1 Corinthians 15,20-34
1 Corinthians 15:20-34
December 15, 2002
Intro: Paul has been discussing with the church at Corinth the
doctrine of the resurrection and it’s many facets.
Ø In Verses 1-11 He presented 4 proofs of the resurrection.
#1- His 1st proof was the changed life of the believer.
A- What or who interacted upon a persons life that caused change.
1- But the changed life of the Christian is unique.
a- Specifically from ungodliness (the natural man)
b- TO Godliness (an un-natural man)
- Accomplished by the preaching of the Gospel and power of the H.S.
#2- There is the scriptural proof of the resurrection.
A- The doctrine of the resurrection was not a new one.
See Verse 3.
#3- There was the eyewitness account of the resurrection.
Read verses 5-7
#4- And the 1st person eye witness. (Paul)
Read Acts 26:12-16
Ø Then, in verses 12-19 he explained the ramifications if the resurrection did not exist.
A- Why it is a basic foundation of the Christian faith
1- Why you could not be considered a Christian if you do not believe in the resurrection.
B- He told us of 7 things that would be true if the resurrection is NOT possible.
#1- (V:13) If there is no resurrection of the dead then Jesus
Christ is not risen.
A- If Christ still exists but was not resurrected then He never died.
1- If He never died then the sacrifice was never made for the sins of the world.
B- OR He is still dead.
1- And we have a dead: savior, Shepherd, intercessor.
a- And THEN Jesus is not Messiah
#2- (V:14a) If no resurrection then there is no reason to preach the Word of God.
A- You would have to remove the majority of your Bible
1- The Gospel, at best is nice news.
#3- (V:14b) If no resurrection then our faith is empty.
A- Empty = void of effect.
#4- (V:15) If there is no resurrection then all preaching is a lie.
A- If the Gospel is a lie then we are witnesses of a lie.
1- If we preached the Gospel, as we have it, then we would be preaching contrary to God and no way to make disciples of God.
a- Those who wrote the bible would be false Prophets.
#5- (V:17), If Jesus is not risen then nothing has been done with
man’s sins.
A- Back to the Old Testament
#6- (V:18), All of those who have previously died are in trouble
too. (Were all in the same boat and it’s sinking)
A- Every funerial would be a time of despair.
#7- (V:19), If our hope is in Christ and He was not risen then we
are all miserable.
A- There is no savior, no knowledge of love or grace,
1- The basis of our world view (the Bible, Christianity, and Morals) would be pointless.
Ø Now in Verses 20-34 We see God’s planning, in a resurrection that does exist, and is taught by the church at Corinth (V:12).
#1- (Verses 20-22) 1st in the resurrection is Jesus Christ the 1st
fruits of God’s harvest of the earth.
A- This is why in the Old Testament we are told “The 1st born is the Lord’s.
1- Reference to the birth of Christ and his resurrection.
a- The 1st born of a male child is to be dedicated to God and of an animal is to be sacrificed.
1 Corinthians 15:20, But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
2- Become = At the exact time of His resurrection He became the 1st to every to be resurrected form the dead.
a- In the context of the 1st fruits of a harvest.
- He was the 1st of many more to follow.
3- But you could make a case from scripture to refute this for those who died and were brought back to life.
a- 1 Kings 17, Elijah and the son of the widow.
b- 2 Kings 4, Elisha, and the Shunammite’s son
c- Luke 7, Jesus and the widow’s son
d- Mark 5, Jairus’s daughter
e- And John 11, Jesus and Lazarus
- All can be explained in 2 ways.
John 11:4, When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
- And 2nd these who were raised from the dead went on to die, Us who are raise will never die again.
f- You may also make a case with Moses and Elijah on the mount of Transfiguration.
- Again this was a special dispensation.
B- “fallen asleep” = the righteous dead (other’s are dead already).
1- These are saints who’s spirits have gone to be with the Lord but have yet to receive their Physical Spiritual bodies.
a- Their bodies will sleep until the time that they are matamorphicised.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Corinthians 15:21-22, For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
Read Romans 5:12-21
A- It’s all about whom you are identified with.
1- The 1st Adam is universal (all sinned all died)
a- Less Enoch, Elijah, rapture.
2- The 2nd is an exclusive identification
a- Either way
Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
#2- (V:23) The rest of the harvest
A- The word “Afterward” encompasses 2000+ years of planting, watering, and growing.
Psalm 47:8-9, God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
1- We don’t know when the completion of this harvest is BUT we do know the order.
a- 1st Jesus
b- 2nd The church (sleep and Rapture)
c- 3rd The tribulation saints
Read Revelation 7:9-17
d- 4th the Millennial saints (instant resurrection and metamorphous).
e- 5th The resurrection of the damnation.
John 5:29, “and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Revelation 21:8, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
#3- (Verses 24-28) The timing of it all
A- (V:24) “Then” = The end of the resurrection to the restoration of God’s creation
1- Sin can not be covered or destroyed (SIN AND FLESH MUST BE KILLED).
a- Satan is now killed, those who are OF THE flesh and not the spirit are killed.
b- This earth and all creating is defiled and not worthy of God.
- He needs to start over.
2 Peter 3:10, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Review Revelation 20
2- There is only one worth to do all this.
Read Revelation 5:1-10
a- There will be a new heaven and a new earth that is similar to the garden of Eden.
- Why no Sea’s???
Luke 1:33, “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Read Verses 29-34
1 Corinthians 15:20-34
December 15, 2002
John 11:4
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Romans 5:12-21
Romans 6:23
Psalm 47:8-9
Revelation 7:9-17
John 5:29
Revelation 21:8
2 Peter 3:10
Revelation 20
Revelation 5:1-10
Luke 1:33