Because He Lives

1 Corinthians 15:12–22 NIV84

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms the truth of our faith and gives us a reason to hold on to it. Our faith is not based on empty words or wishful thinking, but on the evidence of the resurrection. This means that our faith has real value and significance.

1. Because He lives, our Faith is valuable

1 Pet 1:3 “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Our faith is not just a set of beliefs, but a living hope that is grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Our faith is valuable because it gives us access to God's grace and salvation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God. We are adopted into His family and given the promise of eternal life. This is a priceless gift that we have received because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we are called to live out our faith in a way that honors God and reflects the reality of the resurrection. We are to be a light in the world, sharing the hope and love of Christ with those around us. Our faith is not just for our own benefit, but for the sake of others as well.

So let us hold on to the truth that because He lives, our faith is valuable. Let us live our lives in light of the resurrection, with hope, courage, and purpose. And may God use us to bring others to the knowledge of the truth and the joy of salvation in Christ.

2. Because He lives, our hope is secure

Because He lives, we can face tomorrow with confidence, knowing that God is in control and that He has a plan for our lives.

We can find peace in the midst of chaos and hope in the midst of despair.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a powerful reminder that God is with us, even in the darkest moments of our lives.

Because He lives, we can face our fears and doubts with hope and courage.

3. Because He lives, believers have eternal life with Him

We can trust that God is working all things together for our good and that He will never leave us or forsake us.

John 11:25-26 “25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?””

Let us hold on to this promise and live our lives in light of the truth that because He lives, we too can live.

The resurrection is the evidence that Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Son of God—and that He has power over sin and death.

The resurrection also gives us hope for the future. We can look forward to the day when we will be resurrected with Christ and given new, glorified bodies. Paul said, "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22). Because He lives, we too will live.

The resurrection of Christ is also a call to action. Jesus' resurrection was not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter. He commissioned His followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). The resurrection gives us the power and the motivation to fulfill this great commission.

It is important to remember that while all will be made alive, only believers will spend eternity with Jesus. Those who reject Him will face eternal separation from God. Let us, therefore, share the good news of the Gospel with urgency and compassion, that many may come to know Him and receive the gift of eternal life.