This week we continue our series in 1 Corinthians. We are considering what Paul teaches about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:12-34.
Summary: God wants us to be convinced of and live in the light of our future resurrection.
Some in the Corinthian church were struggling with the idea of resurrection and Paul is seeking to keep them from false teaching. The gospel contains two main truths: Jesus died for us and, secondly, that He also rose from death. Both of these truths are vital. Through His death we are justified; His death was substitutionary - He died in our place for our sin. His resurrection declared that He was telling the truth and that He had been victorious. Having said that, is that all that there is to the teaching of the resurrection? Is it just about Jesus rising from death? Added to Jesus’ resurrection is the fundamental truth of our future resurrection. As He was raised, so we will be raised to new life! This is our hope. Some at Corinth had problems with the idea of resurrection. He writes:
'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?’ (1 Corinthians 15:12)
WHAT FALSE TEACHING ARE THEY EMBRACING?
Some were saying ‘there is no resurrection of the dead’; this means at least three things:
i. Humans will not undergo a bodily resurrection. They believe that Jesus was raised but we will remain spirits without a body forever. This idea is common to many Christians who are ignorant of the true hope offered in Christ. Being a spirit in heaven forever is a common conception of the afterlife.
ii. There is no life after death. We know God in this life only, after which we face an unconscious eternity. Many have a faith in God which is for this life only. They don’t really believe in life after death but have a vague trust in God for this life.
iii. There is no resurrection of Jesus or anyone. Neither Jesus nor we ourselves will be raised. This is very common. Many think of Jesus’ death and resurrection as nonsense.
Paul is correcting them and urging them to hold firmly to the teaching of Jesus’ resurrection and their future bodily resurrection.
RESPONSE
How often do you think about your own resurrection? Do you live with the excitement of rising from death to a new life in a new body and in a renewed universe? This is a miracle that God will bring about. As He created you in the first place, He can and will recreate you at Jesus’ return.
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
What has God been speaking to you about from His word recently? How would you like prayer?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
This week we continue our series in 1 Corinthians. We are considering what Paul teaches about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:12-34.
i. THE CORINTHIANS ARE IN DANGER FALSE TEACHING
‘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?’ (1 Corinthians 15:12)
Some in the Corinthian church were struggling with the idea of resurrection and Paul is seeking to keep them from false teaching.
ii. NO RESURRECTION NO SALVATION
‘If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 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. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.’ (1 Corinthians 15:13-19)
Paul is at pains to show them that if Jesus has not been raised from the dead, they are not saved and continue under God’s judgment. If Jesus has not been raised from the dead, His death on the cross was not a victory but the defeat of a deluded man.
iii. JESUS THE FIRSTFRUITS
‘But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 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. 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. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 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. 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.’ (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
Paul calls Jesus’ resurrection the ‘firstfruits’. This is about Him being the first of many to follow. Imagine moving into a new home with a fruit tree that you don’t recognise in the garden. When the tree produces an apple or a pearl, you know that all the fruit that will follow will be of the same kind. Likewise, Jesus’ resurrection is the same kind as all Christians will experience.
iv. THROUGH ONE MAN
He reminds the Corinthians of the deep truth of the similarity between Christ and Adam. He writes in Romans 5:
‘For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!’ (Romans 5:17)
Just as Adam’s sin led to death in the universe and our physical bodies, so Christ’s obedience to the death of the cross will lead to the removal of death in the universe and our physical bodies. He tells them that ’In Christ all will be made alive’; He wants to reassure them that as surely as Adam’s disobedience on their behalf has affected them so negatively, so Jesus’ obedience on their behalf will lead to complete victory.
RESPONSE - DO NOT BE MISLED
‘Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptised for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptised for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.’ (1 Corinthians 15:29-33)
God wants you to be certain of Jesus’ resurrection and of your own future hope of resurrection. Beware that “Bad company corrupts good character.” Are we putting good teaching into our minds and hearts? Are we caught up with conspiracy theories and fanciful teaching that takes one away from true faith?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
i. Did you feel that God spoke to you from any particular aspect of Sunday's message?
ii. What does Jesus' resurrection mean for us?
iii. Why do many fail to believe or think about their future resurrection?
iv. How often do you think about your future resurrection and how does this affect your life?
SIV - Let's keep praying and planning for how we can invite people to our carol service on 11th December (4 pm).
SIV - Do you have any encouraging stories of sharing your faith with your friends?
SIV - How do you plan to 'serve, invest and invite' into your friendships?
SIV - Let's pray for the Spirit to lead us in reaching our community.
