People Who Are in the Resurrection Covenant (1 Corinthians15:3-11) 4/12/2020
The Answers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC:
People Who Are in the Resurrection Covenant (1 Corinthians15:3-11) 4/12/2020
Today is resurrection Sunday. Even people who usually don’t attend church service go to church for Easter Sunday, but now it has changed. We may have to wait to do communion and baptism ceremonies. Even Jesus was unable to go to the temple after He resurrected. It was because there were many people who persecuted and had unbelief. He went and found his disciples at this time and had them confirm what the blessing of resurrection is. Paul confesses that he also experienced the resurrected Lord in verse 9. The Lord had come to him who was a persecutor. He confesses in verse 9 that this was God’s grace. Because of the grace of God that came to him was he able to live his entire life for the Lord, and even though he may have worked hard, he confesses that it was all God’s grace. Even at this time when we are unable to go to church, the Lord who came and found the disciples will find us and be with us. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the covenant of all covenants that we must hold onto. Why? There are at least three reasons. First, the resurrection becomes the most important evidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). There is no one else that resurrected from death other than Christ. Only the Creator is the One who can resurrect someone from the dead. Second, that is how He becomes the unique Savior who saves us from all the curses and death of our life (Acts 4:12). Third, it is God’s absolute grace to be able to believe in this. This is what was said to Thomas who doubted the resurrection (John 20:29). As promised, He came, died, and resurrected (verse 3). And we believe that He who resurrected is with us through the Holy Spirit as promised (John 14:6). There are at least three eternal blessings the Lord who has resurrected has prepared for us. Hold onto this covenant and really meditate and pray. Although we are unable to come to church, this year will become life’s greatest Easter if we hold onto the three blessings that are within the resurrection.
- There is a covenant of eternal life we need to enjoy within the resurrection of Christ.
1) We can realize what kind of blessing this is during times like this where countless people are dying from this virus.
Verse 19 says that if the only thing we desire is life in this world, we are of all people most to be pitied. The problem of death is something no one can avoid. It says that eternal judgment will follow (Hebrews 9:27). Last week, I met a person who said that he could not believe in eternal life eventually accepted Christ who promised eternal life.
2) This eternal life is not something to enjoy only after death. Enjoy a life of being with Him who is eternal on earth even before passing on that day (John 5:24, John 3:5, Romans 6:4, 1 John 5:11-12).
① God gave us this life from the beginning. God created us in His image and gave us the blessing of one who conquers and rules the world (Genesis 1:16-28). God’s absolute plan, absolute love, absolute blessing, and absolute power was within that. The covenant that was given to enjoy this life was the covenant of the tree of life (Genesis 2:9).
② Then why did He give the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? It was a covenant given so that we may not lose hold of the fact that there are corrupted spirits who try to steal this blessing of life (covenant of warning). This was also the reason why He gave us the law (Romans 3:20, 1 Corinthians 10:11).
3) There is a background those who have this eternal life need to enjoy. It is a background of eternal heaven and the heavenly throne (Philippians 3:20). That is why it says to look above no matter what problem comes (Colossians 3:1-3). It is Him who holds onto our life.
- There is a covenant of eternal victory we need to enjoy within the resurrection of Christ.
1) Those who possess this life have no reason to fear whatever works our enemy, the devil, makes.
“For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (verse 25). He will fight for us in the last days even when numerous disasters, persecutions, and tribulations may come (Revelations 17:14).
2) Fight a spiritual battle every moment in all problems and enjoy a spiritual victory.
He has finished and prepared everything, but Satan makes me fall into despair, fear, and unbelief and leads me to lose hold of this blessing. To what degree did Paul who held onto the covenant of this victorious Christ of resurrection, declare spiritual victory? “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (verses 55-57).
3) The devil schemed to crucify and kill Jesus on the cross and probably was under the illusion that he would have victory. The death on the cross created the blessing of resurrection. So, do not be afraid of anything. First, declare victory and plant a flag in my heart and field (family, job, before problems of the age). It is Jehovah Nissi. It is not a fight against problems nor a fight against this virus for believers. It is a fight against the spirits of darkness who are behind that. It is an already won battle (1 John 4:4). A day where Satan is crushed underneath our feet will surely come if we hold onto the covenant of absolute victory (Romans 16:20).
- There is a covenant of an eternal new blessing we need to enjoy within the resurrection of Christ.
1) Suffering was only three days. It signifies the time schedule in which God’s plan is fulfilled.
After God’s time schedule passed, Christ resurrected, and everything started anew there. A new beginning opened for life, the world, and the church within Christ’s resurrection. Everything will become new after this virus passes. Unbelievers are looking at a time to advance the fourth industrial revolution age.
2) Are there problems? Do not try to solve the problem but start anew.
It is promised that even if there were shortcomings and failure if we discard former things and start anew today, He will do new works (Isaiah 43:18-19). Hold onto the conclusion of world evangelization in which the purpose of my life is to save the world, my standard of thoughts become gospel-centered (John 19:30), my standard of life becomes covenant-centered (Ephesians 1:3-5) and start anew (Matthew 24:10). At that time, all problems will end and a new blessing will begin.
3) Even the small labor we do while holding onto the gospel, covenant, and conclusion of world evangelization, will be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
It is the small things (Matthew 25:21). It was done for the least of them (Matthew 25:40). We are also the least (Isaiah 60:22). Do small evangelism, you will meet true disciple (Luke15:1-32). We are in Christ and our smallest things will become a hundred-year answer, a thousand-year answer, and an eternal answer.
Conclusion – It may feel like the most difficult times. It is not. It says that greater tribulations will come to us who believe (Matthew 24:9). However, we have an eternal covenant. It is a covenant of eternal life, a covenant of victory, and a covenant of an eternal new blessing. We are living as an evangelist and witness with holding this covenant. It was confirmed that this covenant will surely be fulfilled as Christ resurrected. Hold onto the covenant of resurrection and may this become times of preparing the greatest answers and blessing of life. May it be the greatest Easter for each individual and family.