I Corinthians 15 is the resurrection chapter. It has three major parts:
1. The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-11)
2. The Resurrection of Christians (15:12-34)
3. The Resurrected Body (15:35-58)
Definition: Resurrection comes from the Greek: Anastasis (42x un the NT)
1. a raising up.
2. a rising from the dead.
• NOT a reincarnation.
• NOT a resuscitation.
• NOT reversible.
1 Corinthians 15:12 (NASB), “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”
• The key ____(problem)#1 in Corinth is that believers did not believe in the resurrection!
• The key ____(point)#2 of the rest of the chapter, is to argue for the bodily resurrection of Christ and believers.
I Corinthians 15:13-19 (NASB), “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain. 15 Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
Paul argues, IF no resurrection, then...
1. Christ has not been raised.
2. Our preaching is in vain.
3. Our faith is in vain.
4. Our faith is worthless.
5. We are still in our sins.
6. Those who have died in Christ have perished.
7. We (Christians) are of all people most to be pitied.
Paul begins to ague for the positive case.
I Corinthians 15:20-26 (NASB), “But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man death came, by a Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to our God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
Paul argues, IF resurrection, then...
1. Christ is the First Fruits:
a. In Adam all die.
b. In Christ all will be made alive.
2. The Resurrection Order:
a. Christ is raised first (first fruits).
b. Christ returns to resurrect all believers (the great harvest).
c. Christ reigns until His enemies are under His feet.
d. Christ hands over the kingdom to God.
IF resurrection, then...
1 Corinthians 15:26, “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
HOW to I receive resurrected life? By faith!
Romans 10:9 (NASB), “... if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Conclusion
Eric Sauer said, "The present age is Easter time. It begins with the resurrection of the Redeemer, and ends with the resurrection of the redeemed. Between lies the spiritual ‘resurrection’ of those called into life in Christ. So we live between two Easters... and in the power of the first Easter we go to meet the last Easter."
HYMN
V1 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
V4 Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
