The King's Victory

TURN to 1 CORINTHIANS 15 PG. # in PEW BIBLE???

Background:

1 CORINTHIANS = WRITTEN by APOSTLE PAUL

ADDRESSING SIN & DIVISION in CORINTHIAN CHURCH (ANCIENT CITY of CORINTH in GREECE)

PAUL ADDRESSES: NEED for LIVING RIGHT in the BODY GOD HAS GRANTED to US...

AFTER ALL THIS— PAUL MOVES to CLIMAX W/ HOPE of RESURRECTION as the HOPE FOR HUMANITY...

----------------------------

IN 1 COR. 15:

PAUL ADDRESSES THOSE WHO DENIED RESURRECTION....

&& HE SHARES HOW ESSENTIAL RESURRECTION IS.

BEGINS CH. 15— W/ JESUS’ RESURRECTION’S CENTRALITY to GOSPEL MESSAGE...

MOVES to IT’S ATTESTATION AMONGST VARIOUS WITNESSES:

PETER

TO THE REST OF THE DISCIPLES,

EVEN TO A CROWD OF BELIEVERS NUMBERING IN EXCESS OF 500,

THEN TO JAMES,

THEN TO THE REST OF THE APOSTLES,

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST TO PAUL HIMSELF IN HIS VISION OF CHRIST ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD.

**MOST of THESE = STILL ALIVE @ PAUL’S WRITING!!**

PAUL MOVES to VS 12 to DEFENDING FUTURE RESURRECTION of BELIEVERS in LIGHT of CHRIST’S RESURRECTION.

BEGIN BY READING PASSAGE... READ VERSES 12 THROUGH 28

Scripture Reading:

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And 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. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “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. 28 When 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.

--- Open in Prayer ---

🐢🐢🐢 --- 30 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

INTRO: “WHAT IF THERE IS MORE?”

IN THE WORLD TODAY, I WOULD VENTURE to SAY THAT the VAST MAJORITY of PEOPLE DEVOTE their ENTIRE LIVES to FLEETING THINGS... TO THINGS THAT PERTAIN to THIS LIFE ONLY.

FEW YEARS AGO: Y.O.L.O. (YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE) —BECAME NOT ONLY COMMON PHILOSOPHY.... BUT COMMON SAYING

I KNOW THE SAYING = NOW OUTDATED

YEARS in YOUTH MINISTRY — NEW SAYINGS = OUTDATED in NO TIME = IMPOSSIBLE to KEEP UP...

----------------------------------

EVEN THOUGH the SAYING HAS DIED OFF.... the PRINCIPLE HASN’T.

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE..

MIGHT AS WELL LIVE IT UP & ENJOY the RIDE

LEADS to SINFUL & RECKLESS LIVING...

NONE GETTING OUT ALIVE? MIGHT AS WELL GET ALL YOU CAN OUT OF IT.

COMMON WORLDVIEW: EVEN IF PEOPLE DON’T SAY IT OUT LOUD.

LIVING FOR EARTHLY PLEASURES

ACCUMULATING STUFF—MOTH & RUST WILL DESTROY

LIVING FOR SELF— WHATEVER IS BEST FOR THEM

>>> BECAUSE YOU’RE GOING to DIE ANYWAYS. <<<

MAKES SENSE to SOME EXTENT...

PAUL EVEN LATER in 1 COR. — IF THERE’S NO RESURRECTION “LET US EAT & DRINK…TOMORROW WE DIE”

IF WHAT WE SEE IS ALL THERE IS—THIS = UNDERSTANDABLE APPROACH to LIFE...

-------------------------------------------------

BUT, I WANT US TO CONSIDER THIS MORNING, WHAT IF THIS VIEW IS WRONG?

WHAT IF Y.O.L.O. ISN’T ENTIRELY TRUE?

WHAT IF THERE IS LIFE BEYOND DEATH?

WHAT IF THERE is A HOPE of FINAL RESURRECTION?

& WHAT IF YOU HAVE to GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR THE WAY YOU LIVED THIS LIFE AFTER YOUR DEATH?

SHOULD THAT NOT CHANGE the WAY WE LIVE & VIEW LIFE??

ALL HUMANITY AGREES on the INEVITABILITY of DEATH

BUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS.....THAT IS WHERE THE QUESTION COMES IN.

NEED:

· THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE NEED OUR TEXT TODAY.

PAUL IS GOING TO OFFER A DEFENSE OF the FUTURE RESURRECTION of BELIEVERS,, in LIGHT of the RESURRECTION of JESUS CHRIST FROM the DEAD..... && WHAT THIS ENTAILS FOR ETERNITY...

THIS ANCIENT EVENT IS CERTAINLY MORE RELEVANT TO ALL OF US THAN ANY OF US WOULD EVER REALIZE.

(T) NOW, I WANT US TO LOOK AGAIN AT OUR TEXT THIS MORNING, BEGINNING IN 1 CORINTHIANS 15, VERSE 12. THE TEXT SAYS,

🐢🐢🐢 --- 26 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

TEXT: 1 COR. 15:12-28 ESV

THOUGHT 1: PAUL’S PROVOKING QUESTION (V12)

1 Corinthians 15:12–28 (ESV)

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

APPARENTLY: SOME in CORINTH DENIED BODILY RESURRECTION as a CONCEPT...

**SPECIFICALLY the RESURRECTION of BELIEVERS,, NOT CHRIST**

GREEK WORLDVIEW (LARGELY):

BODY = EVIL to BE ESCAPED

SOME BELIEVED in IMMORTALITY of the SOUL… (FLOATING DISEMBODIED SPIRITS)

SOME BELIEVED in NOTHING AFTER DEATH

BUT BODILY RESURRECTION = a DISTINCTLY JEWISH BELIEF in ANTIQUITY...

&& FOR JEWS—THOSE WHO BELIEVED in RESURRECTION: BELIEVED in ONE GRAND END-TIME RESURRECTION.

--------------------------------------------

IN 1ST CENTURY WORLDVIEW: RESURRECTION of CHRIST = JUST as INCREDIBLE AS it it TODAY

**NO ONE SAW THIS COMING**

^^JEWS—ONLY BELIEVERS in RESURRECTION—WEREN’T ANTICIPATING a 2-STAGE ONE!^^

RESURRECTION of CHRIST = CLIMACTIC IN-BREAKING of KINGDOM of GOD INTO the CREATION!!

------------------------------------------

SO,, CORINTHIANS (GREEKS) = STRUGGLING to BELIEVE in FUTURE RESURRECTION of ALL

PAUL ESSENTIALLY SAYS:

“IF WE PROCLAIM RESURRECTION of CHRIST,, HOW CAN YOU DENY RESURRECTION ALTOGETHER???”

—>> DOESN’T THIS SEEM INCONSISTENT to YOU??

(T) AND PAUL CONTINUES THIS LINE OF THINKING,,,

LOOK WITH ME AT VERSES 13 AND 14. THE TEXT SAYS,

🐢🐢🐢 --- 23 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

THOUGHT 2: THE VANITY OF FAITH APART FROM RESURRECTION (V13-14)

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

PAUL’S ARGUMENT COMES to a LOGICAL CONCLUSION:

IF BODILY RESURRECTION IS NONEXISTENT........THEN BY IMPLICATION CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED EITHER.

--------------------------------------------

&&& IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED.... THEN ALL of THIS = VAIN/ IT’S EMPTY.

PREACHING = VAIN/EMPTY

FAITH = VAIN/EMPTY

IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED..... CHURCH WE HAVE NO REASON to BE HERE TODAY… NONE of THIS IS REAL…NONE of IT MATTERS...

IF I DEVOTE MY LIFE to PREACHING MINISTRY.... && CHRIST WASN’T RAISED.... MY LIFE = WASTED.

WE’RE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH,,

BUT IF the OBJECT of FAITH = EMPTY,,

THEN ALL of THIS = EMPTY...

(T) Paul’s thought here seems logical enough, right?

He continues in verse 15 along the same lines and writes,

🐢🐢🐢 --- 22 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

THOUGHT 3: FURTHER VANITY & CONSEQUENCES OF A FALSE HOPE (V15-19)

15 We 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.

16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.

17 And 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.

19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

FIRST,, DO YOU SEE the SCANDAL of VS. 15??

IF THERE’S NO RESURRECTION....THEN PAUL & the OTHER APOSTLES HAVE MADE GOD a LIAR!

PUTTING WORDS in GOD’S MOUTH!

BECAUSE THEY TESTIFIED,, GOD RAISED CHRIST FROM the DEAD...

---------------------------------------------------

DO YOU SEE this MORNING,, CHURCH,, the NECESSARY PROBLEMS of DENYING RESURRECTION??

Summary of “IF CLAUSES”

DENYING FUTURE RESURRECTION = DENYING CHRIST’S RESURRECTION...

& IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED.... THEN PREACHING & FAITH ARE in VAIN....

& IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED.... APOSTLES = FALSE WITNESSES

& IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED.... YOUR FAITH = FUTILE… YOU’RE STILL in YOUR SINS...

IMPLICATION—CHRIST’S SACRIFICE WASN’T ACCEPTED… YOU’RE STILL CULPABLE...

STILL STANDING UNDER GOD’S JUDGMENT

>>> GOOD FRIDAY ISN’T GOOD WITHOUT RESURRECTION SUNDAY <<<

ONE SCHOLAR: “RESURRECTION = GOD’S AMEN....to CHRIST’S: “IT IS FINISHED”

& IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED.... THE DEAD in CHRIST = WITHOUT HOPE (PERISHED)

THEY’RE JUST DEAD.

& IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED.... CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE MOST PITIED PEOPLE on the EARTH.

WHY??

CHRISTIAN LIFE ISN’T EASY.

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

FURTHERMORE—1ST CENTURY = PERSECUTION

PAUL OUTLINES in 2 COR. 11....

HE RECEIVED 39 LASHES

BEATEN W/ RODS

STONED

SHIPWRECKED

ADRIFT AT SEA (1 DAY & NIGHT)

DANGER FROM RIVERS

DANGER FROM ROBBERS

DANGER FROM JEWS

DANGER FROM FALSE BROTHERS

TOIL & HARDSHIP

OFTEN WITHOUT SLEEP…HUNGRY…THIRSTY....EXPOSED WITHOUT SHELTER in COLD...

IF ALL THIS = FOR NAUGHT…SURELY HE SHOULD BE PITIED!!

CHRISTIANITY = HARD

LIFE of SELFLESS SACRIFICE...

**JESUS DIDN’T COME to MAKE US HEALTHY,, WEALTHY,, PROSPEROUS…**

IF THIS LIFE = ALL THERE IS,, THE WORLD SHOULD FEEL SORRY FOR the BELIEVER!

-----------------------------------------------------

THIS LIFE = SUPPOSED to NOT BE the GOOD PART...

SOME = MATERIALLY BLESSED,, THAT’S NICE.

BUT FOR THOSE:

SUFFERING

PERSECUTED

W/ FAILING BODIES

UNDERGOING HARDSHIPS

**WE MUST HAVE a HOPE BEYOND THIS LIFE.**

SO IF THERE’S NO RESURRECTION: ALL THESE THINGS = TRUE....

(T) BUT IS THIS THE CASE?

LOOK WITH ME AT VERSE 20. THE TEXT SAYS,

🐢🐢🐢 --- 17 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

THOUGHT 4 (CLIMAX): THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION (V20)

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

PAUL’S ARGUMENT CRESCENDOS!!

IF CHRIST HASN’T BEEN RAISED.... THEN ALL THESE THINGS = TRUE...

BUT THIS = NOT the CASE---CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED!!

THEREFORE WE CAN SAY.... (LOOKING BACK @ VS. 14-19):

SINCE THE RESURRECTION IS TRUE, THE APOSTLES WEREN’T MISREPRESENTING GOD, BECAUSE CHRIST HAD BEEN RAISED.

SINCE THE RESURRECTION IS TRUE, OUR FAITH IS NOT FUTILE, AND WE ARE NO LONGER IN OUR SINS!

SINCE THE RESURRECTION IS TRUE, THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN CHRIST HAVEN’T PERISHED... THEY’RE MERELY ASLEEP

AND BECAUSE THE RESURRECTION IS TRUE, NO ONE SHOULD PITY US, BECAUSE the BEST = YET to COME!

-----------------------------------------------

IF RESURRECTION = UNTRUE— WE SHOULD BE PITIED...

BUT BECAUSE the RESURRECTION IS TRUE… THE WORLD WITHOUT HOPE SHOULD INSTEAD BE PITIED!!!

CHURCH,, CAN YOU IMAGINE LIVING IN THE WORLD TODAY WITHOUT HOPE?

MAYBE YOU’RE a GUEST HERE TODAY,, & YOU LIVE WITHOUT CHRIST & WITHOUT HOPE...

SEEING HORRID THINGS ON THE NEWS.

ACTS of VIOLENCE

NATION—DIVIDED

SEEING WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS...

THE WORLD APART FROM CHRIST = UNSTABLE...

THE ONES WITHOUT HOPE ARE to BE PITIED…NOT US!!

---------------------------------------------------

FOR CHRIST = FIRSTFRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION.

WHICH MEANS THAT THERE IS MORE TO COME!

Background:

O.T..... PEOPLE WOULD BRING FIRST & BEST to the LORD...

THE FIRST of the CROP,, HOPING THIS WOULD ENTAIL the REST FOLLOWS in SUIT...

BIBLICAL SCHOLAR JOOST HOLLEMAN STATES CONCERNING THIS, “PAUL’S USE OF THE METAPHOR SUGGESTS THAT ‘JESUS HAS BEEN RAISED AS THE FIRST AND THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THOSE WHO WILL BE RAISED.’”[1]

JESUS = A SAMPLING,, A FORETASTE of WHAT = TO COME FOR ALL of US!

(T) AND THEN PAUL CONTINUES IN VERSE 21 AND WRITES,

🐢🐢🐢 --- 14 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

THOUGHT 5: THE HOPE OF RESURRECTION (V21-23)

21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

PAUL SHOWS US THAT ALL HUMAN BEINGS = EITHER in ADAM or in CHRIST.

EITHER FOLLOWING... ADAM (OUR FIRST ANCESTOR).... AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE— WHO DISOBEYED,, RESULTING in SHADOW of DEATH OVER GOD’S GOOD CREATION...

OR.... WE’RE in CHRIST,, OUR NEW HEAD,, OUR NEW REPRESENTATIVE,, THE 2ND ADAM WHO BROUGHT ABOUT LIFE!

CIAMPA & ROSNER WRITE, “TO BE IN CHRIST IS TO BE PART OF THE GROUP WHICH FINDS IN CHRIST ITS REPRESENTATIVE AND LEADER, WHICH FINDS ITS IDENTITY AND DESTINY IN CHRIST AND WHAT HE HAS BROUGHT ABOUT FOR HIS PEOPLE.”[1]

1ST ADAM PUT MANKIND INTO CONDEMNATION

BROUGHT ABOUT SIN & DEATH

**EVERYTHING WRONG W/ WORLD TODAY = RESULT of ADAM’S FALL INTO SIN**

>>> EVERYTHING GOOD PROMISED to US = RESULT of 2ND ADAM’S OBEDIENCE <<<

1ST ADAM: DEATH

2ND ADAM: GRACE & HOPE of ETERNAL LIFE!!

AGAIN: CHRIST = FIRSTFRUITS...

THE 1ST INSTALLMENT,, & ANCHOR of OUR HOPE...

THIS HOPE (RESURRECTION @ CHRIST’S COMING!) = RESERVED FOR ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST.... THOSE (V23) WHO BELONG TO CHRIST.

CHRIST DIED—PURCHASING OUR REDEMPTION

CHURCH… WE’VE BEEN BOUGHT W/ a PRICE!!

WE BELONG to CHRIST!!

WE ARE NOT OUR OWN!!

BECAUSE of CHRIST— WE HAVE SECURE HOPE of ETERNAL REDEMPTION & FINAL RESURRECTION.

(T) AND THEN PAUL IS GOING TO CLOSE IN VERSES 24 THROUGH 28. THE TEXT SAYS,

🐢🐢🐢 --- 11 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

THOUGHT 6: THE BELIEVER’S FINAL HOPE; THE VICTORY OF CHRIST (V24-28)

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

27 For “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.

28 When 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.

END of STORY: CHRIST DELIVERS THE KINGDOM OVER TO HIS FATHER...

AFTER DESTROYING ALL ENEMIES,, && FINAL ENEMY— DEATH.

>>>DON’T FORGET,, DEATH = ENEMY to BE DEFEATED <<<

CONSEQUENCE of FALL,,, NOT PART of ORIGINAL CREATION.

----------------------------------------------------------------

GOOD FRIDAY:

CHRIST,, the KING,, DIED HUMBLY on CROSS,,, B4 WATCHING WORLD...

DIDN’T LOOK LIKE a KING...

BUT RESURRECTION DAY WAS COMING

&& CHRIST = KING NOW,, WHETHER PEOPLE REALIZE it OR NOT!

REIGNING in HEAVEN

WILL FINALLY DEFEAT EVERY ENEMY

EVERY KNEE WILL BOW & TONGUE CONFESS

&& ON FINAL DAY of RESURRECTION—DEATH WILL BE FINALLY DEFEATED!!

ALL THINGS,, APART FROM FATHER,,, WILL BE SUBJECTED to CHRIST

GOD WILL BE ALL in ALL:

· ESV STUDY BIBLE “GOD’S SUPREME AUTHORITY OVER EVERYTHING WILL BE ETERNALLY ESTABLISHED, NEVER TO BE THREATENED AGAIN.”[1]

WE HAVE REASON FOR HOPE TODAY!

CHRIST = VICTORIOUS

THIS FINAL RESURRECTION = FORECAST FOR CREATION

(T) AND SO AS WE LOOK AT THIS PASSAGE TODAY, WE SHOULD SEE THE IDEA THAT,

HOMILETICAL IDEA:

CHRIST’S RESURRECTION SECURES OUR FUTURE HOPE OF RESURRECTION AND THE FINAL DEFEAT OF DEATH.

🐢🐢🐢 --- 8 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

GOSPEL: “WHAT RESURRECTION WILL YOU INHERIT?”

HARD to IMAGINE THAT DAY.....

LOOKING @ WORLD TODAY,, WE SEE DEATH & DESTRUCTION

BUT the DAY = COMING WHEN DEATH ITSELF WILL BE FINALLY DEFEATED.

CHRIST,, THROUGH HIS DEATH,, DEFEATED the DEVIL WHO HAD POWER of DEATH...

WE CAN BE DELIVERED FROM FEAR of DEATH—KNOWING CHRIST DIED & WAS RAISED.

THE RESURRECTION CHANGES EVERYTHING:

AGAIN: “GOD’S AMEN,, TO CHRIST’S “IT IS FINISHED.”

RESURRECTION PROVES:

FATHER ACCEPTED the SACRIFICE of CHRIST

CHRIST WAS SINLESS

CHRIST DID PAY FOR OUR SINS

THE RESURRECTION CHANGES EVERYTHING, THE QUESTION IS DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

------------------------------------------------------

THOSE WHO BELONG to CHRIST:

HAVE HOPE

NO LONGER in THEIR SINS...

ONE DAY EXPERIENCE RESURRECTION

ETERNAL LIFE in NEW CREATION

THE RESURRECTION = DIVINE STAMP of APPROVAL

UPON JESUS CHRIST THE WAY, TRUTH & LIFE...

-----------------------------------------

DAY COMING,,, ALL WILL BE RAISED....

SOME to ETERNAL LIFE

SOME to JUDGMENT

ALL WILL HAVE to STAND B4 JUDGMENT SEAT of CHRIST....

ALL WILL HAVE to GIVE an ACCOUNT....

ON THAT DAY—HOPE MUST BE in CHRIST

BECAUSE WE “BELONG” to HIM…HE’S OUR REPRESENTATIVE...

RECEIVED HIM as LORD & SAVIOR

ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE TRUSTED CHRIST WILL RECEIVE the BLESSED RESURRECTION

----------------------------------------------

IF YOU DON’T HAVE THIS HOPE… YOU CAN BE SAVED,, TODAY BY a FREE GIFT of GRACE...

JESUS CAME DOWN FROM ETERNITY to LIVE a PERFECT LIFE

& HE DIED on OUR BEHALF

PAID the PRICE FOR OUR SIN…BORE the WRATH of GOD WE DESERVED....

FATHER PROVED HE ACCEPTED the SACRIFICE BY RAISING HIS SON....

-------------------------------------------------

QUESTION IS:

DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

HAVE YOU TRUSTED in CHRIST?

DO YOU BELONG to HIM?

&& IF YOU’RE HERE,, & YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THIS,, OR DON’T HAVE THIS HOPE....

PLACE YOUR FAITH in the SAVIOR...

TRUSTING in HIM for RIGHT-STANDING BEFORE GOD…

NOT of WORKS/INHERENT RIGHTEOUSNESS....

BELIEVING CHRIST DIED FOR YOU & WAS RAISED....

TURN FROM LIFE of SIN,, PROFESS CHRIST as LORD,,

YOU CAN BE SAVED,, TODAY.

HAVE QUESTIONS,,

DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU STAND W/ GOD

TALK to US AFTER SERVICE.

(T) AND NOW, IN CLOSING, I’D LIKE TO SHARE A FEW TAKEAWAYS WITH YOU ALL TODAY,

🐢🐢🐢 --- 3 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

TAKEAWAYS:

LEARN ABOUT GOD?

1. THERE WILL BE A FINAL DAY OF VICTORY.... WHEN GOD IS ALL IN ALL,

WHEN HIS SUPREME AUTHORITY WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER AND ALL CREATION WILL BE AT PEACE.

KNOWLEDGE of HIS GLORY—WILL COVER the EARTH.

LEARN FOR US?

1.WE HAVE a REASON FOR HOPE,, IF WE BELONG to CHRIST...

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

APP: LIVING WITH A LIVING HOPE

BECAUSE CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED:

WE ARE NO LONGER IN OUR SINS (V17)

THE DEAD IN CHRIST HAVEN’T JUST PERISHED (V18)

THE DEAD IN CHRIST HAVEN’T JUST PERISHED (V18) NOT EMPTY (V19-20).

>>>CHURCH,, BECAUSE the TOMB WAS EMPTY,, OUR FAITH ISN’T. <<<

AND LASTLY WE SEE CHRIST’S RESURRECTION WAS a FORETASTE OF WHAT IS TO COME FOR ALL BELIEVERS!

THE RESURRECTION FORECASTS the FINAL DEFEAT of DEATH & A GRAND END-TIME RESURRECTION of ALL WHO BELIEVE to ETERNAL LIFE

***THOSE WHO BELONG to CHRIST WILL BE RAISED WHEN CHRIST COMES AGAIN***

THIS SHOULD CHANGE US.

WE’RE NOT a PEOPLE to be PITIED

WE’RE a PEOPLE of HOPE

&& AS SUCH,, WE SHOULD BE LIVING W/ ETERNITY in VIEW...

THIS LIFE = DROP in OCEAN,, IN LIGHT of ETERNITY.....

NO BELIEVER SHOULD LIVE W/ FLESHLY Y.O.L.O. MENTALITY

WE SHOULD LIVE W/ OUR EYES SET on ETERNAL HOPE

NO MATTER WHAT LIFE BRINGS

NO MATTER WHAT TRIALS COME

NO MATTER WHAT PAIN WE EXPERIENCE

THERE’S a REASON FOR HOPE

CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN,, AND ALL the REDEEMED WILL RISE WITH HIM

HE WILL CONQUER EVERY FOE,, AND GOD’S SUPREME AUTHORITY WILL BE FINALLY ESTABLISHED

&& WE’LL ENJOY ETERNAL BLISS in NEW CREATION W/ ALL of GOD’S PEOPLE

AND in THAT WE CAN HAVE HOPE,. AMEN?

--- Close in Prayer ---