December 3, 2006
Sermon # 654
Motivation for the Resurrection
Introduction: Understanding the resurrection of the Christian was of such importance that Paul gave almost as much space to it in writing the letter to the Corinthians as he did to the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. To cover Paul’s thoughts I have had to give several teachings to the subject.
1 Corinthians 15:29 - 34 (NKJV) 29Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
I. The motive for salvation
A. Baptism for the dead is not vicarious baptistm for dead people!
ILL: This was a Gnostic heresy taught by Marcion and his followers. –Marcion stated that Jesus Christ was not born of a women he suddenly appeared in the synagogue at Capernaum as a grown man. He also taught that Christ’s human experiences and sufferings were meaely apparent, not real.
ILL: The Mormons have large baptism fonts in their temples in which they perform proxy baptisms for dead people.
B. Baptism never got anyone into heaven.
Ephesians 2:7 - 10 (NKJV) 7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Romans 4:2 - 4 (NKJV) 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
ILL: Baptism is an obedient act of faith.
C. No one finds salvation after death!
Hebrews 9:27 - 28 (NKJV) 27And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
D. Paul may be saying that some have been saved because of the testimony of baptized saints who had already died.
ILL: Acts 7:57 - 60 (NKJV) 57Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
What a motivation for accepting Christ! If the dead do not rise why do many Christians become believers because of the testimony (baptism) of deceased faithful belivers?
E. Paul also may be pointing out that the dead had been baptized in their physical body because they will be raised physically from the dead!
II. The Motive for service
1 Corinthians 15:30 - 32 (NKJV) 30And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
A. Suffering for Christ would be fruitless if it were not for the resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:19 (NKJV) 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
B. Ephesus
Acts 19:23 - 34 (NKJV) 23And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 30And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
C. What does anything in life mean without the resurrection?
1 Corinthians 15:32 (NKJV) 32If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
Ecclesiastes 1:1 - 3 (NKJV) 1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?
ILL: This makes perfect sense if there is no resurrection!
III. The Motive for Sanctification
1 Corinthians 15:33 - 34 (NKJV) 33Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
A. You are going to become what you listen to
ILL: Those who were saying that there was no resurrection will cause you to live a worthless life!
ILL; I learned a long time ago that the preacher produces what he preaches – if you call people sinners they will continue to sin – if you say they are defeated – they will be! If you tell them that Jesus has saved them and made them holy – they will live that way!
B. You will become like the people you associate with.
ILL: If you want to become successful – hang around with successful people
ILL: If you want to become immoral – hang around with immoral people
Conclusion: If you want to be ready of the rapture and the 1st resurrection- believe for it – live for it!
Philippians 3:12 - 14 (NKJV) 12Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
ILL Every Scripture that points to the Return of Jesus calls you to be walking worthy – looking for – and living in the light of His coming!
