Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21

C.I.: 6 Facts about the Resurrection

Last week, “The people at the Resurrection”. - Today we will discussion 6 truths about our own resurrection!

I. The Acrostic “ARISEN” (I Corinthians 15):

A. A = AFFIRMATIONS of the Resurrection (vs. 1-11)

1. Two Different Types of Affirmation for the Resurrection:
a. From both the Old & New Testaments – verification was through eye-witness testimony
1) (Matt. 18:16), “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.”
b. In these verses God gives testimony – not only in big enough numbers – but also of various kinds.
1) Scriptural Testimony - (vs. 3-4), “For I delivered… was raised on the 3rd day according….”
2) Eye-Witness Testimony – (vs. 5-8), “He appeared to Cephas, then to the 12. – After that He appeared to over 500 brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles’ and last of all, as it were...
c. Two different types of testimony (God & man) – yet both of them pretty “un-get-aroundable”!

B. R = RESULTS of Unbelief (vs. 12-19)

1. “What about people who have lost limbs or are cremated or been eaten by animals?”
a. These are understandable questions for non-believers.
b. But some Xns in Paul’s day (today?) – may also question the validity of the resurrection

2. Two “Results” of unbelief in the resurrection:
a. #1: It would mean Jesus wasn’t raised – (v. 13), “If there was no R., not even Christ was raised.”
1) If God cannot raise the dead – then Jesus wasn’t raised!
2) But the fact that Jesus was raised – is proof that there will be a future resurrection of Xns!
b. #2: My preaching & your faith are useless – (v. 14), “…if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain and your faith also is vain.”
1) The gospel we preach – is a message of hope of the resurrection (vs. 1-2), “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.”
2) If the resurrection is not possible – I am a liar (v. 15) – and you are to be pitied (v. 19).

C. I = IMPERATIVES (Rules) of the Resurrection (vs. 20-28)

1. Rule #1: Jesus came to give spiritual life – (v. 22), “As in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made.
2. Rule #2: The resurrection order is set – (v. 23), “Each in his own order: Christ, the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming!”
3. Rule #3: Due to the Resurrection – Jesus Rules! – (vs. 25-26), “For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. – The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
4. Each of these imperatives will be followed – because of the resurrection of Jesus!

D. S = SALVATION & SACRIFICES because of the Resurrection (vs. 29-34)

1. There must be a resurrection – for otherwise the services & sacrifices we offer – are meaningless.
a. (v. 29), “What will those do who are baptized for the dead [i.e., for Jesus]? – If the dead [Jesus?] are not raised at all, then why are they baptized for them?”
1) If there is not resurrection – then the figure of baptism become meaningless!
2) For “Baptism” is a figure of a death, burial, and resurrection!
3) ILLUST. Slides: #1 = (Quote Rom. 6:1-4) - #2 = “Death” – “Burial” – “Raised”!
b. Xns should be willing to make any sacrifice for Him – but if there’s not R. – why should we?
1) (v. 32), “If from human motives I fought with wild beast at Ephesus, what does it profit me? – If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
2) (Lk. 14:27), “Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me, cannot be My disciple.”
3) But if there’s no R.: – Why live a cross-formed (sacrificial) life?

E. E = ETERNALLY Changed at the Resurrection (vs. 35 – 49)

1. It is only natural for people to want to know – what they will be like in the resurrection… changed!
a. Since the R. presupposes that mortal bodies die – then what kind of bodies will we have?
b. (vs. 42-44), “So also is the resurrection of the dead. – It is sown [buried] a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; - it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; - it is sown a natural [mortal] body, it is raised a spiritual [immortal] body!”
c. Jesus own resurrection body - is a suitable example for our own bodies.
1) (Jn. 21:13-14), “Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. - This is the 3rd time that Jesus was manifested to His disciples, after He was raised from….”
2) (I Jn. 3:2), “Now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be….”
3) (Phil. 3:21), “…Jesus Christ will transform the body of our humble state – into conformity with the body of His glory, - by the exertion of the power that He has.”
d. Yes: We will have bodies that are recognizable, physical and ETERNAL!

F. N = NATURE of the Resurrection (vs. 50-58)

1. When the time for the resurrection comes – it will be instantaneous
a. (v. 51-52), “Behold, I tell you a mystery; - we shall not all sleep, - but we shall all be changed, in a moment, - in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; - for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
1) Everyone will be raised at the same time!
2) (Jn. 5:28-29), “An hour is coming in which ALL who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a R. of life, those who committed evil deeds to a R. of judgment.”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. If you are not prepared for the resurrection – Jesus can remove the sting of death for you – (vs. 54-57), “Death is swallowed up in victory. – O death…? – The sting of death is SIN, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – (quote Acts 22:16)!
2. If you have been saved already – then God calls for us to live a resurrected life – (v. 58), “…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil in the Lord is not in vain!”