I Corinthians 15:12-58 RESURRECTION!

I Corinthians 15 is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament. It addresses on of the early heresies of the church: that there is no bodily resurrection.
The fact is, the resurrection of Christ is the most important part of the gospel, for as we will see, if there is no resurrection, there is no salvation.

The word resurrection is from the Greek: ανάστασις (anastosis) the standing up of a corpse. The resurrection is always referring to the physical, not the spiritual.

There were three prevailing philosophies: Stoicism (the soul merges into deity at death); Epicureanism (totally materialistic); Platonism (immortality and transmigration of the soul).

The Verses

Verses 12-19 Paul presents a series of seven “ifs.” (Seven is the number of completion and/or perfection) Paul is using logic here to present both a physical and a spiritual truth. (Remember how logical he was in Romans?)

Verses 20-28 Christ is the “firstfruits.” Firstfruits was a Jewish feast held in the early spring at the beginning of the grain harvest. It was observed on Nissan 16, which was the third day after Passover and the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits was a time of thanksgiving for God’s provision. Remember Romans 5:12-14? Death is the final enemy we face on this earth. And that has been conquered by Christ’s resurrection. Verse 28 tells us that Christ will return to his place in the Godhead after the millennial reign.

Verses29-34 The whole of I Corinthians 15 concerns the resurrection from the dead. Paul cites the example of those who were baptized as a proof of the resurrection. Their actions symbolized their hope that they would live again. The resurrection is the hope of the dead. Baptism illustrates the hope of the resurrection. One who is baptized rises out of a watery grave, symbolic of the resurrection. Paul is thus saying, "What good is it to be baptized if we do not rise in a resurrection from the dead?” Why then should one be baptized for a hope that would never come true?" However, Paul affirms that, because Christ died and rose again, we have this true hope, the resurrection, to look forward to.

Verses 35-42 Think of yourself as a seed. You have all of the requisites for life…indeed, in a sense, you are alive but you are not what you will be. A seed must “die” and be buried to become the plant it is to be. If we do not die, we cannot become what Christ has willed us to become. If you sow wheat, wheat comes up, not corn. If Christ sows you as saved, you are saved to the uttermost.

Verses 43-49 We perish, our resurrected body won’t. We are weak, but we will be strong. Verse 44 contrasts the natural with the supernatural. We’ll have a totally different kind of body…one we cannot imagine.

Verses 50-52 We cannot inherit God’s kingdom if we do not first give up our present form. The “mystery” mentioned here is that which is now revealed. In the Old Testament it was unrevealed. In the New Testament it is revealed. A twinkling of the eye is faster than a blink. A twinkle is the reflection of a light ray, and travels at 186,000 miles per second! That’s fast.

Verses 53-58 We’re going to be changed! If we are not changed, we cannot be in Heaven with God. But we do not need to fear death! The grave would like to win, but it will not! Christ has already walked the waters of death for you and me. He’ll bring us into eternity! In Christ, we are victors!

THE TRIALS OF JESUS

The night of Jesus’ arrest, He was brought before Annas, Caiaphas, and an assembly of religious leaders called the Sanhedrin (John 18:12-14; 18:19-24 & Matthew 26:57).

After this He was taken before Pilate, the Roman Governor (John 18:28), sent off to Herod (Luke 23:7), and returned to Pilate (Luke 23:11-12), who finally sentenced Him to death.

There were six parts to Jesus’ trial: three stages in a religious court and three stages before a Roman court. Jesus was tried before Annas, the former high priest; Caiaphas, the current high priest; and the Sanhedrin.

Do you know who Annas was? In addition to being the former high priest, he was the one in charge of the sale of items for sacrifice when Jesus overturned the tables in the Temple. It was a sort of sacrificial flea market, called “The Bazaar of Annas.”

He was charged in these “ecclesiastical” trials with blasphemy, claiming to be the Son of God, the Messiah.

The trials before Jewish authorities, the religious trials, showed the degree to which the Jewish leaders hated Him because they carelessly disregarded many of their own laws.

There were seven illegalities involved in these trials from the perspective of Jewish law:

(1) No trial was to be held during feast time.
(2) Each member of the court was to vote individually to convict or acquit, but Jesus was convicted by acclamation.
(3) If the death penalty was given, a night must pass before the sentence was carried out; however, only a few hours passed before Jesus was placed on the Cross.
(4) The Jews had no authority to execute anyone.
(5) No trial was to be held at night, but this trial was held before dawn.
(6) The accused was to be given counsel or representation, but Jesus had none.
(7) The accused was not to be asked self-incriminating questions, but Jesus was asked if He was the Christ. A “yes” answer would have proven blasphemy.

The trials before the Roman authorities started with Pilate (John 18:23) after Jesus was beaten.

The charges brought against Him were very different from the charges in His religious trials. He was charged with inciting people to riot, forbidding the people to pay their taxes, and claiming to be King.

Pilate found no reason to kill Jesus so he sent Him to Herod (Luke 23:7).
Herod had Jesus ridiculed, but wanting to avoid the political liability, sent Jesus back to Pilate (Luke 23:11-12). This was the last trial as Pilate tried to appease the animosity of the Jews by having Jesus scourged.

The Roman scourge is a terrible whipping of 39 lashes.

In a final effort to have Jesus released, Pilate offered the prisoner Barabbas to be crucified and Jesus released, but to no avail.

The crowds called for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified.

Pilate granted their demand and surrendered Jesus to their will (Luke 23:25).

The trials of Jesus represent the ultimate mockery of justice.

Jesus, the most innocent man in the history of the world, was found guilty of crimes and sentenced to death by crucifixion.

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES OF JUSUS’ TRIALS

1. Accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11; Matthew 26:59-61)
2. Mute before accusers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-19)
3. Wounded and bruised (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 27:26)
4. Smitten and spit upon (Isaiah 50:6; Micah 5:1; Matthew 26:67)
5. Mocked (Psalm 22:7,8; Matthew 27:31)
6. Fell under the cross (Psalm 109:24; John 19:17; Luke 23:26)
7. Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16; Luke 23:33)
8. Crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38)
Made intercession for His persecutors (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34)

WHY IS A FIRE ENGINE RED?

Answer: Because there are twelve inches in a foot.

Say what?

"What does twelve inches in a foot have to do with fire engines?" I hear you asking.

Well, I'm glad you asked.

Carefully follow the reasoning:

A foot is a ruler.

Queen Mary was a ruler.

The Queen Mary was a ship.

Ships go to sea.

There are fish in the sea.

Fish have fins.

The Fins fought the Russians.

The Russians are Red.

That's why a fire engine's red...'cause they're always rushin'.

SOME ST. PATRICKS DAY HUMOR FOR YOU

Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up to heaven he said, "Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!" Miraculously, a parking place appeared.Paddy looked up again and said, "Never mind, I found one."

Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and asks the first man hemeets, "Do you want to go to heaven?" The man said, "I do, Father."The priest said, "Then stand over there against the wall."Then the priest asked the second man, "Do you want to go to heaven?""Certainly, Father," the man replied. "Then stand over there against the wall," said the priest.Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and asked, "Do you want to go to heaven?"O'Toole said, "No, I don't Father." The priest said, "I don't believe this.. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?"O'Toole said, "Oh, when I die , yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now."

Paddy was in New York .He was patiently waiting and watching the traffic cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted, "Okay, pedestrians. " Then he'd allow the traffic to pass.He'd done this several times, and Paddy still stood on the sidewalk.After the cop had shouted, "Pedestrians! " for the tenth time, Paddy went over to him and said, "Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?"

Gallagher opened the morning newspaper and was dumbfounded to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best friend, Finney. "Did you see the paper?" asked Gallagher. "They say I died!!""Yes, I saw it!" replied Finney. "Where are ye callin' from?"

An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for speeding in Connecticut . The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car. He says, "Sir, have you been drinking?""Just water," says the priest.The trooper says, "Then why do I smell wine?"The priest looks at the bottle and says, "Good Lord! He's done it again!"

Walking into the bar, Mike said to Charlie the bartender, "Pour me a stiff one - just had another fight with the little woman." "Oh yeah?" said Charlie , "And how did this one end?""When it was over," Mike replied, "She came to me on her hands and knees.""Really," said Charles, "Now that's a switch! What did she say?" She said, "Come out from under the bed, you little chicken."

Patton staggered home very late after another evening with his drinking buddy, Paddy. He took off his shoes to avoid waking his wife, Kathleen. He tiptoed as quietly as he could toward the stairs leading to their upstairs bedroom, but misjudged the bottom step. As he caught himself by grabbing the banister, his body swung around and he landed heavily on his rump. A whiskey bottle in each back pocket broke and made the landing especially painful. Managing not to yell, Patton sprung up, pulled down his pants, and looked in the hall mirror to see that his butt cheeks were cut and bleeding. He managed to quietly find a full box of Band-Aids and began putting a Band-Aid as best he could on each place he saw blood.He then hid the now almost empty Band-Aid box and shuffled and stumbled his way to bed. In the morning, Patton woke up with searing pain in both his head and butt and Kathleen staring at him from across the room. She said, "You were drunk again last night weren't you?"Patton said, "Why you say such a mean thing?""Well," Kathleen said, "it could be the open front door, it could be the broken glass at the bottom of the stairs, it could be the drops of blood trailing through the house, it could be your bloodshot eyes, but mostly ..... it's all those Band-Aids stuck on the hall mirror.

MONDAY MUSINGS FROM OUR FOUNDERS-Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key

U. S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; AUTHOR OF THE “STAR SPANGLED BANNER”

[M]ay I always hear that you are following the guidance of that blessed Spirit that will lead you into all truth, leaning on that Almighty arm that has been extended to deliver you, trusting only in the only Savior, and going on in your way to Him rejoicing.

Exodus 5 - 7

The following is an overview of Chapters 5 - 7 of Exodus. The purpose here is to show how God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, prepared for the coming of Mesiah

Chapter 5

The Verses

1. Why was it Aaron who spoke to Pharaoh? The Lord wanted His people to have a festival to Him.
2. Pharaoh did not know the Lord and so did not relate to their need to worship. People in Lehigh Acres don’t know the Lord and can’t relate to what we do here.
3. The people knew that it was a dangerous thing to “mess” with the Lord.
4. Verses 4-9 tell us about Pharaoh’s determination to make Israel obey him. Despots always seek power and control. They rule by fear, intimidation and punishment.
5. Verses 10 –21 Tell us about Pharaoh’s belief that the people were lazy. The people wanted God to judge their leaders for making their work more difficult. Sometimes we work harder at satisfying the world than we do at satisfying God.
6. Verses 22-23 Contain Moses’ blaming God for their issues.

Chapter 6

The Verses

1. God reiterates His promise to Israel.
2. God uses His personal name here. The text should read I am Yahweh.
3. Verses 3-8 God identifies Himself and once more reiterates His promise to Israel.
4. In verses 9-12 Moses reports what God has said, the Israelites didn’t believe him and Moses gets discouraged.
5. Verses 14-25 is a genealogy used to establish Moses’ identity and a link to Jesus.
6. Verses 28-30 Ensure that we know that we are referencing the right Moses and Aaron. They are of the line of Levi. This establishes Moses’ credentials.

Chapter 7

The Verses

1. “I have made thee a “god” to Pharaoh” is a comparative thing. One who represents God has an important post.
2. Aaron represents Moses; Moses represents God.
3. Both Moses and Aaron were up in years when they brought “proof” of God to Pharaoh.
4. In verses 8 – 13 The staff becomes a snake. The Egyptian sorcerers did the same. Why? What is going on in these plagues? Are they just magic acts and whoever does the best magic wins?
5. I want you to know, the upcoming plagues are a set-up. God is establishing in Pharaoh a particular mind set such that when He finishes them, Pharaoh will have no excuse for defying God.
6. As the plagues increase in awfulness, God sets the stage for the coming of Messiah by means of the greatest gift of all: the Passover.

You see, Israel did nothing to deserve God’s favor…He gave it freely to them. And at the Passover God spared His children by the shed blood of a lamb. At the final Passover, God spared His children by the shed blood of THE LAMB…JESUS.

O, WHY?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up every two hours?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are flat?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?

What is the speed of darkness?

Are there specially reserved parking spaces for "normal" people at the Special Olympics?

If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?

If it's true that we are here to help others, what are the others doing here?

Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?

Do you cry under water?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Did you ever stop and wonder......

Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze
these pink dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"

Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there... I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta it's bum."

Why do toasters always have a setting so high that could burn the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their bum when they ask where the bathroom is?

Why does your Obstetrician, Gynaecologist leave the room when you getundressed if they are going to look up there anyway?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

Can blind people see their dreams? Do they dream??

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables,then what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Stop singing and read on . . . . . . . . .

Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at
you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?

MONDAY MUSINGS FROM OUR FOUNDERS-James Kent

James Kent

JUDGE; LAW PROFESSOR; “FATHER OF AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE”

My children, I wish to talk to you. During my early and middle life I was, perhaps, rather skeptical with regard to some of the truths of Christianity. Not that I did not have the utmost respect for religion and always read my Bible, but the doctrine of the atonement was one I never could understand, and I felt inclined to consider as impossible to be received in the way Divines taught it.

I believe I was rather inclined to Unitarianism; but of late years my views have altered.

I believe in the doctrines of the prayer books as I understand them, and hope to be saved through the merits of Jesus Christ. . . .

My object in telling you this is that if anything happens to me, you might know, and perhaps it would console you to remember, that on this point my mind is clear: I rest my hopes of salvation on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Exodus 2:23 – 3:20

Exodus is a continuation of what was begun in Genesis. Joseph died and Exodus tells us that the entire generation of Joseph also died. Israel multiplied and became a great nation. A king who did know anything about Joseph came to power. He feared Israel and so instructed the midwives to kill boy babies. That was the law when Moses was born, and we know the story of Moses and the bulrushes, his birth and his being raised by an Egyptian. Finally this king of Egypt died.

The Verses

Verses 23-25 (Moses is a partial picture of Christ, but not a perfect one. Moses was a murderer; Christ is a Savior. In verses 20-22, we find the rejected Moses receiving a bride. We live in an age that rejects Christ, but He will take a bride, the church.) The Israelites “groaned” or “sighed” because they were slaves.

God heard them, “remembered” His covenant and set in motion His plan to deliver Israel. God always hears His people. When we are hopeless, God provides Hope.

God has redeemed us for the same reason He kept His covenant with Israel not our merit (Romans 3:23-24), but because of our drowning in sin.

Chapter 3:1-6 Moses was tending sheep. He saw a bush on fire but not consumed. This should bring to mind images of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace but not consumed. This should remind us of Israel’s going through fiery times but not being consumed. This should give us confidence that in times of trials we can count on Christ to get us through one way or the other…and we must decide to be content, regardless of how He does it.

The angel of the Lord who appeared to Moses is none other than the pre-incarnate Christ.

The taking off of the shoes was a way of demonstrating respect. What are some ways we show respect for one another? What are some ways we demonstrate our respect for God?

God called from the bush. I thought I said the angel represented Jesus! I did. God and Jesus are one and the same.

Chapter 3:7-10 God proclaims His intent to rescue Moses and the Israelites from Egypt (Egypt represents the grip of sin on our lives).

Using hindsight and the Word of God, what role was God going to give Moses in delivering the Israelites from Egypt?

What two challenges to faith did God place before Moses? (He had to believe God cared and he had to believe God could)

As we move out of our comfort zone into a new era of the ministry of First Baptist Church, how can we apply these challenges to ourselves?

Chapter 3: 11-18 Here we see Moses struggling with his call and recognizing his weakness (verse 11) and God revealing Himself as the Great I Am. We also see God’s instructions to Moses.

Verses 19-20 God laid out His plan to save Israel.. He did not tell Moses that it would be easy…in fact He told him it would be hard. Salvation is not easy, it had to be purchased with a terrible price: the death of Jesus and the laying of the sins of the world upon him.

MONDAY MUSINGS FROM OUR FOUNDERS-William Samuel Johnson

William Samuel Johnson

JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION; FRAMER OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS; PRESIDENT OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE; U. S. SENATOR
"[I] . . . am endeavoring . . . to attend to my own duty only as a Christian. . . . let us take care that our Christianity, though put to the test . . . be not shaken, and that our love for things really good wax not cold."