The Resurrected Life (2015)
1 Corinthians 15
HE IS RISEN!!!
Guys, Jesus Christ is risen and his Resurrection changes everything! The Resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything! We live in a world that is broken by sin and death. We were born with our own sin nature that brings brokenness and death, and truly, we started dying the moment we were born. In this life, death is not an option. It is a guarantee for one hundred percent of us. This life will end – sooner than we may like.
In a sense, we were born “dying.” Now, that’s not a very uplifting thing to say… but maybe that is a crucial part of our problem because maybe we refuse too much to admit that we are marching toward death that we don’t (or won’t) really grasp how the Resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. And maybe we don’t really grasp why that should matter so much to us this morning.
Jesus Christ has risen. He has conquered sin and death and the grave, and that changes everything.
For those who choose to receive it, the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes your life both for eternity and for today.
In essence, there are two eternal moments that make up what we call The Gospel – The Good News.
1). The moment Jesus died for our sins
2). The moment Jesus was resurrected from the dead
Paul lays out God’s Good News in the following verses.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT)
3 I passed on to you what was most important . . . Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
That was the three days that changed everything for all of creation. That was the three days when Jesus Christ redeemed all of creation from death and decay – including us.
Romans 8:21 (NLT)
21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
All of creation is looking forward to that day. But what about you personally? Are you part of God’s children who will experience glorious freedom from death and decay? If you are God’s son or daughter today then you are included in this promise from God.
What Jesus Christ bought for you in his death and resurrection was glorious freedom from death and decay.
The Resurrection was the final victory. It was the final win, the final triumph over death.
The power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ broke the curse of death and decay not only in your life – but in all of creation.
All of the promises of God, in this life and in eternity, hinge on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And so crucial is the Resurrection that:
1 Corinthians 15:14 (NLT)
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.
Everything hinges on the Resurrection. The Bible itself says if that first glorious Resurrection morning had not happened then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. But that first Resurrection morning did happen!
1 Corinthians 15:20 (NLT)
20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead . . .
When we started, we read in 1 Corinthians 15 the Gospel Message – that Jesus died, was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day. And in the very next verse, it says,
1 Corinthians 15:6 (NLT)
6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive . . . (at that time)
We have absolute historical and archeological and ancient literature proof that Jesus Christ absolutely did rise from the dead, and one huge reason that changes everything is in:
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT)
17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
Without the Resurrection, you and I would be lost in our sin – with no way out.
Here’s why. Because when Jesus died on the cross, he died in your place to pay for your sin, and the proof that Jesus did successfully pay for your sin was the Resurrection.
Jesus took upon himself your sin and he paid the debt you owed – which was death.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)
23 For the wages of sin is death . . .
The Bible says what we justly deserve for our sin is death. And Jesus stepped into our place and took the death that we justly deserved for our sin. But!!! Death could not hold Jesus Christ because Jesus had no sin (he did not deserve death). Because he had no sin of his own, death could not hold him.
Acts 2:24 (NCV)
24 God raised Jesus from the dead and set him free from the pain of death, because death could not hold him.
Now, here is the big deal. Here is the really big deal. Through our faith, God so identifies us with Jesus, that what Jesus did becomes what we did. The victory Jesus won over sin and death becomes our victory over sin and death.
We read the following back in:
1 Corinthians 15:56–57 (NLT)
56 For sin is the sting that results in death . . .
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through our faith in Jesus, his victory over sin and death becomes our victory over sin and death. And the most incredible part of all is that God gives us that victory as a free gift. Earlier we read the first half of Romans 6:23. But here is all of it.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our sin deserves only death. But God has offered us the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ being our Lord.
That is the Resurrected Life! And it is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ being our Lord. And the Resurrected Life is available here and now. We can fully possess the Resurrected Life – right now. Listen to the most famous verse in the Bible:
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
That word “have” in John 3:16 (in the original language) is called “a present possession.” Through your faith in Jesus Christ, you can “presently possess” eternal life. You can have it secure for eternity and you can live in it – today.
Guys, that is some serious hope! Hope for eternity and hope for today.
And speaking to each of us before Jesus came into our lives, Ephesians says:
Ephesians 2:12 (NLT)
12 . . . You lived in this world without God and without hope.
That is life “on the dark side” – living in this world without God and without hope. But for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Resurrection changes all that. On the opposite side of living in this world without God and without hope… is victory over sin, and death, and the grave through faith in Jesus Christ.
On the opposite side of living without God and without hope is God’s free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
That is the Resurrected Life. You can begin to live it – today, and you have it reserved for you in heaven. Having eternal life – reserved in heaven – means everything. I promise you it will mean everything the moment you show up there.
But the Resurrected Life is not just a “ticket to heaven” – the Resurrected Life is new life here and now.
The Resurrected Life replaces your life of sin and death with the eternal life of God – right now.
Romans 6:4 (NLT)
4 . . . just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
The Resurrected Life is most glorious in heaven (for sure), but God has given up his power to live a new life – today.
Ephesians 1:19–20 (NLT)
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead . . .
The same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead God uses for us who believe. God uses that power for us to live a new life – today. A Resurrected Life – today. That is God’s Resurrection power.
Remember, Romans 6:4 said just as (in the same way that) Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Father, now we also may live new lives
God has truly given us the power to live Resurrected lives. We just have to make the choice (daily) to walk in that resurrection power.
Guys, Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sin so that you wouldn’t have to, and he rose from the dead so that you can live a “Resurrected Life” for eternity and for today.
If that sounds appealing to you, then let’s talk briefly about how. If you are coming to the conclusion that living for your “self” and for the sin in this world is actually the broad road to destruction, then ask yourself, “How can I begin living God’s Resurrected Life?"
The Resurrected Life is a life of peace that passes understanding and true joy regardless of your circumstances. The Resurrected Life is a life of confidence that God is for you. He is with you. He will never leave you, never forsake you, and nothing can separate you from his love.
There is a very famous Psalm that perfectly describes the Resurrected Life. (See if you recognize it.)
The LORD is Your Shepherd
He provides all you need
He gives you REST
He gives you PEACE
He Renews your STRENGTH
He LEADS you and GUIDES you (to bring honor to His name)
and when you walk thru the Darkest Valley – He’ll Be with you
He will PROTECT and COMFORT you
He will shield you from your enemies
He will pour out His blessings upon you
He will cause Goodness & Mercy to follow you all your days
and he will reserve a place for you - with Him – Forever
(Psalm 23)
That is the Resurrected Life! That, and so much more!
HOW? How you say?
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT)
15 [Jesus] died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Here’s the truth.
The Resurrected Life is not just getting your ticket punched and hoping you get into heaven. The Resurrected Life is actually living for Jesus Christ and that is the greatest life to live, both now and for eternity.
The Book of Philippians is all about joy in the Christian life. And in that book all about joy, the Apostle Paul says:
Philippians 1:21 (NLT)
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
Living for Jesus Christ is the most incredible life that you can have here… and dying is even better.
Paul says something similar in:
Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
20 My old self (my old life) has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The Resurrected Life is a new life – in you. It is a different life – in you. It is actually the life of Jesus Christ – IN YOU. It is you living by faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave himself for you. The Resurrected Life is you living for Jesus and Jesus living in you. The Resurrected Life is God’s new life – in you.
The Resurrected Life is God being in control of your life, and maybe the most incredible thing about the Resurrected Life is that God makes you his masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
God has a great life for you. A Resurrected Life. A masterpiece life.
He has done all the work in Jesus Christ. You cannot earn it. You cannot deserve it. You can only receive it or reject it.
John 1:12 (ESV)
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
The Resurrected Life is a free gift from God – but you must receive it and believe in who Jesus Christ IS.
And I want to give you a chance to do that right now. If you have never truly surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, I want to encourage you to do that right now.
Maybe you’ve said “the prayer.” But you’ve never made the commitment to live the Resurrected Life – meaning truly live for Jesus. Go all in! Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ today. All you have to lose is a life destroyed by sin and an eternity separated from God in hell. And what you have to gain is the Resurrected Life both for now and for eternity.
So, I’m going to ask you to pray to receive Jesus Christ and to live for him. And then, I’m going to ask you to get up and come down here to the cross – to make that commitment public.
Matthew 10:32-33
32 Everyone who acknowledges me publicly on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
33 But everyone who denies me on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Heavenly Father, we can’t do this without you. Lord we don’t work this out, this isn’t reason, Lord this isn’t logic, we don’t come to make sense of this. Either it’s divinely revealed to us, or it’s not, Lord. And so, we pray you would divinely reveal the truth of your word to us today, Lord. We pray that you would divinely reveal the truth of the Resurrected Life to us, Lord. We pray that you would open our hearts, God that you would truly come in and transform us. That we would stop living for ourselves and start living for you. We pray that today there would be a monument, a memorial, a marker so that we could say this day I choose to follow Jesus Christ. I choose to live in Christ and allow him to live in me. We pray Lord, for the power to do that right now, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Guys, Jesus Christ is risen and his Resurrection changes everything! The Resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything! We live in a world that is broken by sin and death. We were born with our own sin nature that brings brokenness and death, and truly, we started dying the moment we were born. In this life, death is not an option. It is a guarantee for one hundred percent of us. This life will end – sooner than we may like.
In a sense, we were born “dying.” Now, that’s not a very uplifting thing to say… but maybe that is a crucial part of our problem because maybe we refuse too much to admit that we are marching toward death that we don’t (or won’t) really grasp how the Resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. And maybe we don’t really grasp why that should matter so much to us this morning.
Jesus Christ has risen. He has conquered sin and death and the grave, and that changes everything.
For those who choose to receive it, the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes your life both for eternity and for today.
In essence, there are two eternal moments that make up what we call The Gospel – The Good News.
1). The moment Jesus died for our sins
2). The moment Jesus was resurrected from the dead
Paul lays out God’s Good News in the following verses.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT)
3 I passed on to you what was most important . . . Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.
That was the three days that changed everything for all of creation. That was the three days when Jesus Christ redeemed all of creation from death and decay – including us.
Romans 8:21 (NLT)
21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
All of creation is looking forward to that day. But what about you personally? Are you part of God’s children who will experience glorious freedom from death and decay? If you are God’s son or daughter today then you are included in this promise from God.
What Jesus Christ bought for you in his death and resurrection was glorious freedom from death and decay.
The Resurrection was the final victory. It was the final win, the final triumph over death.
The power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ broke the curse of death and decay not only in your life – but in all of creation.
All of the promises of God, in this life and in eternity, hinge on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And so crucial is the Resurrection that:
1 Corinthians 15:14 (NLT)
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.
Everything hinges on the Resurrection. The Bible itself says if that first glorious Resurrection morning had not happened then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. But that first Resurrection morning did happen!
1 Corinthians 15:20 (NLT)
20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead . . .
When we started, we read in 1 Corinthians 15 the Gospel Message – that Jesus died, was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day. And in the very next verse, it says,
1 Corinthians 15:6 (NLT)
6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive . . . (at that time)
We have absolute historical and archeological and ancient literature proof that Jesus Christ absolutely did rise from the dead, and one huge reason that changes everything is in:
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT)
17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
Without the Resurrection, you and I would be lost in our sin – with no way out.
Here’s why. Because when Jesus died on the cross, he died in your place to pay for your sin, and the proof that Jesus did successfully pay for your sin was the Resurrection.
Jesus took upon himself your sin and he paid the debt you owed – which was death.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)
23 For the wages of sin is death . . .
The Bible says what we justly deserve for our sin is death. And Jesus stepped into our place and took the death that we justly deserved for our sin. But!!! Death could not hold Jesus Christ because Jesus had no sin (he did not deserve death). Because he had no sin of his own, death could not hold him.
Acts 2:24 (NCV)
24 God raised Jesus from the dead and set him free from the pain of death, because death could not hold him.
Now, here is the big deal. Here is the really big deal. Through our faith, God so identifies us with Jesus, that what Jesus did becomes what we did. The victory Jesus won over sin and death becomes our victory over sin and death.
We read the following back in:
1 Corinthians 15:56–57 (NLT)
56 For sin is the sting that results in death . . .
57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through our faith in Jesus, his victory over sin and death becomes our victory over sin and death. And the most incredible part of all is that God gives us that victory as a free gift. Earlier we read the first half of Romans 6:23. But here is all of it.
Romans 6:23 (NLT)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our sin deserves only death. But God has offered us the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ being our Lord.
That is the Resurrected Life! And it is the free gift of God through Jesus Christ being our Lord. And the Resurrected Life is available here and now. We can fully possess the Resurrected Life – right now. Listen to the most famous verse in the Bible:
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
That word “have” in John 3:16 (in the original language) is called “a present possession.” Through your faith in Jesus Christ, you can “presently possess” eternal life. You can have it secure for eternity and you can live in it – today.
Guys, that is some serious hope! Hope for eternity and hope for today.
And speaking to each of us before Jesus came into our lives, Ephesians says:
Ephesians 2:12 (NLT)
12 . . . You lived in this world without God and without hope.
That is life “on the dark side” – living in this world without God and without hope. But for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Resurrection changes all that. On the opposite side of living in this world without God and without hope… is victory over sin, and death, and the grave through faith in Jesus Christ.
On the opposite side of living without God and without hope is God’s free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
That is the Resurrected Life. You can begin to live it – today, and you have it reserved for you in heaven. Having eternal life – reserved in heaven – means everything. I promise you it will mean everything the moment you show up there.
But the Resurrected Life is not just a “ticket to heaven” – the Resurrected Life is new life here and now.
The Resurrected Life replaces your life of sin and death with the eternal life of God – right now.
Romans 6:4 (NLT)
4 . . . just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
The Resurrected Life is most glorious in heaven (for sure), but God has given up his power to live a new life – today.
Ephesians 1:19–20 (NLT)
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead . . .
The same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead God uses for us who believe. God uses that power for us to live a new life – today. A Resurrected Life – today. That is God’s Resurrection power.
Remember, Romans 6:4 said just as (in the same way that) Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Father, now we also may live new lives
God has truly given us the power to live Resurrected lives. We just have to make the choice (daily) to walk in that resurrection power.
Guys, Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sin so that you wouldn’t have to, and he rose from the dead so that you can live a “Resurrected Life” for eternity and for today.
If that sounds appealing to you, then let’s talk briefly about how. If you are coming to the conclusion that living for your “self” and for the sin in this world is actually the broad road to destruction, then ask yourself, “How can I begin living God’s Resurrected Life?"
The Resurrected Life is a life of peace that passes understanding and true joy regardless of your circumstances. The Resurrected Life is a life of confidence that God is for you. He is with you. He will never leave you, never forsake you, and nothing can separate you from his love.
There is a very famous Psalm that perfectly describes the Resurrected Life. (See if you recognize it.)
The LORD is Your Shepherd
He provides all you need
He gives you REST
He gives you PEACE
He Renews your STRENGTH
He LEADS you and GUIDES you (to bring honor to His name)
and when you walk thru the Darkest Valley – He’ll Be with you
He will PROTECT and COMFORT you
He will shield you from your enemies
He will pour out His blessings upon you
He will cause Goodness & Mercy to follow you all your days
and he will reserve a place for you - with Him – Forever
(Psalm 23)
That is the Resurrected Life! That, and so much more!
HOW? How you say?
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT)
15 [Jesus] died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Here’s the truth.
The Resurrected Life is not just getting your ticket punched and hoping you get into heaven. The Resurrected Life is actually living for Jesus Christ and that is the greatest life to live, both now and for eternity.
The Book of Philippians is all about joy in the Christian life. And in that book all about joy, the Apostle Paul says:
Philippians 1:21 (NLT)
21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
Living for Jesus Christ is the most incredible life that you can have here… and dying is even better.
Paul says something similar in:
Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
20 My old self (my old life) has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The Resurrected Life is a new life – in you. It is a different life – in you. It is actually the life of Jesus Christ – IN YOU. It is you living by faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave himself for you. The Resurrected Life is you living for Jesus and Jesus living in you. The Resurrected Life is God’s new life – in you.
The Resurrected Life is God being in control of your life, and maybe the most incredible thing about the Resurrected Life is that God makes you his masterpiece.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
God has a great life for you. A Resurrected Life. A masterpiece life.
He has done all the work in Jesus Christ. You cannot earn it. You cannot deserve it. You can only receive it or reject it.
John 1:12 (ESV)
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
The Resurrected Life is a free gift from God – but you must receive it and believe in who Jesus Christ IS.
And I want to give you a chance to do that right now. If you have never truly surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, I want to encourage you to do that right now.
Maybe you’ve said “the prayer.” But you’ve never made the commitment to live the Resurrected Life – meaning truly live for Jesus. Go all in! Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ today. All you have to lose is a life destroyed by sin and an eternity separated from God in hell. And what you have to gain is the Resurrected Life both for now and for eternity.
So, I’m going to ask you to pray to receive Jesus Christ and to live for him. And then, I’m going to ask you to get up and come down here to the cross – to make that commitment public.
Matthew 10:32-33
32 Everyone who acknowledges me publicly on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
33 But everyone who denies me on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Heavenly Father, we can’t do this without you. Lord we don’t work this out, this isn’t reason, Lord this isn’t logic, we don’t come to make sense of this. Either it’s divinely revealed to us, or it’s not, Lord. And so, we pray you would divinely reveal the truth of your word to us today, Lord. We pray that you would divinely reveal the truth of the Resurrected Life to us, Lord. We pray that you would open our hearts, God that you would truly come in and transform us. That we would stop living for ourselves and start living for you. We pray that today there would be a monument, a memorial, a marker so that we could say this day I choose to follow Jesus Christ. I choose to live in Christ and allow him to live in me. We pray Lord, for the power to do that right now, in Jesus’ name, amen.