Topical Sermons                                                                                                                                  Power Point Show

Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The Resurrection of the Dead

Intro.

1.  “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14)  Yes!

2.  Christ is the origin & beginning of resurrection from the dead, 1 Cor. 15:20-23; Jno. 11:25 (5:21).

3.  His resurrection is why we have a living hope – 1 Pet. 1:3-5.

4.  Are you ready to die & to be raised from the dead?

I.  ALL THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED – Jno. 5:28 (Rev. 20:13).

  A.  Just & Unjust – Acts 24:15.

      -Denial of this is false doctrine (annihilation of wicked at death…).

II.  THE LAST DAY.

  A.  All at Same Time (“hour”) – Jno. 5:28-29.

    1.  Not two resurrections with 1,000 yrs. separation (right. / wicked).

    2.  “Last day” – Jno. 6:39-40, 54; 12:48.

III.  BODILY RESURRECTION – 1 Cor. 15:35-49.

  A.  Body of God’s Choosing (design) – 15:38.

    1.  Incorruptible (15:42), glorious (15:43), powerful (15:43), spiritual (15:44).

    2.  It is certain we will have this body – 15:44.

    3.  Christ is the source of this body – 15:45 (20).

    4.  Divine order:  Natural body…spiritual body – 15:46-49.

  B.  What Will Happen – 1 Cor. 15:50-54.

    1.  Mystery revealed – 15:51.

    2.  All raised / changed:  Instantly & at the end – 15:51-52.

    3.  Death is defeated – Incorruptible, immortal bodies – 15:53-54; cf. Rev. 20:13-14.

  C.  How this Affects Us Now – 1 Cor. 15:55-58.

    1.  Death loses its pain & power – 15:55.

    2.  Victory in Christ over law…sin…death – 15:56-57.

      a.  Law brings wrath (of sin) – Rom. 4:15; Gal. 3:10.

      b.  Sin brings death – Rom. 6:23.

      c.  Jesus fulfilled the law, saves from sin & defeated death!

    3.  Death has already been defeated!  So…

    4.  Be steadfast & immovable, abound in Lord’s work – 15:58.

IV.  JUDGMENT OF ALL – Rev. 20:11-15.

  A.  All Will Honor Christ – Phil. 2:9-11; Rom. 14:10-12.

  B.  Christ Will Judge All According to Our Lives – Rev. 22:12; 2 Cor. 5:10. (Heb. 10:31; 12:29)

V.  KINGDOM WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE FATHER – 1 Cor. 15:23-28.

  A.  Jesus Will Come at “the End” & Destroy Death (Resurrection) – 15:23-24.

  B.  Jesus Will Not Come to Establish a Kingdom – 15:24-25 (Rev. 1:9).

    1.  Presently reigning…until enemies are vanquished.

    2.  Death the last enemy – defeated at resurrection.

  C.  Jesus Will Not Come Back to Live & Reign on the Earth.

    1.  He delivers the kingdom up (not “down”) to the Father.

    2.  Premillennial expectation is false!

    3.  Rev. 20:1-6 is a figurative depiction of heavenly kingdom, not earthly reign.  (Doesn’t mention:  Reign on earth, literal throne of David, Jerusalem in Palestine, Christ on earth or us)

VI.  WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIANS WHO DIE BEFORE JESUS COMES? – 1 Ths. 4:13-18

  A.  Our Knowledge of Future Events gives us Hope & Joy – 4:13.

    1.  Faith in future involvement of dead saints – 4:14; 2 Cor. 4:14.

    2.  Dead saints will rise & living changed to join them in air to always be with the Lord – 4:15-17. We are comforted by this truth (4:18).

VII.  THE HEAVENS & THE EARTH WILL BE DESTROYED – 2 Pet. 3:10-12.

Conclusion

1.  God’s power will raise us from the dead – 1 Cor. 6:14.

2.  Christians eagerly wait for the coming of Jesus – Phil. 3:20-21 (1 Cor. 1:7; Heb. 9:28).

3.  Those with this hope purify themselves - 1 Jno. 3:2-3.

4.  Are you eager for the resurrection when you will stand before Jesus?  (Rev. 22:12, 20)