First Fruit - Christ Is Risen

Introduction

Today, we continue our journey through 1 Corinthians 15. I am not going to give you much of an introduction this morning. Instead, I am going just dive into the text and its message. However, before we do, let me read it and you follow along.

1 Corinthians 15:20–28 KJV 1900

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 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. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Christ’s Resurrection is the STARTING POINT of Spiritual Life!

1 Corinthians 15:20–22 KJV 1900

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Here we have one of the fundamental principles of Scripture. Note that there is now no argument about Christ’s resurrection. The Holy Spirit states emphatically, “NOW is Christ risen from the dead.” For that reason, Christ is the firstfruits. Now, it is important to note that He is the firstfruits of “them that slept.” This word “slept” unlocks our text. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit often uses word “sleep” when referring to believers who have died physically. We see several instances of this.

John 11:11–13 KJV 1900

11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

The context of these verses surrounds Lazarus’ death. If you recall, Lazarus, a close friend of Christ’s during His earthly ministry, became very sick and died. However, before Lazarus died, his two sisters, Mary and Martha, had sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was very sick. Yet, Christ did not immediately go to Lazarus to heal him. Instead, He waited two more days. During that time, Lazarus died. It is then that Jesus made the announcement to His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but i go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” Now, as might imagine, the disciples were a little confused. In their minds, if Lazarus were sleeping then he must be doing well so why go and awake him. Verse 12 helps clarify Jesus’ words. Christ was using the terms “sleep” and “sleeping” as He spoke about Lazarus’ death. If know the rest of the story, Christ goes to the tomb of Lazarus. He makes this wonderful statement to Martha.

John 11:25–26 KJV 1900

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Now note what happens.

John 11:38–44 KJV 1900

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

What a wonderful representation of the word “sleeping!” However, this story is even more wonderful in its demonstration of Christ’s power over death. We will come back to that point in a moment. For now, it is important to understand that the word “sleep” in the New Testament is often used to refer believers who have died physically. Christ initiated this understanding with His disciples and the Holy Spirit continued to use that same term throughout the rest of the New Testament. Thus, when we come to today’s text and we read, “Christ…(became) the firstfruits of them that sleep,” we know that it means Christ is the first, or as I prefer to say, the beginning of all believer’s who have physically died.

Here is the point! Remember when Christ said to Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” Christ’s resurrection literally became the first fruit, the beginning, of all future resurrections and, more importantly, the beginning of spiritual life.

It is interesting how you cannot escape this truth in God’s Word. The only way a person can experience spiritual resurrection and future physical resurrection is through the Lord Jesus Christ. Note now two fundamental facts about all people related to Christ’s resurrection.

All people are born spiritually dead and eternally doomed.

The Holy Spirit affirms this in verses 21 and 22.

1 Corinthians 15:21–22 KJV 1900

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Note that by “man came death.” In verse 22, we see this clarified by “in Adam all die.”

Romans 5:12 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

As we know, Adam was the first man created by God. God gave Adam a very clear mandate. Do not eat of the fruit of the tree known as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned Adam that if he violated God’s mandate, he, Adam, would surely die. Fast forward in time and we find Adam now has a help mate. Her name is Eve. Eve encounters Satan, who takes on the form of a serpent. Satan convinces Eve that God really didn’t mean what He said and that God was trying to deceive both Adam and Eve. Eve looks at the fruit and see that it good to eat. She takes the fruit, takes a bite, and hands it to Adam who does the same. In that instance, both of them violated the only command give to them by God. In that moment, they sinned. Sin entered the world. Later, God comes down and He judges them for their disobedience. What was the promised judgment?

Genesis 2:17 KJV 1900

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

We know from the story of Adam’s sin that Adam did not die physically on that day. Instead, here is what happened.

Genesis 3:22–24 KJV 1900

22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Two things happened at the time of God’s action of driving Adam and Eve out of the garden. Man began dying physically that day. Man no longer had access to the tree of life and the ability to live forever. However, more importantly, man died spiritually that day. God sent Adam from the place where God met with Adam, the Garden of Eden. God also placed Cherubims (angels) and a flaming sword so that man could not return. Death, in its simpliest definition, is separation. Spiritual death is spiritual separation. Adam died spiritually that day. He slowly began dying physically. However, he was instantly cut off from God and from the place of God. Thus, “in Adam all die.” Everyone of us, from the moment we are born, begin dying physically. Yet, the more important point of this truth is the undeniable fact that we are born already spiritually dead. Adam’s sin sealed our fate.

Here is the practical application of all this. Do nothing about your spiritual condition and you will die separated from God. That is the condemnation we all live under from the moment we are conceived in the womb. No one needs to earn their way into Hell. Everyone is already slated to spend eternity in that dreadful place. It is place of torment and eternal judgment. Listen to Christ’s description of it.

Luke 16:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Mark 9:43–44 KJV 1900

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Hell is place that many talk about today. In fact, preaching on Hell has but stopped in many pulpits today. We don’t talk about it because it is a horrifying place. It is place of unquenchable fire, painful torment, and undying worms. Yet, it is real. It is reality that must be talked about for it is reality many will experience for all of eternity. Everyone is born already condemned to go there when they die physically. And, unless you place your trust in Christ’s death, burial, and resurreciton, you will end up there as well. Why? In Adam all die and all are condemned.

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What we earned for our sinful state is death.

However, the second part of Romans 6:23 is the same Good NEWS of our text today.

All people can be made spiritually alive and eternally secure in Christ.

The second part of the verse states “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Why Christ? Note again our text.

1 Corinthians 15:21–22 KJV 1900

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

By one man came death, but by another man, a greater, sinless man, came the resurrection of the dead. Thus, in Christ shall all (people) be made alive. That is the hope of Christ’s resurrection. Remember what He said to Martha.

John 11:25–26 KJV 1900

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

By the way, how can we trust that Christ is the firstfruits of resurrection? Well, the proof is that He demonstrated the ability to raise others and himself from the dead. He raised Lazarus. Remember how He called Lazarus by name. He said, “Lazarus, come forth.” It is interesting that He used Lazarus’ name instead of just saying, “Come forth.” Why is that interesting? For if Christ has just said the words, “Come forth,” every grave across the entire world would have emptied and all who had died throughout history would have resurrected. You see Christ is the Son of God. He is God. He is omnipotent. He spoke our entire universe into existence. With that same power, He would have resurrected all of the dead. Instead, He spoke to Lazarus and Lazarus was the one who came forth from the dead.

By wait, Lazarus was not the only example of Christ’s power over death. Before Lazarus, there were two others. One was the daughter of Jairus.

Mark 5:41–42 KJV 1900

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

There was also the widow’s son in Luke 7:14-15

Luke 7:14–15 KJV 1900

14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

However the greatest demonstration of His power of death is His own resurrection.

Matthew 28:1–6 KJV 1900

1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Later, in the upper room, Christ appears to His disciples and offers them proof of His resurrection.

John 20:19–20 KJV 1900

19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

As we know, Thomas, one of His disciples, missed that first appearance of Christ. He doubted the story told by the others stating...

John 20:25 KJV 1900

25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

The next Sunday evening, lo and behold, who shows up? Thomas did. He was not going to miss this meeting. What happens?

John 20:26–28 KJV 1900

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

That is the point of our text this morning. Christ is the resurrection and the life. He is firstfruits of them that sleep. He is the firsfruit of life. He is the beginning of spiritual life. He is the entry point into Heaven. Christ is offering to all who will believe the fact that He is risen. He is alive. All He seeks from us is that we believe. Iis that we fall on our knees and acknowledge him as did Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”

Guess what? The moment that you put your faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the moment that are spirituall resurrected. Remember Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s give through Jesus Christ to all who believe is ETERNAL LIFE. Note Christ’s promise.

John 5:24 KJV 1900

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

1 John 5:11–13 KJV 1900

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

May I say to anyone who has not accepted Christ and believed in all that He has done, today is the day! Today is the day of your salvation. You can stop being a spiritual corpse. You can, today, experience the greatest eternal moment of your life, your spiritual resurrection. How is that made possible?

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 KJV 1900

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Right now and right where you are, you can confess your spiritual condition of the Lord. Just tell Him that you know without a doubt that you are sinner in need of spiritual resurrection. Then, with your whole heart, place your faith in the One who resurrected Himself from the dead and has the power to resurrect you spiritually right now. You confession coupled with your firm believe will make you safe. Safe from what? Safe from a horrifying eternity without Christ in a place of everlasting torment. Remember the words of 1 John 5 that I just read a moment ago.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Now, let me wrap up our text by pointing out some additional benefits of Christ’s resurrection for all who believe.

Our main point from the text is...

Christ’s Resurrection is SURETY for Each Believer’s Future!

Look again at our text.

1 Corinthians 15:23–28 KJV 1900

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 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. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Again, the Holy Spirit states, “Christ the firstfruits; afterward...” The word “firstfruits” has two connotations. We note that firstfruits are the first or beginning products of a harvest. An additional connotation is that firstfruits is the first profit of an undertaking. In other words, His resurrection is the first of many blessings. The first major blessing of Christ’s resurrection is our own spiritual resurrection. That was the point of verses 20-22. Now, as we move into these next 6 verses, the Holy Spirit gives us additional blessings that result from Christ’s resurrection. These are future blessings. In a sense, Christ’s resurrection coupled with our spiritual resurrection become SURETY of these future blessings. So what are those blessing? I am glad you asked.

Christ’s Resurrection STRENGTHENS our hope of a coming Rapture!

1 Corinthians 15:23 KJV 1900

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

The next big event for us, as believers, is the Rapture. We see this blessing depicted in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV 1900

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 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: 17 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Whether we are asleep (physically dead) or alive, we are all going to be “caught up together…in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” There is no denying this coming event. In fact, it is this assurance of the Rapture that we “comfort one another.”

Christ’s Resurrection SECURES His future Kingdom

1 Corinthians 15:24–25 KJV 1900

24 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. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

After the Rapture, the great seven year tribulation begins. It is during that seven years when Christ will “put down all rule and all authority and power.” He will then establish His kingdom and will reign putting “all enemies under his feet.” If you want to hear more about this future blessed Kingdom, then come to our Bible Study on Wednesday nights. We are doing a careful, detailed study of the Tribulation as well as the Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.

Christ’s Resurrection SEALS Death’s Fate

1 Corinthians 15:26 KJV 1900

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

For sake of time, I will not into great detail about Christ’s victory over death. We know that His resurrection secured a great victory of sin and death. Later, in this same chapter, we will be considering verses 54-57 which state...

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 KJV 1900

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We will deal more that that at that time. But as for the future blessing of death, I want to draw your attention to Revelation 20:13-14

Revelation 20:13–14 KJV 1900

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Now consider Revelation 21:4

Revelation 21:4 KJV 1900

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Folks, there is coming a day when death will be completely abolished. There will be “no more death.” Praise the Lord! What a blessing to come!

Here is the last blessing and we are done.

Christ’s resurrection STANDS BEHIND the reality that God will be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:27–28 KJV 1900

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

People can deny God’s existence and authority all they want. In the end, He will reign.

Romans 14:11 KJV 1900

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Philippians 2:10–11 KJV 1900

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God will be all in all! You can take that one to the bank.

Conclusion