Green Beans and Firstfruits: The Resurrection of Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:20

Opening Illustration: The Green Bean Incident 

Picture this: Your mom sends you to the pantry to check for green beans. You look - there aren't any. You go back upstairs and report: no green beans. She insists, "I know they're there, you just can't find them." Finally, she goes down to look herself... and discovers there really aren't any green beans.

VINDICATION!

The Central Claim (1 Cor 15:20) "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."

The Context: What Was at Stake

Paul is addressing skeptics in Corinth who denied the resurrection.

If There's No Resurrection:

  • No resurrection of Jesus
  • No afterlife
  • Christianity is useless
  • God is a liar
  • Might as well embrace hedonism

The Hope of Israel:

  • Israel was occupied by Rome
  • They expected a "Chosen One" (the Christ/Messiah) to establish a golden age
  • Jesus proclaimed the "Kingdom of God"
  • He challenged societal norms
  • The authorities wanted him dead
  • Jesus died

But Christ HAS Been Raised from the Dead

The Resurrection Changes Everything:

  • Jesus is God
  • We are forgiven
  • God's enemies are defeated
  • Death itself is destroyed

Jesus Exceeded All Expectations:

  • Expected: Defeat Rome → Accomplished: Defeated all oppressors
  • Expected: Set up King of Israel → Accomplished: Became King of the world
  • Expected: Old covenant written on stone → Accomplished: New covenant written on hearts
  • Expected: Gateway to get to God → Accomplished: Sent God the Spirit to live in us

The Meaning of "Firstfruits"

Two key points:

  1. Jesus is the first to receive the resurrection
  2. He's not the last

What Resurrection Means:

  • New body
  • Imperishable body
  • Cannot die
  • No pain/suffering
  • Communion with God

New Creation Has Begun

Colossians 1: Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, reconciling all things to himself, whether on earth or in the heavens, making peace through his blood shed on the cross.

Revelation 21: A new heaven and new earth - the first heaven and earth have passed away.

2 Corinthians 5: If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! God is reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

The Call (1 Cor 15:58) "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain."

Questions for Reflection

  • What belief do you have that hasn't permeated the rest of your life?
  • What would you ask "the Chosen One" to do in your life?
  • Have you allowed resurrection to shape your life?
  • What is the role of the church in the world?
  • What is your role in the church?