Our Easter message tomorrow will be based on 1 Corinthians 15:19-28. We will consider the importance of Christ’s resurrection to hope for our own resurrection and the final overthrow of evil and death in the universe at the return of Christ. The event which took place on Easter Sunday morning set in motion an inevitable chain of events which will culminate at the time of Christ’s glorious return. In other words, Christ’s resurrection represents the definitive starting point leading to the final consummation of God’s redemptive plan in Christ.
The resurrection of Christ gives believers hope for the future because it assures us that our sins are already forgiven, that we too will be raised from the dead to eternal life, and that the old order of sin and death will be finally defeated and the new order of peace and life will be fully established at Christ’s return.
Our text for Easter is as follows:
19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”