1. 1 Corinthians “Church Purity in a Polluted Culture” Part 23 - 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 “Christ’s Resurrection and the Resurrection of Believers”

2. Introduction Many people in the Greco-Roman world believed that death extinguished life completely and thus the Corinthian Christians took on much of the cultural thinking. Paul argues that the there is a direct connection between God’s redemption plan and the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of believers. 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 2

3. No Resurrection: The Theological Implications (15:12-19)

4. Theological Implications (15:12-19) “ 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Cor 15:12–19 NIV) 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 4 The source of this denial of the resurrection probably had its origin in Greek philosophy, which thought the physical body was the source of evil.

5. Theological Implications (15:12-19) Paul now begins his disputation by use of an a priori argument or reasoning from self-evident propositions. If no resurrection…  Christ has not been raised  Preaching is useless and so is your faith  We are then found to be false witnesses  You are still in your sins  Those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost  We are to be pitied more than all men 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 5

6. Theological Implications (15:12-19) The resurrection was God’s signet ring seal, His stamp of approval on the document of redemption, declaring His acceptance of the sacrifice of His Son, and could now be just in declaring righteous all those who come to Christ by faith! 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 6

7. Yes Resurrection: The Blessed Implications (15:20-28)

8. Blessed Implications (15:20-28) “ 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 8 The Greek word for raised (ἐγείρω) is used in the PASSIVE voice, and PERFECT tense. The Triune God raises the dead. The PERFECT tense speaks of Jesus’ past resurrection, which becomes a state of being presently, carrying with it all its blessed implications.

9. Blessed Implications (15:20-28) “ 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 9 In Hebrew thought, the firstfruits were the best of the first crops of the harvest, which were offered to God in thanksgiving for his goodness in providing for them, and were a foretaste of the greater harvest yet to come.

10. Blessed Implications (15:20-28) “ 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 10 Those in Christ are those who have been born again, given a new nature (spiritual), and someday will have new bodies, thus being totally alive. Those who are in Adam have inherited his sinful nature, and die both spiritually and physically.

11. Blessed Implications (15:20-28) “ 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 11 Paul now reminds us of the order in which the resurrections will happen,

12. Blessed Implications (15:20-28) “ 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is deathl.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 12 Jesus Christ, as the resurrected King, as a final act of obedience, presents to His Father a trophy which radiates with the glory of God, the ingathering of His great harvest, our resurrection, His Kingdom, having destroyed all Kingdom enemies, including the final enemy, death!

13. Blessed Implications (15:20-28) “ 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 13 The end result is that God’s supreme authority over everything will be eternally established and will never again be threatened!

14. No Resurrection: The Practical Implications (15:29-34)

15. “ 29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 15 He is not saying that this practice of being baptized for the dead should take place, but that in fact it does, and if you are one who believes in such a thing, it is ludicrous if there is no resurrection.

16. No Resurrection: The Practical Implications (15:29-34) “ 29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 16 It absolutely makes no sense to endure the hardships that we do, or embrace our spiritual disciplines, if there is nothing else ahead.

17. No Resurrection: The Practical Implications (15:29-34) “ 33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.” 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 17 How we live truly defines whether our belief in the resurrection is intellectual, superficial, hypocritical, or deeply personal.

18. Summary

19. Summary 1.Do I recognize that the resurrection was God the Father’s seal of approval upon the redemptive work of Christ, and do I therefore see it as the very foundation upon which the gospel stands? 2.Do I understand that my belief in the resurrection is gauged by the life I know live in the flesh? 3.If I knew for sure that Jesus Christ was returning today, would my life and plans change? 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 19

20. Summary 4.What is it that I would want the Lord Jesus Christ to catch me doing if He were to suddenly appear? 1/11/2016 EBFC Semon Series: 1 Corinthians 20