Jesus was risen! (1 Corinthians 15: 3-8, 47-58)

We are hearing about more deaths than ever before in recent years. There are many different thoughts about death. Many people think that death is the end of life. So some people commit suicide. The apostle Paul said he wanted to leave this body and be with Christ. The Bible says that those who die and are in Christ are blessed. Why do Christians have a different view of death? It is because Christians see death through the eyes of the Bible. Because death is simply the door to eternal life. The body is decaying, but we believe that it will be resurrected like Jesus’ body was. When the world is having a hard time as it is these days, I want us to be blessed by the truth of the resurrection, one of the most important truths in the Bible.

We believe that as Jesus’ resurrected, we too will have a resurrection. Because Jesus resurrected, we are able to live a resurrected life. I hope that as Jesus was resurrected, you will all experience that resurrection as well.

First, let’s look at the facts of the resurrection that happened in the past. The Resurrection is a historical fact.

1 Corinthians 15 is the chapter that explains the resurrection. First, the apostle Paul confirms that Jesus died for our sins according to the Bible and was buried and then rose again in three days according to the Bible.

(1Co 15:3, NIV) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance： that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

(1Co 15:4, NIV) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Josh McDowell is a college minister who has changed from a skeptic to a passionate evangelist and now serves as a world-class instructor. He lists the elements to think about regarding the resurrection in his book “The Factors of Resurrection.” 

First, the 1500kg heavy stone that blocked the entrance to the tomb was moved.

Second, Jesus’ tomb was empty. 

Third, the Roman soldiers fled.

Fourth, when the disciples went to the tomb, the body of Jesus wasn’t there, and only a fine linen lay there. Also, the towel that was on Jesus’ head was moved and folded. If someone had stolen the body of Jesus, could the thieves have undressed the body and folded the clothes?

Fifth, there are so many and varied witnesses of the risen Jesus. The resurrected Jesus appeared to Peter, his 12 disciples, his brother James, and also to 500 people all at once.

Sixth, women are the first to witness the resurrection of Jesus. At the time, according to Jewish customs, women’s testimonies were disregarded in court. Thus, if the events of the resurrection were fabricated, women’s witnesses would have been intentionally removed from the biblical record.

Most amazingly, the disciples, whose lives were changed 180 degrees after Jesus’ death, testify all of the above to the resurrection of Jesus.

This is all true. I will explain it again.

1) Christianity stands on the historical fact of Christ’s resurrection.

2) Jesus’ resurrection is the only foundation of the Church. Without the resurrection, the church could not be founded. Because Jesus was resurrected, they began to worship on Sundays in Jerusalem.

3) Jesus lives on in the lives of Christians. (Galatians 2:20).

What if there is no resurrection?

1. If there is no resurrection, what is waiting for us? The apostle speaks in a rather angry tone here.

Verse 14, (1Co 15:14, NIV)”And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”

2) Verse 17, (1Co 15:17, NIV) “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

3)(1Co 15:18, NIV) Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

4) Verse 19,(1Co 15:19, NIV) “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”

The event of the resurrection is not a story or a myth, but a fact. I hope that you will firmly believe in the resurrection as fact. 

2. The future resurrection … We must believe that we will rise again. Jesus’ resurrection becomes my resurrection.

In 1 Corinthians 15:20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.. In 1 Corinthians 15:23, Jesus is called“ the first fruit of resurrection.” What does the first fruit mean? The first fruits of the Old Testament usually not only represent the whole harvest, but also suggest the fruit to be harvested later.

In this regard, the ‘first fruit’ of this verse means that it was the first event in time, and it represents that there will be future events. In other words, the resurrection event of Christ is not a personal event, but a communal and universal event, meaning that it is a great event that underlies the resurrection of the dead on the last day. Again, I hope that you will all believe that we will rise just as the Lord has risen.

Verse 21 = ” For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”

Verse 22 = “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

That’s right. ① (1Co 15:42, NIV) So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; We are planted as bodies that will rot but will be resurrected to an imperishable body.

② Our bodies will be transformed into a glorious body. (Verse 43) The term “glorious” here means “glory in the future in a blessed state” (2 Cor. 4:17) Our body now is very shabby, but after resurrection, our body is gloriously and brilliantly transformed.

③ Our bodies will change into “spiritual bodies” (v. 44). The term “spiritual” here means “having spiritual holiness,” “supernatural,” and “regenerating.” We will be transformed into a spiritual body on the last day.

④ Our bodies will transform into a strong body. It will resurrect as a body that does not get sick, a body that cannot be hurt by an accident, a body that does not have sorrow and pain, and a body that is strong.

⑤ Our bodies will be transformed into a form that belongs in heaven. (1 Corinthians 15: 47-49) Our bodies will be a form that is able to live in heaven after the last day.

⑥ We will have changed bodies. (1 Corinthians 15: 51-52). We will be resurrected and transformed into a glorious body that transcends time and space and lives forever in the kingdom of heaven. This is a secret and mystery about the world of faith.

⑦ Our bodies will be transformed to live eternally. (Verse 54) Everyone in our bodies on earth is supposed to die. However, the body will become a body that lives forever (1 Thess. 4: 16-17). Therefore, all of us should with hope and look forward to the day of glory.

  In verses 51–52, the Bible testifies to the future resurrection of the Saints when Jesus returns.

(1Co 15:51, NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery： We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed–
(1Co 15:52, NIV) in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

I will tell you a secret. It is a mystery to be transformed into a resurrection body.

At the last trumpet

Atoms are small things that are indivisible. ‘In an instant’ is a shorter time than ‘in a blink of an eye’ (atom).

Therefore, the death of the body will wait for a while. The soul enters heaven first, while the body waits for the second coming to transform into a new resurrection body. Then, it will transform into a new body that will never rot or die. A strong, beautiful and spiritual body. In that moment, death will be defeated! Disease will end! Disabilities will end! Resurrection is a complete recovery, a complete healing. Dear beloved, do you believe that each of us will experience this change?

All of these great miracles will happen in the blink of an eye!  This is the future resurrection. I bless you to believe that this mysterious resurrection will happen when Jesus returns.

3. The present resurrection life.

The resurrection of Jesus is a resurrection that can be experienced here today. Because of Jesus, we can enjoy the resurrection life here.

1Co 15:55  “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

1Co 15:56  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What blessings can those who have met the resurrected Lord enjoy here today? First, they can experience a victorious life.

They can experience a life that overcomes death, sin, and the law. It is a life free from death, sin, and the law.

How did death enter us? When we sinned through disobedience, sin came in, and death came in as a result of sin. Death means separation. As a result of sin, we are spiritually separated from God, so we cannot have fellowship with God and our fellowship is cut off. So, darkness and sin reign over us.

However, those who live with the resurrected Jesus in their hearts and lives overcome death and darkness. Sometimes the settings of our lives make us feel frustrated and hopeless. However, those who live by the resurrection life of Jesus are not discouraged. Even if they are persecuted, they will not be cast down. Are you overcoming death with the life of Jesus?

Also, those who live by the life of the resurrection of Jesus overcome sin. We cannot defeat sin in our own strength. However, the more the Holy Spirit, who is the life of resurrection, rules over us, the more holy power comes into us. Hatred disappears. Then, as the heart of pity for other souls comes in, we can easily forgive others. You can bless others. It is difficult for those who live by the resurrection life of Jesus to sin. Are you experiencing this? This is the resurrection life we enjoy here today.

Also, those who live by the resurrection of Jesus live a life that overcomes the law. The fulfillment of the law is love. When God’s love enters our hearts through the Holy Spirit, we are transformed into people of love. This cannot be explained in words. But those who have experienced it know. We can obey the Word of God with the motive and power of that love. With that love we can love our brothers and sisters.

The ability to actually live a life free from death, sin, and the law, is the power of the life of the resurrected Jesus.

And secondly, through the power of resurrection, today we live as people who always put more effort into the work of the Lord. 1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

We know that death is not the end, but there will be a day when we will stand before the Father and hear praises saying, “Well done my son, my daughter, good and faithful servant.” Those who run for the mission entrusted with this kind of faith are the people who live today with the power of resurrection.

Why should we always live as those who are devoted to the work of the Lord? Because our labor will never be in vain. Because today’s hard work leads to eternity.

Then what is the Lord’s work? I believe that everything the resurrected Lord does through me is the work of the Lord. My brethren, what does the Lord in me want to do? Yes, He wants me to continue to love and serve with His heart. To study and work with the strength given by Him. Above all, the Lord who is in me wants to testify of the resurrected Jesus through my life. The Lord’s earnest wish is to testify of Jesus Christ. This is because only by believing in Jesus can we be saved from sin and become God’s people. Therefore, continue to pray for the VIPs with the house church members, and serve with love. I hope you testify of the love of the Lord to the lost souls with the heart of love that the Lord gives every day.

There is a ministry that helps cancer patients before they die called the Hospice Ministry. Pastor Won-Hee Won of Sammul Hospice in Korea said this about getting a church retreat team in their ward. They particularly welcomed young people. The young people saw that the terminally ill cancer patients were fighting by faith. And, when seeing them in this majestic way, the young people began to see their lives from a different perspective. To the young people, this was a stronger message than listening to hundreds or thousands of sermons. The scene where those who were going to die are called by God with the hope of resurrection is a great sermon in itself.

That’s right, we must die. Recently, Saints Yulia and Saints Elja were called by the Lord due to the coronavirus.

The Lord said to Martha, Joh 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies. Joh 11:26 Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?

Dear fellow believers, do you believe that those who believe in the Lord will never truly die? Do you believe in your resurrection?

Yes! Jesus’ resurrection is a historical fact. Please believe that Jesus died according to the Bible, and that Jesus died and rose again in three days, becoming the first fruit of the resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our future resurrection. I hope you will believe that there will be a mysterious resurrection that suddenly changes in the last days by the trumpet. Also remember that Jesus’ resurrection leads us to a resurrection life here today. It allows you to experience the mysterious resurrection power to overcome sin, law, and death.

 With the power of that resurrection, we can live as those who always do the Lord’s work. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will enjoy the present victory of resurrection by experiencing the cross.