‘EACH ONE IN HIS OWN ORDER’ – 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on December 8, 2019 under 2019 |
Bethany Bible Church Sunday Message; December 8, 2019 from 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Theme: Jesus’ resurrection is the first in a series of events in God’s plan for our redemption and for His glory.
(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).
Click HERE for the audio version of this sermon.
Google Earth is an online program that renders real, high-definition satellite images of locations across the whole surface of the planet. I enjoy sitting in a chair, and typing in different locations, bouncing around from continent to continent, and being given an aerial view of the great places of the world. I get a real kick out of starting from the place where I’m sitting, and watching as the screen zips me from home and sends me across the globe with dizzying speed, and slows down above London Tower, or the Temple site in Jerusalem, or Monument Valley, Arizona, or even the remote shores of Cape Horn. I love being able to zoom out above it all, and see the whole landscape of a place, and view it in relation to the other places all around it and in ways that people could not have done just a few decades ago. And I especially enjoy being able to zoom in down onto street level in some far-away foreign city or town; and spin around and look at the surroundings as if I were there. And then, I love typing my home address and zooming back to Portland again—just like I’m instantly coming home from a long trip.
I’ve been able to become quite a world traveler, thanks to Google Earth. I don’t even have to wear a coat; and my cup of coffee doesn’t even get cold!
As we come to this morning’s passage in 1 Corinthians 15—if I can make the comparison in a reverent way—I feel like it’s a look at some great spiritual realities from a ‘Google Earth’ viewpoint. The apostle Paul had been teaching the Corinthian believers about a very specific thing—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s as if he had been hovering over one very important event in the life of our Lord from almost down to ‘street-level’. And then suddenly—as if to give us a far greater view of thing—he ‘zooms’ us out over it all, and takes us on a sweeping journey across the ages in the outworking of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. He helps us to see the ‘big picture’—so that we can understand and appreciate the magnitude of what God has accomplishes for us in the resurrection of Jesus. And then—after having given us this sweeping view of the ages—Paul brings us back down to street-level again, and into the place we live.
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Look with me at 1 Corinthians 15. The Corinthian believers, as you may remember, were suffering under a theological problem. Some folks within their church—who may not have been believers at all—were calling into question the whole idea of the resurrection of the dead. And as a result, they were upsetting the faith of many.
Paul dealt with this problem in a wise way—in the way, in fact, that he dealt with every problem he treated in the book of 1 Corinthians. He pointed his readers’ attention back to Jesus Christ. He began in verses 1-11 by emphasizing that the resurrection of Jesus is a vital part of the gospel that he and the other apostles had been preaching. He presented Jesus’ resurrection as a fact of history—something that was seen and affirmed by eyewitnesses. Paul himself had been one of those eyewitnesses. And then, in verses 12-19, he showed that if the Corinthians were to believe that there is no such thing as the resurrection of the dead, then not even Jesus would have been raised. And that would mean that the preaching of the gospel would be empty, their faith would also be empty, the apostles would all be liars, all who trust in Jesus would still be in their sins, and all our loved ones who had trusted in Him before us would be dead and gone forever.
In verse 19, he wrote; “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” And that’s the truth! That would be a horrible and hopeless place to have to be. But Paul gives us a good sense of where ‘street-level’ is for us as followers of Jesus when—in verse 20—he makes this victorious affirmation;
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (v. 20).
That’s the truth of the matter. That’s the fact that we can believe on for our eternal hope. That’s the place to have our feet. Jesus truly has been raised; and He has now become the firstfruits—the first portion of a great harvest of all who believe on Him.
But that’s when Paul suddenly—as it were—zooms out for a Google-Earth-like tour of the whole sweeping panorama of God’s eternal purpose in that resurrection. He helps us to see, from high above it all, where it is all going and what God is accomplishing through it. In verses 20-28, the apostle Paul wrote;
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
Paul lets us see how the resurrection of Jesus isn’t just an event that is all just unto itself—something that really doesn’t matter that much in the larger scheme of things. Instead, he helps us to see how it is a first and essential event in a series of victorious events in the eternal plan of God for the ages. It’s part of a divinely ordered sequence of events that includes our redemption as those who believe on Jesus, and that eventuates in the rule of Jesus Christ over all authority and power—a series of events that, in the end, results in God the Father becoming glorified as ‘all in all’. What an awesome picture this brief passage gives us!
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Now, dear brothers and sisters in Christ; I believe we need to handle a passage like this one very carefully. In giving it to us, I don’t believe the Holy Spirit intended to answer all the questions we might have about God’s plan for the ages. But instead, He gives us just what we need to know in order to appreciate how essential the resurrection of Jesus is—and to live faithfully and joyfully and victoriously in the light of God’s plan for us through it.
I suggest that a place to begin is by understanding the nature of who this passage says that Jesus Christ is to us. You’ll see a hint of it in verses 21-22. Paul says “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” What Paul is telling us in this is that Jesus Christ was born into the human family to be the ‘second Adam’. He was born unto us as the new Head of the human race.
Think back to what the Bible tells us about how the first Adam and his wife Eve sinned. The Bible tells us that, because of their sin, they experienced immediate separation from God. And because the human race was still yet to be born from them, they thus brought all of humanity down with them in their fall—including you and me. But God made a promise; that through the woman a ‘Seed’ would be born who would be their Redeemer. It was as if God was declaring to the first Adam that another ‘Adam’ would come forth from the woman—from within the human family—who would be the new Head of the human race and who would redeem those who had fallen.
Jesus is that new Adam. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul put it this way:
And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit (v. 45).
We’re about to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But if we only think of Jesus in terms of being born as a tiny baby somewhere in Bethlehem—and that’s all we think of—then we’re not thinking of Jesus right. We need to remember that He was born into the human family as the second Adam—born to die on the cross for us and redeem every member of fallen humanity who believes on Him.
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Now; that’s the picture of Jesus we need to keep in mind as we read this amazing passage in 1 Corinthians 15. Jesus is the second Adam of the human race, through whom we are redeemed from the death that was spread among us by the fall of the first Adam.
So then; what does Paul go on to tell us? How does he, as it were, ‘pull upward’ in the Google-Earth view of things, and show us the big picture? First, he told his readers that …
1. JESUS IS RAISED AS THE FIRSTFRUITS.
In verse 20, he wrote, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” The whole question of whether or not there is such a thing as the resurrection of the dead is settled. Jesus Himself was bodily raised from the dead three days after He was crucified and buried. He has now gained victory over death for us.
Jesus’ resurrection was not something just for Himself. As the second Adam, His resurrection was the first of many. He is the ‘firstfruits’ of those who have ‘fallen asleep’. Those who had died in faith in Him have not died in a permanent way. Their bodies have been placed in the grave; but their spirits still live and are in Jesus’ presence. And one day, their bodies will be raised—just as His was raised. He is the ”firstfruits”—that is, the first and the best of the harvest—the first portion that is the guarantee of much more yet to come.
His resurrection, then, is the first event in a series of events in God’s redemptive plan. And the next in that series is what Paul then goes on to tell us about. He says that …
2. ALL WHO ARE IN JESUS ARE RASIED AT HIS COMING.
In verses 21-23, Paul went on to write, “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” That’s the order of things. Jesus must rise first as ‘the firstfruits’; and then, all those who are His will be raised at His second coming to this earth.
Now; this is all dependent upon Jesus serving as the second Adam. Paul’s words show us that there is an opposite relationship between the fall brought about by the first Adam, and the victory brought about by the second Adam. Paul wrote about this in Romans 5;
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous (Romans 5:12-19).
This could only happen if Jesus was first raised from the dead for us as the official ‘new Adam’ sent from God for our salvation. And He was! He died in our place—taking upon Himself the curse of death brought upon us by the first Adam’s fall; so that all who place their faith in His cross experience newness of life. (Always remember—you are related to the first Adam’s sin by birth; but you can only become related to the second Adam’s saving sacrifice by faith.)
But it’s more than the forgiveness of our sins alone. Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead for us as the second Adam also means that we who believe on Him will also be bodily resurrected from physical death. Jesus Himself once said;
“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:25-29).
There are, you see, two resurrections yet to come. The first occurs when our Lord returns to this earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. At that time, He will raise all those who have placed their faith in Him. That’s when He proves to be the ‘firstfruits’ of those who have ‘fallen asleep’. But there’s a second resurrection after that one—after He has reigned upon this earth for a thousand years. It will be then that those who would not believe on Him will be raised to stand judgment before Him at the Great White Throne judgment.
God is gracious to us. He lets us know that there are two more resurrections coming. Those who have died having placed their faith in Jesus look forward to the first resurrection. After that, there is no more death for them. But those who have died having rejected Jesus and having refused to place their faith in Jesus are not raised in the first resurrection. They are raised in the second resurrection—to be made to stand judgment and to face the second death.
Please be sure that you have placed your faith in Jesus now—and have your part in the first resurrection!
Now; as you can plainly see, there’s an ordered sequence to these events. First comes Jesus’ resurrection as the firstfruits. And then comes the resurrection of those who are His at His coming. And then, we’re told, comes ‘the end.’ This leads us to the third event that Paul mentions; when …
3. ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY IS SUBJECTED UNDER JESUS’ FEET.
After our Lord returns, and raises those who are His at His coming, and rules upon this earth for 1000 years, we’re told in verses 24-27; “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He has put all things under His feet’” (vv. 24-27a).
The ‘end’ of all rule and authority and power is speaking of the time when all human authority upon the earth will be brought to an end. Right now, we live under human governments. There have been kings, and emperors, and presidents, and governors, and sultans, and prime ministers, and monarchs all around the world and throughout the centuries. And as imperfect as they are, they have been needed. But there will come a time when they will not be needed any longer, and their authorities will all be abolished. As it says in Philippians 2, God will have exalted His Son and will have given Him a name that is above every name;
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).
Jesus was raised from the dead as the second Adam of humanity, ultimately in order to have reign over all humanity. In fact, Jesus—as a resurrected Man—will exercise rule over all Creation; just as Adam was given. Paul quotes from Psalm 8:6; which says,
You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet … (Psalm 8:6).
King David wrote those words about humanity in general. But Paul applies them to Jesus Christ—the second Adam. Of Jesus, it says this in Psalm 110:1-2;
The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies! (Psalm 110:1-2).
To some degree, that rule has already begun. But it will be brought to complete fulfillment when Jesus reigns upon this earth. And then, even death itself—the last enemy—will be completely destroyed. It too will be cast into the lake of fire at the great white throne judgment.
But it should be obvious that when Jesus, the Son of God, exercises rule over all things—and brings all things into subjection under His feet—He Himself remains subject to the Father. Paul went on to say in verse 27; “But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.”
This leads us then to the fourth step in God’s plan; when …
4. JESUS PRESENTS THE KINGDOM TO THE FATHER.
Paul wrote in verse 28, “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him …”
Imagine a great king in a far-away land who had obtained the dominion of a far-away country. He does not go and claim it to himself personally. Instead, he sends his son as his prince to bring it under his rule. His son obtains for his father the rights over the land and the people, and teaches the people the ways of his father and his rule. He subjects all his father’s enemies to himself and brings all opposing forces under subjection. And he is even given the crown of that land. And then, when he returns home, he does not keep it all for himself. He is a ruler under submission. And so, he presents the crown to his father; so that the father is made king over all.
That’s what the Lord Jesus will do for His heavenly Father. He is forever submitted to His Father. As Jesus Himself once told us, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” John 15:10. And after he has reigned and brought all rule and authority under His feet, He submits it all to the Father.
And so, as a final stage, the outcome of it all is …
5. THE FATHER BECOMES ALL IN ALL.
As it says in verse 28; “… that God may be all in all.” This means that, when all things are said and done, God will rule perfectly over all that He preserves for Himself in the new heavens and the new earth—with Jesus Christ, our second Adam, forever shepherding His redeemed people to God the Father’s glory. The verdict of it all, when it is all done, will be what Paul wrote at the end of Romans 11;
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:36).
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Well; that’s the view of the whole picture. That’s, if we may put it this way, the Google Earth view of the whole plan. And in it, you can clearly see why it is absolutely essential that Jesus—our second Adam—was raised from the dead for us.
May we say—with Paul—“thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (v. 57).
Click HERE for the audio version of this sermon.
EA
