But Now Christ is risen!

Introduction

What would you say is the most significant event in history?

You might say Britain and its allies winning WW2. You might say the invention of the internet. You might say the reformation.

Although these are significant events in history they are not the most significants and pale in comparison to what it.

The most significant event of history from the beginning of creation until now is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You could ask another question which point of Christianity is the most important? If this point were not true then all of it is false?

There are many things you could answer to this question but at the top of the list is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One author has put it “Christian faith is dead if Jesus is not alive.”

The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the single most important event that has ever taken place in the history of our world.

There are many reasons why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so significant. The resurrection is proof that everything Jesus taught about himself and what he came to do is true. The resurrection is a declaration that the Father accepted the atonement Christ made on the cross. If the resurrection did not happen Christ is still dead and his ministry on behalf of believers ended at the cross, he is not in heaven interceding on our behalf, neither is he coming again to judge the world in righteousness and reign with his people. The resurrection is also important because it proves that Jesus has conquered sin and death. The resurrection of Christ guarantees the resurrection of believers.

These are some of the reasons why the resurrection of Christ is central to the Christian faith and the most significant event in history. The passage before us this morning focuses on the final reason. The resurrection of Christ guarantees the resurrection of believers.

In the our passage this morning we see how the resurrection of Jesus directly relates us.

I. The resurrection is a fact v.20

a)Christ is risen

V.20 begins with the statement ; “But now Christ is risen from the dead”

This verse shows that everything Paul has just said in v.12-19 is not true. Yes if Christ did not rise we are to be pitied above all men. But the fact is Christ is now risen from the dead.

This is a historical fact.

Paul established this in the first part of this chapter. Yes, Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross. Yes they laid him in the tomb. But three days later he rose again just like he said he would.

He was then seen by over 500 people, many of whom were still alive when Paul was writing and it is as though he is saying ‘if you like, you can go and ask them.’

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead just like he said he would. This is true, this is a fact. Paul is making sure the readers of his letter understand this point clearly. Instead of believers being most pitied we should be rejoicing.

Jesus conquered death, he rose again victorious.

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This is good news for us because it means we do not have a dead Saviour but a living Saviour. A victorious Saviour. He dealt with our sins on the cross and he has dealt with our death at the resurrection.

b)Christ has become the first fruits

But now Christ is risen from the dead.

What does this mean for those who believe?

Paul continues and says at the end of v.20 “... and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Jesus has risen from the dead. He overcame the grave and in doing so we are told he became the firstfruits of those who have fallen alseep.

What does this mean?

By the phrase those who have fallen asleep Paul is refering to those who have died. The phrase shows that death is not the end. Paul uses the metaphor of sleep to show that people will rise again. People have often been confused by this phrase and have thought it teaches soul sleep. The idea that the soul waits in the grave unconsciously until Christ returns and the dead are raised. The problem with this idea is that the Scriptures elsewhere teach the opposite. Paul says in Philippians that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord which is far better.

When a Christian dies the body goes in to grave and awaits the resurrection, even though it decomposes God will raise it again. The Soul goes to be with Jesus.

Paul uses this phrase to show that the dead will be raised.

But what we learn in this passage is that Christ has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

What did Paul mean by this?

Here Paul is referring to a principle in the Old Testament when the Israelites had a harvest they had to bring the first fruits of the crop to God as an offering. This meant they took the first sheaf into the temple as an offering to God.

The first fruits are those that grow first and are ready for harvest before the rest of the crop.

The first fruits were a guarantee of what was to come.

So what this verse tells us about the resurrection of Jesus is that his resurrection from the dead is the guarantee of our resurrection.

He was the first to rise again and he is an example and guarantee of what will happen to those who believe in him.

Just as Christ was raised to Christians will be raise. Just as he now has a glorified body. See we will have a glorified body.

Jesus himself said in John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

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What wonderful hope this brings to those who know Christ.

We can think of the words of the hymn

After Paul has explained the truth that Christ is risen and has become the first fruits. He then goes on in the next two verses to explain this truth further.

II. The resurrection was necessary v.21

a)Death came through man

Why was this all necessary in the first place? We have the answer in two parts in v,21. Death came through man, resurrection had to come through man.

What does it mean death came through man?

b)Resurrection had to come by man

III. The resurrection brings hope v.22

a)All in Adam die

In Adam all die. What does this mean? Before we can make sense of this we need to understand the Bible presents Adam as the representative of the human race before God. He was the head of our race.

b)All in Christ shall be made alive

The good news is that for those who believe Jesus Christ becomes our new covenant head. Our new representative. Now we are united to Christ by faith because he rose from the dead we too shall rise from the dead. Because he conquered death, death now has no hold on us.

Conclusion