1 Corinthians 15:20-34

God’s Plan Will Be Fulfilled At The Resurrection

Introduction

Introduction

• Vs. 1-2 – We see that Paul is again declaring the gospel to them again.
• Vs. 3-8 – He tells them that there were eye witnesses still alive that could collaborate the resurrection of Jesus.
• Vs. 9-29 – He explains the futility of believing that Christ has not been raised.

Preliminary Thoughts

Preliminary Thoughts

• From vs. 12-32, Paul had shown how illogical it was to be a Christian and to deny the resurrection.
• You do not see premillennialism, or the 70 AD theory taught by Paul in this chapter.
• Starting from vs 20 we will see what the resurrection entails for those who has faith in the resurrection.

Chapter Section Synopsis

Chapter Section Synopsis

• Vs. 20-28 - Believers Have Assurance Of Their Resurrection
• Vs. 29-34 - The effects of denying the resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Believers Have Assurance Of Their Resurrection

Assurance of The Resurrection

• Vs. 20 – Christ has been raised He is the “first fruits of them that slept”.
• Vs. 21-22 – By man came death and life.
• Vs. 23 – The order of the Resurrection
• Vs. 24-28 –The kingdom and all authority
• Vs. 28 – At the resurrection, when all has been subjected to Jesus.

Order of the Resurrection

God Has Established The Order Of The Resurrection From The Dead

• First – Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:5-6)
• Second ­– Those who have already died. (1 Thess. 4:16)
• Third – Those that are still alive.(1 Thess. 4:17)
• Fourth – All those who are not Christ’s will resurrected unto damnation. (Rev. 20:13-15)

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Matt. 28:5-6

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Order of the Resurrection

God Has Established The Order Of The Resurrection From The Dead

• First – Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:5-6)
• Second ­– Those who have already died. (1 Thess. 4:16)
• Third – Those that are still alive.(1 Thess. 4:17)
• Fourth – All those who are not Christ’s will resurrected unto damnation. (Rev. 20:13-15)

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1 Thess. 4:16-17

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Order of the Resurrection

God Has Established The Order Of The Resurrection From The Dead

• First – Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:5-6)
• Second ­– Those who have already died. (1 Thess. 4:16)
• Third – Those that are still alive.(1 Thess. 4:17)
• Fourth – All those who are not Christ’s will resurrected unto damnation. (Rev. 20:13-15)

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Rev. 20:13-15

The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Kingdom And All Authority-1

• Verse 24 tell us the second coming is the end of all things on earth.
• The Bible speaks of no future for the earth.
• We will be caught up in the clouds to meet the lord and so shall we be forever. (1 Thess. 4:17)

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The Kingdom And All Authority-2

Verse 25 tells us the length of Jesus reign over the kingdom (church)

• He will reign until he has conquered all His enemies.
• At the second coming all earthly rule,
• All authority and power comes to an end.
• The last enemy to be defeated is death.

The Kingdom And All Authority-3

Concerning Earthy Power and Authority

• Satan has given power to kingdoms of men (Rev. 13:2)
• He continues to work through “rulers of the darkness of this world,” (Eph. 6:12)
• God has the power and authority to remove and establishes kings. (Dan. 2:21)

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Rev. 13:2

Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.

The Kingdom And All Authority-3

Concerning Earthy Power and Authority

• Satan has given power to kingdoms of men (Rev. 13:2)
• He continues to work through “rulers of the darkness of this world,” (Eph. 6:12)
• God has the power and authority to remove and establishes kings. (Dan. 2:21)

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Eph. 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places

The Kingdom And All Authority-3

Concerning Earthy Power and Authority

• Satan has given power to kingdoms of men (Rev. 13:2)
• He continues to work through “rulers of the darkness of this world,” (Eph. 6:12)
• God has the power and authority to remove and establishes kings. (Dan. 2:21)

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Dan. 2:21

And He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up kings;

He gives wisdom to the wise

The Kingdom And All Authority-4

Concerning Earthy Power and Authority

• The kingdom of God stands because Christ is the “Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.” (Rev. 17:14)
• Christ is far above all principalities and power, and might, and dominion, etc. (Eph. 1:20-23)

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Eph. 1:20-21

which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

The Kingdom And All Authority-5

God Allows Satan’s Influence To Be In The World

• The longsuffering of God is to give man every opportunity to come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9-10)
• We have the intelligence to either do right or wrong. –We must make own decision.
• A righteous person will strive to please God
• It may well be that Satan is allowed to do his work, so that we can be forged into righteousness by refusing evil.

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2 Pet. 3:8-10

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Subjection To Authority - Vs. 28

When All Has Been Subjected To Jesus....

• Christ will then be subject unto the Father that God may be the only ruler.
• Jesus respects hierarchy of authority (1 Cor. 11:3)
• The scheme of redemption was in the Father’s eternal plan (Eph. 3:9-11)
• Jesus did the will of His Father (John 6:38)
• The Holy Spirit spoke only what was revealed to Him. (John 16:13)
• It is the willing submission of love which is the essence of Godhood.

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1 Cor. 11:3

But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

John 6:38

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 16:13

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

1 Corinthians 15:29-34

If There Is No Resurrection,

How Can One Explain Our Conduct?

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If There Is No Resurresction

• Vs. 29-30 – We stand in peril of man if there is no resurrection.
• Vs. 31-32 – Paul recalls his peril and questions the wisdom behind it.
• Paul constantly placed himself in peril and hardship for the work of Christ. (2 Cor. 11:23-29)
• Vs. 33-34 – Evil companions can deceive you if you lack knowledge.

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• Five times I received forty stripes minus one
• Three times I was beaten with rods
• Once I was stoned
• Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep
• In journeys often
• In perils of waters
• In perils of robbers
• In perils of my own countrymen
• In perils of the Gentiles
• In perils in the city
• In perils in the wilderness
• In perils in the sea
• In perils among false brethren
• In weariness and toil
• In sleeplessness often
• In hunger and thirst
• In fastings often
• In cold and nakedness
• Besides the other things what comes upon me daily:

My deep concern for all the churches

Conclusion

Conclusion

1. Faith in the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of the gospel.
2. If anyone teaches there is no resurrection, they are a false teacher.
3. If anyone teachers premillennialism, is a false teacher.
4. Baptism and continued faith frees us from the fear of judgment.
5. Always be watchful for anything that may lead you astray.