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Show THE RESURRECTION DID HAPPEN I Corinthians 15: 19-20 "If in life only we have hope in -Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." this When I was growing to see who would do Martin Luther King, up, we use everything Jr. said there to race first. Dr. a drum major instinct in all of us from the time we are crying babies to striving adults. WE want to be first. Unfortunately, one thing none The of boy us will be first at is the resurrection. raised Old Testament by Elijah were not resurrected. The procession nor and Elisha in the girl the first to be in the funeral Lazarus in the grave were the first fruit of those who have fallen I asleep. are one Each one of them died waiting for the trumpet again and to sound. But man, the God-man did rise and lives today. Our hope is not just in this life alone, but is in Christ Jesus the first born of those asleep. About the worst thing is to have no hope. THE BIBLE says to just have hope in this world, in this life, temporary hope is to be most pitiable, most miserable, unhappy, wretched, extremely distressed. Jesus had been crucified, is dead and buried. The disciples have gone into .hiding. The soldiers are gambling for His belongings. who have fallen The crowd mocked Him, The authorities have sealed the grave. that all hope Everybody knows is gone. But Paul cou1d not trapped and hopeless. Here is the problem: TEMPORARY HOPE EQUALS MISERY. "lf in this life only leave us at the tomb we have hope in Christ, we are of all men (1 Corinthians 15: 19) It a temporary and passing hope for this physical life is but for a time. We are reminded time and time again that in this life there is one' appointment we cannot is most miserable." escape. Just as we came, we will also go. day we are here and another we are gone. Anything bound by time just comes to an end. 'This mortal self decays and One passes away. Like the leaves tree, we wither, fade, and dry up. We don't have much to look forward to aside from more trouble and distress. If all hope in Christ we on a have is the during this time, that's Paul wants us it. to know that RESURRECTION EQUALS ETERNAL HOPE. "But now Christ is risen from the dead " ... 20a) Aren't you glad that after three days in the tomb, the passing Corinthians 15: (I and Jesus got up to live for all eternity. He arose from the grave with all power in heaven and in earth In His despair passed hands. He had victory over death and the grave. I like the way the song write put it: IIUp from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o'er His foes, He victor from the dark arose a domain. And He lives forever with His saints to reign, He arose, He arose, Hallelujah, Christ arose." promised that where He was His children would be also, then we too will rise with eternal hope. He delivers If Christ arose and He the power of resurrection and salvation to all who believe. J-I I You see, CHRIST IS THE FIRST-FRUIT FROM THE DEAD. " ... Christ ... has become the first fruit of those who have fallen 20b) All those others who died but got up by the power of His Word and His Name had to die again. They could not last in this world. They are asleep." (I Corinthians 15: made out of the stuff of this world and need to be glorified. Not only must we declare His tomb empty, his clothes folded, but we must tell the world that Christ is risen and our eyes' have seen His glory and hands have handled His handiworks. our Our preaching must not be in vain. Our faith must be true. We are not false witnesses. Our sins have been we are creatures of a forgiven and second birth. refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46: 1) He guided us thorough the past, is helping us "God is our right now, and future. grants us hope for the |
