Lesson Twelve

GOD'S SALVATION

CHRIST'S LIFE-GIVING RESURRECTION (2)

Burden to Impart:

God solved our problem of death by the resurrection of Christ from among the dead. Christ not only conquered death through His resurrection; He also became a life-giving Spirit. Although as a man the Lord Jesus contained God's life He still had not reached the goal. He came that we "might have life" (John 10:10b). Through resurrection the Lord became a "life-giving Spirit" (1 Cor. 15:45b).As a Spirit He is now able to give life to us.

Memory Verse: "... The first man, Adam, became a living soul; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit" (1 Corinthians 15:45).

Facts to Teach:

1. Man's dual problem of sin and death are solved by Christ's death and resurrection. His death solved the problem of our sin and His resurrection solved the problem of death.
2. Resurrection is not only a historical fact that the Lord Jesus experienced personally. It was also the process through which the Lord was changed in form so that He could save us from death and give us life, that is, the eternal life of God.
3. In order that the Lord Jesus might be able to give us life He had to pass through both death and resurrection. As with the blossoming flowers, there are two stages. First the seed is planted in the ground. Then the outward shell of the seed decays, cracks, and "dies." It is then that the inward content of the seed is able to be released from within it (John 12:24). The life of the seed begins to germinate and grow. Eventually the seed's shell is no longer seen; only the life of the seed is seen.
4. Before the Lord's death and resurrection God's divine and eternal life was concealed within the Lord Jesus, just like the life of a seed is hidden within the seed before it is planted. When He rose from the dead He changed His form; He "became a life-giving spirit." The eternal life was no longer concealed, it was manifested. It was no longer restricted, it was released. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and the Spirit gives life (2 Cor. 3:6, 17).
5. As the Spirit the Lord Jesus has no limitations. He is not bound or limited to time or space. He is able to give life freely and unlimitedly, in every place and to any person. Through death and resurrection He became a "life-giving Spirit."
6. His resurrection is not then just an objective fact of history. It is the means by which our Lord Jesus changed His form from flesh to spirit so that He could give us life. Though we were 'dead in our offenses and sins" God "made us alive together with Christ" (Eph. 2:1, 5). Once we were dead toward God. Now we are alive toward God with Christ as our life. Thus, through His resurrection not only He lives, we also live (John 14:19)!