Conquering Death and the Difference it Makes

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 ESV

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 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. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Romans 8:18–23 ESV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Conquering Death and The Difference it Makes

Have You Ever Wondered What Life Was Like Before Our Calendars Were Cut in Half, Before Christ Came and More Specifically Died and Rose Again?

I. The Darkness and Despair of Death Without Resurrection

Reincarnation, Reanimation,

B. Paul Hands His Opponents a Gun ()

Our preaching is in vain

your faith is in vain

Apostles are false witnesses

Believers are yet in their sins

Those who have died have perished

C.

What Then Has Been Gained By His Coming, His Death, and His Resurrection?

II. The Confidence Given To Us By Christ Rising

A. The Purpose For Futility? ()

illustration: my Father’s passing

B. The Sting Removed

illustration: Father compares the stinger of a bee with the sting of resurrection

C.

Then How Should the Living Live?

III. Life is Meant to Be Eternal and Abundant

easons. He comes to give, not to get. He comes that people may have life in Him that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal. We receive this abundant life the moment we accept Him as our Savior.

ated with “years” at all, as it is independent of time. Eternal life can function outside of and beyond time, as well as within time.

A. Resurrection Now: Eternal and Abundant Life

Eternal

The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life” (). The fact that this life is “eternal” indicates that it is perpetual life—it goes on and on and on, with no end.

It is a mistake, however, to view eternal life as simply an unending progression of years. A common New Testament word for “eternal” is aiónios, which carries the idea of quality as well as quantity. In fact, eternal life is not really associated with “years” at all, as it is independent of time. Eternal life can function outside of and beyond time, as well as within time.

For this reason, eternal life can be thought of as something that Christians experience now. Believers don’t have to “wait” for eternal life, because it’s not something that starts when they die. Rather, eternal life begins the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. It is our current possession.  says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Note that the believer “has” (present tense) this life (the verb is present tense in the Greek, too). We find similar present-tense constructions in  and . The focus of eternal life is not on our future, but on our current standing in Christ.

Abundant

In , Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Unlike a thief, the Lord Jesus does not come for selfish reasons. He comes to give, not to get. He comes that people may have life in Him that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal. We receive this abundant life the moment we accept Him as our Savior.

This word “abundant” in the Greek is perisson, meaning “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.” In short, Jesus promises us a life far better than we could ever imagine, a concept reminiscent of : “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” The apostle Paul tells us that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, and He does it by His power, a power that is at work within us if we belong to Him ().Abundant

Now: ()

B. The Experience of the Apostles: Meaning and Mission, With Joy

C. The First Resurrection: A Look at Jesus Resurrection Appearances:

. To Stephen outside Jerusalem  

2. To the women returning from the tomb  

3. To Peter later in the day  ; 

4. To the disciples going to Emmaus in the evening  

5. To the apostles (except Thomas)  ; -19-24

6. To the apostles a week later (Thomas present)  

7. In Galilee to the seven by the Lake of Tiberias  

8. In Galilee on a mountain to the apostles and 500 believers  

9. At Jerusalem and Bethany again to James  1 Cor. 15:7

10. At Olivet and the ascension  

11. To Paul near Damascus  ; 

12. To Stephen outside Jerusalem  

13. To Paul in the temple  ;

14. To John on Patmos  

The New Unger’s Bible Handbook, Merrill F. Unger, Revised by Gary N. Larson, Moody Press, Chicago, 1984, pp. 397-398.

Cross References:

(Futility and Future Glory)

Songs:

Celebrate Jesus

My Redeemer Lives

Above All

My Spirit Magnifies the Lord