(1 Corinthians 15:1 [KJV])
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
(1 Corinthians 15:2 [KJV])
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(1 Corinthians 15:3 [KJV])
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
(Daniel 9:26 [KJV])
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
(Zechariah 12:10 [KJV])
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
(1 Corinthians 15:4 [KJV])
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me. Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
(2 Corinthians 12:1-5 [KJV])
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
(Acts 27:33 [KJV])
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
(1 Corinthians 15:9 [KJV])
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
(Acts 9:1-2 [KJV])
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
(Acts 26:9-12 [KJV])
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
THIS MADE PAUL THE CHIEF OF ALL SINNERS
(1 Timothy 1:15 [KJV])
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
(1 Corinthians 15:10 [KJV])
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.
(Philippians 1:14-18 [KJV])
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
(1 Corinthians 15:12 [KJV])
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
(Psalms 16:10 [KJV])
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(Acts 1:3 [KJV])
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
(Acts 2:27 [KJV])
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(1 Corinthians 15:13 [KJV])
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(Acts 13:35 [KJV])
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(1 Corinthians 15:14 [KJV])
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
- The Gospel Paul Preached
- The Gospel they received and believed
- The Gospel they can rely on, positionally secure by faith forever.
- Preached, believed, stood upon, eternal
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
(1 Corinthians 15:2 [KJV])
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
- The Gospel that saves
- "ye are saved". Modern versions sometimes say incorrectly "are being saved"
- If they have it in their heads and retained it when they first heard it. It is about acceptance or rejection, not keeping oneself saved or not
- Forgetting is not losing salvation, salvation is done, forgetting is losing your helmet ot salvation
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(1 Corinthians 15:3 [KJV])
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- The baton is passed from person to person like a relay when people witness
- Jesus did not just die, HE died for our sins
- Jesus did not just die for our sins, He also did not die for His own as being sinless.
- This death was prophesied throughout Scripture beforehand in Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, etc.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
(Daniel 9:26 [KJV])
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
(Zechariah 12:10 [KJV])
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
(1 Corinthians 15:4 [KJV])
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
- His burial proves that Jesus Christ was indeed dead
- His Resurrection proves that He was indeed the sinless God/Man
- This also shows that this was fulfilled prophecy from the Bible as well
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
- This proves that Jesus Christ was indeed resurrected, since he was seen of those who just prior to this, were a bunch of cowards, fearing that they lost their Saviour at the crucifixion
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
- Just in case the twelve disciples were not enough, He shows Himself to many more, who survive persecution and are eyewitnesses still in Paul's day
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
- There were other apostles then besides the twelve
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
- Paul had a personal sighting of Heaven and Jesus on His Throne
- Paul had fourteen missing years wherein he was alone and away from the rest of the disciples.
- Paul also was fourteen days before being shipwrecked
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me. Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
(2 Corinthians 12:1-5 [KJV])
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
(Acts 27:33 [KJV])
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
(1 Corinthians 15:9 [KJV])
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- Saul: Hebrew: Asked for
- Paul: Latin: Little one
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
(Acts 9:1-2 [KJV])
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
(Acts 26:9-12 [KJV])
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
THIS MADE PAUL THE CHIEF OF ALL SINNERS
(1 Timothy 1:15 [KJV])
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
(1 Corinthians 15:10 [KJV])
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- We ourselves can take no credit for anything good in us
- This includes everything from salvation to our good works for God
Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
- Paul cared more about the message than the messenger
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.
(Philippians 1:14-18 [KJV])
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
(1 Corinthians 15:12 [KJV])
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
- Arianism and the Sadducees' doctrines had obviously entered into the Church
- Conversely, if He rose from the dead, why would they not preach it? If He did not rise from the dead, what use is there in preaching that He did?
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
(Psalms 16:10 [KJV])
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(Acts 1:3 [KJV])
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
(Acts 2:27 [KJV])
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(1 Corinthians 15:13 [KJV])
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
- Conversely, if there is a resurrection from the dead, then Christ IS Risen
- The concept of the resurrection is not up to us; it is up to God
- He has declared there is one, so there is one!
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(Acts 13:35 [KJV])
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(1 Corinthians 15:14 [KJV])
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
- The implications as well of a lack of a resurrection are universal to man
- Every thought and action rely on our idea of the existence of an afterlife, a judgment after death, a Heaven and a hell.
- You do not have to believe in hell to go to hell. It is almost a prerequisite.
- You do, however, have to believe in Heaven to Heaven
- If God says that there is a resurrection and we say there is not, who is correct? We are therefore bearing false witness against God
- The following are meaningless and useless without the Resurrection:
- All religion
- Good works
- Concepts of "Good" and "Evil"
- Believing in Jesus Christ
- Jesus Christ coming to earth
- Christianity
- Faith, Belief in anything
- Your entire life and very existence, your birth and your death
- When you are "In Christ" and Christ is in the grave, where are you? In the same grave..
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
- What this life has to offer at its absolute finest is nothing compared to the riches in Heaven
- Plus, it is all going to burn
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
(1 Corinthians 15:20 [KJV])
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
- In the order of death, so in the order of life
- After His Resurrection, so then the Old Testament dead
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
(Ephesians 4:8 [KJV]) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 [KJV]) 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: 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.
(1 Corinthians 15:21 [KJV])
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
- The God MAN was the only man to be perfect and sinless and therefore be resurrected
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
- We as sinners are in Adam, we as believers are then in Christ
- The consequences of both acts, the sin and the payment, flows freely outward
- The difference is that the sin is involuntary toward us through the virtue of being born, the payment and subsequent salvation is voluntary by being born-again.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
- This is not the Rapture, but the Second Coming, so all of the dead who are in Christ are included here
- Or, simply the Resurrection order, Christ first, then us "who are Christ's"
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. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
- The end of it all for the world and its system, Revelation
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(1 Corinthians 15:26 [KJV])
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
(Revelation 21:4 [KJV])
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
(1 Corinthians 15:27 [KJV])
For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
- The only thing that will not be under God's feet is God Himself
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
- The role is a lowering into a role, nothing more.
- It is designed as an example to teach us humility
- We say, "Do as I say, not as I do"
- Jesus is the only one who can say, "Do as I say and do"
- Jesus was, is and always will be, God
1. the whole of (used in referring to quantity, extent, or duration): all the cake; all the way; all year.
2. the whole number of (used in referring to individuals or particulars, taken collectively): all students.
3. the greatest possible (used in referring to quality or degree): with all due respect; with all speed.
4. every: all kinds; all sorts.
5. any; any whatever: beyond all doubt.
6. nothing but; only: The coat is all wool.
7. dominated by or as if by the conspicuous possession or use of a particular feature: The colt was all legs. They were all ears, listening attentively to everything she said.
8. Chiefly Pennsylvania German . all gone; consumed; finished: The pie is all.
9. the whole quantity or amount: He ate all of the peanuts. All are gone.
10. the whole number; every one: all of us.
11. everything: Is that all you want to say? All is lost.
(Psalms 8:5 [KJV]) For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
(Hebrews 2:7-9 [KJV])
(1 Corinthians 15:29 [KJV])
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
- Hmmmm.........is there a religion that baptizes for the dead? Perhaps the sprinkling of water on the head of a baby for a different Christ, subject to that religion's leaders?
- Christianity's baptism is based upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is why immersion is the biblical method
- If the dead rise not at all, we would have to stay under the water and drown!
(Mark 1:9 [KJV])
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
(Matthew 3:16 [KJV]) And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
(Mark 1:10 [KJV])
(1 Corinthians 15:30-31 [KJV])
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
- There is no reason for Paul and other Christians to be persecuted for a non-risen Saviour.
- Paul's dying in the flesh daily was so that he could live spiritually daily.
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
- If Christianity is not true, there really is no meaning in this life, also there is no afterlife.
- Might as well not fight the beasts, but just lay down and offer yourself up to die.
(Isaiah 22:13 [KJV])
And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
(1 Corinthians 15:33 [KJV])
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
- Since Christ is risen, Christianity is true
- Since Christianity is true, then our behavior is important
- Speaking of Ephesus, Paul also wrote about carrying oneself to the Ephesians
(Ephesians 5:15-17 [KJV])
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (1 Corinthians 15:34 [KJV])
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
- Our behavior is our first and best witness to those watching us-we may never get in a word
- Then our testimony-nothing anyone can say back.
- If not, then our preaching is in vain, just like Paul just said about there being no resurrection in verse 14
(1 Corinthians 15:14 [KJV])
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1 Corinthians 15:35 [KJV])
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
- This is a big question and a big misunderstanding
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
- Seeds must "winter" or "die" to produce later
- Obviously that death before life ruins the original body, so it cannot come back the same
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
(1 Corinthians 15:37 [KJV])
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
- You plant a seed, not a plant, not a stalk, not the fruit, nut or bark.
- What you plant, you get. There are no exceptions
- Application is that your behavior determines the fruit in the end
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
- God determines any fruit, any growth.
- God is sovereign over any body of any type.
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
- Scientific fact.......all flesh is not the same at all........even if it "tastes like chicken"
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
- Scientific fact.......all celestial bodies, including every star, is unique like a fingerprint.
- They each emit a different frequency of light and are chemically unique.
- The moon and earth are different also, which goes against evolution, since the theory says the moon came out of the earth
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
- Apparently each glorified body of ours will also be unique, like they are on earth
It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
- Born unto sin, born-again unto Glory
- The Power is in the Blood and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
- The example of the seed and the fruit is transferred to us
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
- Jesus is the last Adam. This is why it is important that the first Adam is a real person and not an ape-like insect-eating knuckle-walking, hairy beast of an animal
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
- This is why one is born-AGAIN; you must be born first
- You can be born without being born-again
- You cannot be born-again without first being born
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
- Adam and Jesus both perfectly represent both roles in us
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
- The "Adam" part of us represents the flesh, the World.
- The Christ in us is the only part of us that is heavenly and will go to Heaven, our soul and spirit
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
- In our body we bear both parts
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
- Our flesh must be in a glorified body to enter heaven, like Jesus
- He still has the nail prints in His hands and a spear hole in His side.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
- This is what we will experience at the Rapture
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.
- The Rapture will give us new bodies like Christs
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
- Must as in "flesh and blood cannot inherit"
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.
- The victory, the finality, the result, the reward of Christs work
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
- The implied answer is "no place"
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
- In the flesh, no able to enter is death and the law
- The law brings the death
- The strength is enough to kill anyone and everyone
- It cost Jesus His life, even as the innocent Lamb of God.
(Romans 4:15)
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
(2 Corinthians 3:6) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
(1 Corinthians 15:57 [KJV])
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- The strength of sin, death and the Law are overcome by the Blood of Jesus and the curse removed.
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.
- All work henceforth is no longer vanity if done for Gods Glory
- This should be our response as the "therefore".
- There is an old saying about the Bible: "When you see a therefore, notice what it is there for."
