Christ, the Firstfruits 

Memory Verse: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-20.

Inroduction: The firstfruit is the earliest or very first of the harvest of that which follows. In ancient times, also, the firstborn son was often given special recognition and double inheritance (recognized as a "firstfruit"). Jesus Christ is called the "firstfruits of them that slept." In speaking of the resurrection of the dead, Christ is called the "firstfruits" of the resurrection. At the resurrection of the righteous, they are to exchange the earth image (mortality) for the heavenly image (immortality). Because Christ is the firstfruits of the general  resurrection of the righteous, He is therefore also called the "firstfruits" of immortality.
  There are four qualities apparent in the resurrected, immortal body. 1) Impassability--in which the glorified body is freed from pain and organic change. 2) Glory--in which the resurrected bodies of the saints shall "shine like the sun" with glory and beauty. 3) Agility--in which the immortal body shall be freed from physical hindrance and can move speedily. 4) Celestial--in which the immortal body has spiritual qualities, as did the glorified body of Jesus.
  The power and freedom of the immortal body is illustrated by the way Jesus could easily appear at will, in any place--walking on the road with disciples, appearing in the room with them.
  Christ was sent to earth for no other purpose than to redeem mankind from sin and death. Without the resurrection of Christ, the plan of redemption would have failed and all mankind would have perished without hope beyond this life. The gospel would be powerless without the resurrection.
  To all those who believe and obey Him, of all generations, Christ's sacrifice was not and is not in vain. The time is coming when "He will swallow up death in victory ...[He] will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death...O grave, I will be thy destruction (Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 12:14. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55).

Questions:
1. What is meant by Christ being the firstfruits of the dead? 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.

2. How is death described in the Scriptures? 1 Corinthians 15:20,51,52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16.

3. What did David and Isaiah say concerning the condition of the soul in death? Psalm 6:5; 115:17; Isaiah 38:18.

4. Do the dead know anything? Ecclesiastes 9:5; Job 14:20,21.

5. When did Job expect to escape from the sleep of death? Job 15:10-15; 19:25-27.

6. Is it possible for the soul to die? Ezekiel 18:4; James 5:20; Revelation 16:3.

7. Is God able to destroy both soul and body? Matthew 10:28.

8. Do any of the righteous receive their rewards and immortality before other saints do? Hebrews 11:39,40; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16.

9. With what bodies shall the saved come forth in the first resurrection? 1 Corinthians 15:52-54.

10. Who was the first to rise from the dead with immortality? 1 Corinthians 15:35-49.