Pastor's Sunday School Blog

Sunday School Lesson

“Proclaiming the Resurrection”

April 1, 2018

1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Pastor’s Notes (Some additional thoughts for your Sunday school lesson):

The resurrection of Christ is the apex of Christianity, apart from, there is no Gospel, no good news.

One of the major differences between Christianity and other major religions is the resurrection; the empty tomb.

The resurrection of Jesus offers the believer hope beyond death

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Standing beside the graveside, or along the bed of a loved one nearing the end of life’s journey, it is the resurrection that offers hope.

Additional Reading … Romans 8:18-23, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.

Because He lives ….

The Good News of Christ’s Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

Verses one and two raise the question, “If a person no longer believes what he once believed is he saved (was he ever really saved)?” The answer is NO!

The immutable truth of the Gospel, “Christ crucified, buried and risen from the dead” is an absolute imperative for a relationship with Christ (See Romans 10:9-10).

“being saved” doesn’t speak of a uncertain process but a process already determined certain (See Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:13-14).

“Third day” - in Hebrew reckoning, any part of a day constitutes the whole … Jesus was entombed Friday, and rose early Sunday morning = Friday, Saturday and Sunday … 3 days.

The resurrection of Christ was not without initial proof … He appeared unto over five hundred

Note – We look at Paul as a great man; Paul looked at himself as one unworthy… “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

Our success is tied to God’s grace; it is not who we are or what we do BUT who He is and what He does in us and through us.

The Importance of Christ’s Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

In religion, there has always been those who do not believe in a literal resurrection from the dead (the Saducee). Such a flaw in faith ultimately leads to a flawed view of Christ resurrection … if we are not raised, then Christ is not risen.

Paul argument for the resurrection includes, If there is not a resurrection then I am a proclaimer of false teachings … for I preach Christ risen as the “first fruits” (He was first in order of the resurrections).

If Christ is not risen then there is no atonement for sin

If Christ is not risen then death is the end …

If Christ is not risen, and this is all there is, then we are looking foolish lives

The Guarantee of Our Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).

Life to death came as a result of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12); life from death comes as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The necessity of God becoming a man was death … As God, Jesus could not die, but Christ as a man, could.

There appear to be differing times of resurrection … The resurrection of Jesus; the resurrection of those “in Christ” at the rapture of the church; the resurrection of Old Testament saints and tribulation martyrs near or at the end of the Tribulation Period; the resurrection of the unjust to stand before the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:10-15).

Verses 24 may refer to the Millennial Reign of Christ (1000 yrs). The last enemy defeated will be death, that is, when Christ begins His eternal reign there “will be no more death.”

Theological Theme: Christianity absent the resurrection is not Christianity.

Christological/Christ Connection: Christ resurrection is the guarantee of future resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death.

Missional Application: Since we all die, the message of the resurrection becomes a source of hope for those who embrace, by faith, Jesus Christ.