Remember that resurrection is not merely life after death; it is the continuation of life after death in glorified bodies, which are our present bodies in a glorified state.

· If there is no principle of resurrection, then Jesus did not rise from the dead.
· If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then death has power over Him and defeated Him.
· If death has power over Jesus, He is not God.
· If Jesus is not God, He cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins.
· If Jesus cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins, our sins are not completely paid for before God.
· If my sins are not completely paid for before God, then I am still in my sins.
· Therefore, if Jesus is not risen, He is unable to save.

First fruits is the ancient Greek word aparche. In the Septuagint, this word is used for the offering of firstfruits and in secular usage the word was used for an entrance fee.

The Feast of Firstfruits was observed on the day after the Sabbath following Passover (Leviticus 23:9-14). Significantly, Jesus rose from the dead on the exact day of the Feast of Firstfruits, the day after the Sabbath following the Passover.

The resurrection of Jesus is also the firstfruits of our resurrection in the sense that He is our “entrance fee” to resurrection. Jesus paid our admission to the resurrection!

Resurrection isn’t just living again; it is living again in a new body based on our old body, but perfectly suited for life in eternity. Jesus was not the first one brought back from the dead, but He was the first one resurrected.

“In raising Christ from the dead God has set in motion a chain of events that must culminate in the final destruction of death and thus of God’s being once again, as in eternity past, ‘all in all."
Gordon Fee

Death is an enemy!

Today, some are told to embrace death as a friend, but that is not Biblical thinking. Death is a defeated enemy because of the work of Jesus, an enemy that will one day be destroyed, and therefore an enemy we need not fear. But death is an enemy nonetheless.

Most of us are so concerned about living comfortable lives here on earth that our lives give no evidence of the resurrection. Paul lived such a committed Christian life, people could look at him and say, “There is no way he would live like that unless there was a reward waiting for him in heaven.”

People who think wrongly invariably behave wrongly. Wrong behavior comes from wrong thinking, from wrong beliefs, and wrong standards.

A Resurrected Life:
· First, every day carefully consider the certainty of Christ dying for you sins and being raised to life.
· Second, by faith ask the Holy Spirit that lives within you to guide your steps this day.
· Third, hold this world with a loose hand.
· Fourth, every day separate yourself from the world with prayer, worship, scripture, and reflection.
· Fifth, come every day, just as you did at conversion, to the cross of Jesus, as a poor guilty sinner.
· Sixth, live in such a manner that you would not be ashamed to stand for The Gospel of our Lord.
· Finally, have all your affairs in order so that you are ready to meet The Lord!