RESURRECTION PEOPLE
1 Corinthians 15:12-28
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (20)
chapter 15
12. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
14. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
15. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
16. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
17. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
18. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
19. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
22. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
24. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
25. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
26. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
27. For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
28. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. The gospel is a message for those who are dying. Death is all around us, whether we experience it or not. The gospel gives us hope for a new life. We cannot miss this main point in our Christian lives, for this what Jesus lived, died, and rose again for.
2. In his earthly life and ministry, Jesus always reached out to those who were suffering and dying. He figuratively and literally raised the dying and dead to life. Jesus died at the hands of the religious and political leaders who cared little for those who were suffering and dying. Jesus rose on the third day to give new life to those who were crippled by fears of death and failure. He changed fearful disciples into bold witnesses of Christ.
3. Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is a message of God’s triumph over the strongholds of wickedness, sin, and death. The point of the gospel is that sin and death are not the end. God’s grace and redeeming power will prevail when we have faith in the power of the resurrection.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always caring for those who are in the midst of suffering and death. You gave us life and you also came to give us new life.
One Word: Christ has risen indeed!