Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:45–49
Introduction
A. The shadows of the Old Testament remind us that God knows what He is doing, and they also show us how great Jesus truly is.
B. We find one of these shadows in Adam, to whom Paul compares our Savior as “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45).
Discussion
I. The first and last Adam share many differences and similarities.
A. Both Adams bore the image of God (Genesis 1:26; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3).
B. Both Adams were firstborn (Colossians 1:16–18; Romans 8:29).
C. In both cases we find a single man whose actions produced universal consequences (Romans 5:12–21; 1 Corinthians 15:20–22).
D. Inspiration explicitly points out that both were living (Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:45; John 5:25–26; Romans 6:10).
II. What does this mean to us today?
A. We can escape the universal consequence of death and have eternal life instead (Romans 6:1–11, 20–23).
B. We can bear the image of the heavenly (1 Corinthians 15:46–54).
C. We can be on the winning side when the conflict is over (1 Corinthians 15:55–58, 20–28).
Conclusion
A. The first Adam may have caused us some serious problems, but the last Adam is more than able to overcome them all for us.
B. Just as Adam died physically, so will you and I, and it is important that we make plans for that occasion.
C. Jesus, the last Adam, is the only one who can help you with these plans, and unlike His predecessor, Jesus will not let you down.