our continued victory in all life’s conflicts.
D. Finally, Christ is returning. Are you ready for his return? Are you one of those wise virgins or one of the foolish? It takes preparation to be ready. Have you made preparation? If you have not, then you should make good use of this time now. "Today is the day of salvation, now is the acceptable time." 2 Cor 6:2
E. Invitation, exhortation, motivation.
