Alive by the Resurrection

By: John Mederich

KV: 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

When you hear the phrase “the resurrection of the dead,” what is the first image that comes to mind? Let’s close our eyes for ten seconds and form a visual for the resurrection. Now let’s open our eyes, but let’s keep that image in our heads. Our imaginations probably painted some wacky pictures. Personally, this phrase evokesan image of zombies crawling out of graves and taking over the world. This is not exactly the most accurate illustration of resurrection, so what accounts for my strange perception?

I find that the media largely influences my view of resurrection. Perhaps it is because Hollywood commercializes on this theme of being raised from the dead. Countless films recycle this theme such as The Crazies, Dawn of the Dead,and Zombieland.Even televised series such as The Walking Dead profit off this idea. However, the media’s depiction of resurrection is flawed. The purpose is not so that zombies can infest the world and rid it of humanity. Contrary to the movies, the bible depicts the resurrection as a beautiful display of Christ’s love for us. By rising into heaven, Jesus conquered death and paved the way for us to enter into his eternal kingdom. Christ warmly welcomes us to the gates of heaven, but he only admits those who believe in his glorious resurrection. But what if we do not know what it means to believe in the resurrection? How will we ever know if we qualify to meet with our risen savior? Fortunately, in this passage Paul clarifies what life is like without the resurrection and indicates evidence of Christ’s renewal. He then offers a practical solution for how to live as believers.

Through recognizing the truth in Christ’s rebirth and by renewing our faith let’s be made alive in Christ’s resurrection!
Part I: Life Without The Resurrection
The passage begins with verse 12 that states, “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”Here Paul addresses the Corinthians for their disbelief. Paul was troubled that the Corinthians were going around claiming that the resurrection was not real. Although their notion was false, it was not illogical. Resurrection is not the type of event that occurs every day. More than that, it is especially difficult to believe in something we cannot see with our own eyes.Yet, one does not have to physically see the resurrection to believe it. True faith is accepting what one cannot see.

Paul proceeds by pointing out the consequences that result from disbelief. Let’s read verses 13-15a in one voice:“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” These verses concern our faith in Christ. A central question we should all ask ourselves is, “do I believe in Christ?” As Christians we should be able to proudly proclaim: “Yes I believe in Jesus.” It really is a waste of time to teach the bible and attend worship service if we do not believe. Why not use our time for something we are passionate about like art, music, or sports. Unless we accept that Jesus is risen we as Christians are living a lie. We profess that God is almighty but if we do not believe that he can raise the dead then our beliefs contradict our actions. Paul implies that unless we believewe let lies about a risen savior govern our existence.

Paul continues his argument regarding disbelief in verses 15b-17.He claims that if we do not believe in Christ then our sins have not been atoned for. He says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”No number of good deeds can ever outweigh the burden of our sins. Even donating our life fortunes to the Salvation Army is not enough to save us from eternal condemnation. This is because only Jesus has the power to save us from our sins and until we recognize that we are truly hopeless.

 Paul says in verse 18, “Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.” Paul uses the phrase “fallen asleep” as a metaphor to compare the physical body’s resting state to death. This comparison serves to show that without the resurrection there is no reward for those who have struggled to live by faith.This is why Paul says in verse 19, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” What Paul says isquite simple. We as Christians are something to be laughed at if we place our hope in something that cannot save us without the resurrection.

Part II:The Truth Of The Resurrection
We all need to reflect on whether we truly believe in Christ’s resurrection. Do you believe that Jesusrose into heaven? What makes acceptance of the resurrection so difficult is what we may perceive as a lack of evidence for it. Yet, there is undeniable support for the fact of Christ’s resurrection.

Take Paul the apostle for instance. Paul was a notorious persecutor of Christians before he met Jesus. However, when he had a personal encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus he was convicted of his former ways and became a renowned gospel worker. Paul’s life is just one testament to the resurrection. Countless other witnesses and martyrs profess the resurrection of Christ too. If there were no essence of truth in the words of Christ’s disciples then people would have completely disregarded his teachings. However, the fact that the message of the resurrection has been passed downfrom two thousand years ago all the way to today signifies that Christ is still living and working in the world.

The message of the resurrection is a very personal topic that we must all struggle with. I recently came across a saying by G.K Chesterton. It says, “Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than standing in your garage makes you a car.” Similarly, growing up in a Christian household or regularly attending HBF does not mean that weare true Christians. It is only when we accept the resurrection of Jesus that we can witness the power of Christ in our lives.

Let’s recite verses 20-21 together: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.” Here Paul emphasizes that when we accept the resurrection of Jesus then we can inherit spiritual resurrection. This is because Jesus was the firstfruits, or the first person to die and rise again. Jesus is like a farmer who sows his seed andgives rise to an abundant harvest of seeds. His resurrection empowers all of us to conquer death and achieve spiritual rebirth.

Let’s read verse 22 together:“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”This verse entails that mankind is destined to die but through Christ can have newfound spiritual life. God created us with the intention that we would live forever in his heavenly kingdom.Death is not the end of the road. It is just the beginning of our everlasting life with Jesus.

Verse 23 states, “But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”This verse indicates the succession of resurrection. First Christ resurrected, and once he returns we will be raised into heaven too.

Following Christ’s second coming he will restore the kingdom to God. Paul says,“Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. Paul continues to illustrate how Christ will defeat his enemies. He says, “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.”[a] Christ’s power prevails over all and puts death beneath him. Paul clarifies saying,“Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.”After Christ puts the world beneath him then God his Father will be above all. God will have full dominion to make us alive once again.

Part III: Life in The Resurrection
When we’ve accepted the resurrection as truth, Paul encourages us to show that we’re alive in Jesus.We can show our new lives in Christ by living with resurrection faith. So, what is resurrection faith? Well Paul makes it quite evident how we shouldn’t live. In verses 29-32 he says, “Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’”In these verses Paul juxtaposes how faithless people live with how we should lead our lives. The faithless live in the moment instead of looking forward to life after death. Therefore, spiritually reborn people should make the most of each day to serve Christ.

Paul lived with practical resurrection faith by dyingevery day to follow Christ. He died by choosing to stop sinning. However, avoiding sin is very challenging to do on our own. This is why Paul suggests in verse 33 to alleviate the bad influences from our lives. Let’s recite verse 33 together:“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.’” Hanging out with the “cool crowd” may seem harmless. You’re not trying to do anything bad, you just want social acceptance. However, Paul warns that we should not surround ourselves with such people. They have the potential to corrupt us and hinder our faith. We can adopt foul mouths and develop evil thoughts if we are not careful. By avoiding such people and instead surrounding ourselveswith Christian influences we can avoid sin and strengthen our faith.

Paul concludes with verse 34 that says, “Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”Here Paul challenges us to stop sinning.In order to fully witness the power of the resurrection we need to let Jesus govern every aspect of our lives. This is only possible if we rid ourselves of sin.

At this point I’d like to share my struggle to live by faith. I suppose my life story as a Christian begins sometime in 2009. The summer of 2009 I made the decision to follow Christ. That summer I had attended the international summer bible conference in Germany. I was so moved by all of the missionaries who labored for Christ’s sake in Europe. I was really inspired by their life testimonies that revealed their struggles to turn from sin. They made the decision to do God’s work despite the religious oppression in their respective countries. I returned to America with a newfound purpose to serve Christ everyday.

However, I quickly fell back into my sinful ways. I began to feel like a hypocrite to my faith. Some time later I was sitting at a conference hearing a message on the resurrection. Despite considering myself a Christian my entire life, I found that I was unable to accept that Jesus died and rose for me.I recallpicturing the resurrection but not being able to accept it. The resurrection was just so surreal and illogical for me to understand.

At that point I started to question my very identity as a Christian. I began to ask myself, “what’s the point of being a Christian if I can’t accept the resurrection?” This caused me to adopt a very apathetic mentality following that conference. I felt detached during subsequent Sunday messages and HBF praise nights. I lost my enthusiasm for bible study and I grew angrywith myself, church members, and especially God. I really stopped caring about my faith as a whole and continued to indulge in my sins. I thought that being apathetic to the gospel would allow me to have an easier life. However, this lifestyle only caused me to feel empty, lonely, and worthless. The more I neglected God and distanced myself from him, the more difficult my life became. My apathy toward God carried over into my academic and personal life. My effort at school and in sustaining friendships waned.

It wasn’t until last year’s HBF conference that I was convicted of my unbelieving attitude. Witnessing how God worked in the lives of my HBF peers really encouraged me to achieve spiritual rebirth too. I was tired of letting sin take hold of my life. I was filled with hope that I could also accept the resurrection and be made anew. At that conference I nailed any sense of my disbelief to the cross and allowed the message of the resurrection to dwell in my heart.

As I stand here, though, I do not profess myself to be the perfect Christian. Yes, I accepted the message of the resurrection, but I still struggle to live with resurrection faith.

Conclusion:
So, right now I would like to propose a challenge for all of us. When we return to our busy lives at school and work let us not forget what Christ did for us. We can show that we have not forgotten Him by reminding ourselves of the gospel we received. His victory over death grants us hope for eternal life. Let’s live each day in remembrance of Him by dying to our sins. Let’s open our hearts to Christ and let him make us alive.Let’s recite verse 22 one more time: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”