Thursday, December 13, 2018

2018.12.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

Questions for Littles: What has Christ done (v20a)? Who became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep? What came by a man (21a)? Whet else came by a man (21b)? What do all who are in Adam do (22a)? What happens to all who are in Christ (22b)? When is the resurrection of those who are Christ’s (v23)? What comes then (24)? To whom does Christ deliver the kingdom? What will Jesus do to all other authorities? What will be the last enemy to be destroyed (v26)? Who is putting all things under Jesus’s feet (v27)? Who, then, is not put under Jesus’s feet? To whom will Jesus be subject (v28)? By even what people was the resurrection of the dead believed (v29)? And what were the apostles willing to do because of the resurrection (v30)? What did Paul say that he did daily (v31)? What would he do, if the dead are not raised (v32)? What should we be careful not to do with others who think like this (v33)? Whom should we know and think about instead (v34)?
In this week’s epistle reading, Paul makes the final argument for the resurrection: this is how it must all end! God must win at the last (v28).

The problem is that the first Adam sinned, and in him all died. The fact that we received spiritual death from him is an indisputable fact. We try to hide from it, but every one of us who is honest with ourselves find that it is true that our hearts are deceitful above all things (unknowable) and desperately wicked (unfixable).

How does this go with the fact that God must win at the last? There is another Adam, the last Adam—Christ. Since by a man came death, by a man resurrection had to come.

But when? Well, there are more things wrong with the world than just that we are spiritually dead. This sin and death has infected all authority, so that all has to be brought back under Christ’s feet. And even then, there is one more enemy to be defeated: death itself.

Christ’s mission to save us isn’t about us. It’s about God. God is displaying both His love and His power, and at the last He shall reign!

So the resurrection is sure. The question for you and me is, what difference does it make? Well, if you’re into false religion, you baptize for the dead—and how sad would it be if believers were less confident in the resurrection than such cults (v29)?

But the apostle sets us the true example. Be willing to risk much for the Lord (v30). Stop living for this life, and live for eternity instead (v31). Do battle with all that opposes Christ (v32a). Watch out for living for the flesh (v32b). Refuse to have as your companions those who live for this life (v33). And have instead, as your constant companion the Lord Himself (v34).
Are you living like someone whose hope is to enjoy yourself as much as possible for as long as possible? Or like someone who knows that you will rise from the dead unto everlasting joy?
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH539 “Am I a Soldier of the Cross”

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