April 16, 2006
“The Resurrection of Jesus Christ”
First Corinthians 15:3-8
If we look at our world biblically, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the centerpieces of history. All types and prophecies in the Old Testament point forward to Christ’s death and resurrection. Our sacraments, the Lord’s Supper and Baptism remember what Christ has done for us. Our worship on Sunday, the day of Christ’s resurrection rather than on Saturday, the day God rested from creation, demonstrates the weighty importance of Christ’s resurrection!
We live in a world today that has lost its biblical eyesight. Anti-supernaturalism has removed God, miracles and a strong notion of right and wrong from our general learning, yet it is only in the right conception of these things that Christ’s resurrection makes full and meaningful sense.
I. We should aim to understand Christ’s resurrection in its biblical context:
1. It represents an unraveling of the death brought about by Adam’s sin – Genesis 2:17; Genesis 5; Romans 5:12-19
2. More broadly, it fits, in Scripture, against death as the penalty for sin, rather than a natural ending of life – Romans 6:23
3. It is a beginning of redemption, not only of humans but of the entire creation, a redemption from the curse – Genesis 3:14-19; Romans 8:19-39
4. The resurrection, because Christ died for our sins, is connected to God’s forgiveness of our sins, it demonstrates that God has accepted and is pleased with Christ’s sacrifice –
A. Without Christ’s resurrection we are in a dreadful situation – 1Corinthians 15:17-19
B. Yet, Christ’s death and resurrection brings us back into right relationship to God – John 20:17; :19 & :21 & :26; Romans 5:1; 8:34-35; Acts 13:30; :38-39
II. We should understand what Christ’s resurrection implies about our resurrection:
1. According to Christ, one day all will be resurrected – John 5:28-29
2. There are different kinds of resurrection –
A. A spiritual resurrection – John 5:24-26; Ephesians 2:1-10; Colossians 3:1-3
B. A literal physical resurrection – Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-46
C. The spiritual resurrection happens for some people NOW, the physical resurrection happens to all, we will all stand before God to be judged, either according to our own works, or according to Christ’s work on our behalf – Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 25:31-46; Ephesians 2:1 & :10
3. Now, being spiritually resurrected means we have eternal life, we gain this through faith in Christ, and it divides those who ultimately live from those who eternally will be dying – John 3:35-36; so it is not what you do but WHO you know – John 17:3
III. What are the benefits / blessings of being one with Christ that relate most closely to His resurrection?
1. We gain some great incorruptible bodies –
A. Celestial rather than terrestrial – 1 Corinthians 15:40
B. Incorruptible rather than corruptible – 1 Corinthians 15:42
C. They are glorious rather than dishonorable – 1 Corinthians 15:43
D. They powerful rather than weak – 1 Corinthians 15:43
E. The are Spiritual not natural, gotten from Christ rather than Adam, made of heavenly things rather than the dust – 1 Corinthians 15:44-56
2. We live forever in right relationship with God – Revelation 20:1-7
3. We escape the dread doom due us because of sin – Revelation 20:8; Revelation 14:10-11
