Sabbath School Lesson 8 Summary – The Power of Christ's Resurrection | Q3 2026

SPEAKER A 00:00:00 - 00:00:55 Hello, I'm Rosemary Malkiewycz. Welcome to Let God Speak. Perhaps the most profound truth in all of Scripture is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our Sabbath School lesson this week focuses on Jesus' resurrection. It's the source of the believer's hope for eternal life. So today we discover the power of Christ's resurrection. Joining me on the panel today, we have Lena Yoon and Alan Fisher. Welcome both of you. It's good to have you here. SPEAKER B 00:00:55 - 00:00:56 Thank you. SPEAKER A 00:00:56 - 00:01:30 Let's pray before we start. Father in heaven, we just want to commit this time to you. We pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire us and to help us to let God speak, not us. Please give our listeners, our, our viewers ears that are open to the truth of God, and may this be a time of learning that will inspire them and us. with your wonderful truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we pray it in his name. Amen. SPEAKER C 00:01:30 - 00:01:31 Amen. SPEAKER A 00:01:31 - 00:01:56 Death is one of humanity's greatest fears because every person eventually faces it. The world offers many ideas about what happens after death, but the Bible points us to one great hope, our resurrection through Jesus Christ. So, Lina, I want to ask you the first question. Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ central to the gospel? SPEAKER B 00:01:56 - 00:03:04 It is because the resurrection of Christ proves or confirms that Jesus is truly the Messiah and the Son of God, and also his sacrifice for sin was accepted by the Father. So, this event, the resurrection, is actual history, so anchored in Scripture and prophecy. So, it was also public. physical and verifiable. And so, it is central to the gospel. And the other thing is also, you know, without the resurrection, Christianity has no power or hope because it cannot solve any sin problems. So, resurrection is not only a doctrine to believe, but also is a transforming power that reshapes lives. So, we're going to go to 1 Corinthians 15:14. Here he says, and if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. So without resurrection, you know, we don't have any hope and power. SPEAKER A 00:03:04 - 00:03:12 That's right. Very true. We've got to remember the grave or the tomb is empty. SPEAKER B 00:03:12 - 00:03:12 Yeah. SPEAKER A 00:03:12 - 00:03:40 It has nobody in there. Let me read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the 3rd day according to the Scriptures. So what is emphasized in this passage, Alan? SPEAKER C 00:03:40 - 00:03:52 Well, Paul's emphasizing that Jesus' death and resurrection was part of God's plan as foretold in Scripture. He says here, according to the Scriptures. SPEAKER B 00:03:52 - 00:03:53 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:03:53 - 00:04:24 And so Jesus didn't just die like a martyr, but He died for our sins and rose again victoriously. So this was part of God's plan. We read here in Romans 1:4 concerning Christ, how He was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. So the resurrection is some part of the plan that confirms that salvation is real and complete. SPEAKER A 00:04:24 - 00:04:48 And it says according to the Scriptures, so that's the Old Testament Scriptures because the New Testament wasn't put together and written at that stage. So the Old Testament prophesied and Jesus fulfilled that prophecy, which is just wonderful. So, Lina, Why did Paul place so much importance on eyewitnesses for the resurrection? SPEAKER B 00:04:48 - 00:06:29 Okay, so first we're going to go to 1 Corinthians 15:6. Here it says, after that He was seen by over 500 brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. So, this verse tells us that, you know, this resurrection, this event was a real historical event. that was witnessed by so many people. And so, Paul emphasized witnesses to Jesus' resurrection because it was central to the gospel message that he preached. And it also, you know, established credibility that, like, especially in the ancient world, eyewitness testimony carried major weight. And also, and the resurrection validated Jesus' identity we already talked about, and Him being the true Messiah and the Son of God. And Paul also wanted his believers to understand that the resurrection and our Christianity is based on built upon truth and not myths or legends. And so, which was also important. And also Paul lists the appearances of the risen Savior to individuals and also groups, to Cephas, also known as Peter, the 12, and 500 people at once we read in the Scripture just now. And, you know, James and all of the apostles, and finally Paul himself. SPEAKER A 00:06:29 - 00:06:43 And it also says, Paul wrote, the greater part remained to the present. So there were people living at that time who were still eyewitnesses and could testify to it, which is to me quite exciting. SPEAKER B 00:06:43 - 00:06:43 Yeah. SPEAKER A 00:06:43 - 00:06:51 But Alan, what are the consequences if Christ had not risen from the grave? SPEAKER C 00:06:51 - 00:07:19 Well, Paul tells us here in verse 17 of the same chapter, And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins. So without the resurrection, yeah, we'd still be in our sins and without hope. And the cross would have had no saving power at all if Christ had remained in the grave. So the resurrection is central, otherwise Christianity would entirely collapse. SPEAKER A 00:07:19 - 00:07:40 That's true, it's amazing the way that Paul puts it here. I'm going to read 1 Corinthians 15:20. Which says, but now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Selina, what's it talking about with the firstfruits? SPEAKER B 00:07:40 - 00:08:12 Yeah. So, the ancient Israelites were commanded to present the first sheaf of the barley harvest to the priest who waved it before the Lord as a pledge of the full harvest that was to follow. So, the first, the wave sheaf of the firstfruits of the harvest was a type of Christ and the firstfruits and/or pledge of the full harvest will come when all the faithful dead are raised at the Second Coming of Christ. SPEAKER C 00:08:12 - 00:08:13 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:08:13 - 00:09:04 So, likewise, like, you know, we expect, you know, we guarantee or assure that the first harvest will come and, you know, they came and the full harvest will be followed. Likewise, you know, we can assure that, you know, Jesus' faithful followers will also rise at the Second Coming of Christ. So, actually, here, firstfruits refers that, actually, you know, the resurrection, future resurrection, will be guaranteed at the end by Jesus Christ. And so, we are going to go and read John, chapter 11, verse 25. Here, It says, Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. SPEAKER A 00:09:04 - 00:09:12 Very good, very good. Now, Alan, why does the Bible describe death as being asleep? SPEAKER C 00:09:12 - 00:09:30 Well, we read in 1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 14, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, Even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. SPEAKER B 00:09:30 - 00:09:30 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:09:30 - 00:09:58 And so the dead are unconscious while they're in the grave. It's as if they were asleep. And just like a person who's sleeping doesn't know what's going on until the morning, well, it's like that with those who die. They're unconscious until the resurrection. And we have this acted out for us every day or every night. You know, we lie down and sleep and we're dead for all practical purposes. And in the morning we, it's as if we are resurrected again. SPEAKER A 00:09:58 - 00:10:02 Except that we don't sleep in, we don't dream in death. SPEAKER C 00:10:02 - 00:10:03 Well, that's right. SPEAKER A 00:10:03 - 00:10:25 It's like when you have an operation and you wake up from the operation, you have no idea it's actually gone, it's actually occurred. You're so unconscious. And it's a wonderful example in our lives. So, Lina, how does the resurrection help believers face death without fear? Knowing it's a sleep. SPEAKER B 00:10:25 - 00:11:15 Yeah, it's a sleep. In other words, we actually are unconscious. We don't think, we don't remember anything. So, therefore, we don't really need to worry about it. And because the resurrection of Christ assures that death is not the end for those who believe in Christ, because we know that Jesus had defeated death through His resurrection, so we know that He still lives. Because He lives, we will live also. So, we can find this verse, John, chapter 14, verse 19: A little while longer, and the world will see Me no more; but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. So, this verse gives us hope, especially those who go through difficult times of loss or grief, you know, so it gives a lot of hope. SPEAKER A 00:11:15 - 00:11:37 That's right. I'm going to read Colossians 2:12. Buried with him in baptism, in which you also were raised with him through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead. So Alan, the question is, how does baptism relate to Christ's resurrection? SPEAKER C 00:11:37 - 00:11:57 Well, in Romans 6:4, And Paul tells us that we were buried with him, with Christ, through baptism into death. That just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. SPEAKER A 00:11:57 - 00:11:57 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:11:57 - 00:12:21 So baptism symbolizes our union with Christ. Just as Christ died, we die to our old life when we go under the water when we come up again, it's like we're being resurrected to a new life. So the Bible, the, yeah, the Bible points out baptism as the thing that commemorates the resurrection. SPEAKER A 00:12:21 - 00:12:40 And our sins are washed away when we go under the water in death and we come up as though we had never sinned. It's a wonderful example of what God does for us. So Lena, what does Paul mean when he says that our current bodies are perishable, like they're corruptible? SPEAKER B 00:12:40 - 00:13:48 Yeah, I'm just going to go and read 1 Corinthians 15:42. Here it says, so also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. So perishable literally means something is likely to decay or So, our present bodies are subject to weaknesses, sicknesses, aging, or even death. But, you know, like here, you know, in this life, like fallen world, our life is, you know, can be miserable, but it's temporary. It's not forever fragile. But God gave us a promise of transformation through the resurrection of Christ. Christ. So, here, even in verse 42, we will be raised in incorruption. So, you know, that's the opposite word of corruption. So, we will be incorruptible and imperishable. In other words, our resurrected bodies will be glorious. SPEAKER A 00:13:48 - 00:13:48 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:13:48 - 00:13:57 And, you know, and we're not going to be subject to death, even death. or, you know, sickness and aging anymore. We would be living forever, you know. SPEAKER A 00:13:57 - 00:14:01 In health and well-being. SPEAKER B 00:14:01 - 00:14:02 Yeah. SPEAKER A 00:14:02 - 00:14:06 So, Alan, how does Paul describe this resurrected body? SPEAKER C 00:14:06 - 00:14:47 Well, in Philippians chapter 3 and verse 21, or actually starting in the verse before, he says how we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body according to the working by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself. So as Lena was saying, our bodies now are subject to disease and aging and all sorts of aches and pains, but it says here that Jesus is going to transform transform our bodies so we'll be like His glorious body. SPEAKER A 00:14:47 - 00:14:57 And when Jesus was resurrected, He could actually even come into a locked room. So it was amazing, but then He could eat. SPEAKER B 00:14:57 - 00:14:58 Yeah, yeah. SPEAKER A 00:14:58 - 00:15:06 So it's an amazing body. So Lina, why is the resurrection such a message of hope for people who are grieving? SPEAKER B 00:15:06 - 00:16:01 Yeah, because we know that the resurrection of Christ gives us assurance that this separation through death is temporary, not permanent. So, you know, our loved ones who die in Christ will rise again, you know, at the second coming of Jesus Christ. So, we don't need to fear, and rather we have to rejoice. And this promise comforts believers going through difficult times of loss or grief. So, we're going to go and read 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Herefore the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. So, this is a great hope. SPEAKER A 00:16:02 - 00:16:47 And verse 17, says, therefore comfort one another with these words. And that's what it is here to do. Yeah, yeah, true. To know that your loved ones will come back from the grave. I'm going to read that verse 16 again and verse 17 of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout and with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. So, Alan, what hope does this give believers today? SPEAKER C 00:16:47 - 00:17:10 Well, it tells us that Jesus will come back personally to get us at the resurrection, to gather His people. And we'll be reunited with, well, with Jesus and with others who've died previously who are resurrected. And as it says at the end of verse 17, so we shall always be with the Lord. SPEAKER A 00:17:10 - 00:17:20 Very beautiful. And Lena, why does Jesus compare the resurrection to a seed being planted in the ground? SPEAKER B 00:17:20 - 00:17:47 Paul uses Yes. So, Jesus used this seed illustration to demonstrate transformation through the resurrection. So, when a seed planted in the ground and a seed dies or decomposes first, so this process is essential to the production of a new plant. It is actually God who brings new life from it. SPEAKER A 00:17:48 - 00:17:49 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:17:49 - 00:18:16 So, you know, the teaching is pretty clear. It is, you know, the miracle of God who actually brings forth life. And also in the same way, our resurrected body will be far more glorious than our perishable and corruptible body buried in the grave. So, we're going to go and read 1 Corinthians 15:36, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. SPEAKER A 00:18:16 - 00:18:31 And so the body has to die before it is resurrected or made to grow into this glorious body. Very good. Alan, so what final victory will believers experience through Christ? SPEAKER C 00:18:31 - 00:19:00 Well, 1 Corinthians 15:54 says, when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. So we'll experience complete victory over death itself. And through Christ, death loses its power and its sting because we're promised eternal life through Christ. SPEAKER A 00:19:00 - 00:19:41 That's wonderful. And it's interesting in verses 53 and 54, they both say that our current bodies are mortal because only at the, at the resurrection, when Jesus comes the second time, will we become immortal. We do not have immortality until that time. So that's something else to really remember. I love in those verses. So let me read 1 Corinthians 15:55. O death, where is your sting? Oh, Hades, or the grave, where is your victory? So, Lina, why could Paul speak so confidently about death? SPEAKER B 00:19:41 - 00:19:57 Because, you know, the reason why he was able to speak so confidently about death was because Jesus had defeated death. So, death, is temporary. It's not permanent. SPEAKER C 00:19:57 - 00:19:58 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:19:58 - 00:20:26 And it cannot hold anybody permanently because we'll be all raised when Jesus returns again. And also, we know that Jesus holds the keys of death and grave. So, we can find this in Revelation 1:18. I am He who lives and was dead. And behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Hades and of death. SPEAKER A 00:20:26 - 00:20:32 So Alan, how should the resurrection affect the daily lives of Christians? SPEAKER C 00:20:32 - 00:21:13 Well, we know that this life isn't the big thing. This is just a practice run, as it were. And so we've got a future hope to look forward to. So it gives us courage and purpose and perseverance. And we know that what we're doing here isn't wasted because, yeah, we've got a future life to go to. As it says here in verse 58, therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. So what we do now doesn't just fizzle out when we die. SPEAKER A 00:21:13 - 00:21:13 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:21:14 - 00:21:17 Our work here is not in vain, it's not wasted. SPEAKER A 00:21:17 - 00:21:25 That's fantastic. So, Lina, what assurance did Paul personally have concerning the resurrection and his future? SPEAKER B 00:21:25 - 00:21:49 Paul completely trusted in Jesus Christ and the power of Jesus Christ to save and preserve him for eternity. So even while he was facing persecution and even possible death, he remained faithful and confident in the promises of God. SPEAKER A 00:21:49 - 00:21:50 Hmm. SPEAKER B 00:21:50 - 00:22:16 So, his eyes were focusing on Jesus Christ and His power. So, we're going to go and read 2 Timothy, chapter 1, verse 12. For this reason, I also suffer these things, Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day. SPEAKER A 00:22:16 - 00:22:48 Beautiful words. Beautiful words. I've got to read now. I'm going to read Revelation 20:6. Blessed and holy is He who has power part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him 1,000 years. So, Alan, what is significant about this first resurrection? SPEAKER C 00:22:48 - 00:23:04 Well, those who are raised in the first resurrection are the righteous. This is at Christ's second coming. And if you're raised in the first resurrection, you receive eternal life and you're forever secure in Christ. SPEAKER A 00:23:04 - 00:23:04 Hmm. SPEAKER C 00:23:04 - 00:23:29 So here in John, John 5:29, this is Jesus speaking. And he speaks in verse 28 about the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear his voice and will come forth. those who have done good to the resurrection of life. So this is the first resurrection, the resurrection of life as it calls it. SPEAKER A 00:23:29 - 00:23:51 Very, very good. The resurrection of life, it's the first resurrection, is something to look forward to and to aspire to be part of, that's for sure. So Lina, how can believers today be witnesses of Christ's resurrection even though they did not see Him personally resurrected? SPEAKER B 00:23:51 - 00:25:10 A very good question. So believers nowadays are often described as the witnesses of Jesus' resurrection, not because they saw Jesus physically or personally alive after His death, but because they testified to their faith in Him and to the effects. So Believers may witness to the resurrection of Christ through transformed lives and through acts of love and service, including forgiving others and giving hope. Also, they may share the gospel message with others in the community and share their personal spiritual testimony with them as well. And we also can remain faithful till Jesus comes and persevere even during persecution, which is very difficult. And so now we're going to go and look at how apostles actually gave witness to the resurrection of Christ in Acts 4:33. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon, was upon them all. SPEAKER A 00:25:10 - 00:25:25 And the thing is though, we can testify or have our own testimony of knowing personally Jesus and having a relationship with Him. So He must be resurrected to do that, mustn't He? SPEAKER B 00:25:25 - 00:25:25 That's right, yeah. SPEAKER A 00:25:25 - 00:25:35 And so, Alan, what final message would you like to give the viewers to remember about Christ's resurrection? What's important for them? SPEAKER C 00:25:35 - 00:26:06 Well, the resurrection is the believer's assurance that death won't have the final word. Because Christ lives because of his resurrection, every promise of God can be trusted. And so the empty tomb points us toward the eternal life and the soon return of Christ. As it says here in 1 Corinthians verse 15, verse 57, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. SPEAKER A 00:26:06 - 00:26:25 That's right. I, I love this chapter, 1 Corinthians 15, and I'm so glad that we have been able to look at it today because it is full of the resurrection and the reason for our hope, and that if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, then our hope is in vain. SPEAKER B 00:26:25 - 00:26:26 That's right. SPEAKER A 00:26:26 - 00:26:58 But because He did, we have a glorious future to look forward to no matter what happens in this earth. And Paul says, behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep. Not everybody will die. There will be those at the end who never see death, but we shall all be changed in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump. And that is just something to be amazed at and to look forward to because death will be swallowed up in victory. SPEAKER B 00:26:58 - 00:26:58 Hmm. SPEAKER A 00:26:58 - 00:28:01 Praise God for 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. Read it for yourselves. It's fantastic. The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands at the very heart of the Christian faith. Christ conquered sin and rose from the dead. Sin and death have been defeated, and eternal life has been made possible for all who believe. The resurrection is not simply a future hope; it is a present source of courage, comfort, and strength. No matter what trials we face today, we can live with confidence because Jesus lives. Thank you for joining us on Let God Speak. All past programs plus teachers' notes are available on our website, 3abnaustralia.org.au. Email us on [email protected]. Tell your friends about the program, and until next time, let God speak to your heart through His Word. God bless. SPEAKER C 00:28:01 - 00:28:06 God bless. SPEAKER B 00:28:07 - 00:28:31 You have been listening to Let God Speak, a production of 3ABN Australia Television. To catch up on past programs, please visit 3abnaustralia.org.au. Call us in Australia on 02 4973 3456 or email [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.