Love is the Test, Parts 1 & 2

Prelude to Part 1

How can we tell a false from a true messenger of God? How does love separate truth from error? How do we know God loves us? Let’s examine God’s love and the difference it makes, by looking at 1 John 4:1-11.

1 John 4:1 Test the Spirits

In 1 John 4:1 we read, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” A misunderstanding of Jesus’ instructions not to be judgmental, is that we should not discern who are false prophets. Yet after Jesus said, “Judge not” (Matthew 7:1) He said “Beware of false prophets.” (Matthew 7:15) Is that a contradiction? Jesus does not want us to be always judging, hypercritical, and beware of false prophets, falsely claiming to bring a message from God. How do we test without judging? We do not condemn, but discern by the fruits.

1 John 4:2 Test of Confession

1 John 4:2 says, “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God”. One test of who is led by the Spirit of God is their confession. John refers to the ancient heresy of Docetism, which claimed that Jesus did not have a body, but was a disembodied spirit, a ghost. They claimed that He did not really suffer, die and rise again. On the other hand, He was not a mere man, because of John’s words “has come in the flesh,” alluding to his Gospel claim that He was God, the Word (John 1:1-4).

1 John 4:3 Spiritual Discernment

1 John 4:3 says, “and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” Being anti- or against Christ is a spirit that we are familiar with in our world, but when a religious teacher claims to be Christian, yet teaches that Jesus was a mere human being, we should beware. Or when someone claims that our four records of Jesus’ teachings are to be disregarded as God-breathed because they were written by men, we should discern a wrong spirit.

1 John 4:4-5 Of God or the World

1 John 4:4-5 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.” In dramatic opposition to false teachers, those who believe the truth are on one side; false teachers are on the other. There is no mention of a neutral position and to assume a neutral position is also to be in error, because we “have overcome them.” Echoing Jesus’ words, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own.” (John 15:19)

1 John 4:6 Spirit of Truth or Error

1 John 4:6 says, “We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” John is saying that we who teach the things of God are heard by those who know God. What qualifies any teacher is not apostolic succession or ordination by men, but the spirit of truth rather than error. When people give in to the spirit of falsehood, contradicting the teachings of the Apostles, claiming the Bible is just the teachings of men, they become false prophets, falsely claiming to be speaking for God.

1 John 4:7-8 Love is of God

1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” When churches show hatred instead of love, then they do not know God. Only by loving God can we truly know God and this love is intimately connected to knowing truth. The greatest truth of all is love. Whatever love for one another a person has within them comes from God. Because God is love, then love of God and neighbor is the surest test that a person is from God.

1 John 4:9 God’s Love Manifested

1 John 4:9 says, “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” In this verse John summarizes his Gospel and John 3:16. Jesus is distinguished from all other sons of God as His only begotten Son or uniquely God’s Son in a manner that no other is. This counters the Ebionite heresy that denied the divinity of Christ. God’s love is made most conspicuous in the birth of Jesus and we believers are the specific beneficiaries of life through Him. Eternal life is given us by faith in Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:10-11 The Penalty Paid

1 John 4:10-11 says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [satisfaction] for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” No higher manifestation of love than this can be found. It is not in our imperfect love for God, but in His love for us, that real love is understood. The consequences of that love are permanent, the propitiation, atoning sacrifice or payment for our sins. Since God loves us, we also on our part ought to love one another. Loving God involves loving our fellow man.

Postlude to Part 1

A false messenger is distinguished from a true messenger of God by his confession that the Son of God came from heaven and became flesh and by his love of church people. Love also separates truth from error because all true doctrine is founded upon love. We know God loves us because His Son paid the price that we might live forever.

Prelude to Part 2

Why is love of the church and its people such an important indicator of our love for God? How can we willingly and openly confess Christ? Why can we boldly face judgment day without fear? Let’s examine how the love of God and loving the people in the church are intimately connected, by looking at 1 John 4:12-21.

1 John 4:12-13 Spirit of Love

1 John 4:12-13 says, “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” No one has ever yet seen God. Why does John say this here? How can we love an invisible God? We show love to God by loving the image of God in His people. In other words, love of faulty fellow church goers proves the indwelling of God. That is, possession of the loving Spirit proves “we abide in Him”.

1 John 4:14-15 Open Confession

1 John 4:14-15 says, “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” The apostles were eyewitnesses to Jesus and His apostleship. The word “sent” literally means “apostled.” So, Jesus is an apostle of God the Father, “one sent.” God the Father can be only spiritually seen by a pure heart. But Jesus, God the Son, was visibly seen by His Apostles. How can we tell who God abides in? Whosoever “declares openly” or “speaks out freely" that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 4:16 Living in Love

1 John 4:16 says, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” Literally, we have come to know and have come to believe the love God has within us. This connects experience and faith. God’s love has been placed within us through the Holy Spirit. We experience love as a fruit of the Spirit. Love is the principle doctrine of the Church. It is the Church's principle creed. Pure religion is love. When we continually live in love, we continually live in God and God continually lives in us.

1 John 4:17 Boldness on Judgment Day

1 John 4:17 says, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” We who are ever conscious of our sins must understand the love of God. Because of His love, we may enter judgment day with boldness, not because we have attained sinless perfection, but because we understand His love for us. Because we dwell in Christ and He in us, we are as He is. A Christian is meant to be a living likeness of Christ. (1 John 3:3, 7) How? Not by immaculate faultlessness but by faith.

1 John 4:18 Love and Fear

1 John 4:17 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Perfect love casts out fear, even the fear of judgment day. We know we can stand on judgment day, because our sins are forgiven in Him. Both love and fear exist together in us because love is not yet perfect in us. Fear prepares the way for love. We fear to disobey God until perfect love obeys without fear. Fear torments us now, because love is not yet perfect. Fear deters us from sinning, but love leads to righteousness.

1 John 4:19 He First Loved Us

1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” Love in us is not to our credit, but comes from God. Why did Abel offer a better offering than Cain? Why did Abram willingly leave the comforts of home to become a nomad? Why did Moses lead a bunch of squabbling, complaining people out of slavery? Why did David compose love songs to God? Why did Elijah preach an unpopular message that put his life in danger? Why did most of the Apostles willingly die for the Gospel? Love for God is the only answer. Do we love Him? We love Him because He first loved us.

1 John 4:20 Hate of Brethren

1 John 4:20 says, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” Yet, some say they hate the church but claim to love God. That’s a contradiction. We cannot claim to love God and hate church people, because God loves His church. Yes, the church is very faulty, but God loves her. Yes the Bride of Christ is sometimes the Whore of Babylon, but as Hosea loved Gomer, so Christ loves us, His Bride. If we love God, we love His church.

1 John 4:21 Love of Brethren

1 John 4:21 says, “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” We have no choice but to love our brothers and sisters in the church. Jesus was quite clear that this is the great commandment, on which hang all the Law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37, Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:27; John 13:34). God’s command is to love, not only our invisible God, but also our visible brothers and sisters in whom God lives. It may be difficult, but let us never forget that even the most wretched human being was made in the image of God.

Postlude

Do we love the church and its people? That is an important indicator of our love for God. Do we willingly and openly confess that Jesus is the Son of God? As we grow in love for Christ, confessing Him openly becomes easier because we care more what He thinks than what others think. Do we boldly face judgment day without fear? As we grow in love fear will fade.

1 John 4:1-11; Matthew 7:1, 15; John 1:1-4; John 15:19; John 3:16; 1 John 3:3, 7; Matthew 22:37, Matthew 22:39; Luke 10:27; John 13:34

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Good Shepherd

Prelude

What is a Good Shepherd? What is the difference between David as a brave young shepherd and Jesus as the Good Shepherd? Did Jesus die for His sheep voluntarily?

Purpose: Let’s understand how good a shepherd Jesus is.

Plan: Let’s look at what it means to be the Good Shepherd in John 10:11-18.

John 10:11 The Good Shepherd

In John 10:11 we read, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” The word “good” also means beautiful of heart, and the word “shepherd” is exactly the same word as pastor. A reason for his goodness is also given, that he will “expose himself to any danger for their safety”.[1] “When the wolf comes, he would still remain to protect them.”[2] We have a literal example of such a good shepherd in David, who protected his flock of sheep from “a lion or a bear” (1 Samuel 17:33-35). More than facing danger, Jesus laid down His life for His sheep.

[1] Benson Commentary [2] Barnes’ Notes

Pastors

The word pastor is one of the least used words for a church leader in the New Testament, but a very meaningful one. Whereas other church leadership roles carry meanings like envoy, servant, older person, teacher and overseer, the word pastor means a shepherd. Every human pastor is an assistant to Jesus. In larger churches assistant pastors or small group leaders become the hands-on pastors of the flock. All pastoral care is vital because there is nothing more important to Jesus than his flock. Human pastors are inadequate and totally incapable of providing what Jesus would, yet it is a privilege to love and be loved by the flock of Christ.

John 10:12-13 The Hired Hand

In John 10:12-13 we read, “But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.” A hired hand or wage worker does not own the sheep nor cares like Jesus does. He does not fight the wolf, but runs. False prophets or other predators come and take sheep by force, “not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29; Matthew 7:15). Human pastors come and go but Jesus will never leave.

John 10:14 I Know My Sheep

In John 10:14 we read, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” Psalm 23 is a picture of life under the Good Shepherd. I once knew a shepherdess who taught me the difference between a sheep farmer and a shepherd. She knew her sheep by name and they knew her. She didn’t drive them like a sheep farmer would, but called them and they knew her voice and came to her. A bond of trust exists between shepherd and sheep. To a stranger all sheep may look alike, but to a loving shepherd, each is an individual and cared for individually.

John 10:15 I Know the Father

In John 10:15 we read, “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” We might ask how is the two-sided intimate knowledge between Jesus and His sheep? His answer is to compare it with the mutual knowledge between Him and His Father. Those of us far removed from ancient agricultural practices may not understand the love of a shepherd for his sheep, but perhaps we can relate in some ways if we’ve ever had pets that we loved and spent many hours with. The love of this Shepherd is so great that He willingly dies for his flock.

John 10:16 Other Sheep

John 10:16 says, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” Jesus describes one flock, but not one fold or courtyard, and he described one Shepherd Jesus, not any human leader. Mark found sheep in Egypt and the Coptic church became a separate sheepfold. Thomas, Thaddeus and Bartholomew also did the same in Assyria. Later Thomas did the same in Kerala, southwest India. Competing Roman and Eastern Orthodox claims of being the “one true church” are not borne out by history. All Christians are one in Christ.

John 10:17 Because

John 10:17 says, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.” The Father loved the Son from eternity, and that love is culminated and fully justified, because He is the Good Shepherd, and because of His voluntary readiness to sacrifice Himself for the sheep. His desire was to bring the whole world back to the Father. Jesus lay down His life of His own free will and had the power to take His life back again. The Good Shepherd dies, not to leave the sheep defenseless, but to rise again and be the Shepherd of more sheep coming into the flock.

John 10:18 Voluntary Death

John 10:18 says, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Nobody, neither the Jews nor Romans, not even the Father, took Jesus’ life from Him. His submission and death was entirely voluntary. He voluntarily went up to Jerusalem, knowing that He would die. He said that Pilate would have no power unless God gave it (John 19:11). The fact that Jesus had power to take His life again, shows His divinity. And, He voluntarily fulfilled the commission from the Father.

Shepherds

I grew up spending summers on my uncle’s sheep farm. Though I learned a lot about sheep, I did not learn much about shepherding. Later I became pastor of a rural church with many sheep farmers. Though I learned a lot more about sheep from them, I still did not learn much about shepherding until I met Robin. She was a shepherd. There is a difference. Sheep farmers have thousands of sheep, but Robin had a small flock and knew each one by name. Sheep often flee a sheep farmer, but when Robin took a small can of grain and shook it, they came to her and they knew her voice. That’s an advantage of small churches. Jesus is like Robin. He is the Good Shepherd and calls us into his flock to be cared for individually (John 10:10-18).

Sacrifices

Soldiers go to war voluntarily. Police officers voluntarily sacrifice their safety. Parents sacrifice for their children. Missionaries sacrifice equity, savings, and personal safety to go overseas and spread Christianity. Even retailers sacrifice privacy in order to be able to make money. Everyone sacrifices something so we can live together in peace. Medical Doctor Commander Edward Jewel wrote in the New Yorker in 2003 that he treated enemy prisoners of war.1 He soon realized that could be his job for the duration of the war in Iraq. The greatest sacrifice is the one who lays down his life for an enemy. Jesus died while we were still enemies (Romans 5:10).

1 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/06/12/soldiers-stories

Postlude

As a young shepherd, David bravely fought lion and bear, but Jesus is the Good Shepherd who died for His sheep. Jesus died voluntarily and lives again so that we might have life through Him.

John 10:11-18; 1 Samuel 17:33-35; Acts 20:29; Matthew 7:15; Psalm 23; John 19:11; Romans 5:10

Entering Forgiveness

Prelude

Where does repentance lead us? Repentance leads us into forgiveness. What does forgiveness mean for us now?

Purpose: Let us look at the importance of knowing forgiveness as we live each day.

Plan: We will look at Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-19; and 1 John 3:1-7 focusing on the topic of forgiveness.

Luke 24:39 Jesus is not a Ghost

A recycled heresy, Marcionism calls Jesus a ghost. In Luke 24:36b-48 Jesus proves he is not a ghost, a spirit without a body, “Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones”. The disciples disbelieved for joy, it seemed too good to be true. Jesus then ate with them. The Hebrew scriptures are summarized by the description “the law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms.” He opened their minds to understand the scriptures. We too need divine help to understand the Bible. There were three parts to Jesus’ instructions: he would suffer, be raised and repentance resulting in forgiveness must be proclaimed to all nations.

Luke 24:47 Repentance INTO Forgiveness

In Luke 24:47 we read that “repentance and forgiveness [repentance INTO forgiveness] of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Preaching against sin is not to condemn, but to save, to lead us to forgiveness. The opposite of sin is not impossible moral perfection, but faith. The Old Testament proved that letter-perfect law-keeping is impossible. We fail law-keeping. Repentance is not keeping the letter of the law, but changing from unbelief to faith in God. Paul taught that the purpose of the law was not perfect obedience in the letter, but to expose sin. Gospel preaching is not better morality, but forgiveness, absolution.

Acts 3:19 Turn to God

Acts 3:19 says, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out”. “Be converted” is old English and has changed meanings. It is not passive in Greek. It is better translated today as that we must act and “return to God.” The word converted means something totally different today. The purpose for turning to God is, “so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” This refers to a breeze that refreshes a weary soul. There is no delay indicated for the times of refreshing. Forgiving refreshment begins immediately and will culminate in those times of refreshing that Jesus brings at his coming. 

1 John 3:1-3 Children

The phrase “sons (or children) of God” in 1 John 3:1-3 refers to human beings. In Genesis 6 the sons of God married and giants were born. Jesus said that angels cannot marry or give children in marriage, so the phrase “sons of God” in Genesis also means human beings. We are called children of God by adoption. We will be like him and live forever. This process is called theosis, or divinization, or sanctification. We are being transformed day by day to be like Jesus. We purify ourselves, freeing ourselves from everything unholy, staying close to Jesus. We “know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him”.

1 John 3:4-6 Sin

What is sin? 1 John 3:4 says, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” Should we be legalistic, returning to the letter of the law? The new covenant is “not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6) Jesus taught that a bad thought breaks the law (Matthew 5:22, 28). What hope do we have then? 1 John 3:5-6 says, “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin.” Jesus covers our sins (Romans 4:7).

Postlude

A positive change of heart and turning to God bring us into forgiveness. That’s a reason to rejoice every day. We don’t need to live under a cloud of guilt for our mistakes, we just need to live in Jesus. As we do, our sins are covered.

Luke 24:36b-48; Acts 3:12-19; 1 John 3:1-7; Genesis 6; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Matthew 5:22, 28; Romans 4:7

When Christians Sin

Prelude

How judgmental are we of others? How ready are we to confess our own faults? Do we admit like Paul, that though we desire not to sin, we still do?

Purpose: Let’s examine living in the light of God’s glory and an overcoming life versus the darkness of living in habitual sin.

Plan: Let’s look at John’s instructions about life, fellowship, joy, light, darkness and confession of our sins in 1 John 1:1-2:2.

Who is the Word of Life?

1 John 1:1 says, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” A man went to his bishop to ask some Bible questions. The bishop looked around his large library and had a hard time finding a Bible. His studies had been so overshadowed by traditions, that the Word of Life had no longer a prominent place. Who was from the beginning? Who did John and the others hear, see and touch? Who is this Word of Life? Is any other person the Word of Life?

What was Manifested?

1 John 1:2 says, “the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” Evaluate any preaching and ask yourself where is the focus. Is it on a particular denomination’s tradition, health, wealth, tongues, success, selfishly living your best life now, politics, materialism and a host of other worldly distractions, or does it expound the message of the Bible and that Person who is eternal life, who was with our heavenly Father and manifested to the apostles? Do we consistently emphasize anything else other than the Life that was manifested to them?

Can we Fellowship with God?

1 John 1:3-4 says, “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” The purpose of their witness was “that” others may have fellowship and joy. A great purpose of any preaching is that others may share fellowship and joy. True Christian fellowship begins with the Father and the Son. The great thing that brings us together is that which we hold in common, our fellowship with God, which fills us with joy.

What is Light & Darkness?

1 John 1:5-6 says, “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” The message of any preaching ought to include the same, that God is light. Walking in the darkness of any doctrines that promote sin is not the way to fellowship with God. Though we are far from sinless perfection, our habitual walk ought to be in the light and not the darkness of sin, and teachings that promote sin.

Do we Walk in the Light?

1 John 1:7-8 says, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Some Christians claim they are no longer sinners. Perhaps they mean they no longer pursue sin, but to claim we have no sin makes us liars. None of us has attained sinless perfection. Non-Christians point out obvious Christian sins, but miss the point. The only difference is that our sins are covered by faith in Jesus.

Do we Confess our Sins?

1 John 1:9-10 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” One US President was famous for saying that he had no sins to confess. But humble confession that we have not attained sinless perfection, is a hallmark of true Christianity. Self-righteous judgmentalism hides behind a mask of legalistic perfection. It makes us liars and fake Christians. We must learn to openly and humbly admit what Jesus taught, that even our thoughts are often sinful.

What is Wanted & Unwanted Sin?

1 John 2:1-2 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” John speaks as a fellow sinner, of “our sins.” Even Paul said, “the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:15-20) Repentance means we no longer desire to sin, though through weakness we do. Thank God for Jesus our Advocate.

Postlude

When people accuse Christians of sin, they miss the point. Everybody sins! True Christians don’t really want to sin, but when they do, they confess it to God and are forgiven. Is it our life’s desire to walk in God’s light or in the darkness of sin? Do we hate sin even though out of weakness we fail? When we sin, do we confess it to God and have faith that our Advocate has it covered and that our Father in heaven has forgiven us?

1 John 1:1-2:2; Romans 7:15-20 Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_john/1-1.htm

Resurrection, the Basis of Christianity

Prelude

The modern liberal idea that the resurrection never occurred is not new. Paul’s purpose in writing to the Corinthians was to remind them that the resurrection is the basis of Christianity. Purpose: Let’s rediscover the hope of the resurrection. Plan: Let’s read John 20:1-18 and springboard to 1 Corinthians 15, examining what the resurrection means for us.

Read the Gospel lesson then turn to 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:1-12 Historical Evidence

Paul reminds the church of God in Korinthos that the Gospel which he first preached to them included the resurrection, even though some no longer believe in it. He presents a creed, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” Notice that Paul twice says that this was according to the Hebrew Scriptures. He also gave historic evidence of the resurrection, “that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present”.

1 Corinthians 15:13-28 Moral Argument

Some are judgmental of parts of the Bible that conflict with their prejudice rather than seeking understanding without judgmentalism. Paul gives quite a shocking argument for those who deny the resurrection, “if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty… and we are found false witnesses of God… And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile.” Another moral argument is, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” When? For those in Christ, it will be at the last trumpet upon His return and sometime later the rest, after a symbolic millennium (Revelation 20:4-6).

1 Corinthians 15:29-34 For the Dead

Paul possibly addresses the ancient Marcionite heresy of proxy baptism for the dead without their repentance and faith. He states that even this absurd teaching relied upon the resurrection. Another possibility is the early church risk, and even the same risk today in several totalitarian countries, that Baptism into Christ is baptism into His suffering, even to death which many endured through faith in the resurrection. Even those of us living in safer countries, a symbolic death of the old man takes place at baptism, and even includes the death of bad relationships. Not that Christians cut themselves altogether from unbelievers, else who could they witness and spread the Gospel to!

1 Corinthians 15:35-49 Analogy

Like Christ, we too will have a body whereby we can enjoy food and yet are immortal. Eternity will be heaven and earth together where we will enjoy today’s blessings immensely magnified, without the crime, wars and other worries. We will also have an immortal body without aches, pains and disease. It will be a new life so wonderfully different to our lives now. As we get old we say we are just shadows of our former selves, but all our lives we are mere shadows of our future selves. God will give us a new body where we are still us, but more fully us than we have ever been.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Triumphant Chant

Visiting elderly family and friends reminds us of our potential future and our mortality. Flesh and blood corrupts and dies. But “the dead will be raised incorruptible” and “this mortal must put on immortality.” Paul describes 3 great victories for the Christians, over law, sin and death. “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” and “Death is swallowed up in victory.” Verse 57 has become a Christian war chant, “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Caesar

Democratic Rome degenerated into a dictatorship led by the Caesars. Caesars took to using the title “Lord and God.” The two Caesars during Jesus’ earthly sojourn were Augustus and Tiberius. They were followed by perhaps the worst of all, Caligula. When early Christians called Jesus Lord, they were saying that Caesar is not. In ancient Rome Caesar’s edicts were called the Gospel. When early Christians shared what they called the Gospel, they were saying that the edicts of Caesar were not good news. What gave them the courage to stand up against these tyrants was the hope of the resurrection. Faith in the resurrection means that we believe God not Caesar.

Postlude

As in Adam human creation began and dies, so in Christ human recreation has already begun and will last forever. Now we are a mere shadow of what we will be. The resurrection tells us that new beginnings are possible, for us, for our families, our community, our nation, and the whole world. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption … sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory … sown in weakness, it is raised in power. (1 Corinthians 15:42-43) “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 57).

John 20:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 20:4-6