Living in the Light of the Resurrection

I hope that you celebrated Christ’s resurrection joyfully this past Sunday. Resurrection is at the heart of the Christian life and message. If there is any doubt about the reality of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ needs to be the focus of attention.

The Apostle Paul’s thorough presentation concerning Christ’s resurrection and the resurrection of all Christians was prompted by some in Corinth who denied that there was any resurrection for anyone. So, the Apostle Paul addresses this matter directly and thoroughly.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve…..” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5 ESV; 

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:56-58 ESV). 

The importance of the resurrection is not just of historical or philosophical interest, it is a fundamental truth that has specific personal and practical impact on our lives as Christians. 

This is true for me in a very personal way right now. My older brother, my only brother, died on March 24th. He was a committed Christian who impacted the lives of many through his counsel, instruction, and various forms of ministry.

It is the ‘living hope’ due to the resurrection that says to death “you are not the end of the story.” There is victory in Christ, despite physical decline and death. There is the truth “absent from the body – present with the Lord” and there is the clear teaching on resurrection that speaks of ultimate victory.

Early in chapter 15 the Apostle reminds his readers of:

1. The Gospel Declaration of the Resurrection – Which Affirms the Resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

So, Paul’s restatement of the core of the gospel provides the authoritative basis for believing in Christ’s resurrection. But, Paul had experienced this resurrection himself and his life was now committed to declaring the cross and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Even though we are almost 2000 years removed from the facts of the resurrection, it is important for us to affirm that our faith is based on real events. We believe in and serve a real Lord Jesus Christ who was born miraculously, lived perfectly, taught authoritatively, died purposefully, arose victoriously, and lives sovereignly above. And through the same gospel, we are invited into the same relationship with the living Lord Jesus that Paul gives testimony to in his experience. For those today who are united to Christ by faith, Christ’s death provides forgiveness for our sins and His resurrection brings us new life now and life eternal. Hallelujah!

What is interesting is that at Corinth, the issue was not just the resurrection of Christ, but resurrection itself was questioned. In other words, some believed that there was no resurrection for anyone, including Christ. So, the Apostle moves on in this chapter to a defense and further explanation of the resurrection. And in this way the Apostle responds to the erroneous thinking in Corinth.

2. The Pastoral Defense of the Resurrection – Which Explains the Resurrection of the Christian (1 Corinthians 15:12-55)

This is a great study for another time presenting first of all the absolute significance and certainty of the resurrection of Christ (12-19). Christ as the firstfruits, the resurrection of the Christian and the order of end events are then explained and applied (20-34). Indeed the resurrection of the Christian follows that of Christ’s resurrection. Then two questions are answered and application made, “’how are the dead raised?” and “With what kind of body do they come?” (35-55), There is a triumphant climax as the victory over death is proclaimed. 

For our purposes today, though, I want us to focus more on the closing words of the chapter. This is where the great truths presented are applied in a more personal and practical way. 

3. The Personal Dynamic of the Resurrection – Which Encourages the Faithfulness of the Christian (15:56-58)

1) A Life of Given Victory (1 Cor. 15:56-57)

The Christian is to live in the light of the victory of Christ. This is a victory that is given to the believer to experience and enjoy. Paul wants every one of his readers to live with the certainty of resurrection, and the certainty of the complete conquering of the “sting” of death. This truth needs to be grasped personally by the believer. 

Freedom from the Condemnation of the Law has been accomplished through Christ. Freedom from the tyranny of sin has been accomplished through Christ. Freedom from the fear of death has been accomplished through Christ. In the light of these truths Paul exclaims,

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Notice that Paul uses the word “gives.” God gives us victory. We cannot accomplish this victory, we cannot earn this victory. We as believers are to actively believe and receive this victory and to live in the light of the victory given to us in Christ. A life of victory means that we thank God for what He has made available to us in Christ. Then, it means asking the Holy Spirit to help us walk in this victory daily.   

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus  from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11

When we lose sight of the given victory that is ours in Christ, we can also lose sight of the Spirit of God who enable us to live a life of victory. We can’t earn daily victory or achieve it by  deeds on our part. We have been given victory in Christ, and now we are to live in the light of that victory through the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul does not address this subject here, but it is central to his whole understanding of how the Christian life is to be lived.

2) A Life of Encouraged Stability (1 Cor. 15:58a)

Paul adds a clear word of encouragement and exhortation to conclude his teaching on the resurrection (15:58). (“Therefore,”)…. The Christian’s victory due to the resurrection should lead to the Christian’s stability. The believer is to be “steadfast” and “immovable.” False ideas or teachings, such as the idea that there is no resurrection, should not cause believers to be shaken in their faith. Christians need not waver in their faith or give up on any matter of Christian living. We need not be controlled by circumstances or opposition. Our faith and our future are secure. 

We certainly live in dangerous and insecure times. People are fearful of so many things. But, in Christ we are secure. His victory sustains us in the present and for the future. And when you have a sense of certainty about the future it helps to give encouragement to you for the present.

Are you discouraged right now? Have circumstances brought fear? The Lord knows all about it. He wants you to know of the given victory that is yours in Christ. He wants you to be encouraged by what He has done for you and what you have received by being united to Christ. Thank Him for what Christ has done and who Christ is in your life.

My mother’s life verse is found in Psalm 16:8 ESV,

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”  

My mother was a person characterized by spiritual strength and consistency. She was a great example of someone who was “steadfast, immovable.” And that came from relying on the Lord continually. And we can rely on the Lord, knowing what He has done for us, and His presence in our lives.

There was a terrorist attack in Boston during the running of the Boston Marathon quite a few years ago. Many people in Boston responded by not letting the terror act cause fear or a change of lifestyle. A phrase was used to describe their attitude, and the phrase was “Boston Strong.” “Boston Strong” simply means that they will not give up or give in to such terrorist attacks. The Boston Marathon took place again after that, and I believe that over the million people came out to watch it.

We face attacks as Christians, physical attacks, mental attacks, emotional attacks, and spiritual attacks. But, we can be strong in the Lord, and strong in the victory that is ours in Christ. Be encouraged today. And this is an encouragement that needs to be shared among the Lord’s people. That’s one of the reasons we meet together for worship, prayer, fellowship, and service. We need to encourage one another in the Lord.

3) A Life of Abundant Activity (1 Cor. 15:58)

This stability in our lives should be matched by and lead to abundant ministry. The phrase “always abounding” speaks of a consistent overflow of activity in Christian service. And the call is to be involved in the work “of the Lord.”

My father spoke often of my grandfather, who was a missionary for many years in Angola, West Africa. And when my father spoke of my grandfather, a phrase he used was “always abounding.” One time my father told me that he would have liked to have written a book on my grandfather’s life under that title, “Always Abounding.” Why? Well, despite the many hardships he experienced as a missionary many years, he consistently did the work of the Lord.  Leaving the British Isles on June 27, 1913, he went to Angola and served the Lord there, “always abounding.”

It is easy to give up isn’t it, when we do not receive encouragement, when we do not see results, when we face opposition or set-backs in ministry. But, we have the potential in Christ not just to do work for the Lord, but for the Lord to do His work through us. The same Lord who conquered sin and death, is the Lord that enables us to walk with Him daily and to do His work with His help. 

Paul could speak of how he accomplished ministry in this way, “….. I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29 ESV). Yes, our work involves effort, but we depend on the power that the Lord provides.

But, Paul concludes this glorious chapter with some words that we need to remember:

We are encouraged to live stable and active Christian lives – “knowing that in the Lord [our] labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58). You see, what we “know” should make a difference in our lives. And what Paul is saying is that the Christian knows his future, because of what Christ has done. The Christian knows that there is victory over sin and death. Indeed, the resurrection of a glorious body is ahead for the Christian. So, we know that our labors now are worth it. What we do for the Lord in the Lord’s strength is not in vain. Every day with the Lord matters and is significant. Every act of obedience and service that you do matters eternally. Your life matters now and eternally. What you do matters and is very important. Isn’t that encouraging??

We live in a world where many people wrestle with the idea that their lives do not matter, and that what they do is really not very important. Not so for the Christian, if you have followed me as I have sought to present this amazing and glorious truth concerning the resurrection. You see, the facts have implications. The truth of the resurrection provides victory, stability, and reason for activity for the Christian united to Christ by faith. And knowing these truths and living these truths will make all the difference in our lives.

The importance of the last clause cannot be overemphasized, “knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (15:58). It is the knowledge of victory that leads to stability and abundant ministry. The personal dynamic of the knowledge of the resurrection is that such knowledge is the foundation for Christian belief and service.

The Apostle wants us to know these truths so that we can have certainty in our lives. More than that, The Lord wants us to know of the Victory, the Stability, and the Activity that should be the very nature of the Christian life. And this is our experience because we know, we know, we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

A defining quotation in my father’s life was: 

“Only one life ‘twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

It counts! Our live matter! We have purpose that reaches beyond this life into eternity! Praise God.

“….Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (15:57)  

— David O.