April 26, 2024
Bible Studies for Life
1 Corinthians 15:20-28,54-58
Emory Berry, Jr., senior pastor
Greenforest Community Baptist Church, Decatur
One of my fondest memories as a parent is an occasion whereby, I took my then five-year-old son to the pediatrician for a standard appointment. For some reason, my son had an unusual excitement about going to see his doctor that day.
To be honest with you, it baffled me because I could not understand why he was so joyful about going to see his pediatrician. After all, many children are horrified about going to their doctor because they are terrified of needles and getting shots. Interestingly this was not my son’s worry, fear, or concern. However, I came to realize that the reason for his excitement was that they were going to measure his “height” before taking him to one of the patient rooms. You see, my son was eager to see how much he had grown since his previous visit. In short, He was filled with zeal because he was pretty confident that he had grown taller since his last doctor’s visit.
I mention the above story to simply say that one of the beauties of maturing in one’s faith is that you get an opportunity to reflect and look back retrospectively on your walk with the Lord and see how much you have grown. To this end, we hope and pray that all of us are “spiritually taller” today than we were this time last year.
In a very real sense, we ought to be “spiritually taller” in our understanding of scripture, obedience to the Holy Spirit, commitment to service, worship to God, prayer habits, and discipline of giving, just to name a few. However, I contend that there is one area of our Christian walk that we should never stop growing and that is our understanding of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As we consider the fact that Jesus is no longer on the cross or on the tomb, we have good reason to rejoice. However, the question is do we truly understand how Jesus’ resurrection positively shifts everything in our lives? Do we comprehend how Jesus’ resurrection positively shifts our hope in dark times? Do we fully appreciate that we have power over the devil? Do we realize that Jesus’ resurrection is a symbol of God’s love and grace? Do we fully grasp that Jesus not only was resurrected but is returning one day? And finally, do we get that Jesus rules and reigns the world and wants to reign in our hearts?
I want to submit that there are four things that I Corinthians 15 offers to help us have a fuller, broader, and deeper understanding about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These four truths are: Jesus was raised, Jesus redeems, Jesus will return again, and Jesus reigns. Below I want to expound a little bit more on these four truths.
Truth #1 – Jesus has been RAISED! In v.20, Paul pens “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” That confirms for us that Christ is no longer on the cross or in the tomb. Reading, hearing, digesting, and declaring these words ought to provoke joy in our hearts because it gives us hope. If God can raise Jesus from a dead, dark, and difficult situation, surely God can deliver us from any challenge that we face.
Truth #2– Jesus still REDEEMS! In v.21-22, Paul reminds the church of Corinth that “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” These words are extremely powerful and potent because it reminds of our limitations as human beings and our sinful nature. However, it gives us the hope and confidence that Jesus changes our eternal fate from a life separated from God to a life eternally with God.
Truth #3 – Jesus will RETURN! In v.23-24 we see the presence and power of Christ show up in a mighty way. Paul writes “But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.” Although we celebrate the birth of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, we are encouraged to celebrate the return of Christ. For those who have invited Christ into their hearts and declared him as savior, Christ’s upcoming unannounced return is good news!
Truth 4 – Jesus RULES and REIGNS! Finally in v.25 the Apostle Paul poetically posits “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”, which gives us the blessed assurance that Christ is the one who ultimately and supremely has control over our lives and the world. Furthermore, Christ’s resurrection permanently seals his Kingship, Rulership, Sovereignty, and Authority both now and forever.
In conclusion, Jesus’ resurrection changes everything and gives believers worldwide a living hope and eternal victory! In the words of William and Gloria Gaither,
God sent His Son
They called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives
And then one day
I'll cross that river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then as death gives way to vict'ry
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know he lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.
