I Corinthians 15:20-28
Introduction: My mother’s grandmother was Ukrainian; she came to this country as a young woman in the early 20th century and she continued some of the traditions from Eastern Europe, including the elaborate decoration of eggs at this time of the year. Some of the Ukrainians were extremely artistic, and the eggs would be carefully emptied of the white and the yolk so that they could be saved indefinitely. It is really an odd thing, a beautifully painted shell; it looks like an egg, beautiful on the outside, but empty on the inside. As we consider these verses from I Corinthians 15 Paul is making the point that without the resurrection of Jesus, the Christian faith would be an illusion, nothing more than an empty shell. We turn today to one of the most extensive chapters on the theme on the resurrection in the New Testament. My first message here two years ago on Easter was on I Corinthians 15:1-11, last Easter we looked at I Corinthians 15:12-20, and this year, to continue our series [!] we’ll focus on 20-28 (at this rate we should finish our series on this chapter in 2015, if the Lord tarries!). I’d like to repeat one of my favorite quotations on the theme of the resurrection because it summarizes the main point of the paragraph we’ll look at today and is also the historical and theological underpinning of the Christian life:
“The present age is Eastertime. It began with the resurrection of the Redeemer; it will end with the resurrection of the redeemed. Between lies the spiritual resurrection of those called into new life in Christ. So, we live between two Easters, and in the power of the first Easter we go to meet the last Easter.” Erich Sauer, The Triumph of the Crucified.We live in a unique moment in the history of the world. The historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus 2000 years ago is what sets this age apart, and assures us that no matter how hopeless things may seem, if we trust Him we have a future: God’s good plan will culminate in the resurrection of believers and the restoration of all things.
The Context: In I Corinthians 15:1-11, we see that the Resurrection of Jesus is an indisputable fact of history. Paul outlines some of the evidence that affirms the historical fact of the empty tomb, emphasizing the eyewitnesses. His point is that the resurrection is not just an idea, or story. Remember that he is writing just 20 years after the fact. Twenty years ago, George W. Bush was president. Most of you can remember that. Those of you who were too young don’t doubt that it happened, because you can ask the people who were there and who remember all about it. Paul is telling his readers about the eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, most of whom were still around. If there was any doubt about it they could go and talk to someone who saw him. It is a fact, and as such the basis for our faith. Baron Lyndhurst, one of the great legal minds in British history and three times high chancellor of England wrote, “I know pretty well what evidence is, and I tell you, such evidence as that for the resurrection has never broken down yet.” After rehearsing some of the historical evidence Paul goes on to say in 15:12-19, if it wasn’t true, if Jesus had not risen, Christianity would be a colossal waste to time, hedonism should be our guiding philosophy, eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die! That’s if the resurrection wasn’t true, but it is true. That’s why we’re here today, to celebrate that pivotal fact of history: Christ is Risen!
The Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation and assurance of our future hope: because He lives, we can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone.
I. The Redeemer: The resurrection of the Redeemer is the historical foundation and theological basis of our future hope (15:20-22).
“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, and become the firstfruits of those who sleep…” (v.20). If you been watching you’ve noticed that the earliest buds are coming out on the plants and trees, some have begun to push up through the soil. It’s only the start, it’s the promise of things to come!
“Firstfruits” is a reference to the Old Testament, and to the idea that the first part of the harvest was collected and set apart as an offering for the Lord. The “firstfruit” was full of promise, since it was a part, the first part, of the harvest; it was motive for thanksgiving and for celebration, and it offered hope that what had begun with that act would surely be completed. Paul uses that image to link the resurrection Jesus, an irrefutable historical fact, with the promise of a future resurrection for believers in Jesus.
“…those who sleep…” is clearly referring to the believers in Jesus who had died. Several places in the Bible refer to the death of believer as “sleep.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13,15 “13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope… 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.”
Sleep is temporary, it means that death does not have the last word for those who are redeemed. The empty tomb proved that truth.
Read I Corinthinans 15:21 and 22,“For as death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a Man, for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive…” Adam was the first human, and as such his disobedience brought the consequences of sin on the human race. Adam and Eve were essentially on probation in the Garden, and their failure brought judgment on them and on their progeny (the entire human race!). He represented us and he is our “father.” Elsewhere Paul says, “By one man sin entered into the world and death through sin…” In Adam all die. So also in Christ all shall be made alive. Jesus came into this world and lived a sinless life. Fully God, He took upon Himself a human nature. He was tempted by the devil but he never gave in, he never sinned. There was a great exchange that took place on Calvary: “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way, but the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Yes, He, the perfect One, the Sinless One, bore our sins in his own body on the cross. He became our substitute, he carried the sins of every last human who would one day trust in him. His atoning death was sufficient for all of humanity, and would be efficient for all who believe. The extent of the “all” who would be made alive through Christ is explained in the next verse: Christ the firstfruits, then those who are His. Believers. Born again. Forgiven. Think about that Good News! Death is an enemy that still lurks, but a defeated enemy. The consequences of the Fall are all around us. We mourn, but not as those who have no hope. It is the resurrection of Jesus that is the foundation and assurance of our future hope: because He lives, we can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone.
II. The Redeemed: The resurrection of Jesus is intrinsically connected with the future resurrection of believers (15:23). “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.”
This is where Paul goes further than we typically do when we talk about the believer, death, and the future. We talk about going to Heaven when we die, but we don’t talk much about being raised from the grave and reigning with Him on the earth. The implication of “firstfruits” is clear: the concept of resurrection is not limited to the resurrection of Jesus that Sunday morning almost 2000 years ago. That was the start, the “first part” of what is coming. We weren’t created to be disembodied spirits for eternity. He made Adam and Eve sinless and placed them in the Garden. The New Heaven and New Earth that is our hope is a completion of God’s good plan. Just as the physical body of Jesus was transformed and resurrected, so will the bodies of those who die in Christ.
“…afterward, those who are Christ’s…” Resurrection unto life, a new life in a transformed body is something that not everyone will experience. Notice what Paul says, this future blessing is for “those who are Christ’s…” This promise is specific, its particular, Paul is speaking about the future hope of “those who are His.” Everyone will spend eternity conscious, but for those who reject Him that means an eternity of conscious judgment, separated from God. A young lady was sharing a testimony the other day about coming to faith in Christ in a car, along with her sister, and her motivation was pretty simple: we didn’t want to go to hell! That’s pretty good motivation! Through faith in Christ we have eternal life, and that includes the truth that Paul develops later in this chapter: this corruptible must put on incorruption, this mortal, immortality.
When? “…at his coming…” The lightening flashed 2000 years ago when the stone was rolled away. He arose, and for 40 days appeared to his disciples, presenting himself alive by many convincing proofs. That was the lightening flash. This entire church age has been the interval “between the lightening and the thunder.” Right now, for the believer, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. That is really an intermediate state. His resurrection was the first fruits of a future resurrection harvest. He is returning, and “…at His coming…” the dead in Christ will rise first. The Day is coming! He is coming. Are you ready? The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation and assurance of our future hope: because He lives, we can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone.
III. The Restoration: The resurrection of Jesus assures us that God’s good plan will be consummated and order will be restored to this chaotic world (15:24-28). Sin brought suffering into the world.
Read verse 24: “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” The question might be raised that if Jesus defeated death through His death and resurrection, why do people still die? We are still living between the lightening and the thunder. You’ve experience the phenomenon: because light travels faster than sound you see the lightening in the distance before you hear the thunder. The closer it is the shorter the gap between the two. It as though the resurrection of Jesus, the firstfruits, was the lightening, the thunder is coming, His return and the resurrection of those who have trusted Him. Its like the famous story of the battle of Waterloo, the message, partially obscured came in, “Wellington defeated…” and there was great mourning, defeat! But then when the entire message was received: “Wellington defeated Napolean at Waterloo”—rejoicing! Its Friday, it might look bad as evil seems to prevail still, but Sunday is coming!
Verse 25 says “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.” This reflects the language of Psalm 2, where God says “Ask of me, and I will give you the nations as an inheritance…” In Psalm 8 (and Psalm 110:1) says all things will be put under His feet. God’s Kingdom rule, finally, on Earth as it is in Heaven. That conquest continues as the gospel goes out and the elect from every nation hear and respond to God’s call. The gates of hell are being assaulted and they shall not prevail.
Verse 26 speaks of the last enemy: The Death of Death – finally the last enemy will be destroyed… We’ve all seen that enemy in our lives, among our family and friends, some even over the last week and the last few weeks. Some of you in sickness or in combat or in a close call in life have stared that last enemy in the face. I’ve been by the grave sides of husbands burying their wives and of wives burying their husbands, children burying parents and parents children, and it can be painful, dark, heart wrenching, to face that enemy. Some face it differently though, because of the promise of Easter… Because of what Jesus did for us, because he conquered death, we mourn, but not as those who have no hope. We know the enemy’s time is limited and victory is certain for those who put their trust in Christ. Someone has said “The simplest meaning of Easter is that we are living in a world in which God has the last word. Jesus wins.” Is Easter relevant to the world today? Does an empty tomb in a Garden in Jerusalem make a difference now, 2000 years later? Because He defeated death it makes all the difference to those who put their trust in Him. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation and assurance of our future hope: because He lives we can face tomorrow, whatever it may bring. Because He lives, all fear is gone.
What would God have me to do in response to this passage? Most religions in the world are nothing more than an empty shell. They may be beautifully decorated on the outside, colorful and attractive, but they are empty, they have nothing to offer. The tomb is empty. He is risen! Have you thought through the promise of Easter? Could it be that you’re hearing the story of the One who conquered death and you’re feeling a tugging at your heart? It may be that God’s Spirit is whispering to you, calling you to faith. Jesus invites us, “Come unto Me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…” The Apostle Paul wrote elsewhere, “Confess with you mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved…” Do you believe He is who He claimed to be? Have you trusted in Him as your hope for eternity? It’s as simple as admitting that you are a sinner, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23); recognizing that you can’t save yourself since “…there is none righteous, no not one…” (Romans 3:10); and then trusting Him, believing in Him as the Savior and Lord of your life, for “…as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become children of God…” Will you trust Him today?
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