Resurrection

Philippians 3:10-12 - I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Daniel 12:2 - Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

1 Corinthians 15:23 - But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Corinthians 9:27 - No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Philippians 2:12-13 - Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Conclusions:

• Christ, the firstfruits, was raised in His own time in history, and those who are identified with Christ by faith will be raised at the second coming
• Timothy had possessed eternal life since he had first been saved, but Paul urges him to claim its benefits in greater fullness
• Paul realizes that he must with rigor serve the Lord and battle against sin
• Like an athlete who had engaged successfully in a contest, Paul had finished the race and had kept the faith, i.e., had carefully observed the rules of the Christian faith
• Paul could be referring to (1) a crown given as a reward for a righteous life, (2) a crown consisting of righteousness or (3) a crown given righteously by the righteous Judge
• The Christian life is pictured as a long-distance race rather than a short sprint

Application:

• Will you awake to everlasting life?
• Are you identified with Christ?
• Do you need to claim the benefits of eternal life in greater fullness?
• Will you be included in the reward?
• Have you observed the rules of the Christian faith?
• Will you receive a crown of righteousness?
• Are you tempted to drop out of the contest?
• Are you persevering, growing and developing?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible