If I had one wish, something that God had asked me and that He would grant me but upon receiving this wish, He would automatically take me to heaven, it would be one of two things. The first thing that would pop into my mind would be to have my grandfather alive again. The second thing that I would want for Him to grant me would be to see His book, His blueprint for my life. I want to see what He has planned for me. I want to know where I’m going to go wrong, what I’m going to do, the life that I’m going to live and how the rest of my years will pan out. I want to see it.
See, God has a plan for all of our lives. And I’m wondering, what would they be like if He had it written down, and there was something tangible, a book, that we could refer to that would discuss the details of our life and death, before we knew it would happen? It’s a good thing that we don’t, but just what if?
Continuing on with our studying in 1 Corinthians, we come across some defenses for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, based on prophecy, prophesied centuries before it actually happened.
I. Died, Buried, and Rose
1 Corinthians 15:3,4- “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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.”
We may not have something tangible, or spoken down throughout the years concerning our lives, but Christ most certainly did. His life purpose was detailed centuries before and was fulfilled. No other man in history can say that His life was foretold and had come to fruition. Only Christ.
Let’s look at the word “Scriptures.” This is a reference to the Old Testament. Some of the disciples, the apostle Paul, and even Christ Himself made references, pointing back toward the Old Testament writings, concerning Christ and His sacrifice.
Passages in the Bible that discuss the death, burial and resurrection of Christ include: Isaiah 53, Zechariah 13:7, Psalm 22:18, Psalm 69:21 for His death, Psalm 30:3, 41:10, and 49:15 for His resurrection.
One of the more familiar passages where the resurrection of Christ is mentioned is found in Psalm 16:8-11. Here the resurrection of Christ is applied through David, one who took strength and encouragement, from these words, but through which the Lord was using to prophesy of His inevitable end. Let’s make a comparison and imagine the emotions that both men must be feeling and apply these words to both situations, for one a man in sin, for the second a Man in sacrifice. In both instances, they are statements of confidence, hope in victory of the Messiah.
There is one difference, however, in our application of this passage to both David and Christ. David died. He was buried and did not rise again. However Christ did not. The apostle Paul puts it best in Acts 13:36,37- “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers and saw corruption, but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.”
Christ died, but He rose again from the dead. His facets of His life were prophesied. We think, facets, what facets? It was only His death, life and resurrection right that was written in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New. But it wasn’t. Everything from His lineage, to His temptation, His rejection, His obedience, authority, humility, and His mission. His sufferings, His priesthood, His claims to be God, to be Messiah, to be the Lamb of God and God of Israel were all prophesied and fulfilled in word in the New Testament. That’s how amazing it is! All this and more were prophesied and fulfilled by Christ!
Now, all this is well and good, but what does it mean? Is this an apologetics sermon? I don’t want to think that it is. Here is the significance of knowing that Christ died, was buried, and rose, according to the Scriptures. Because everything happened in accordance to what the prophets wrote during the time of the Old Testament, it only fuels the overall truth of the Bible. If the Old Testament is true about Christ and the fulfillment of all His prophecies, then everything in the Old Testament and New Testament will eventually come to fruition as well.
The first thing that we must keep in mind that will come true according to the Scriptures is that Christ will return to this earth again. The second is the actuality of the entire book of Revelation, and the third is the judgment which will befall on everyone, either by the Book of Life or the Book of Works.
Imagine the reality that we must all be facing. The Bible is truth. If it’s true then millions will be going to heaven, and millions will be going to hell. Millions will have to endure the tribulation period. Millions will face the judgment seat of Christ. Once again we take it for granted. Just because we didn’t see David slay Goliath, or Daniel sleep with the lions, or Job scrape off his boils, we don’t seem to be able to develop that sense of urgency that the future that the Bible actually speaks of will happen!
What will it take to make others see? What will make them believe? The Bible is right there. The truth is out in the open. Why is it so hard to grasp? One of my co-workers, who is a Mormon confessed to me that she loves reading the Mormon bible, but that it was difficult to read the Bible. People have to be willing to accept the truth. They must be willing to be guided by the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the teachings of the Bible. The Bible is such a wonderful blessing. People treat it as a curse. Even those in churches who refuse to read it treat it as if it’s leprosy.
Conclusion:
The life, death, and resurrection of Christ help prove to the world that the Bible speaks the truth. It gives in full the details of Christ. So many prophecies have been fulfilled. It’s amazing how people still don’t believe that the Bible is real and truthful.
What I’m trying to say is believe that the Bible is real. That it tells the truth. And go out there and live with conviction that the Bible is real. Let the world know. We need to stop staying quiet about it. There’s too much at stake. There’s too much to lose. What’s the point of prophecy and fulfillment of prophecy if all it leads to is people sitting on their hands, not willing to shout for joy?
The one lesson that we can learn from the passage this morning is what the Apostle Paul told the church. That he is now delivering to the church what he received first. Now that we’ve heard, we have to share to others.
Let's share to others the story, love, and sacrifice of Christ. Yes, Christ is ours. But let's keep in mind that in accordance to the Scriptures, He's ours to share.
