20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Paul’s Shows that the Resurrection is Doctrinally Sound

We can almost hear Paul shouting from Ephesus all the way to Corinth, “But now Christ is risen from the dead.” This is the present truth, He is alive now, today at this moment.

Paul goes on to show that this is the doctrine upon which all the Christian faith is built. He is risen and become the firstfruits of those who are asleep in Christ now. Jesus’ resurrection is promise of everything that is to come for us.

F.B. Meyers gave an explanation of 1 Corinthians 15:20 He says, “On the day that Jesus rose, the first-fruit sheaf of the barley harvest was being waved by the high priest in the temple, as the representative of the myriads that stood stacked amid the stubble of the fields. It was the specimen sheaf, representative, pattern, and pledge of all the rest.”

Paul shows it must be this way 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, “since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

In Adam we all died physically and spiritually and the only way that death could be overcome was in Jesus. In Him we are made alive spiritually and one day our bodies will be made alive again physically.

Paul then securely binds the resurrection to the Second Coming, you can’t have Jesus’ return unless He was first resurrected. 1 Corinthians 15:23-27, “every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

The Core Doctrine is The Resurrection

The resurrection is essential to the Gospel, the resurrection is essential to our hope, the resurrection is essential to the second coming of Jesus Christ and His final victory over sin and death. The resurrection that we celebrate today is the foundation, the very core, of everything we believe as Christians.

In vss. 1 Corinthians 15:29-34 Paul gives Practical Proofs of the resurrection.

In 15:35–49 Paul tells how the resurrection of the body is part of God’s creation, part of nature all around us.

All Paul says here is important to our understanding and deepening our knowledge of the resurrection, but I want to move to the end of the chapter for sake of time and in keeping with the theme of the resurrection as the foundation, and hope for all that we believe. Go to vss. 50-58 to see that the Resurrection is the Christian’s passion, it is what moves us and keeps us going in the Lord’s work.

Conclusion – The Passion of the Resurrection -1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

This is the scripture we often read at the graveside of our loved ones. Those who have died believing in the Gospel and in their own coming resurrection. We read it during those times, because it is powerful and passionate. We read it because it is comforting to those left behind, but it should also be motivating to us at all times. Paul says it in the last verse, 1 Corinthians 15:58 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

What we believe isn’t in vain. Our service for our Lord isn’t in vain. Our sacrifices in giving aren’t in vain. Our suffering and our sorrows aren’t in vain. Because one day we will see our loved ones again. Because one day time will cease and eternity will begin. And because one day we will hear our Savior say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” and from His hands receive a crown of glory.

Therefore, be stedfast, unmoveable in your faith in Jesus and your belief in the resurrection and always be abundant in the precious, glorious, eternal work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.