1 Cor. 15:12-34 The Resurrection

The Resurrection

Chair Bible p. 961

Call to Worship:

Unprecedented moment in time. We will not forget.

Let’s not regret how we handled ourselves for the sake of the gospel.

Do not forsake your GG.

We must not forget our older members and the vulnerable.

Do not forget your neighbors. Gospel opportunity.

Do not forsake your giving. (Other churches)

We can worship the Lord where we are gathered. 2 or 3

Prayer for worship

trust

healing cure

president and leaders

turn our attention to the things of God

Introduction

Week of uncertainty, confusion, and unprecedented decisions.

The cornona virus has revealed that we are not as in control as we think we are and that fear lies just under the surface for many.

What are we afraid of? sickness, the future, death.

What a timely text for us today.

Read 1 Cor. 15:12-34

Main Idea: The Christian faith and the future of Christians rest on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Consider the flow of the >teaching on worship with the primary focus on clarity, particularly clarity of the gospel.

No surprise that gospel clarity becomes the focus of Ch. 15

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Apparently the Corinthians were claiming to believe the gospel and at the same time denying the resurrection of the dead. In other words, when you die then that is it. (modern people are not the only ones who struggle with believing the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Paul takes their claim and refutes it by focusing of the necessity of the resurrection of Christ...

The Christian faith rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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.

holding two inconsistent views. Cannot say there is no resurrection and say Christ has been raised. v. 13 states the matter plainly.

v. 14-16 plays the logic out.

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.

“preaching” refers to the content of preaching , not the act. “vain” means empty or waste of time.

we are offering a false claim…Illus: Jim Bakker again offering a false claim—cure for Corona.

If there is no resurrection, then all Christians are frauds.

Personal implications

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

futile: empty, without significance

your are still in your sins...

Romans 4:24–25 ESV

24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

The resurrection is not the happy ending, essential to the whole of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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.

v. 18 sad and somber conclusion

v. 19 massive implication…people should feel sorry for us.

Transtion: v. 20 Christ has been raised.

Our preaching is true

our faith is full and true

those who are in Christ are forgiven and declared righteous.

the dead in Christ have a sure future

the resurrection “is the hinge upon which the story of the world pivots” Keller

The future of Christians rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Future glory

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

“firstfruits” grain offering, priest would wave the sheaves in the air before the Lord in praise to the LORD. Jesus is the praise offering raised from the grave. He is the first of what is to come for all who are in Christ.

What follows is representational theology.

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.

Adam: all die We must all come to terms with death at some point.

Christ: all shall be made alive (not universalism) notice “in Christ” and in the next verse “those who belong to Christ.”

Jonathan Edwards said, “Humans are in Adam by nature, in Christ by faith.” (Garland 707)

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.

Christ is risen and coming.

At his coming all who belong to Him will be raised.

He will put all of his enemies under his feet.

Christ the King will deliver the kingdom to God the Father. (Economy of the Godhead, the Father is not greater than the Son or the Holy Spirit, three in one, the Godhead is coequal and coeternal.)

Looking to the fulfillment of the promise to the future Davidic King

Psalm 110:1 ESV

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Trans. “he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet”

This verse assigns the reason why Christ cannot relinquish his dominion over the universe as mediator until the end comes, and why he will then deliver it up. He must reign until the purpose for which he was invested with this universal dominion is accomplished. (Hodge 331)

one last enemy to conquer.

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.

It is not just that Jesus reigns to bring in the fullness of the kingdom, but that his mission includes the destruction of death itself, and for death to be completely undone resurrection is required. (Ciampa 774)

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Once death is destroyed, all things will be in subjection. Paul wants to be clear that the function of the Godhead is understood. Christ the Son who humbled himself and became obedient to death, died in our place, rose from the dead, reigns as our King and high priest will put all things in subjection and deliver the kingdom to God the Father.

Once death is destroyed, all things will be in subjection. Wants to be clear that the function of the Godhead is understood. Christ the Son who humbled himself and became obedient to death, died in our place, rose from the dead, reigns as our King and high priest will be all things in subjection and deliver the kingdom to God the Father.

As Augustine says, “It is necessary for Christ’s kingdom to be manifested to such a degree until all his enemies confess that he does reign.” That is, “He reigns forever.” (Ciampa 777)

What does v. 28 mean?

Functional subordination. As the Davidic king and the Messiah he hands over the kingdom to God and submits himself to him. Still, the reality is complex. By virtue of his equality with God, he also reigns equally and for ever with the Father (). (Schreiner 316)

The affirmation “God may be all in all” refers to “the unchallenged reign of God alone,” not some metaphysical absorption. (Garland 714)

Trans. we know what is coming, how about until then....The future of Christians rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 3:20–21 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Trans. we know what is coming, how about until then....The future of Christians rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Future living

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

Paul is not advocating for baptism on behalf of the dead in this text or anywhere else. Question to get at the purpose of the act?

40 different possible interpretations.

Contextually as you flow from v. 29 to v. 30 baptism was not a cultural right of passage or simple religious act. Baptism was a radical association with Jesus Christ. To identify with him was to put your family relationships, livelihood, and even life in danger.

30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

Why put your life in danger? Why put your life on the line for the gospel? Why step into harms way if there is not resurrection?

Goes a step further…if there is no resurrection lets party.

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

If your primary relationships(company refers to group) are with those who do not believe in Christ and the future resurrection, then your life will mirror theirs.

34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Wake up and live for Christ if you know Him.

Instead, live in light of the resurrection.

2 Timothy 2:8–13 ESV

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

So What?

Is my faith and my future resting on the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Living hope through the resurrection

lasting inheritance that cannot be inflicted with a pandemic.

we are safe: “guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed. We can look death in the eye without ultimate fear. (Um 271) Since the resurrection is true, suffering and taking risks for Christ’s sake makes sense. (Schreiner 319)

Let’s be who we claim to be at this hour.

Let’s be who we claim to be at this hour.

Loving our neighbor by not seeking not to pass this virus.

Loving our neighbor by moving toward the sick and dying.

Loving our neighbor by living with hope and sharing the hope within us.

We may be limited on gathering in big groups, the early church met in homes and the gospel spread. Let’s reach out to our neighbors in these unprecedented days as the people of the resurrection.

Martin Luther on the Black Death: “I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, He will surely find me, and I have done what He has expected of me, and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however, I shall not avoid place or person. I shall go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.” (Luther’s Works; Vol. 43, pg. 132). Hat tip: Chris Cairns

Prayer: Baptism coming

END

The rising of Christ cannot be neatly extracted from its eschatological setting, which includes the resurrection (15:13) (Garland 696)