Fact Not Fiction! (Part 3)

TEXT:

‘Now let me remind you, brothers, of what the Gospel really is, for it has not changed—it is the same Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is squarely built upon this wonderful message’ (1 Corinthians 15:1 TLB)

THOUGHT:

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians to correct a number of beliefs and practises that were weakening the church. One of these errors concerned the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In Part 1, we studied “That Word” (v2) and “That Christ died” (v3). In Part 2, we studied “That He was buried” (v4) and “That He rose again” v4).

Now we will consider the final “That” we can have absolute certainty about.

5. That He was seen – ‘This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses’ (Acts 2:32)

Frequently after a crime or accident has happened, the police appeal for witnesses to come forward and state what they had seen or heard. Paul lists those who became eye-witnesses, having seen Jesus after He was raised from the dead. The majority of those eye-witnesses saw Him die and would have needed absolute proof that He was now alive.  This is why the Bible says, ‘To whom He presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs’ (Acts 1:3). Jesus needed disciples who were fully convinced about His resurrection in order to preach the good news about sins forgiven and life after death.

• Peter – ‘That He was seen by Peter’ (1 Corinthians 15:5 NLT)

Peter, the three-time denier of Jesus is listed first. In fact Jesus instructed the women to tell Peter He was alive.¹¹ Just to make sure, Jesus told him Himself. This ought to encourage us that just because we make mistakes, it does not mean God will withhold revelation from us, or exclude us from future ministry. Jesus’ plan for the church still included Peter!

• The Twelve Disciples – ‘then by the twelve’ (v5)

The first time Jesus revealed Himself Thomas was missing, so He appeared again the following week just for Thomas’ benefit.¹² Again, this should encourage us that even if we miss something special, God can give us our own revelation in order that we may believe.

• Five Hundred – ‘After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once’ (v6)

At the time Paul wrote this letter, the majority of those eye-witnesses were still alive. Still witnessing to the truth of what they had seen.

• James – ‘After that He was seen by James’ (v7)

The Lord’s brother, who went on to be the leader of the church in Jerusalem. It’s wonderful when our family come to see and believe what we hold to be true.

• All the apostles – ‘Then by all the apostles’ (v7)

This could refer to the seventy Jesus sent out in addition to the twelve disciples.¹³ Jesus, made sure by personal revelation, that all His key workers knew He was alive.

• Paul – ‘Then last of all He was seen by me also’ (v8)

Think for one moment. If Jesus could get the great enemy of the church to change sides, what about those who persecute you? Leave them to God to sort out. Just make sure you continue to be a witness that Jesus is alive.

Many will ask this question, “If Jesus gave Thomas a personal, physical revelation of Himself, why not me?” Jesus gave the answer, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me’ (John 20:29 NLT). ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God’ (Ephesians 2:8).

6. Jesus is alive!

If He isn’t then our faith is in vain and our preaching is useless. There is no good news and we are still in our sins (v17). We will still live with the fear of death, without any hope.

‘But now’ (v20). Jesus has risen and has become the first-fruits of those who will be raised from the dead!

Do you find it difficult to believe in a resurrected Jesus? If there is no resurrection, it means death has won. Thank God the Bible says, ‘The last enemy that will be destroyed is death’ (v26); ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’ (v54); ‘There shall be no more death’ (Revelation 21:4).

Death came about through Adam’s disobedience (v21), but eternal life has resulted through Christ’s obedience and sacrifice (v22).

Paul used a series of contrasts to illustrate what happens to the body of a Christian after it dies and is buried (v42-54)

It is sown in corruption but raised incorruptible

It is sown in dishonour but raised in glory

It is sown a natural body but raised as a spiritual body

It is sown because of death but raised because of life

It has the image of the man of dust (Adam) but raised with the image of the heavenly Man (Jesus)

It is sown as a mortal but raised immortal

It is sown in defeat but raised in victory

One does not have to die for all this to happen. ‘Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed’ (v51). Paul had to correct the erroneous teaching that if a Christian died before Christ had returned, they would miss the resurrection. There would be no transformation of the body.

No, when Christ returns, He will raise first the believers who have died, then change those who are alive. This will happen in a split-second, in the twinkling of an eye (v52).

As long as sin is part of our lives, the death principle works and it has the right to say, “You’re mine”. ‘The wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23).

This is why Jesus not only forgives but removes our sin as far as the east is from the west.¹⁴ It’s then our born again spirit qualifies for a new body that death can never touch for ever. Hallelujah!

Yes, we want to see miracles and the sick healed but remember, every person Jesus healed eventually died. The more important question is, “Will death claim you a second time, or will you have passed from death to life because your faith is in Jesus?”

Endnotes:

¹¹ Mark 16:7                ¹² John 20:24-29          ¹³ Luke 10:1                 ¹⁴ Psalm 103:12