It's A Wonderful Christian Life!
John Hester
Our Blueprint for a New Testament Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Before I get into our message this morning, I want to wrap up from last week. We had one last point that I didn’t cover and do not want to leave it out.
The Gospel is All About God’s Grace
The Gospel is All About God’s Grace
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
Ultimately, Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the focal point of God’s grace to us. Paul understood this more than most. Note that he considered himself to be the “least of the apostles.” He even states that in his mind, he was “not meet to be called an apostle.” Before he met Christ, Paul was not a good man. He was educated, but his education led him in the wrong direction. In fact, Paul, Saul then, was notorious for hunting down believers, arresting them, and hauling them to prison. Hence, in his mind, he did not deserve all God had done, let alone be listed as an apostle.
Verse 10 sums it all up for both Paul and us. He says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.” Every believer can make that very same claim this morning. We are who we are not because of what we have done or achieved but we are who we are due to God’s extraordinary grace.
What is grace? Some have identified God’s grace as unmerited favor. I would agree. I believe a verse in Philippians sums up God’s grace. Philippians 2:13
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God places within us the desire (will) and the ability (to do) to please Him. Outside of God, we are nothing more than sinners under condemnation. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. It is the reason Romans 3:23
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
None of us can do anything to achieve God’s pleasure and enter His glory. God knew this. Thus, God gladly took on the role of helping us. He came down and lived among men, knowing the wickedness of men. God then willingly shed His own blood, dying upon a cruel tree. Three days later, He resurrected Himself from the dead, proving His power of sin and death. Why did He do it?
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He did it because He is love. His love demanded a demonstration of His grace. He showed favor to us as sinful men and women. Was God forced to do it because we demanded He do it? No, He did it because of His nature to love and be merciful to us as sinners. For this reason, all who place their faith in all He has done enjoy His grace.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
God’s grace is why each believer stands covered in Christ’s righteousness uncondemned for all eternity. We, as believers, are who we are because of Who God is. He is God of great grace.
Now, go back to verse 10 of our text.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Paul further testifies that “his grace (God’s grace) which was bestowed upon me WAS NOT IN VAIN.” In other words, God’s grace was not wasted. From the moment God showed unmerited favor to Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul determined to labor (work) harder (more abundantly) “than they all.” Paul was determined to show his love for the Lord in return for the Lord’s love shown to Him.
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Note one other thing Paul testifies to in verse 10.
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
At the end of that verse, Paul states, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” This thought brings me back to what is God’s grace. Remember Philippians 2:13
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
From the moment we believe and accept the good news of the Gospel (Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection), God places within us the desire (will) and the ability to do HIS good pleasure. Anything accomplished after salvation for the Lord is because of God’s grace working in me. What a wonderful blessing from the Lord!
Note now verse 11 of our text.
11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
What was the message Paul preached? He preached unto them the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He preached. They believed. What was the result? They experienced the grace of God upon their lives. From that moment, everything changed.
This brings us to the next paragraph of 1 Corinthians 15 and the message for today.
How many of you are familiar with the old Jimmy Stewart movie titled “It’s a Wonderful Life?” As you might recall, the film depicts George Bailey’s wonderful life despite his thoughts that life would be better without him. As you know, in the story, George Bailey loses a considerable amount of money needed to keep his business afloat and provide for his family. Eventually, he finds himself on the side of a bridge, ready to commit suicide. God intervenes by sending an angel named Clarence to rescue George. Clarence then shows George what life would have been had he died. If you have watched the movie, you know things are much different without George Bailey. Many people impacted by George’s life and saved from tragedy are now faced with those tragedies and suffering the consequences. In the end, George realizes that his life does matter and that his life touched the lives of so many others around him. Clarence restores George back to his original life, and the movie ends happily ever after.
Now, I know that this is a Hollywood movie. But, it is a popular movie with a storyline that makes a great introduction to the message today. You see, we, as believers, have a wonderful Christian life! We enjoy so many beautiful blessings simply because Christ did come to earth, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. However, as we will see in our text today, what if Christ had not been resurrected from the dead. Just as George Bailey’s life touched so many, positively impacting them, so Christ’s resurrection has touched millions and impacted them for all eternity.
The question presented to us this morning in our text is this! What impact would Christ not rising from the dead have all our lives today?
As we already established, a vital element of the Gospel message is Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Many in Paul’s day did not believe resurrection from the dead was possible. In their mind, there was no logical reason for it to happen.
However, the Holy Spirit makes the following argument in our passage today.
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
As we will see, there are several significant spiritual consequences if there is no resurrection of the dead. As stated, the most significant one is “Christ is not risen.”
Four Significant Spiritual Consequences
Four Significant Spiritual Consequences
Note the five significant spiritual consequences listed in our text.
Our preaching and our faith would be completely useless.
Our preaching and our faith would be completely useless.
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
As most know, “preaching” is the public heralding of certain information. In the days before newspapers, radios, TVs, computers, and social media, news was often carried from one town to the next by town criers. These town criers would stand in the middle of the town square and proclaim essential messages to the people in a loud voice. They “preached” whatever notice was given to them by local and national leaders. It was the only way to spread the word about political and governmental issues. Preaching has also been how God used men to spread His Word about Himself to entire worlds. It was no different in the days of Paul and the apostles. These men, especially Paul, with a tremendous evangelistic heart, traveled to villages, towns, and cities publically proclaiming the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. Corinth was one such city. Paul himself had come to Corinth “preaching” the Gospel. As he did, many in Corinth gladly received the good news that Paul preached. However, those within that same church taught that Christ’s resurrection could not be accurate. In doing so, the Holy Spirit’s rebuttal was if that is true, then the preaching of the Gospel and belief in the gospels is “vain.”
The word “vain” is a keyword here. It means devoid of any advantage or benefit. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection greatly benefit all who will believe. We have the hope of salvation through Christ’s actions upon the cross and His triumph over death.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
You see, Christ became our substitute for our sins. He took our place on the cross, bearing God’s judgment so that He might offer us eternal life.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
The solemn truth is this. If Christ died but did not arise from the dead, what power would He have to cleanse us from our sins and offer us eternal life? The answer is none. He would not have the ability. And, in the end, all the countless messages proclaimed since His death and burial would be in vain. There would be no advantage whatsoever for any of us. Our belief would be in vain. Our hope of eternity would be in vain. Everything would be useless acts of religious tradition.
In fact, if there is no resurrection, there is an additional consequence.
Our condemnation would remain the same.
Our condemnation would remain the same.
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
If you want to hear a hopeless message, preach Christ is dead and not risen from the dead. Such a message leaves every person born into this world utterly doomed. The Holy Spirit says, “If Christ be not raised (resurrected), your faith is vain; YE ARE YET IN YOUR SINS.”
One of the magnificent passages of Scripture is John 3. Many of you know John 3:16. It is often quoted even by unbelievers here in America.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
What a great promise from God! However, there is more that Christ said at that time than just this one verse. If you read the rest, you will find something fascinating about this point the Holy Spirit is making in 1 Corinthians 15. Look at John 3:17-18
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Note how Christ explained that everyone born into this world physically is born already condemned. Verse 18 reads, “he that believeth not is condemned already.” Christ came to seek and save those lost because He knew they were already under God’s condemnation. Every person sitting here this morning was born already condemned by the sin of Adam (our father).
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
This is a consistent message throughout all of Scripture. Every person needs salvation from the condemnation they are already under. You cannot escape this fact. You were born already spiritually dead and condemned to eternal punishment. That is the reason Christ came. He came so all who would believe “in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It is the reason that Christ proclaimed...
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Thus, Christ came to die, to go to the grave, and to rise triumphant over the grave so you and I might be saved from the eternal condemnation that hangs over our heads.
Now, suppose Christ actually did not rise again on the third day. In that case, we remain spiritually dead and eternally condemned no matter who we are (believer or unbeliever). We are “yet in our sins.”
But wait for there is more!
If Christ did not rise from the dead...
Our hope of seeing loved ones again would vanish.
Our hope of seeing loved ones again would vanish.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
Here is another awful consequence regarding this false claim of Christ’s resurrection. Our loved ones who also placed their faith in Christ are lost or perished. Note some of the keywords in this verse. The description “fallen asleep” is one used to describe believers in Christ who have already passed in physical death. Thus, the Holy Spirit argues that our loved ones who spent their life believing in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and who have already died are now perished. The word “perished” carries the idea of loss. In other words, they are already suffering the horrible reality of the everlasting fires of Hell. I don’t know about you, but it is not great to think that my loved ones who believed so much in the Gospel are now suffering a different reality than they hoped for. By the way, Christ died, was buried, and rose from the grave. So their faith, as well as ours, was not in vain. And, the hope of Heaven is accurate, and, praise God, we will see them one day.
Here are a few verses that promise our future resurrection and the hope of seeing our believing loved ones again.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Here is one last consequence of this false teaching about Christ’s resurrection.
Our life now would be worthless.
Our life now would be worthless.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Verse 19 really sums it all up. In short, this final consequence states that if our hope is in a Christ who did not rise again, we are “most miserable.” In Greek, “most miserable” means quite deserving of pity. We are pitiful people without Christ. We have no hope, no faith, and no salvation. We are in our sins, condemned, and with no escape.
H.A. Ironside, in his commentary on this verse, noted this
“Because of our faith in Him (Christ) we have given up the world and its pleasures and follies, we have become strangers and pilgrims in this scene, and now if there is no risen Christ, it this is all a mistake, we are going to lose BOTH WORLDS.”
That is the reality of teaching a false understanding of Christ’s resurrection. To teach Christ did not rise from the dead is to rip out from under all who believe the very foundation of our faith and our hope. Without it, we are most miserable losing everything.
Think of it this way. If Christ does not rise from the dead, we are hopeless and most miserable in our sins. Why is that? We remain hopelessly separated from God, spiritually dead, enemies of God, blinded by Satan, powerless to overcome our sins, unable to understand the things of God, unable to please Him or walk in His ways, and incapable of living a spiritually fruitful and meaningful life.
However, those who accept the fact that Christ died and rose again find the answer to their spiritual problem. In fact, it is only in Christ that we can find the answer.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
By the way, you cannot save yourself. You are deceiving yourself if you think you can get into heaven by reason and work.
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
You see, the only person by whom you can be justified is the one person who is entirely victorious over sin.
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
So the choice is up to you! You can remain most miserable, or you can live victorious. The great news is that the reported death of Christ with no resurrection is a complete myth. There are two myths.
In our text, the Holy Spirit also gives us unsubstantiated grounds upon which this false teaching stands. Note the...
Two Myths Exposed by the Holy Spirit
Two Myths Exposed by the Holy Spirit
Remember that all of the previously mentioned consequences are based on three basic arguments.
If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ is not alive.
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
If Christ is not alive, our faith means nothing and we remain condemned.
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
If our faith is in vain, we have no hope living out a very miserable existence.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
The Holy Spirit is pointing out two very basic myths that still exist even today.
Myth #1 - There is no resurrection of the dead.
Myth #1 - There is no resurrection of the dead.
Even today’s argument states, “It is impossible to believe that anyone, at any time, has risen from the dead, that resurrection itself is completely unscientific and thus entirely impossible.”
We hear the same tired argument from many agnostics and liberals today. Another line of reasoning often coupled with this challenge is this.
“How can a man’s body be resurrected after it has decayed, returned to dust, been mingled with the earth, grown again into plants, and become a part of other animals, year after year?”
Now, let me state right from the beginning that this argument is valid to those who choose not to accept that there is a God. On the other hand, we know that God, the Creator of the Universe, is omniscient and omnipotent. He can do anything. However, there is much evidence in creation to support resurrection.
For instance, if you place a grain of corn in the ground, something miraculous happens. That grain of corn, which is dead and lifeless, resurrects. Out of the dead grain comes life. Soon, after planting it in the ground, a tiny shoot of corn springs up through the earth straight and tall. It becomes a living plant producing ears of corn.
Here is another instance of resurrection happening even now. Our bodies are constantly being dismantled and replaced. Each minute, 3 billion cells die and are replaced by new ones. Every single cell is its universe of complexity. Over seven years, each member of the body, the eye, the ears, the hands, the heart, the liver, the blood, and the circulatory system are all dismantled and rebuilt. My body is not the same as when I was a child. We grow from having a baby to a teen body to a middle-aged body and, eventually, to an old body. Throughout those changes, our bodies are dismantled and rebuilt. During that time, we eat food from all parts of the world. The food we eat is ingested and becomes part of who we are.
Just the sheer complexity of our own body causes us to understand that the God who designed and created us is a mighty God of tremendous knowledge. It stands to reason that such a powerful God is strong enough to make a body out of dust again. He did it once; He can do it again!
Myth #2 - Christ is not risen.
Myth #2 - Christ is not risen.
Without Christ, as already noted, this world is instantly dreadful. Christ’s promise of future resurrection is false if there is no resurrection. If there is no resurrection, Christ’s resurrection of Jarius’s daughter, the widow’s son, and Lazarus was one big sham. If there is no resurrection, Christ remains dead in a tomb. All of which are things Satan wants us to believe. Such ideas come straight from Hell itself. Satan is the Great Deceiver. Even today, he convinces people that the resurrection of the dead is impossible. Christ is not risen. Christianity is a lie.
There is a story about a little boy looking at a picture in an art store window. The picture was a painting of Christ’s resurrection. As the little boy stood there staring at the painting, a man walking by stopped to look at the painting as well. The boy announced to the man, “That’s Jesus.” The man made no reply. The boy once again stated, “Them’s Roman soldiers,” and, after another moment, said, “They killed Him!” The man, no longer able to contain his thoughts, asked, “Who told you that?” The boy answered, “I learned it in Sunday School!” The man abruptly turned and started to walk away. The boy called after him, “Say, Mister!” The man stopped and looked back at the boy, who said, “Say, Mister, I wanted to you; He didn’t stay dead. He came back to life!”
Christ is not dead. He is alive. He is risen. That is the great message of the Gospel. Think about it. To say that Christ is dead is to admit that the Creator of the Universe could die at the hands of men using nothing more than a hammer and a few nails. It means God is powerless over death and forever imprisoned in the grave. That is what the world and Satan would have you believe.
Praise God that we hold the truth right here in our hands! God himself testifies that He died and was buried, but on the third day, He arose victorious over death, Hell, and sin. For that reason, we have the hope of our own spiritual resurrection. A risen Lord can resurrect this old fleshly body born into sin and spiritually dead. Thus, as believers, we enjoy the benefits of His resurrection as we can now choose not to serve sin but live unto righteousness instead.
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The teaching or belief that there is no resurrection undermines the entire Gospel message and Christian life. Thus, the hope of resurrection becomes a crucial point for all who choose to believe Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. There are two possible responses to this message this morning.
First, you can continue believing that there is no resurrection. If you do, you risk dying in your sin and under God’s condemnation. You have the freedom to make that choice. However, realize that with every choice comes consequences. Are you willing to risk your eternal existence over the possibility that Christ did not rise from the dead? Think about this. Let’s suppose that you are right and we are wrong. What, then, is your hope for the future? There is no hope. Either this is it, and there is nothing more. So, you might as well live it up and get what you can out of it. Or, you can choose to believe the truth of God’s Word. If you do, then you must, by faith, accept that Christ did rise from the dead.
Additionally, it means that there is an existence that goes beyond death. Now, the question is, how do you want to live out the rest of eternity? Do you want to live under God’s condemnation or grace? I would much rather live this life with the hope of living under God’s grace for the rest of eternity. Thus, I choose to believe in God. My prayer this morning is that you will make the same decision. Accept the truth of God’s Word. Admit your sinful condition. Acknowledge Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Accept by faith God’s gift of eternal life.
I said there were two possible responses. The second is that you already believe in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Praise the Lord that you have. Now, know that your life is not in vain. God has a purpose for you. His purpose is that you are a faithful witness for Him. You are to proclaim the truth of His death, burial, and resurrection to all who will hear. Don’t waste the time God has given you by living for yourself.