Sermons on 1 Corinthians 15:22
The various sermons below converge on the foundational theological truth that 1 Corinthians 15:22 presents a stark dichotomy between two representative heads—Adam and Christ—whose respective actions determine the spiritual state and destiny of all humanity. They emphasize the corporate and covenantal nature of this union, portraying Adam as the source of death and futility due to sin, and Christ as the source of life and righteousness through obedience and resurrection. A common metaphor used is that of changing garments or baptism, symbolizing the believer’s transfer from the old identity “in Adam” to the new identity “in Christ.” The sermons also highlight the completed yet ongoing nature of this transformation, often drawing attention to the Greek aorist tense to underscore that this is not merely a future hope but a present reality with lasting significance. The theme of union with Christ is central, with several sermons unpacking how this union encompasses participation in Christ’s incarnation, death, resurrection, and the ministry of the Spirit, thereby grounding the believer’s hope in the face of death. Additionally, the doctrine of total depravity and the pervasive effects of sin inherited from Adam are consistently affirmed as the backdrop against which the gospel’s power is displayed.
Despite these shared emphases, the sermons diverge notably in their interpretive and theological nuances. Some focus primarily on the forensic and covenantal dimensions, stressing Adam’s historical headship and the legal ramifications of his sin contrasted with Christ’s redemptive obedience, framing salvation as entrance into a new covenant that reverses the curse of the old. Others take a more existential and psychological approach, exploring the deep human experience of shame, nakedness, and alienation rooted in Adam’s fall, and portraying Christ as the one who provides true covering and restoration beyond mere legal standing. While a few sermons underscore the triadic movement from futility to identity to destiny, others emphasize the ongoing process of mind renewal and sanctification as evidence of genuine conversion, cautioning against equating moral improvement with true transformation. The theme of hope is also treated with varying emphases—some sermons highlight the objective, historical vindication of Christ’s resurrection as the believer’s unshakable hope, while others dwell on the subjective experience of shame and the restless human search for covering that only Christ satisfies. Finally, there is a strong insistence in some sermons on the necessity of affirming a literal, historical Adam to preserve the coherence of the gospel, warning that denying this undermines the entire framework of sin and redemption.
1 Corinthians 15:22 Interpretation:
Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) interprets 1 Corinthians 15:22 as a foundational statement about the radical change that occurs when a person moves from being "in Adam" to being "in Christ." Begg emphasizes the corporate and representative nature of Adam and Christ, explaining that Adam is the founder of the human race whose sin brought all humanity into a state of futility and death, while Christ, as the new head, brings life and righteousness to all who are united to him. He uses the analogy of changing garments—putting off the old self and putting on the new—to illustrate the transformation, and he highlights the Greek aorist tense of the verbs to stress that this is a completed action with ongoing significance. The sermon also draws on the symbolism of baptism as a public demonstration of this transfer from Adam to Christ, using a vivid story of a businessman being baptized in his suit to show the totality of the change.
Hope in Christ: Conquering Death Through Faith (Ligonier Ministries) interprets 1 Corinthians 15:22 as a summary of the two representative unions available to humanity: union with Adam, which brings death, and union with Christ, which brings life. The sermon delves into the theological concept of union with Christ, explaining that just as Adam's disobedience brought death to all, Christ's obedience and resurrection bring life to all who are united to him by faith. The preacher unpacks the passage by connecting it to the incarnation, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and the believer's participation in Christ's life, death, and resurrection. The analogy of Christ as the "last Adam" is used to show that Christ's obedience undoes Adam's disobedience, and the sermon stresses that the believer's hope in the face of death is grounded in this union.
"Transformative Journey: Learning Christ and New Identity" (Alistair Begg) offers a nearly identical interpretation to "Transformative Power of Learning Christ," focusing on the transfer from being "in Adam" to being "in Christ" as the essence of Christian conversion. The sermon again uses the metaphor of changing garments and the symbolism of baptism to illustrate the radical nature of this change, and it highlights the aorist tense of the verbs to emphasize the completed and ongoing effects of this transformation. The preacher stresses that this is not merely a moral improvement but a fundamental change of identity and destiny.
From Shame to Redemption: The Journey in Christ (SermonIndex.net) offers a unique and deeply psychological interpretation of what it means to be "in Adam" and "in Christ," drawing on 1 Corinthians 15:22 to frame Adam as the "prototypical man" whose actions and state are perpetually reenacted by all humanity. The sermon uses the metaphor of looking through a "window" into Genesis 3 to see not just Adam, but ourselves—emphasizing that to be "in Adam" is to be defined by his shame, fear, and attempts to cover nakedness, which are echoed in every human life. The preacher explores the spiritual and existential dimensions of nakedness, arguing that Adam and Eve were originally "clothed with innocence" and a "very goodness" that was lost in the fall, leaving all their descendants with a haunting sense of shame and a restless search for covering. This interpretation goes beyond the legal or forensic aspects of Adam and Christ as representatives, focusing instead on the lived, psychological, and spiritual experience of alienation and the desperate, irrational attempts to hide from God—a condition only remedied by Christ, who offers true covering. The sermon also notes the Hebrew meaning of "Adam" as "man," reinforcing the idea that Adam is the archetype for all humanity, and that to be "in Adam" is to be existentially and spiritually defined by his story.
Understanding Humanity's Fall and the Need for Redemption (SermonIndex.net) provides a detailed, covenantal interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:22, emphasizing the historical reality of Adam as the literal head of humanity and the theological necessity of accepting one's solidarity with Adam in order to receive the benefits of Christ. The preacher insists that denying a real, historical Adam undermines the gospel itself, since the parallel between Adam and Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:22 and Romans 5 is foundational: just as all are ruined in Adam, so all who are in Christ are made alive. The sermon uses the analogy of two covenants—one of law with Adam, one of grace with Christ—arguing that every person is born under Adam's broken covenant and only escapes its curse by entering into Christ's fulfilled covenant. The preacher also explores the implications of Adam's headship, noting that Adam's sin, not Eve's, brought ruin because he was the covenant representative. The interpretation is enriched by a discussion of the transmission of a "fallen nature" from Adam to all his descendants, making the experience of death, sin, and alienation universal and inescapable apart from Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:22 Theological Themes:
Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme of identity, futility, and destiny as three axes along which 1 Corinthians 15:22 operates. The sermon uniquely frames the passage as a movement from the "futility" of life outside Christ (in Adam), to a new "identity" in Christ, and finally to a "destiny" of righteousness and holiness. This triadic structure is used to help listeners grasp the comprehensive nature of salvation—not just a change in moral status, but a total reorientation of life and future. The sermon also emphasizes the doctrine of total depravity, explaining that being "in Adam" means every part of one's existence is affected by sin, and only union with Christ brings true renewal.
Hope in Christ: Conquering Death Through Faith (Ligonier Ministries) presents the distinct theological theme of union with Christ as the means by which believers participate in Christ's victory over death. The sermon explores the implications of Christ's obedience, death, and resurrection for believers, arguing that Christ's resurrection is not just a historical event but the ground of the believer's justification and hope. The preacher also highlights the idea that Christ's resurrection is the public vindication of his obedience and the guarantee that death has been defeated for all who are in him, making the believer's hope in the face of death both objective and unshakable.
Transformative Journey: Learning Christ and New Identity (Alistair Begg) reiterates the triadic theme of futility, identity, and destiny, but adds a nuanced emphasis on the ongoing process of mind renewal. The sermon stresses that while the transfer from Adam to Christ is a completed action, the believer's mind is continually being renewed, and this ongoing transformation is evidence of genuine conversion. The preacher also warns against confusing mere moral improvement with the radical change of being "in Christ," insisting that true conversion results in visible transformation and sanctification.
From Shame to Redemption: The Journey in Christ (SermonIndex.net) introduces the distinct theological theme of existential and psychological shame as the core of what it means to be "in Adam." The sermon argues that the loss of innocence and the resulting sense of nakedness is not merely physical but spiritual, leaving humanity with a persistent, inescapable sense of exposure and inadequacy before God. This theme is developed through the idea that all human attempts at self-covering (fig leaves) are ultimately futile, and that only Christ provides the true "white garments" that cover shame. The preacher also highlights the ongoing, restless search for lost glory and the universal human experience of conscience, guilt, and the need for a hiding place, which are only satisfied in Christ.
Understanding Humanity's Fall and the Need for Redemption (SermonIndex.net) presents the theological theme of covenant headship and representation, emphasizing that Adam's disobedience and Christ's obedience are the two pivotal acts that define the destiny of all humanity. The sermon adds a fresh angle by insisting on the necessity of preaching "ruin by the fall" before "redemption by the blood," arguing that a failure to diagnose the depth of human ruin leads to superficial evangelism and a lack of true appreciation for grace. The preacher also explores the implications of being born under a "broken covenant" and inheriting a "fallen nature," making the case that the gospel's power and beauty are only understood against the backdrop of total depravity and inherited guilt.
1 Corinthians 15:22 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Hope in Christ: Conquering Death Through Faith (Ligonier Ministries) provides historical context by explaining the concept of federal headship in the ancient world, where the actions of a representative (such as Adam or Christ) have consequences for all those they represent. The sermon also situates the passage within the broader biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption, noting that death was not part of the original creation but entered through Adam's disobedience. The preacher references the Jewish understanding of the high priest and the sacrificial system to explain Christ's role as the merciful and faithful high priest who makes propitiation for the sins of the people, thus connecting the New Testament teaching to its Old Testament background.
Understanding Humanity's Fall and the Need for Redemption (SermonIndex.net) provides explicit historical and cultural context by affirming the literal, historical existence of Adam as the first man, married to Eve, and the progenitor of all humanity. The preacher contrasts this biblical view with Darwinian evolution, noting that even modern science (through DNA studies) is slowly affirming the biblical claim of a single human pair. The sermon also discusses the ancient Near Eastern context of covenants, explaining that God always deals with humanity through covenants and that Adam's covenant was one of law, with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The preacher further references ancient artifacts (e.g., the tree of life in Babylonian and Assyrian cultures) to illustrate humanity's age-old quest for immortality and the universal impact of Adam's fall.
1 Corinthians 15:22 Cross-References in the Bible:
Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) cross-references Romans 5 and 6, as well as Colossians 3, to reinforce the teaching of 1 Corinthians 15:22. Romans 5 is used to explain the parallel between Adam and Christ, with Adam's sin bringing condemnation and death, and Christ's obedience bringing justification and life. Colossians 3 is cited to illustrate the practical outworking of this transfer, with believers called to "put off" the old self and "put on" the new self, echoing the language of transformation found in 1 Corinthians 15:22. The sermon also references Galatians, particularly the imagery of baptism as putting on Christ, to further support the idea of a radical change of identity.
Hope in Christ: Conquering Death Through Faith (Ligonier Ministries) references a wide range of biblical passages to support and expand on 1 Corinthians 15:22. Hebrews 2 is used to explain the necessity of Christ's incarnation and his role as high priest; Romans 5:18 is cited to show the parallel between Adam's disobedience and Christ's obedience; 2 Corinthians 5:17 is used to describe the believer as a new creation in Christ; Ephesians 1 and 5 are referenced to discuss the blessings of union with Christ and the church as the bride of Christ; Romans 3 and 4 are used to explain justification by faith and the significance of Christ's resurrection; Colossians 2 is cited to describe Christ's triumph over death and the powers of evil; and Romans 8 is referenced to assure believers of their security in Christ and the absence of condemnation.
"Transformative Journey: Learning Christ and New Identity" (Alistair Begg) also cross-references Romans 5 and 6, Colossians 3, and Galatians, using these passages in the same way as Transformative Power of Learning Christ to reinforce the teaching of 1 Corinthians 15:22 and to illustrate the practical implications of being transferred from Adam to Christ.
From Shame to Redemption: The Journey in Christ (SermonIndex.net) references several biblical passages to expand on the meaning of nakedness, shame, and covering. Genesis 2:25 and 3:7 are used to contrast the original innocence of Adam and Eve with their post-fall shame. The sermon also references the story of Noah's nakedness (Genesis 9), the construction of altars without steps to avoid exposing nakedness (Exodus 20:26), and Jesus' words to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:18), where he counsels them to buy "white garments" to cover their shame. These passages are used to show the continuity of the theme of nakedness and covering throughout Scripture, culminating in Christ's provision of true righteousness. The preacher also alludes to the judgment scenes in Revelation, where the eyes of God see all, and to the story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, who is found "clothed and in his right mind" after encountering Jesus, reinforcing the link between spiritual restoration and true covering.
Understanding Humanity's Fall and the Need for Redemption (SermonIndex.net) draws extensively on Romans 5:12-21 to parallel 1 Corinthians 15:22, emphasizing the unity of humanity in Adam and the necessity of being "in Christ" for salvation. The sermon also references Genesis 2 and 3 to establish the covenantal context of Adam's fall, Galatians 4:24 to illustrate the allegory of two covenants (law and grace), and various Old Testament stories (Cain and Abel, Saul and David, Mephibosheth and David) to show the recurring biblical pattern of covenant headship and grace versus law. The preacher cites Ephesians 4, Colossians 3, and Romans 6-8 to discuss the "old man" and the "body of sin," reinforcing the doctrine of inherited depravity and the need for regeneration.
1 Corinthians 15:22 Christian References outside the Bible:
Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) explicitly references John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" as an illustration of the radical difference between those who are "in Adam" and those who are "in Christ." The sermon recounts the scene at Vanity Fair, where the pilgrims' distinct clothing and behavior set them apart from the world, serving as a metaphor for the visible transformation that accompanies union with Christ. This literary reference is used to reinforce the idea that true conversion results in a noticeable change of identity and values.
Transformative Journey: Learning Christ and New Identity (Alistair Begg) also references "Pilgrim's Progress" in the same way, using the Vanity Fair episode to illustrate the theme of transformation and the distinctiveness of the Christian life.
1 Corinthians 15:22 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) uses a detailed secular illustration involving a successful businessman who insisted on being baptized in his expensive business suit. This story is used to vividly depict the totality of the change that occurs when a person moves from being "in Adam" to being "in Christ." The act of being baptized in a business suit symbolizes the surrender of one's entire life—including career and status—to Christ, and the subsequent donning of a new robe represents the new identity received in Christ. The preacher uses this story to challenge listeners to consider whether they are truly living out the radical transformation that 1 Corinthians 15:22 describes.
Transformative Journey: Learning Christ and New Identity (Alistair Begg) repeats the same illustration of the businessman baptized in his suit, using it to make the same point about the comprehensive nature of the change from Adam to Christ. The story is presented as a memorable and concrete example of what it means to put off the old self and put on the new, and it serves to drive home the message that true conversion affects every area of life.
From Shame to Redemption: The Journey in Christ (SermonIndex.net) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate the universal human experience of shame and the futility of self-covering. The preacher describes a child caught stealing, a criminal in a courtroom, and the irrational attempts to hide from judgment, paralleling Adam's behavior in Genesis 3. The sermon references John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," recounting the dream of a man left behind at judgment, tormented by the gaze of the Judge and his own conscience—a vivid literary illustration of the biblical theme. The preacher also critiques evolutionary explanations for clothing, noting that even the most primitive societies (e.g., North Sentinel Island) instinctively wear clothes, not merely for warmth but because of an inescapable sense of shame. The sermon further lampoons religious rituals (e.g., the Pope's hat, Hindu idols in Kathmandu) as "fig leaves"—futile human attempts to cover spiritual nakedness. The preacher also describes the psychological strategies people use to avoid facing death and judgment, such as turning up the noise of life, using drugs or alcohol, or clinging to scientific theories, all as modern equivalents of fig leaves. The analogy of the hourglass and the inevitability of facing God's eyes at judgment is used to evoke the urgency and desperation of the human condition apart from Christ.