If Christ Be Not Raised (1 Cor. 15:35-58)
If Christ Has Not Been Raised
1 Corinthians 15:42-49
INTRODUCTION:
As Vice President, George Bush represented the U.S. at the funeral of former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Bush was deeply moved by a silent protest carried out by Brezhnev's widow. She stood motionless by the coffin until seconds before it was closed. Then, just as the soldiers touched the lid, Brezhnev's wife performed an act of great courage and hope, a gesture that must surely rank as one of the most profound acts of civil disobedience ever committed: She reached down and made the sign of the cross on her husband's chest. There in the citadel of secular, atheistic power, the wife of the man who had run it all hoped that her husband was wrong. She hoped that there was another life, and that that life was best represented by Jesus who died on the cross, and that the same Jesus might yet have mercy on her husband.
The hope of a resurrection is perhaps the strongest and most loved hope that Christians have. The apostle Paul talks about it most extensively in 1 Corinthians 15.
This issue is clearly stated in verse 12: Some were saying there is no resurrection of the dead.
Let me show you a contrast - in verses 1-34, the first half of the chapter, Paul uses the word “dead” 11 times. But in the second half - verses 35-58 - he uses the word “body” 10 times.
In the first half of the chapter, Paul argues that Christ was “raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (ver. 4) and to prove that resurrection, Paul briefly summarizes the appearances Christ made - verses 6-10.
In verses 12-19, Paul says “If Christ has not been raised,” there are several implications…
Our preaching is in vain
Your faith is in vain
We are all false witnesses
Your faith is worthless
Those who have already died have perished
We are of all men most to be pitied!
THERE ARE DIFFERENT BODIES IN THE WORLD - 15:35-44:
There is an analogy between seeds and bodies…
Apparently some in the church in Corinth were basically arguing: “We have to deny the resurrection because we can’t explain what happens to the body!” (ver. 35)
There are different types of flesh… human, animals, birds, and fish.
There are also different types of “bodies” in space: sun, moon, and stars.
So there is a different between the physical body and the spiritual body; observe the contrasts:
The physical body (buried) the spiritual body (raised)
Perishable Imperishable
Dishonor Glory
Weak Power
Natural Spiritual
THERE IS A SIMILARITY BETWEEN ADAM AND CHRIST 15:45-49:
Here is the difference… In Adam, “all die.”
In Christ, all are “made alive” (ver. 21-22).
In verse 45, Paul quotes from Genesis 2:7. There is a difference between the “soul-body” (which we share with Adam) and the “spirit-body” (which Christians share with Christ).
Paul’s message in this paragraph: In verse 33, Paul says, “Do not be deceived; bad company corrupts good morals.” Guard your companionships so you don’t get distracted from living for the resurrection!
THE ASSURANCE OF TRIUMPH - 15:50-57:
Paul is still answering the objection in verse 35 - “with what body do they come?” The answer? “They will be changed.”
The body, in its physical, nature state cannot exist in heaven!
The transformation will be almost instantaneous!
Death can no longer terrorize. Why? Because it has been swallowed up by the resurrection! Here (ver. 54), Paul quotes from Isaiah 25:8.
The death of Jesus has set in motion the process that will lead to the death of death! Here (ver. 55), Paul quotes from Hosea 13:14.
But the death of Jesus has also set in motion the proces that has led to the death of the Law of Moses!
Again, the death of Jesus has set in motion the process that will lead to the death of sin!
In this chapter, Paul has argued that our spiritual lives, our hope, begins (15:3-5) with Christ and it ends (15:57) with Christ! He is our victory!
THEREFORE, HERE IS HOW YOU NEED TO LIVE - 15:58:
How, then, should we live?
“Be steadfast.” Persevere.
“Be immovable.” Stay stable and dependable in your convictions.
“Always abound in the work of the Lord” - Stay busy!
To summarize Paul from this paragraph: we should stay focused on the work of the Lord so we’ll be prepared for the resurrection!
Take home message: Prepare for your own resurrection!