The 25-Hour Answer that Was Experienced in the Power of Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-11)
The 25 Hour Answer of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC: 4/2/2023
The 25-Hour Answer that Was Experienced in the Power of Resurrection
(1 Corinthians 15:3-11)
The resurrection is Christ’s death of redemption and the core of Christianity and the gospel. Christ showed the evidence that He is the Son of God through His resurrection (Romans 1:4). Therefore, the salvation we receive when we believe in Christ is complete, and we, who proclaim that gospel, are glorious. No one else in the world has ever resurrected. It is impossible for humans. Hence, the Son of God came. If there were no resurrection of Christ, then we would not have new and eternal life. Although we can receive the forgiveness of sins through Christ’s death, curses would not have ended. When life amidst curses becomes a new life and blessing, that is complete salvation. If there were no resurrection of Christ, we would have no future. If it ended with death, what future would there be? Eternal life and future would not even have been an option. It said we would be the most pitied in the world (verse 19). Thus, the resurrection is the blessing of all blessings and the answer of all answers. It is the power of recreation. Are you weak? Have you failed? Are you in despair? Christ, who resurrected from the dead, can carry out new works (recreation) in my life. That is the 25-hour answer.
- How can I enjoy the blessing and answer of the resurrection in all my life’s problems?
1) Start by holding onto the evidence of the resurrection.
We do not believe in a lie or something vague.
① Works of recreation occur when I believe Christ has resurrected and He is alive and with me as Spirit. If His death was the end, there is nothing more to take place. However, my life can become a miracle and mystery every day, and I see hope and a future because He is alive right now.
② What did God say He would do through us? It does not matter what kind of problems and despair come. He said He will do great and unimaginable things (Jeremiah 33:3), new works (Isaiah 43:18-19), and work all things for good (Romans 8:28). This is possible because the God we believe in is living and alive through the power of resurrection.
2) There is three evidence of Christ’s resurrection. These are evidence that we must never lose hold.
① It was fulfilled according to the prophecies of the Bible (verses 3-4). The evidence is the Bible, which was recorded over thousand years. It was all accurately prophesied and fulfilled; how he came (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14), where He came (Matthew 5:2), through whose descendants He came (Genesis 49:10, Isaiah 11:1), how He died (Isaiah 53:5-6), and how He will rise again (Psalm 16:10).
② The evidence that those who saw or believed the resurrection experienced (verses 5-8). It said that Jesus first sought Peter (Cephas), who had denied and cursed Him and the other disciples. They would have been extremely ashamed. However, God changed them and had them save the world. It also said that last of all, He appeared to Paul, one untimely born. Despite knowing the Bible and claiming to live for God, Paul had not believed in Christ’s resurrection and ran the Devil’s errands. However, God changed Paul and used him as an evangelist who saved all kings and Gentiles. This is the power of resurrection and recreation.
③ A more important evidence is the evidence that works upon all who believe (verse 11). Meditate on this just a little bit. The fact that the person beside me has been saved is a miracle. The fact that I, who have never seen the resurrection, believe in Christ, have accepted Him, and have been saved, is also a miracle. It is a miracle that comes from God’s absolute power and grace of choosing and calling me among all others and saving me. God will continue to carry out works of recreation in my life (Philippians 1:6).
3) Do not be shaken, dismayed, and given up under any circumstances. Change everything into thanksgiving. We have received countless grace and answers, yet we forget all that. Instead, we resent and even despair when problems come.
① Miracles take place when we restore thanksgiving during worship, prayer, and in our day to day (Psalms 50:23). During the miracle of the five loaves of bread and two fish, the Lord gave thanks to God with the five loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:11).
② Find the small things, remember them, and train to give thanks. Especially give thanks to God, who will give us victory in all problems (verse 57). It only takes a small crack for a massive dam to collapse; miracles occur when small pieces of thanksgiving and faith come together.
- What we must do going forth.
Create a space and time that bounds God to have no choice but to work in my life (bartizan).
1) There are three roles of a bartizan. It is the three types of bartizans.
① It is the role of protecting me, my family, and my people (bartizan of watchmen, bartizan of prayer). In military terms, it is a sentry post. It said that when David became king, he raised bartizans in different places and placed a thousand shields for warriors there (Song of Solomon 4:4). Satan continues to attack us with our weaknesses, hidden scars, and difficulty trying to deceive us. There must be someone preparing to fight and protect. It says God will first raise watchmen when we pray (Isaiah 62:6).
② It is the role of transmitting/relaying important news (bartizan of the antenna, bartizan of evangelism). The people on the bartizan spot those who run up to notify important information and forward that. The early church members raised these bartizans in each region and spread the gospel of resurrection to the world.
③ People gather there daily and shine the light (bartizan of the platform, bartizan of missions). The members of Mark’s Upper Room who had nothing still went into the world amidst persecution. It is because the resurrected Christ promised to be with us to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20). They healed the world (Mark 16:14-20), went to the end of the earth, and stood as witnesses (Acts 1:8). People gathered around them. This is why we commission missionaries, support them, and go on short-term mission trips. We build a platform and support it. Our church is also becoming a platform where various multi-ethnic individuals gather in the United States.
2) The resurrected Christ works upon these three bartizans (blessing of 3,9,3).
① The resurrected Christ is on the heavenly throne now. It said that signs followed whenever the disciples prayed in Christ’s name and proclaimed that very name (Mark 16:18-20). Difficulties will continue worldwide (Matthew 24). However, all problems will become signs when we look upon the throne.
② What kind of signs are they? First, I will continuously be strengthened and be revived (answer and blessing of Genesis 1:27, 2:7, 2:18). That answer transcends time and space. It comes as the power of light that saves lives and defeats darkness and as an unprecedented work. Therefore, there is no need to be discouraged and despaired. The resurrected Christ has promised us victory (verses 55-58).
③ We save the three ages with this blessing and answer (crumbling field, church, posterity).
Conclusion – Restore the faith that looks upon the resurrected Christ who is with me and will work in my life. There is no despair because of the resurrection. There is only the 25-hour answer and the future that God has prepared. May it be a new start.