1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Illustration

Franz Ferdinand assassination

Created a global conflict that ultimately lead to the “War to end all wars”

The entirety of this war hinged on this very event taking place

Started in Europe and eventually within a few years had spread to claim the lives of 15-22 million

V 12-19

When we look at the resurrection, this is a singular event that we are staking our entire lives on

For if the resurrection does not actually happen, then this is all worthless

Every change we have endured

all we have abstained from

the time, blood, tears, energy,

No Resurrection, then Christ was not raised from the dead (V.13)

If Christ isn’t raised, our faith is in vain because christ is not God (V.14)

If Christ is not God, then our sins are not forgiven (V. 17)

If our sins are not forgiven, we have a false hope for eternity (V. 18)

When we go to celebrate easter, we rejoice at the comfort and the truth of the knowledge that Christ has given us eternal life because he has conquered death

V 20-28

He is the second Adam who has come to make things right

He has defeated the death introduced in the Garden

he has victory over evil instead of being subservient to it

Things will be corrected and brought under the full authority of God

Because we live in a world that God has sovereign authority over, we know he is in ultimate control

but for his purposes he has granted dominion to satan and to man for a short period while we anticipate the new heavens and new earth

Illustration: Student leadership team running the Christmas Party

Paul is reminding this congregation that there is a coming day to which everything will be in full submission to the will of God

This is the Ecclesiological debate of if Jesus will return “Pre or Post millennium”

What’s important to gain from this text: He’s coming back. One day all things will be restored to the perfect order in which they once were in the garden of Eden