Death Defeated: Theological Implications of the Resurrection.

READ (1 COR. 15:12-19)

What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to Christianity?

Simply put, the resurrection is EVERYTHING. You cannot be a born again believer in Jesus Christ if you do not believe that he was risen from the dead.

Secular humanism - A belief system that embraces reason, logic, secular ethics, and philosophy while rejecting religion and other forms of belief as the bases of morality and decision making.

“I do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus, but I do hold Jesus in high esteem.”

There are belief systems that are at war with Jesus.

Subtle beliefs that can slowly infiltrate communities and sway the world from knowing Jesus Christ.

What are the theological implications of Christ’s resurrection and why are they significant for everyone?

1. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there would no foundation for belief.

In Corinth, many rejected the gospel because they rejected the idea of bodily resurrection.

“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised…”

Verses 1-11 point out to the specific nature of Christ’s resurrection and all of those who witnessed Jesus after he was raised.

Over 500 people.

Verses 1-2

The gospel had been proclaimed to the church of Corinth. Paul was not writing to a people who had never heard the message of Christ.

There were those in the church who attempted to create a lifestyle of Christianity and religion while questioning the resurrection of Jesus.

“If you believe the gospel I preached to you, you are being saved.”

If you are adding or denying, your faith is empty and vain.

“I am looking for a church home.” We want you to find a home with the people of God, but there is a deeper need. Home is found in the presence of God.

We want our faith to be meaningful. Not just apart of who we are, but our identity.

“Your faith is only meaningful if the object of your faith is meaningful.” - Voddie Baucham

In other words, you are not allowed to identify as a Christian if you deny the essential doctrines of Jesus Christ.

Salvation is found in Jesus alone. There is no other lifestyle that can bring a man or woman into God’s kingdom.

2. Without the resurrection of Jesus, religious living would be foolish.

Verses 14-15

The apostles preaching would be useless.

The Corinthians faith would be in vain.

The apostles would be false witnesses.

“vain” - empty; unreal

“false witnesses” - We would be making God false.

Why in the world would a person go to church if none of this was real? Why be religious?

If Christ was not raised, the gospel would be false.

3. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there would be great pain and suffering.

Verses 17-19

The faith of the Corinthians believers would be worthless.

The Corinthians would still be in their sins.

The people of the Old Testament would be doomed.

All Christians would be pitied by all the world.

The curse of God’s wrath would not be satisfied.

“For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” - (Romans 1:18)

Kid’s today do not understand what it means to go back to the beginning of a video game. Back to square one!

Imagine a reality with Jesus as messiah.

Salvation would be unavailable.

There would be no point in ministering to anyone.

For many Christians at this time, they lost family members, friends, jobs, homes, and even their lives.

If the gospel was a sham, so would be the faith that it produced.

The theological implications of the resurrection is proof that a “lifestyle” Christianity is not enough.

“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but make alive by the Spirit.” - (1 Pet. 3:18)

The resurrection is our receipt that God was satisfied by Jesus’ sacrifice.