Embracing the Resurrection: Christ as Our First Fruits
Summary
In my sermon, I began by setting the stage with the scriptural context of the feasts outlined in Leviticus 23, emphasizing the significance of the Feast of First Fruits, which coincides with the day of Christ's resurrection. I highlighted the importance of understanding these feasts to fully grasp the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus Christ, our first fruits from the dead.
I then transitioned to the Gospel of John, where we revisited the narrative of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ. I drew attention to the parallels between Jesus' instructions to Mary not to hold onto Him and the offering of the first fruits, which were not to be eaten before being presented to the Lord. This moment was crucial, as it was the same time the high priest would be presenting the first fruits in the temple, symbolizing Jesus' own presentation to the Father.
I continued by exploring the deeper connections between Jesus' resurrection and the Feast of First Fruits, pointing out the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. I emphasized the present active indicative tense used by Jesus when He told Mary that He was ascending to His Father, indicating an immediate action that paralleled the high priest's offering.
As I moved through the sermon, I reflected on the significance of Jesus' fulfillment of the law and the prophets, and how this demonstrates God's faithfulness. I encouraged the congregation to trust in God's faithfulness, as evidenced by His consistent fulfillment of prophecy throughout Scripture and in our lives.
I then guided the congregation through the elements of the Lord's Supper, connecting the offering of the first fruits in Leviticus to the elements of bread and wine, which represent the body and blood of Christ. I explained how the Last Supper looked forward to the fulfillment of the first fruits, and how we now live in the reality of that fulfillment.
Finally, I concluded with a call to live in the freedom and newness of life that Christ's resurrection affords us, urging both believers and non-believers to embrace the salvation and transformation offered through Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Feast of First Fruits is not merely a historical observance but a prophetic shadow of Christ's resurrection, which we celebrate as the true First Fruits. As He was raised from the dead, we too are called to live in the newness of life, a life that is no longer bound by sin but is liberated and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. ([33:59])
2. The immediate action of Jesus' ascension to the Father, as He spoke to Mary, underscores the immediacy of His priestly offering of Himself. This act fulfilled the typology of the high priest's offering and demonstrated that Jesus is the substance of all that the first fruits represented. ([16:07])
3. Our faith in God's promises is bolstered by the fulfillment of prophecy in Scripture. Just as Jesus fulfilled the feasts and the law, we can trust that He will fulfill His promises in our lives, including His return and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth. ([22:10])
4. The Lord's Supper is a profound remembrance of the covenant established by Christ's sacrifice. As we partake in the bread and wine, we are reminded of the first fruits offering and the reality that Jesus' work on the cross is finished, and we are now living in the fulfillment of that promise. ([43:34])
5. Salvation is available to all who call upon the name of the Lord. It is not through our works but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. I urge everyone to accept this gift of salvation and to live in the freedom and victory over sin and death that comes from being in Christ. ([49:15])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Leviticus 23:9-14 - The Feast of First Fruits
2. John 20:1-18 - Mary Magdalene's Encounter with the Risen Christ
3. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 - Christ as the First Fruits
#### Observation Questions
1. What instructions did God give to the Israelites regarding the Feast of First Fruits in Leviticus 23:9-14?
2. Describe Mary Magdalene's initial reaction when she found the empty tomb in John 20:1-2.
3. What did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene when she recognized Him in John 20:17? Why was this significant? [10:55]
4. According to 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, what does it mean that Christ is the "first fruits of those who have fallen asleep"?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the timing of Jesus' resurrection align with the Feast of First Fruits as described in Leviticus 23? What is the significance of this alignment? [04:09]
2. Why did Jesus instruct Mary Magdalene not to hold onto Him in John 20:17? How does this relate to the offering of the first fruits? [10:55]
3. In what ways does 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 explain the concept of resurrection and its importance for believers? How does this passage connect to the idea of first fruits?
#### Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized the importance of understanding the feasts to grasp the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus. How can you deepen your understanding of Old Testament feasts and their fulfillment in Christ? [04:09]
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How does remembering God's past faithfulness help you trust Him with your current challenges? [22:10]
3. The Lord's Supper was connected to the offering of the first fruits. How does participating in communion help you remember and celebrate the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus? [43:34]
4. Jesus' resurrection calls us to live in the newness of life. What specific changes can you make in your daily life to live more fully in the freedom and transformation offered by Christ's resurrection? [33:59]
5. The sermon concluded with a call to embrace salvation through Jesus Christ. If you have not yet accepted Christ as your Savior, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you share the message of salvation with others? [49:15]
6. How can you actively remind yourself of the reality of Christ's resurrection and its implications for your life throughout the year, not just on Easter Sunday? [35:26]
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of community and encouraging one another. How can you be more intentional in supporting and uplifting your fellow believers in your small group or church community? [23:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Resurrection as Prophetic Fulfillment
The Feast of First Fruits is a prophetic shadow of Christ's resurrection, revealing the depth of God's redemptive plan. The celebration of this feast in the Old Testament was not merely an agricultural event but pointed forward to a greater reality. As Christ rose from the dead, He became the first fruits of a new creation, a promise of the resurrection life available to all who believe. This fulfillment is not just a historical fact but a present reality that empowers believers to live in freedom from sin and death. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, assuring that life in Christ is a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, enabling a walk in newness of life.
"For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." - 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 ESV
Reflection: How does the understanding of Christ as our First Fruits influence your perception of the resurrection and your daily walk with Him?
Day 2: The Immediacy of Christ's Priestly Offering
Jesus' post-resurrection encounter with Mary Magdalene is a profound moment that illustrates His role as our High Priest. When Jesus instructed Mary not to cling to Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father, He was indicating an immediate, ongoing action. This parallels the high priest's offering of the first fruits in the temple, signifying that Jesus was presenting Himself to the Father as the ultimate fulfillment of the first fruits offering. This act confirmed that Jesus is the substance of what the first fruits represented, bridging the Old Testament sacrifices with the New Testament reality of His completed work.
"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." - Hebrews 10:12 ESV
Reflection: In what ways does the reality of Jesus' immediate priestly offering impact your understanding of His sacrifice and ongoing intercession for you?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Faithfulness Through Prophecy
The fulfillment of prophecy in Scripture is a testament to God's faithfulness. The feasts, the law, and the prophets all pointed to Christ and were fulfilled in Him. This pattern of fulfillment strengthens the believer's faith, providing assurance that God's promises are true and reliable. As Jesus fulfilled the past prophecies, so too can believers trust in His promises for the future, including His return and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth. This trust is not based on wishful thinking but on the solid foundation of God's proven track record throughout biblical history.
"Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" - Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV
Reflection: How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' life encourage you to trust in God's promises for your own future?
Day 4: The Lord's Supper as Covenant Remembrance
The Lord's Supper is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation. As believers partake in the bread and wine, they are reminded of the first fruits offering and the reality that Jesus' work on the cross is finished. This sacrament looks back to the Last Supper, where Jesus established a new covenant, and looks forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. It is a moment to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ, the new life it brings, and the future hope of feasting with Him in His kingdom.
"You show the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 11:26-27 ESV
Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper deepen your appreciation for Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant you are a part of?
Day 5: Embracing Salvation and Transformation
Salvation is a gift of grace available to all who call upon the name of the Lord. It is not earned through works but received through faith in Jesus Christ. This gift brings freedom and victory over sin and death, allowing believers to live in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The call to embrace salvation is not just for a moment of decision but for a lifetime of walking in the newness of life that Christ offers. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of life in Him, marked by continual growth and transformation.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
Reflection: What steps can you take today to more fully embrace the salvation and transformation that is available to you in Christ?
Quotes
1. "The Bible talks about how, in the book of Romans, how we are those who have been crucified with Christ... But for those, I'm going to live in that newness of life. I'm going to live in the way that Christ has brought me freedom." [33:59]
2. "The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives within you. Amen? Amen. This is a day of celebration, a day of great joy... Live in this newness of life." [35:26]
3. "Jesus is telling what he is about to do in this very moment... I am going present active indicative at, which means at this very moment, I am going to my father. At this very moment." [16:07]
4. "The Bible also mentions that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. We recognize that by the blood of Jesus we have been forgiven and forgiveness is now ours." [46:35]
5. "The day where the grave would not have victory. The day where the enemy would not be found victorious. But in this day of firstfruits, the day of your resurrection, we remember that you are faithful." [47:30]
6. "Jesus is fulfilling every aspect of the law. Jesus was fulfilling even the feast, the first fruit, the day for which Jesus himself is resurrected from the dead... He shows himself to be faithful." [21:09]
7. "We look to what he is doing and how faithful he is. I encourage you this morning... look to what God has done in God's word. But look to what God has done in your own lives and the lives of others around you." [22:10]
8. "Jesus was the first fruits of the barley harvest. Comes another first fruits as well. On the day of Pentecost... we ourselves who have been the first fruits of the Spirit." [26:12]
9. "We get to celebrate today. Let us remember that Jesus Christ is our first fruits and that we in Christ Jesus are raised up as a kind of first fruits, a first fruits of the spirit in him." [39:38]
10. "Jesus said it is finished. And there's a reality now to it that when we partake in this together, we are partaking in that which was finished by Jesus Christ, that which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ." [44:18]
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