Bible Study - Resurrection Truth (2) - Why Resurrection Matters - 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; 54-58 - April 19, 2020

Bible Study – Resurrection Truth (2) – Why Resurrection Matters – April 19, 2020

This is lesson two (2) and the final lesson in a two-lesson study entitled “Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Faith.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 and 54-58.

The resurrection of JESUS changes everything.

The celebration of Easter has come and gone for this year - the year of the coronavirus. Was Easter just an event on an annual calendar or a pivotal event in the lives of those who have gone into eternity or left on earth to live their lives upon earth to face death?

Why should a person believe that GOD raised a person claiming to be GOD’S only Son from physical death? When a person studies the Bible, GOD’S Word, he or she can learn thousands of years of prophesy pointing to JESUS coming to earth and HIS mission. We can read of the ways GOD manifested to the known world that JESUS was HIS promised Son. The ultimate proof was JESUS’ bodily death, by the shedding of his blood and the trust JESUS had in HIS Father, GOD, to give HIM eternal life. JESUS placed ultimate trust in GOD, because JESUS resurrection was dependent upon GOD. JESUS’ desire was to show the world that all people can trust the GOD of the Old and New Testaments. (Read Isaiah 53 in the Old Testament.)

In John 10:14-18 - JESUS was teaching:

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ But I have other sheep (Gentile) that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Luke 23:44-46:

⁴⁴ It was now about noon,^[m] and darkness came over the whole land^[n] until three,^[o] 45 because the sun’s light failed.^[p] The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. ⁴⁶ And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.”^[q] Saying this, he breathed his last.

Notice, JESUS had the authority from HIS Father, GOD, to have complete control over HIS life – HIS earth life and HIS eternal life. JESUS gave up HIS earth/physical/corruptible (subject to decay) life to gain incorruptible/eternal/Glorified life. JESUS was and is the example for all humans. All humans will die because of sin. But the gift of GOD is eternal life through faith in JESUS. At the instant a person places his or her faith in JESUS that person receives eternal life via the miracle of Spiritual rebirth.

JESUS gave up HIS Spirit. At physical death humans give up their spirit (those not born-again) or Spirit (those born-again). JESUS Spirit returned to earth and HE received HIS Glorified body which will be like the Glorified body all born-again believers will receive at the second coming of JESUS.

How does the resurrection of JESUS change everything? When a person places his or her faith in JESUS, that person has the guarantee from GOD, he or she will never die and will receive his or her eternal Glorified body at the second coming of JESUS.

When JESUS gave up HIS Spirit, HE left HIS physical body behind. HE entered eternity first via HIS Spirit because HE fulfilled the Law. On the third day GOD raised HIM from the physically dead to receive HIS Glorified Body, which is like the New Glorified Body all born-again believers will receive at the second coming of JESUS.

After JESUS was resurrected, HE walked upon earth for 40 days and then when HE returned to Heaven the second time, HE did so in HIS Glorified Body.

GOD used the physical life of JESUS as an example to reveal to all humans the path to GOD through faith in JESUS and eternal life. JESUS broke the sin barrier which separated GOD and mankind and opened the path between mankind and GOD. Let’s explore!

How can a born-again believer in JESUS know that this is true?

First Corinthians 1:21-22:

²¹ Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, ²² who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

The indwelling Holy Spirit is our assurance and guarantee.

Second Corinthians 5:1-7:

For we know that if our earthly ^[a]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our ^[b]habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit (Holy Spirit) as ^[c]a guarantee.

⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

When our born-again Spirit exits our physical body (earth suit), as born-again believers, GOD has made all who have placed their faith in JESUS a new house (Special body) suitable for Heaven. All born-again believers will have this special body in Heaven and will return with JESUS when HE comes to earth the second time. At that instant, all born-again believers will receive their new Glorified bodies. These new Glorified bodies will be like JESUS’ Glorified Body and will be their eternal bodies.

The Apostle Paul was dealing with Christians who embrace misinformation regarding the resurrection of JESUS and how it related to them.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19: (Lead-in)

Resurrection Essential to the Faith

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “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, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith.^[b] 15 Moreover, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified wrongly about God that he (GOD) raised up Christ—whom he did not raise up, if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, 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 Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. ¹⁹ If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

Consider all the eyewitnesses, in that time period, who attested to the life, death, resurrection and ascension of JESUS. Consider those who risk their lives, then and today, to preach the Good News/Gospel of JESUS, as raised from the physically dead by GOD. Why would they preach a lie? What is in it for us, if we are teaching a lie? No, our hope is in JESUS, WHO GOD resurrected from the dead and because HE lives, so will all who place their faith in HIM.

A person must keep in mind that Spiritual rebirth requires a step of faith in order to experience it. There are no samples.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:20-22:

Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours

²⁰ But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. ²² For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

GOD put Adam in charge of the Garden of Eden. GOD held Adam responsible for what went on in the Garden. But he blew it when Eve was tempted by Satan. He was standing next to her when she took a bite of the forbidden fruit. She took a bit and then she offered the forbidden fruit to Adam and then he took a bite. Immediately their eyes were opened and they realized they were naked.

What did we read in Second Corinthians 5:1-3?

For we know that if our earthly ^[a]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our ^[b]habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 

Born-again believers will not be found naked because the shed blood of JESUS has paid the penalty for sin, in full and all in Heaven will be clothed and will not be found naked --- WOW! This shows how much GOD loves HIS Children; none of HIS Children will be found naked but clothed. How will they be clothed by GOD? GOD had to kill an animal to cloth Adam and Eve when they sinned and lost their eternal life. It cost the shedding of the blood of GOD’S only Son to cloth all who place their faith in JESUS. WOW!!!

The first Adam sinned which resulted in eternal death but the second Adam, JESUS, gave HIS sinless life so that all who place their faith in HIM will have eternal life. The first Adam and Eve had eternal life and lost it when they sinned. The second Adam, JESUS, defeated eternal death and the instant all who place their faith in JESUS, eternal life is restored through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:23-28:

²³ But each in his own order: Christ, the first-fruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be abolished is death. ²⁷ For God has put everything under his feet.^[c] Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception. ²⁸ When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

GOD is the GOD of order. We see this when HE created the world. Likewise, we see order in the restoration of eternal life.

Paul wrote of order. Paul used a term “firstfruits.” Deuteronomy 26:1-3 gives us an idea of the meaning of firstfruits:

Giving the Firstfruits

26 “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and live in it, ² take some of the first of all the land’s produce that you harvest from the land the Lord your God is giving you and put it in a basket. Then go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to have his name dwell. ³ When you come before the priest who is serving at that time, say to him, ‘Today I declare to the Lord your^[a] God that I have entered the land the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’

It is interesting that “Firstfruits was a Jewish feast held in the early spring at the beginning of the grain harvest. It was observed on Nissan 16, which was the third day after Passover and the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits was a time of thanksgiving for God’s provision. (Copywrite Got Questions)

Firstfruits was the first harvest of a season with no guarantee the harvest yet to come would be great or not so great. The main harvest was yet to come. JESUS being the firstfruits from the physically dead is the guarantee of a greater harvest yet to come for all who place their faith in JESUS. There will be an endpoint to GOD’S Grace. An endpoint for every human is the instant of physical death. At physical death every person is destined for either Heaven or Hell. The opportunity for choosing is while a person still has the breath of life. Don’t be stubborn. Choose wisely my friend. Eternity is but a heartbeat away.

All things have been put under the authority of CHRIST and in turn CHRIST is under the authority of GOD.

Let’ read 1 Corinthians 15:54-58:

⁵⁴ When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:

Death has been swallowed up in victory.^[j]
55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?^[k]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Most every person’s desire is to live forever. To some death is a sweet moment to take them out of their misery. Those who have experienced the miracle of Spiritual rebirth have been clothed with incorruptibility and immortality. How can that be because Christians die? Yes, Christians have been Spiritually born into GOD’S Family but Christians, as well as, non-Christians alike leave their earth suits on earth to decay. The Christian will seamlessly go from his or her earth suit into Heaven. Yes, every born-again believer in JESUS will instantly be in Heaven with JESUS. I believe they will not experience the death of their body/earth suit. Notice, the “I believe.” I do have a basis for this. It is based upon an experience I had many years ago. I share this with you, not to pin some badge of spirituality on me but to the Glory of GOD. I am the greatest of sinners yet GOD chose to share this moment with me.

We had been praying for the mother of a lady with whom I worked. Her mother had cancer and had some fluid drawn from her body a day or so before I left for Washington, DC on business. I had to stay overnight and flew back into Charlotte, NC and drove from Charlotte to Spartanburg, SC. I had not called the office that day because I knew that I would be back in the office. (It was before cell phones.)

As I drove along I 85, all of a sudden, I saw a picture/vision outside the car and in the sky of a person dressed in a green robe and a lady walking down a path. A voice like none I have ever heard said, “Mrs. Green, has just passed away but she is walking with the LORD.” An unspeakable joy swept over me and the voice spoke again and said “I told you that Mrs. Green was walking with the LORD, you pray for the family.” I did and looked at my watch and it was 3:45 PM.

I arrived at work about 4 PM and asked about Mrs. Green. I was told that she took a turn for the worse and she had to be taken to the hospital but was doing fine. I told several what had happened to me but they assured me that if she had died, they would know it.

Some 20 minutes later, the phone in the lab rung and it was news that Mrs. Green was pronounced dead at 4:10 PM. No, she was walking with JESUS at 3:45 PM. This is a brief recount of the event. If the voice had not told me who I was seeing I would have not known who the lady was or the other person. This does not make me special. I share it with you, as our LORD shared this special moment with me. Mrs. Green was a fine Christian lady. I had never met her in the flesh. The body in the casket did not look like what I saw in the picture/vision. She had on a white robe, looked to be in her twenties, waist length brunette hair and yes, she appeared to be female. I never saw the face of The LORD. I only saw HIM from the chin down. I would have never considered The LORD wearing a Green robe.

In 1 Corinthians 15:50 we read:

⁵⁰ What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. 

This is an insurmountable problem for a mere mortal but NOT for GOD. GOD has the solution. What is GOD’S plan? Let read on ----

Let’s consider 1 Corinthians 15:55-58:

Death has been swallowed up in victory.^[j]
55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?^[k]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

GOD’S plan destroyed DEATH! How was death destroyed? GOD sent HIS only SON, JESUS, to come to earth in the flesh, live a sinless life, tempted as all are tempted, yet remained sinless. JESUS conquered death! But HIS work was not done until HE gave up HIS sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood. JESUS trusted HIS Father to give HIM HIS eternal life back with a significant difference. JESUS gave HIS physical life up and trusted HIS Father to give HIM eternal life and HIS Glorified Body. Thus: Death has been swallowed up in victory.^{[j]
                           55} Where, death, is your victory?
                     Where, death, is your sting?^[k]

         ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law

The shed blood of JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for sin. The barrier of sin was broken. The path to GOD is open. Now death, where is your victory because sin has been dealt with? There is a step all humans have to take. GOD did not make humans robots but with a mind to make decisions. The next step is for a person to take the step of faith. LORD, I do not understand it all but I trust YOU and I believe JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay for my sins. I ask JESUS to forgive me for my sins and for HIM to come into my heart. It is not the words spoken but the attitude of the heart of the person speaking the words. Some have spoken, “LORD I give up and I ask JESUS to come into my heart.”

Sound foolish? It is GOD’S plan and GOD is not foolish. HIS desire is for all to be born into HIS Family and to live for HIM and eternally with HIM. Salvation from eternal death is only through faith in JESUS.

Some may say, “I live a good life.” Sorry that is not good enough. GOD demands perfection. The law brings to our attention how much we fail the law/the spirit of the law. Romans 3:20 - ²⁰ For no one will be justified^[n] in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Consider Romans 8:1-3 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,^[a] 2 because the law^[b] of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you^[c] free from the law^[d] of sin and death. ³ For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering,^[e]

Who benefits from what GOD did through the death and resurrection of JESUS as our brother Paul wrote in verses 57 and 58:

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The word “thanks” carries the idea of “grace.” Christians alive upon earth live under the “GOD’S Grace” and all Christians must not hide that fact from those with whom they come into contact each day. Do I mean grab others by the throat and scream at them? Only if led by the Holy Spirit. No but we, as born-again Christians, are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We should live in such a way that makes others thirsty for our intimate, personal relationship with JESUS.

In our humanness, we cannot do that. But filled by the Holy Spirit, as we seek to build the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST, is it possible. What will we look like? We will bear the image of the life of JESUS. We will be like HIM fully equipped to serve GOD because we will be in right relationship with GOD through our faith in JESUS. Remember the words of JESUS as recorded in John 5:19:

¹⁹ Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to all truth and share that truth with those with whom you come into contact.

Blessings!!!