I Corinthians 15:12-34 (Part 69) Grasping 15:12-19 and 15:20-28

Premise—v. 12 and v. 20

Logical conclusion: 1) Premise, v. 12—conclusions, vv. 13-19; 2) Premise v. 20—conclusions, vv. 21-28

First fruits

• The first sheath represented the whole crop

• It consecrated the whole crop

• It anticipated the whole crop

• It guaranteed the whole crop

I Corinthians 15—first fruits becomes personal

• The first sheath is the resurrection of Christ

• The crop is all dead believers

• Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection

The advantages of the resurrection—vv. 29-34

• The implications of the denial of the resurrection: 1) “Baptized for the dead”—new believers take the place of dead ones, v. 29

• Of those who suffer, vv. 30-32

• If there is no resurrection of the body, then what suffering is worth it??

Three levels of fellowship

• The fellowship we have now on earth

• The fellowship at death

• The fellowship with the Lord in the new body and soul and spirit

Obligation imposed by the doctrine of the resurrection, vv. 33-34

• Danger of association (not in terms of conduct but rather belief--doctrine), v. 33

• Duty to change, v. 34: 1) In terms of sobriety; 2) In terms of sinning (in particular bad company); 3) Description of bad company