Wednesday, December 15, 2021

2021.12.15 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

Questions from the Scripture text: What has Christ done (1 Corinthians 15:20a)? Who became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep? What came by a man (1 Corinthians 15:21a)? What else came by a man (verse 21b)? What do all who are in Adam do (1 Corinthians 15:22a)? What happens to all who are in Christ (verse 22b)? When is the resurrection of those who are Christ’s (1 Corinthians 15:23)? What comes then (1 Corinthians 15:24)? To whom does Christ deliver the kingdom? What will Jesus do to all other authorities? What will be the last enemy to be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26)? Who is putting all things under Jesus’s feet (1 Corinthians 15:27)? Who, then, is not put under Jesus’s feet? To whom will Jesus be subject (1 Corinthians 15:28)? By even what people was the resurrection of the dead believed (1 Corinthians 15:29)? And what were the apostles willing to do because of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:30)? What did Paul say that he did daily (1 Corinthians 15:31)? What would he do, if the dead are not raised (1 Corinthians 15:32)? What should we be careful not to do with others who think like this (1 Corinthians 15:33)? Whom should we know and think about instead (1 Corinthians 15:34)?

In this passage, Paul makes the final argument for the resurrection: this is how it must all end! God must win at the last (1 Corinthians 15:28). 

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 (1 Corinthians 15:29)?

But the apostle sets us the true example. Be willing to risk much for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:30). Stop living for this life, and live for eternity instead (1 Corinthians 15:31). Do battle with all that opposes Christ (1 Corinthians 15:32a). Watch out for living for the flesh (verse 32b). Refuse to have as your companions those who live for this life (1 Corinthians 15:33). And have instead, as your constant companion the Lord Himself (1 Corinthians 15:34).

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”


No comments:

Post a Comment