Bristol Conference 1973-04 the Lord Jesus Christ — Stan Ford

The Gospel and Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15

Then would you turn with me, please, into the fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians, chapter fifteen. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I have preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

For I deliver unto you, first of all, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he was seen of Cephas, and then of the twelve, and after that he was seen of about five hundred brethren at once.

The Lord will add his blessing, I'm sure, to the reading of his own word. During the past days, as we have been looking together at the opening verses of the Acts of the Apostles, and reminding ourselves that the church, ere it was built, had brought before it the great doctrines of the Christian faith, and reminding ourselves that the Spirit of God used this man, Dr. Luke, to lay down the history of that church, and scratch it off again in the words that we have read.

As we've been thinking of these things, I'm certain that each one of us has realized that, if ever we are going to feel more God, we also need to have very true of the Christian faith, and it is because of this I have asked your permission to share with you just one or two thoughts of these things that are surely believed amongst you.

We ought a little of the ones who began both to do and to teach. I'm not going to go through that which I reminded you of concerning Hitler. We saw that he was none other than the Son of God. Then we thought of his passion, for we realized the light that was the Holy Light came to its conclusion, if we can use the phrase and the sense of man, came to its conclusion, its help.

We reminded ourselves of the wonders of Christ. One day we saw that although they rolled the stone and stood the soldier and set the seal, they couldn't keep him in that tomb. We thought of the fact of the resurrection.

I would be unable in the short time that was mine to deal in any adequate way with the resurrection, so I'm going again to look at it there. We looked at the fact of the resurrection. Today, we are going to look at the fruit of the resurrection.

We're going to see not only that Christ rose from the dead, but hallelujah, because he rose, we shall rival him. We're going to remind our hearts of the wonderful facts. Statements concerning the resurrection are not just historic statements.

They pertain to us today, and will pertain to the whole world in the days that lie ahead. We're going to see, as we look together at the fifteenth chapter of the wonderful epistle to the Corinthians, we're going to see that this great truth of the resurrection was first of all declared.

So in verses one and two, we read the tremendous words, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you. But these are not just the declaration of men. We're going to see that the resurrection was not only declared, but oh, hallelujah, it was delivered.

Verse three says, I deliver it unto you. Isn't it wonderful to be God's postman? Isn't it glorious to take a message that comes from him? It's not ours, it's in unto you. Of all that which I also receive.

And we're going to see not only that the gospel, the message of the resurrection was declared and delivered, but we're going to see how indeed it was defended. Those that disputed it. We're going to look together in these glorious words, and we're going to see in verses twelve to nineteen how indeed it was defended.

And then I want us to spend some little time as we will see how the resurrection and all the things that appertain to it are detailed. Step by step. First, I ought to say a word or two concerning the epistles of the Corinthians.

Christ as the Center of the Corinthian Epistles

You will forgive me if I am saying what you all know and what some of you may have heard before. But you were taught, were you not, when first you were converted and began to read the word of God, that we can never understand the epistles of the Corinthians unless we remember its key verse, that thirtieth verse of the first chapter.

I remember when first converted and sitting into our Bible class at home and being instructed in these things, how these things were ever brought before us, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

The epistle encircles around Christ. The answer to all these chapters we have brought before us, all the first four chapters, we have brought before us that which brought disunity to the church. I of Paul and I of Apollos remember how in chapters five and six there is not disunity but disorder.

As Paul said in chapter five, and materially, right through chapter fourteen, the major portion of the epistle, if you thought now disunity or disorder, it is disagreement. Chapter brings before us a disagreement that has hit there in the church of Corinth.

Remember how in chapter seven there is disagreement concerning marriage. Chapter eight there is disagreement concerning meat. In chapter ten there is disagreement even concerning the memorial. There is disagreement concerning membership or how that can be reversed and backed on.

There is disagreement even concerning motives. Though you speak, you have not loved, you have become. In chapter fourteen there is disagreement concerning the fifteenth chapter, which is the last chapter of the great theological treaty.

The fifteenth dealing somewhat with the collection of the saints, somewhat indeed with our movement, but mainly dealing with salutation. Chapter fifteen brings the close. And here, the most remarkable thing of all, as you know, where from the first four chapters there is disunity, and the next chapter fifteen there is disunity and saying there's no resurrection.

And by the way, brethren, just by the way, if you went to your meeting and said there was no resurrection, they'd have a hundred oversight meetings and put you out of fellowship. But there was no resurrection.

It's important for us, and I must say this, I think it's important for us to remember that light is not life. It's in your mind, young man. You get frightened when you see something like that. You don't go to the hours of your fellowship.

There was always the disbelief, the resurrection, how they come among you. There's no resurrection. And praise God, the Spirit of God had an answer. This glorious chapter is what we're for. You will notice, of course, as we have said, but first of all, we see this great doctrine However, brethren, I declare unto you they've got to see something of the gospel that he began what to do and to teach.

It's glorious resurrection. Here the apostle goes further. He prepares to tell us the wonder of it all, that this is that which we will declare unto men and women. Now, I think this is important as well.

Declaring and Delivering the Gospel

You see, I found out long ago that the work of those that seek to witness for Jesus Christ is not to defend the gospel. I take one minute of my time trying to defend the gospel, not one minute. My work is not to defend the gospel.

My work is to declare it. And if people come to me and argue about it, I still preach it. I still tell them the great truth for our sins. Never let us be ashamed of repeating it and repeating it and repeating it.

But the apostle not only says he will declare it, but he will deliver it. He will act as I have said, as the postman of God. For I have received this of the Lord, his hand. This is not my message. I have no right to do things when it is the only right to pass it on to others as a message that comes from God himself.

Christ died for our sins according to the scripture. For a day, when you think of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the more you begin to realize how it does become one of the great sins. I am addicted by the service of God.

I haven't time to take you through the Old Testament and remind you of the countless they writ of this tremendous fact. Sufficient to remind you again of the verse that I quoted yesterday and associated indeed with the hope of the Christ.

The words of the 10th verse of the 16th chapter. Be my soul, my holy one. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was predicted. One could go, of course, into the 53rd of Isaiah and the 22nd Psalm. One could go into many portions of the word and read definitely.

The resurrection was predicted. Never let us forget this. That it was promised by the Son of God. The strength of God. But promised by the Son of God. All forces of heaven unite to emphasize this fact.

The women came down to that tomb and they looked in. They saw those angelic creatures there. He is not here. Then they go further and they say, but don't you remember? This is that which he spoke unto you when he was yet in Galilee.

He told you that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified. I say it once again. He just said it when he was in Galilee. He just said it at the beginning of his ministry.

Those women heard. You should remind those women, don't you? When we deal with the resurrection, we are dealing with something that not only was predicted by the servants of God, but promised by the Son of God.

Resurrection Power in the Church

And has become the power of the Church of God. May I repeat that? Has become the power of the Church of God. Oh, we will be thinking before the week out of something of the power of the Holy Spirit himself.

Remember in the fourth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles? When Peter and John had brought such blessing to a poor, blind, or lame man. Pardon me, lame man. On what authority they had done this very thing.

By whose power? Do you remember? They looked into the face of those that inquired and they dared to say, By the name of Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but God did it by the power of the Church of God.

Although I'm sure that's a tremendous story, isn't it? It seems to me to be the very key story. Do you remember how the man, did he not? Yet has not entered. Suddenly going up to worship these two men of God.

Apparently none, but what they did have. They used, didn't they? Legs, and they used them, and they walked towards it. They had two legs. Oh, brethren, sisters, I wonder if you and I have used our hands and our feet.

All that they had. Desperately. Physically, they had. They used for the blessing of. They said it was by the name. It was through the power. Time to get there. When dealing with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Out of the window and say he's alive. He's living. This is his day. I want to be his man, his woman. We suggested that first it was declared, and then it was delivered. But then when we go down to verse 12, we find something more, do we not?

Defending the Fact of Christ's Resurrection

We find here it is defended. I have little doubt that none of us will be in a moment's disagreement when I suggest to you. That this preaching was the preaching of a fact. Not always daring to say to those Christians in common.

Remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact. It's a falter. False witnesses of God. It's a failure. It's a terrible failure. Verse 17. And if Christ be not raised. Your faith is in vain. Your faith is in vain.

And ye are yet in your sin. All the tremendous importance. Sisters, I think that this is most important, don't you? Someone once said to practice the presence of the Lord. And I could not borrow words better.

Moment by moment as I move in this scene. That by my side is handcuffs. It seems to me as much as they used to. But you know when I was first converted. And questions arose as to places you could go as a Christian.

Things you could do as a Christian. We were always reminded that if Jesus goes there, Poplar will mean nothing to you. One of the great men of the great slum area of Poplar in the city of London. During those hungry years.

Years when lack and trouble confirmed some of its goods. He wrote to his mother and dad. And sent them the money to have a holiday. A so-called holiday. Holiday resort. Miserable place. Christian Endeavor Home.

In Blackpool. And just as you today had an announcement. That, well, you're going off to these caves. Or wherever it is. So they had things arranged. That it was a Christian Endeavor Home. That they decided that one day they'd take the lovers into the theatre.

Old Mr. Lacks had never been to the theatre in his life. Neither his wife. But it was a Christian Endeavor Home. So I said, it must be alright. And they entered this great theatre. And as they walked down.

Old Mrs. Lacks bowed her head. Her dad gave her a dig in the ribs and said. They dumped him back here? You know, brothers and sisters. It's good to practice a living Christ, isn't it? That he's promised to be with us.

There are some places I wouldn't take my wife. I never realised there are some places I shouldn't ask the Saviour to come with me. I think it puts things in its right perspective then. We're here, sir.

But that, by the way. Sufficient to remind you that he dares to say. That this message of the Christian faith is a patch. And if you have doubts confront it. And remember what it is. It's a falsehood and a faded truth.

But it's come to be this truth. No man or woman could consider it. And believe that to be the case. Having defended the matter of the resurrection. And defended it simply by praying. Never you forget what happens if you deny that Jesus rose from the dead.

The Resurrection as Firstfruits and Future Hope

Then he goes on to detail this great fact of the resurrection. And in the light of it, the things that will yet come. In verse 20 he starts. And he says. But he's risen from the dead. And become the firstfruits of them that sleep.

Of men who, when speaking of the resurrection. Have thrown at us the names of others who rose from the dead. They remind us of an occasion when. A prophet and then later in a battle. Handsome was thrown into the very grave.

Where the bones of the prophets went. Quite useless for me to say. But not one of these. Not one of these. Could be compared to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For every one of those. Though they were raised from the dead.

They died again. They died again. Isn't this what Jesus means? When speaking he dares to say greater things than these. Shall ye do. Than these. Shall ye do. But never you forget. Lord Christ raised Lazarus from the dead.

He died again. Never you forget. That if you and I are used to the salvation of a soul. That person will get life. The devil never. Oh let's get occupied with the real thing. The last. The last. Here.

Blessed be God. We see it detailed. Words mean anything. Then there must be other fruits. If he's the firstfruits. Praise God that Christ is the firstfruits. And then. And become the firstfruits of them that flee.

Resurrection, Reunion, and the Reign of Christ

Stand by the side of an open grave. So often I have to. I never say earth to earth and ashes to ashes. Without realizing. That Jesus Christ has conquered sin. Well sometimes I have to stand by the side of the grave of a person.

That I didn't know. And I have to be faithful to present to those that are around. The truth of the gospel. Yet when one stands by the side of the grave of a believer. The best meetings I ever had. The superintendent of parks.

Into the grass. Washed in the. Gee I'm glad of this. That I've had a word with the undertaker before. And told him I wasn't going to put that man down. You know something. We've been hearing about marriage haven't we.

There's something more certain about a believer's death. Then brought to us a period of time. He goes on. Verse 23. But every man in his own order. Christ the first fruit. After. They that are Christ's that is coming.

He lives and we shall live. And knew that this includes. Both the rapture. Coming in great power. And knew that here the fourth chapter of 1 Thessalonians is brought before us. When the dead in Christ shall rise first.

And we which are alive and remain. Shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the earth. For the wonder of it. Conflict the resurrection. One day there will be the resurrection of the bodied. Though we be in spirit and hope.

And we will be reunited. We which are alive and remain. Isn't that wonderful. When Christ comes you'll see there will be. A resurrection. There will be a reunion. Together. Both the dead and the living.

And there'll be a reward. There before the judgment seat of Christ. Every man shall receive grace. Pleased that he speaks first. Of Christ Jesus of his. And in verse 24. And then come at the end. Get away from this brethren and sisters.

There is no doubt that Jesus shall reign. No doubt that he shall reign a thousand years upon this sea. I am praying here and now. After much prayer. I would like to be an amillennium in the day of which.

I would like to think that Christ is reigning today in his church. Because if I thought that. And I read the 19th of Revelation. I'd be the most bloodthirsty. And during that reign he's going to put all the blame.

To men and women who love not his judgment against them. We want to decide then. That every morning my first prayer is for the north of Ireland. Even before I pray. For my own family. The north of Ireland.

Is because there are those who believe. That the kingdom of God can be extended by power and might and force. To protect our living. As we have fought before. Those that are Christ it is coming. When he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God.

Not even the father. When he shall have put down all rule and authority and power. All enemies under his feet. Sitting here. Enemies under his feet. Hallelujah. This is the day of grace. We'll tell men and women of Jesus.

The New Heaven and the Eternal State

Ah yes. And then. Something that I don't know anything about. I've only ever heard one sermon in my life on the eternal state. I've been converted about nine months. And I heard if not the greatest. One of the greatest preachers.

Out of the world. The Lord has called him home to glory. Willie Hayden. In Belfast. For many years. At conferences. And I remember as a young fellow. Just temporarily going with my notebook. On the eternal state.

And he preached for an hour and a half. Before I shut my notebook up. I just wanted to sit back. And preach the eternal state. Oh not the revelation. He hardly mentioned it. He preached the eternal state.

From the first new chapter to the tenth. Beginning. When the devil stepped in. And howled. The devil was defeated. Father. One day all of God's plan. Will be. And I tell you what I'll do. I'll look at you.

And I'll say. Well if I'd have known. This is what I would have told you. But I don't now. There's going to be a new heaven. And a new earth. And if I knew anything about it. It wouldn't be new. Isn't it wonderful to know this.

One day. He's going to reign. Because he's conquered sin and death. Then of course. As I come to a close. He goes on. And we see this. Great truth of his. Glorious resurrection. Because of it he comes.

The Resurrection Body and Transformation for Eternity

We see it not only detailed. But we see it from verse thirty five to the end. We see it described. There are two questions that are asked. Verse thirty five. How are the dead raised? And the apostle of course.

Goes immediately. In verse thirty six. To nature. And he dares to tell us. That which thou throwest. Is not quickened. Except it die. That which thou throwest. Thou throwest not. That body that shall be.

But their grain. It may turn to wheat. Or some other grain. But God giveth it a body. As it hath pleased him. And to every seed. His own body. This is a tremendous act. I wonder what sort of thing. You and I are building.

For eternity. And the day comes. And we're lowered under the top. Remember what's put there. Is that which will be raised. I want to say Lord. You all that I spoke ill of. You see the reading of the word of God.

Is not just that. Which we should do. It tells us as we read it. That the word of God. And it's reading. And it's the transforming. Of our mind. Remember. What was found. Is transformed. Is renewed. By the reading.

And the pondering. Of the word of God. We're making something. And I often. And I often. Stand before. The judgment seat of Christ. Don't you forget. The people in the classroom. They don't come in with it.

Sister. Come on now. Let's face this up. When you and I. See the Savior. What are we going to offer? Would pay. Double. You know. I always kind of. Felt like shouting. Hallelujah. Now I know you don't do that.

Very much here. But I almost felt like. When last night. Dear Mr. Pell. Was reminding us. That we serve the Lord. You remember the fifth chapter. Do something. Oh yes Lord. What do you want me to do? No.

Do what I want you to do Peter. I want you to go and. Let down your neck. For a while. I want you to go and. Do an ordinary. He went out. Why did he go? And he was in the service of God. Isn't it good to be.

I hate that expression. I'm in the work of God. Don't you talk to me like that. Because I'll soon tell you. In the work. I prefer in the work. And Peter. Was as much in the work. When he went. To obey Jesus.

To catch. Spiritual fish. As he was when he went. To obey Jesus. Later to catch. Spiritual fish. One day. Before this. We must. Oh thank you Mr. Pell. For reminding us. That yesterday. You did wonderful.

Serving Christ With What We Have

One day. We're going to stand before the Lord. You don't often hear it. But I think it's important to say. That Mr. Pell is going to give him a tice. For that old painting he once made. Abund to the Lord.

Abund to the Lord. Let's remember this. How are the dead raised? Oh. He says look at nature. And see what's raised. What's raised is that which is sun. And then he says. But with what body do they come?

The Resurrection Body and Final Victory

Oh I say. I've gone a minute over on the time. They've told me off. I've gone a minute over on the time. With what body. With what body do they come? And if you don't believe me. You're going to be wrong.

You'll regret it for the last minute of the address. They come up after the meeting. They take the support. What do you think about it? And they don't really. What body will it be? Will it be this one?

Or will it be another one? Well let me tell you sir. It's a piece of charcoal. How do you know that? Please don't tell me that. Please tell me where you're going to throw them. It's just as the time. And it was once a piece of charcoal.

One day. Before this. Not another one. It is. And I'll tell you why. I'm so desperate about it. You see if it's not this body present. The devil's got a victim. He's present but he can't be on the ground.

You know the devil can never be in good places at once. So whenever anyone says to me. Oh you've got Phil the devil here. I say praise God. There's a lot of people. If it's not this body that's praying.

The devil's got a victim. The pipes can look at him and say. I think it's you who's betraying the soul of man. Until this cross I shed my blood. The devil will look back and say. Ah but I think it's you who led his body.

You led his body. I want to say this. The devil is a victim. I'm absolutely a victim. And it's going to be this body. We're going to be worth looking at then aren't we? Hallelujah. We're great. Even what will happen to us.

Is declared. Amen.