Resurrection in the Order of Future
Things
1 Cor. 15:20-28
Sermon Outline from the Evening Service - 23 January 2000
I. Christ's resurrection precedes the believer's resurrection (20-23)
A. Christ is the firstfruit of the resurrection
1. Christ is first--others were raised to life...and to die again. "Now is Christ risen"
-- an accomplished action with continuing results.
2. Firstfruit is a reference to OT instruction and symbolism
a. an offering of any harvest (Ex. 23:19). looking to the Lord with thanks,
looking to the future in faith
b. the Feast of Firstfruit (Lev. 23:9-14). Christ was resurrected on the day of the
Feast of Firstfruit!
c. its symbolism in Bible teaching:
1) Israel is called the firstfruit of God -- Jer. 2:3
2) salvation is called the firstfruit -- 1 Cor. 16:15.
3) the Spirit guarantees the redemption promise -- Rom. 8:26
4) Christ's resurrection is the firstfruit of our resurrection
5) believers are "a kind of firstfruit" -- Jas. 1:18.
3. There is an order to the resurrections (23) -- believers first
B. Christ is the Second / Last Adam
1. Adam brought death by his sin. This death became universal because Adam
was the progenitor of our race. Rom. 5:12-21.
2. Christ, by His character, life of obedience and death, reversed these results of
Adam's sin.
3. As all died in Adam (spiritually separated from God and subject to physical death), so all will be made alive in Christ.
II. The believer's resurrection is before "the end" (24-28)
A. What Christ accomplishes in His reign -- it is His objective to deliver a restored man and earth to the Father-
1. He will put down all rule and authority -- earthly kingdoms, worldly system and
spiritual power & authority. Eph. 6:12
2. He will conquer all enemies -- Satan, sin & death
3. He will show Himself subject to the Father -- Christ's subjection was voluntary
and it is in reference to His work.
B. In "the end" there are 2 other resurrections -- Dan. 12:2
1. Rev. 20:4-5 tell of a time difference of 1000 years
2. John 5:29-- a bodily resurrection, 2 classes.
