Hope Found in the Resurrection

4/17/22

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Intro:

Stand with me as we read God’s Word together… (READ vv. 12-19)

(Q) What significance does the resurrection of Christ have in your life?

(Q)We know why we gather together on Easter Sunday, but what significance does this day have in your life personally?

You see, there is natural tendency in each of our lives to approach this day year after year, without ever really stopping and considering the hope that Christ’s resurrection brings

This is very easy to do because with every Easter comes a host of things:

Busyness

Prepping for meals,

Gathering with family and friends

Shopping for new clothes

and so on...

Before you know it, if you’re not careful, Easter becomes just another day…another holiday…and it is robbed of its meaning and significance

A 2010 study by George Barna that was focused on providing insight regarding how Americans’ view and define Easter revealed the following:

Most Americans consider Easter to be a religious holiday, but fewer identify the resurrection of Jesus as the underlying meaning 67% of Americans mentioned some type of theistic religious element 42% said that the meaning of Easter was the resurrection One out of every 50 (2%) adults said that they would describe Easter as the most important holiday of their faith Another 2% confusingly believe that Easter is about the birth of Christ 1% say Easter is a celebration of the second coming of Christ 3% describe Easter as a celebration of spring or a pagan holiday

These were a description of how those in religious circles viewed Easter, but I think you get the point….

(Q) So I ask you again, what significance does Easter have in your life?

The believers of Paul’s day faced a similar dilemma, only theirs was not due to becoming so accustomed to Easter that they approached it mechanically

Rather, they were stuck on failing to comprehend and accepting that a literal resurrection of believers was even possible We see proof of this in the question Paul asked in verse 12 (READ)

Context

Prior to looking at tonight’s passage, I want us to consider the context because naturally, when you look at verse 12, you’re left with the question, why is Paul even addressing the issue of the resurrection of the dead?

To get a good grasp of the context, turn with me to Acts 18:1-17

Acts is the biblical, historical background to the various letters in the NT We won’t take time to read through this entire passage, but I want to point out a couple things to you:

First, I want you to notice the makeup of the church

Look with me at Act 18:4-9 (READ)

Here we read that the church was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles

Every walk of life gathered together

Secondly, I want you to notice the culture they lived in

Look at vv. 12-15

The culture that the Corinthian church found itself nestled in the midst of was immoral and polytheistic

In other words, Christianity was not the dominant belief

Verse 13 gives us a glimpse of this as Paul was accused of teaching “contrary to the law”

Being that Corinth was a Roman province, the accusation of the Jews towards Paul was that he was proselytizing Roman citizens with his preaching

The point I want you to see though is how the message Paul preached was not widely accepted in the culture of Corinth

Certainly, people came to know Christ, but there was none the less hostility towards Paul

Third, I want you to consider the dilemma this brought

Because of the multiplicity of influences and diverse backgrounds, there was a conglomeration of religious beliefs in Corinth and subsequently in the Corinthian church

Many, whether by their background or due to a lack of understanding, had a number of questions and behaviors that needed to be addressed

One of those issues was regarding the resurrection

People apparently were questioning whether or not those who died in Christ would in fact experience a resurrection

Lastly, I want you to understand the parallel between the culture of Corinth and ours today

In our culture today, much like in Corinth, Christianity is not as prominent as it once was

As pastor pointed out this morning, there is a percentage of our population that mocks at the fact that we are gathered together today to celebrate the resurrection of Christ

It just does not compute with them It did not compute with the people in Corinth either

In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul said “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

With this in mind, let’s turn back to 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Again, Paul is writing the book of 1 Corinthians to answer questions regarding the Christian life and doctrine

AIM: Tonight, as we look at what Paul wrote to these believers, I want you to notice 5 facts that remind us of how hope is found in the resurrection

Fact #1: Because of Christ’s resurrection, you can proclaim the message confidently (vv. 13-15)

Look at vv. 13-14 (READ)

Paul uses the word “preaching” in v. 14

This has the idea of proclaiming or to herald

Now, anyone can do this It is not reserved to something that only a pastor, evangelist, or missionary does

No, no…every one has the capability and the command to proclaim

Exactly what Paul had in mind here that was to be proclaimed was the message of Christ’s resurrection

While Christ’s death on the cross and His burial is crucial to the message of the gospel, it would be meaningless without the resurrection

Our faith rests upon the resurrection

There have been many who have died for their beliefs though the years… Many well-known and key individuals in various religious sects have passed away, but only one resurrected from the grave

Because Christ’s body is still not in a tomb, you can boldly and confidently proclaim that message of hope

There is absolutely no reason to shy away from the subject, but every reason to proclaim it unapologetically

Not only this, but you have every reason to believe in its transformational power

As we heard this morning, the resurrection provides individuals with a second chance

Look at v. 15 (READ)

Paul said that we can proclaim the message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection confidently and the reason why is because of its validity

We’re not sharing ours or someone else’s opinion

Rather we are sharing a set of truths that is factual, verifiable, and significantly supported

Over the last several weeks, we have been taking a close look at the book of Genesis and specifically how it helps us answer the big questions of life

Just as we believe that the creation account is consistent with reality, we can have the same confidence with the message of the gospel

There are a lot of messages being shared in the world today, but how many of them can be searched out and have its claims validated?

When it comes to Christianity, we can examine each element of the gospel and provide a reasonable, logical explanation that substantiates them as being not only factual, but consistent with reality

For example, Jesus’ death on the cross is not just something that Christians believe to be true…those outside of the faith have reached the same conclusion as well

When you consider all that Jesus’ body went through, there was no possibility of Him living through it

The flogging He endure alone was enough to kill a man, but then when you factor in the blood loss and spear lunged into His side, there is no escaping death

(Q) What about His burial?

After His death, His body was sealed in a tomb and surrounded by Roman guards

The circumstances were such that there was no possibility that His body could have been taken or tampered with

Not only this, but the process of wrapping His body would have taken a long period of time so that if He were alive, it would have been noticed

Then, there was a lack of motive on the Roman guards and Jewish leaders part to steal His body

The disciples lacked the resources and heart to take His body

This leaves us with Jesus being dead and placed in a sealed tomb

This brings us to the resurrection

We don’t need to go any further than what Paul provided here in 1 Corinthians 15:4-8

The disciples, women, Paul, and more than 500 people at one time, all can testify to seeing the resurrected Christ

Although there have been and always will be countless critics, none can stamp out the reliability of what we celebrate - Christ was dead, was buried, but three days later arose from the grave

Therefore, we can proclaim this message and do so on the basis of God’s reliable revelation to us

(Q) I wonder how many of us have bought into the lie that what we believe in is something that we really should doubt?

(Q) Are you allowing the culture to influence you in a negative way so as to think that even in spite of the mound of supportive evidence, it’s ridiculous to hold to the claims of Christianity

B/c of Christ’s resurrection, you can proclaim the message confidently…

Fact #2: Because of Christ’s resurrection, your faith has meaning (vv. 14 & 17)

Look back at the text in v. 14 and v. 17 (READ)

There is so much wrapped up in the word “faith”

We often use this term loosely and without much thought…but consider the following:

Our faith has an object that is believed in - Christ

It is not blind or mysterious or ethereal…it is centered upon a person - Jesus Christ

Our faith has a message that can be trusted - Christ died on the cross, was buried, but arose from the grave three days later

Our faith has a reality that is experienced

Those who have come to saving faith in Christ have seen their lives radically transformed

We see this littered all throughout Scripture

We also see it in our own church

(Q) How many people do you know of, including yourself, that you can say have:

Seen their bondage to sin and its power is broken

They’ve experienced peace and comfort in the midst of suffering and loss

Most of all, they’ve received forgiveness and cleansing from the guilt of their sin through God’s mercy and grace

Because of saving faith in Christ, there is an eager and confident expectation of eternal life

All of these things and more find their plausibility and reality in Christ

Faith is also oftentimes all that somebody has

ILLUST: If you have ever found yourself in a situation where someone near and dear to you is fading away and on the verge of dying, you would understand that it is in moments like this where you realize that your faith may be all you have to cling to

Human words can only go so far - but they can’t change things

However, God and His Word can soothe your aching heart

The promises that we have because of our faith in Christ are clinched ever so strongly, making this moment bearable

ILLUST: Or, if you find yourself honestly at the end of your rope as you struggle with the issues of life, finances, drugs, alcohol, and so on…Christ and the transforming power of the gospel may be all you have left

Because Christ is risen, you can confidently hold to your faith and and the realities that it brings

B/c of Christ’s resurrection, you can proclaim the message confidently, your faith has meaning…

Fact #3: Because of Christ’s resurrection you are forgiven from the bondage and penalty of sin (v. 17)

Look with me again at v. 17 (READ)

Sin is an ever-present reality in our world

Regardless of who you talk to, people would unanimously agree that something is wrong in our world today

While everyone acknowledges that something is wrong, there is not a common agreement as to what the problem is

We, however, understand that this “something” is sin

Its power and affects have touched every person here tonight

For some, it has left some deep wounds in your life (Shame, regret, etc.)

However, while this is all true, it does not have to remain that way

Christ made it possible through His substitutionary work on the cross, for you and I to be completely free from sins power and guilt We’re freed from sins power, but we’re also free from its penalty

Christ bore the wrath that was due to us on the cross

And because Christ resurrected, we can secure the results of His work

All the searching that is present to eradicate the issues that plague our country and lives, is not found in laws or man-made solutions, it is found in a person and His resurrection sealed the deal

B/c of Christ’s resurrection, you can proclaim the message confidently, your faith has meaning, you are forgiven from the bondage and penalty of sin

Fact #4: Because of Christ’s resurrection, you can anticipate seeing saved loved ones and friends again (v. 18)

READ v. 18 with me

This perhaps may be one of the most precious promises that has been clung to through the years

This is so because death brings so many emotions upon us and makes a lasting impact in our lives

If you add to this the uncertainty of not knowing where your loved one is, it almost makes it unbearable

However, as Paul highlights in this chapter, because of Christ’s resurrection, He became the firstfruits of all who die in Christ

This means that all of those who were saved by the blood of Christ, when they draw their last breath on earth will one day be resurrected just as Christ did

In light of this, death is no longer an enemy…its no longer an invincible terror

Although it is something that we will experience, its sting is gone

This makes our goodbyes to our loved ones temporary rather than permanent

Some, however, perceive death to be the end of all things

If Christ were still in a tomb, this would be so, but because He arose, we can be confident that those who are saved and have passed away have not only gone on to be with the Lord, but will one day in the future be resurrected from the grave

But, it does not stop there

If you look down at vv. 22-23 (we won’t for the sake of time), you’ll notice that Paul speaks of not only the dead in Christ, but those who are still alive in Christ

Both will be “made alive” at Christ’s coming

(Q) What difference does this reality make in your life?

I know for those in our church family who have lost a saved loved one or friend, it makes all the difference in the world

B/c of Christ’s resurrection, you can proclaim the message confidently, your faith has meaning, you are forgiven from the bondage and penalty of sin, you can anticipate seeing your saved loved ones and friends again, and lastly…

Fact #5: Because of Christ’s resurrection, you have present and eternal hope (v. 19)

Look with me at v. 19 (READ)

Without the resurrection of Christ, life and the purpose we have as believers would be absolutely void of meaning

Life as we know it would literally be all that we have

In the present, there would be no victory over sin

There would be no way to deal with temptations

There would be no way to experience peace, comfort, and joy

We would literally be bound by the confines of this life and what it has to offer

As a result, in the words of Paul, we are to be most pitied and of all men most miserable

The reason why is because we would have spent the entirety of our saved life yielding ourselves to a set or religious principles that at best offer us a way to cope with the strains of life at a surface level

(Q) I wonder if this describes anyone here tonight?

Not only would life as we know it be all that there is, but there would be no anticipation of eternal life

But, thanks be to God, Christ resurrected from the grave, giving us meaning and significance in this life, as well as hope for eternal life The promise of eternal life and the anticipation of no more suffering, sorrow, and tears is still in tack

Conclusion

There is hope to be found in the resurrection

It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the hope for all the world

But not everyone experiences that hope

The hope that I speak of is a reality for believers

There is a chance that what I said tonight did not resonate with you

This could be due to one of two reasons:

One, you have some sin in your life that has been not been dealt with and is unconfessed that is robbing you of the hope and joy that we have in Christ

Secondly, you are here and do not have a personal relationship with Christ Either way, what better day than to get right than tonight

As we heard this morning, Easter is a time of second chances It offers hope to everyone here tonight