Class Lesson Online - Zoom @ 8:45 AM Sunday April 19, 2020

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RESURRECTION: THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH

Christians celebrate two great events each year.

• At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God coming to earth.

• At Easter, we remember the death of Jesus and celebrate His resurrection on the third day.

We couldn't remember Christ's death and celebrate His resurrection if He had not come to earth to live among us. But Christmas would be absolutely meaningless is Jesus did not rise from the dead. 

No other doctrine is more critical to Christianity than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This great moment changed everything. Without the resurrection, the death of Christ loses its power and significance. Without the resurrection, we have no hope and our faith is meaningless. 

To many outside the Christian faith, a resurrection sounds outrageous. But in 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul highlighted several key facts that point to the actual, physical resurrection of Jesus. But he didn't stop there. Paul also showed us what that resurrection means for us. 

The resurrection of Christ is the singular event in history that changes our lives - for eternity.

This is a two week lesson series:

1. The Truth of the Resurrection                                                                                                                               
2. Why The Resurrection Matters

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

We live daily with all kinds of inventions that have dramatically changed the way we live and work:

• The Gutenberg printing press, invented in the 15^th century, enabled the mass production of words and ideas.
• The battery, introduced in 1800, gave us a way to store energy.
• Edison’s electric light (1879) illuminated what we do day and night.

Inventions like these have truly transformed the ways we live and work, but they’ve been around so long and are so commonplace today, we no longer give them much thought. Just think how difficult it would be to live these days without lights and batteries.

Not all life-changing events should be so taken for granted or overlooked. Consider the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ’s resurrection has been a central truth of Christianity for two thousand years, and sadly, many Christians can repeat the facts of the resurrection while never contemplating the implications of that truth for their daily lives.

Jesus’ defeat of the power of sin and death is truly a game changer for our lives — now and forever.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

20 But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

In leading up to this passage, Paul stressed the importance of an actual and historical resurrection. He asserted in verse 14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain, and so is your faith” Paul argued that if there is no resurrection, then not even Christ rose from the dead. Paul offered the further conviction that if there were no resurrection, then to proclaim the risen Jesus was to give false testimony about God (v. 15).

To summarize Paul’s teaching, if Christ has not been resurrected, . . .

. . . you give false testimony about God (v. 15).

. . . your faith in Christ is worthless (v. 17).

. . . you are still in your sins (v. 17).

Beginning in verse 20, Paul used an analogy to further explain what Christ’s death means for all humanity. The resurrected Christ is “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In the Old Testament ceremony of the first fruits, the people brought their first (and best) portions of the harvest to give them as offerings to God (Lev. 23:9-14). “The first fruits indicated that the entire harvest was soon to follow.” The significance of this analogy is that Christ’s resurrection precedes the harvest of others, when His followers will be raised from death. While physical death is inevitable, Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates that our death is not the end of the story.

In an atheistic view, death is the end of the story. It is the finality of every individual. No matter what you thought, said, or did in this life, you end up the same as everyone else, and the same as all matter: dead.

Question 2:

How does Jesus’ resurrection give us hope?

Nothing you have done in life has ultimate significance since you will face no judgment and have no afterlife. This is a sad, hopeless view when taken to its logical conclusion. No matter what good or evil you did, in the end, you just die and go back to dirt.

In striking contrast to this view are Paul’s words in verses 21-22 that through one man came death but through another came life. Christ’s resurrection presents a great shift. Adam’s sin brought death into the world, but this shift—what Christ has done—means that death isn’t how things have to be. Through Christ we have a way out of the mess humanity made of life and of God’s creation. A singular historical event in the cosmos has overturned the effects of our sin and its destructive consequence: Jesus’ resurrection has secured new life. Because Christ conquered death and rose again, we have the assurance of this new life, a sure hope in the things yet to come.

1 Corinthians 15:23-28

23 But each in his own order: Christ, the first fruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death. 27 For God has put everything under his feet. Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception. 28 When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

The resurrection of Christ holds two significant truths:

1.     It wasn’t just anyone who was raised from the dead; it was God incarnate.

2.     Jesus’ power over death means He is the Lord of all.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus made claims to divinity. He forgave people’s sins (Matt. 9:4-6), identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath (12:8), knew people’s innermost thoughts (v. 25), and said He was one with the Father (John 10:30). Jesus’ claims would have been meaningless had He stayed in the grave. However, Jesus’ resurrection was the ultimate evidence that He is who He claimed to be: God, the promised Messiah, and the Savior of mankind. Only God has power over death and Jesus demonstrated that power through His resurrection.

Engage

WHY THE RESURRECTION MATTERS

Choose one of the situations below and share a reason why the resurrection matters.

When a friend dies / When a relative gets cancer / When you get laid off

When a loved one turns away from God / When your car gets totaled

When someone gossips about you

  

The resurrection of Christ changes everything. By defeating death as an enemy, Jesus demonstrated that He is the Lord of all things. Over the course of Jesus’ earthly life, the disciples saw Him command many forces. He commanded the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 8:23-27). The demons submitted to Him when He exorcised them (vv. 28-34). He healed multitudes of people of their infirmities (9:35). He even brought people back from the dead (vv. 23-25). We see both natural and spiritual forces are under the authority of Christ. However, when Jesus physically rose from the dead, with a new and incorruptible body no longer subject to death, He demonstrated that even death had finally submitted to His authority.

Question 3:

What do you find most challenging about submission to Christ?

What would it mean, though, if no subsequent resurrection awaited us? We would have no more than another mythological tale of a powerful god or demi-god: a tale of one who displayed his greatness in some miraculous works, but whose power was limited. In ancient myths, we see similar thinking about the mythological gods. But Jesus Christ is neither demi-god nor mythological figure. He is the One through whom all creation came to be and is held together (Col. 1:16-17). His resurrection is a sign that all things are subject to Him, including the authorities and principalities of the world. Jesus Christ is alive and reigns as Lord over all.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Question 4:

What are some ways Christians sometimes live as if we are defeated?

Paul’s defense of the resurrection throughout 1 Corinthians 15 clearly shows that Christ indeed rose from the dead; therefore, in turn, we will experience resurrection. Since death is defeated, what we do with our lives actually matters. Death holds power over us now, but only for a time. Paul illustrated the end result of Jesus’ resurrection by quoting from two Old Testament passages. 

• “He will destroy death forever.” (Isa. 25:8).
• “I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death. Death, where are your barbs? Sheol, where is your sting?” (Hos. 13:14).

The power of death has been removed by the victory gained through the death and resurrection of Christ. The unique Christian witness in the resurrection of Jesus is the only historically evidenced reversal of death. Jesus’ defeat of death carries several implications for us. 

• Since death is the consequence of sin (Romans 6:23), then Jesus’ defeat of death also demands a defeat of the power of sin. Jesus didn’t just change our “end game”; He changed the way we live our earthly lives here and now.
• Christ’s resurrection means we don’t live our lives in vain. Everything we do matters. “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v. 58).

A host of negative influences still seek to pull us away from the goodness of God. But since we are free from the bondage of sin, we should share that freedom with others. This is the work to which the resurrection calls us, and it will never be a work done in vain.

Question 5:

How can our group help one another live in the victory we have in Christ?

LIVE IT OUT

The resurrection of Jesus is a foundational doctrine and truth that transforms all of life. How will you live out that truth? Choose one of the following applications: 

• Confess. If there is an area of your life in which you have allowed sin to have power over you, confess that to God. Acknowledge that sin has no power over you because of Christ. Choose to live under His lordship.                            
• Serve. Find an area of ministry where you can get involved. Don’t let hesitancy or fears make you feel inadequate to serve. Live under the authority of Christ, knowing that you never serve Him in vain.                                                                    
• Share. Tell someone how the resurrection of Christ has made a difference in your life. Lead the person to trust the resurrected Christ for new life.

It’s important to know the facts of the resurrection. It’s also critical for us to understand the ways the resurrection impacts our lives—and to share these truths with others. 

Looking forward to seeing each of you online this Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Teacher's Notes:

WHY THE RESURRECTION MATTERS

In last week’s lesson, Paul explained that the truth of the resurrection of Christ is a historical fact. Our faith in this foundational belief is not meaningless.   

On March 19th, Governor Gavin Newsom of California issued the first state-mandated stay-at-home restriction in an attempt to minimize the spread of coronavirus. All non-essential services were shut down and residents were urged to practice social distancing and avoid crowds. However, that same weekend crowds gathered at California beaches. Apparently frustrated as people ignored the guidelines, Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, posted to Twitter, “This weekend we saw too many people packing beaches, trails and parks. So, we are closing sports and recreation at @LACityParks and closing parking at city beaches. That doesn’t mean gather elsewhere. This is serious. Stay home and save lives.”

While some people at the beaches may not have believed the information about the spread of coronavirus, it appears that many of the people were merely failing to allow this information to impact their lives and decisions.

When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, agreeing to the facts is not the same as allowing the truths to transform your life. 

How will the truth of the resurrection impact your life this week?

Some ancient people came out of the tomb. Jesus was one of those. That is a true statement. Though I am happy for them, how does any past resurrection affect anyone beyond their immediate surroundings? Why should anyone today care? 

This is the topic of 1 Corinthians 15. Here, Paul argues that Jesus’ resurrection was unique and that it universally matters.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

1. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that Jesus will resurrect me! 

The Jewish nation had multiple celebrations. One of them was the Feast of First fruits. When the first portion of that season’s crop came in, the farmers would present that portion to God as an offering rather than eat it. It was a statement of faith. The first fruits guaranteed that the rest of the crop would come in. The Bible speaks of God’s children as a crop that God has planted and will one day harvest (Matt. 9:37, 13:39).

Although Christ was not the first to rise from the dead (He raise Lazarus and others), He was the first to never die again. He is the forerunner for us, the proof of our eventual resurrection to eternal life.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

2. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that I will not permanently die! 

Paul’s point here is that the resurrected Christ will conquer all evil, including death. Although God the Father and God the Son are equal, each has a specific work to do and an area of sovereign control (15:28). Christ is not inferior to the Father, but His work is to defeat all evil on earth. First, He defeated sin and death on the cross, and in the final days, He will defeat Satan and all evil. World events may seem out of control and justice may seem scarce. But is in control, allowing evil to remain for a time until He sends Jesus to earth again. Then Christ will present to God a perfect new world.

Verses 30-34 If death ended it all, enjoying the moment would be all that matters. But because of the resurrection, Christians know that there is life beyond the grave and that our life on earth is only a preparation for our life that will never end.

What you do today matters for eternity. In light of eternity, sin is a foolish gamble.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

3. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that I get a new body! 

The body that rose from Jesus’ grave was like the body Joseph and Nicodemus placed there. It was still male. It was still Jewish. It was physical. He bore some of the marks the soldiers had inflicted. Though they did so with hesitation, people recognized Him. However, His body was also radically different. He could eat, but He did not have to. His body no longer hurt. He never again experienced thirst or weariness. Most importantly, Jesus’ body was no longer subject to death. People who loved Jesus were glad for Him, but they had reason to be glad for themselves too. Jesus’ new body guaranteed a similar new body for them and for us! Though our transformed bodies may not have all the abilities that Jesus’ had, Paul states at least two things about it. No corruption. No death.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

4. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that my sin will not plague me forever! 

Satan seem to be victorious in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and at the cross of Jesus. But God turned Satan’s apparent victory into defeat when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Thus, death is no longer a source of dread or fear. Christ overcame it, and one day we will also. The law will no longer make sinners out of us who can’t keep it. Death has been defeated, and we have hope beyond the grave.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:58

5. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that what I do now matters! 

Paul says that because of the resurrection, nothing we do is in vain. Sometimes we hesitate to do good because we don’t see any results. But if we can maintain a heavenly perspective, we will understand that we often will not see the good that results from our efforts. If we truly believe that Christ has won the ultimate victory, that fact must affect the way we live right now. Don’t let discouragement over an apparent lack of results keep you from working. Do the good that you have the opportunity to do, knowing that your work will have eternal results.

What we do matters for the Kingdom! The effects of what we did for Jesus do not end with our death or our departure. We can stand strong! Further, we can move forward in confidence, knowing that Jesus defeated our greatest enemies—sin, the Law, Satan, and death—and that He sees and empowers our works done in His name. We make a difference.

Conclusion: Jesus is alive! That’s not only great for Him, but for us who place our faith in Him. Jesus’ resurrection is our hope and our joy. What Jesus did gives us confidence that what we do matters. Hold your head high, not in pride, but in assurance. Death may still greet you, but it will never defeat you! The One who conquered death claims you as part of His family. He is preparing a perfectly fitted home for you, and you—the living you—will spend eternity with Him there.

WHY THE RESURRECTION MATTERS

Choose one of the situations below and share a reason why the resurrection matters.

When a friend dies

When a relative gets cancer

When you get laid off

When a loved one turns away from God

When your car gets totaled

When someone gossips about you

Because He Lives, I Can Face Tomorrow...

We do not live for the here and now, but for what is to come. We count everything as loss compared to the surpassing wealth of knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:8). He is all that matters. We do not store up our treasure on earth, which will pass away, but we store up treasure in heaven, which will last forever (Matthew 6:19-20). We give everything away, and we gain Jesus who is everything we need (Philippians 4:12-13). We believe there is a life to come and that is the key to living an abundant life now. 

Sunday school class: April 19, 2020

Enjoyed seeing all of you today!!

Love you all,

David & Susan