1 Corinthians 15:12-22

CHRISTIANITY IS A RESURRECTION POWER RELIGION! The New Testament speaks of at least four separate resurrections.

The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ

About 36 hours after His death, Jesus’ soul and His body were reunited. At the same time, His body and soul were "raised" to what Paul calls, "the body of his glory" (Phil.3:21).

In this resurrection body Christ burst forth from the tomb, passed through closed doors, appeared to His disciples, and disappeared. Then, finally, in defiance of the law of gravity, He ascended in a cloud (Acts 1:8) to the right hand of God the Father.

Rev.1:18: "I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hades."

CHRISTIANITY IS A RESURRECTION POWER RELIGION!

The Resurrection of Believer’s Bodies

The Bible tells us that as He arose, so we shall rise.

I Cor.15:49: "And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven."

Phil.3:21: Jesus Christ "will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

CHRISTIANITY IS A RESURRECTION POWER RELIGION!

The Resurrection of Sinners

Between the past resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of the disciples of Christ, another spiritual resurrection IS taking place.

John 5:24-25:"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live."

"You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world.... But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved" (Eph.2:1-2,4-5).

CHRISTIANITY IS A RESURRECTION RELIGION!

People who are dead spiritually, are dead to the things of God.

CHRISTIANITY IS A RESURRECTION RELIGION!

The Resurrection of the Saint

This is the work of the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a believer.

God wants us to give Him our best. In order to do so, we must come alive in Him through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit!

Romans 6:11 (LB): "So look upon your old sin nature as dead and unresponsive to sin, and instead be alive to God, alert to Him, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

CHRISTIANITY IS A RESURRECTION POWER RELIGION!

Four resurrections! Two external and two internal. Two having to do with the physical and two having to do with the spiritual.