April 13, 2020
What does the resurrection mean to me?

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,

Future resurrections 

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits 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 his own turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.  1 Cor 15:20-23 (NIV)

First let’s look at the words first fruits. Because Christ was raised from the dead, he has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. Christ was the first to be raised to never die again. He is the forerunner for those who believe in him, the proof of their eventual resurrection to eternal life.

In Adam all die

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23 (NIV)

Death came into the world as a consequence of the sin of one man, Adam. Adam sinned against God and brought separation between God and man, in essence spiritual death to all humanity. All human beings are related to Adam and have two characteristics in common: they are sinners; and they will die. Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death to all.

In Christ all will be made alive

Really, all people will be resurrected. Let me explain. Every human is created in the image of God. Because God is spirit, as the scripture says, we too as humans created in the likeness and image of God are spiritual beings. When our body dies our spirit separates from our body. The spirits of those who have put their faith in Christ go to be with Him at our death. The spirits of those, who have rejected Him Go to a place known as Hell. The bible makes it clear that in the future all humans will be resurrected some to everlasting torment and others to eternal glory with God.

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2 (NIV)

Christ’s sinless sacrifice and resurrection brought resurrection from the dead to all who are related to Christ through accepting his sacrifice on their behalf. Those who believe in him will be given new life. In verse 23 Paul wanted to clarify, however, that there is an order to this resurrection and that it has not already happened, as perhaps some of the false teachers were claiming. Rather, Christ was raised first. The “harvest” will be taken in when Christ comes back at his second coming. At that time, his people, those who believed in him as Savior, will be raised from death to eternal life.

Going back to our first question, as a believer, what does the resurrection mean to me?

And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3:20-21 (NIV)

The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thess 4:16-17 (NIV)

God Bless,

Pastor Dennis