Jeremiah 29:11-14a; 1 Corinthians 15:12-22 Luis Cruz, GCF Durham Jeremiah 29:11 “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Resurrection removes the sting of death. It reveals the immense power of God to give eternal life. And because of God’s glorious grace, believers are guaranteed resurrection. 1. God planned the resurrection long ago. “25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27 • The book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible. • God must have revealed to Job His plan of sending a Redeemer. • Job knew he will be physically resurrected someday. “in my flesh I will see God.” “4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.” Ephesians 1:4-8 2. God planned to bodily resurrect Jesus first from the dead. “20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” 1 Cor. 15:20-23 “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 • Jesus is to be the first fruit of resurrection. • He is the sample of our resurrection. • He is first in resurrection, the first in rank, pre-eminent. • He is our representative. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 • Believing wasn’t easy for many people during His time on earth. • It takes faith to believe the promise of Jesus as they have not seen Him resurrect from the dead first. 3. God planned the timing of our resurrection to eternal life. “15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 • In the standpoint of the bible, death is temporary, that is why it is called sleep. It is in a resting state. • The dead (referring to bodies) in Christ will rise first. • Believers resurrected to be with Jesus physically. • The believers spirit went to be with the Lord right after death. • “and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7 • Jesus’ 2nd coming initiates the resurrection of believers. • Archangel sounding the trumpet to call the world’s attention. • The trumpet also was a call to the dead to rise up. • It was also the sound of victory for Jesus fulfilled His promise. I’m encouraging you to do at least four things today. • Thank God for His amazing resurrection plan. • Tell Jesus that you believe that He came to die for your sins. • Ask Him to forgive you. • Make Jesus your resurrection and life; your Lord and Savior.