If Christ is not Raised

Grace to you and Peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an honor to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ through the study of God’s Word with the Saints of Durbin Memorial Baptist Church which exists by grace, for glory, in love.

Back in 2009, during the heart of the recession, a Colorado man named Richard Heene was an out-of-work home remodeler with big dreams. Trying to find a way to make money, he began chasing a wild idea. He built a homemade, UFO-shaped helium balloon using duct tape, plastic sheets, and foil, hoping it would spark a new kind of air race and land him a TV deal.

On October 15, he launched it for a test run from his backyard. But the balloon slipped its tether and floated away into the sky. Then came the panic: As the balloon rose higher, his older brother screamed, “Falcon’s in there!” Richard’s 6-year-old son, Falcon, had been seen playing near the basket earlier.

Richard called the FAA, 911, even a news station. Within minutes, the silver craft was being tracked live on national TV. Everyone watched, glued to the TV, as it floated for 90 minutes, drifting over power lines and highways. News anchors gasped. Emergency crews scrambled. The world held its breath.

Finally, the balloon crash-landed in a field—but Falcon wasn’t inside.

Over an hour later, he was found safe, hiding in the attic. Relief quickly turned to suspicion.

Then came the twist: in a TV interview, Falcon blurted out, “You guys said we did this for the show.” The hoax unraveled. The Heenes had staged the entire event to grab attention and pitch a reality show.

They were charged with filing a false report, served brief jail time, and the “Balloon Boy” hoax lives on as one of the most bizarre, live-on-TV stunts in modern media history.

All of America had briefly but passionately been sucked in to a hoax. The story was captivating, but it had no substance to it, and people were hurt in the fallout. The first responders and onlookers had their time wasted. Even the parents ended up spending time in jail for their farce.

I bring this story up for two reasons. First, to showcase how possible it is to get sucked into something that is completely untrue. I would venture to guess that many of you remember hearing about or actively following the Balloon Boy Hoax when it happened. And second, I want us each to ask ourselves, “What happens if what I believe to be true is false?”

This Sunday is Easter, Resurrection Sunday. It is the day that we celebrate that 2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the Son of God, Jesus the second person of the Triune God, Jesus who had been slain on the cross, rose from the grave! This is an incredible story! It has certainly captivated the attention of millions and millions of people for millenia.

This morning, we will look at what is really being claimed, what is eater really celebrating, then we’ll ask, what if it isn’t true? I would venture to guess that many who even celebrate Easter view the story this holiday centers around like the Balloon Boy Hoax. An interesting story that lacks true substance, a hoax. So what if it is a hoax? and then again, what if it isn’t?

With this in mind, turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 15. The book of 1 Corinthians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in the city of Corinth, a wealthy, diverse, and morally complex city in ancient Greece. Paul had planted this church during his second missionary journey (around AD 50–52), and now, a few years later, he is writing to address a host of problems that had emerged.

The Corinthian believers were struggling with division, immorality, confusion about spiritual gifts, and questions about doctrine and especially what happens to our bodies after we die.

Throughout the whole letter Paul addresses all of these topics and more, and where we are picking up Paul is answering that big question and he roots his answer in event of Christ’s resurrection. The very event we celebrate today.

Here’s the Big Idea:

The resurrection of Jesus is not hoax, nor just an event to believe in. It is a reality to trust in and live by that reshapes our past, empowers our present, and guarantees our future.

Let’s first look at the foundation, at the claim, at the event we are celebrating today. Read with me verses 1-11.

I. The Resurrection Is the Gospel's Foundation

1 Corinthians 15:1–11 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy 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 toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

When I was in high school, I took a course on computer coding that used a programming language called C++. Now, I don’t want to bore you with a huge explanation of computer languages, but just for our purposes this morning, I want to tell you about if/then statements. To put it simply, you write a program that says, if the user does “this” “then” the program does that. If you click on this button, the computer opens this file. If you enter two numbers then the computer will add it together. If the user scores a goal THEN give them a point. If they miss, do not give them a point. If/then. While its been nearly two decades since I’ve done any of this programming, I always loved the logical way that coding worked.

In our text thus far, Paul is setting a big if/then statement. And the IF, the condition of his argument, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He says I delivered to you with first importance, that is to say the main thing. Jesus Christ died for our sins in accordance with Scriptures, Jesus was then buried in a tomb, and raised on the third day. This is the message that Paul and all the apostles preached consistently. It was also the keystone truth that the church in Corinth and even the church today has to hold. It is the ket condition, if you would, for the church to function and it has been throughout all of the church’s existence.

You see the resurrection of Jesus Christ isn’t a secondary doctrine, it’s central. You see there are a lot of things that even within the church we can charitably disagree on. Things like the exact timeline of the end times, whether communion should be with grape juice or wine or how often to take it, which Bible translation to use, the best way to form church governance. That’s not to say that these things have no importance at all, but that we can have some disagreement on these issues while still acknowledging that our difference of opinions doesn’t mean that we hold a different faith. By the way, if you have any questions about what the right perspective is on any of those issues just talk to Ron Hickey. He does say when we all get to heaven we’ll find out he was right!

But as Paul suggests, the Bible confirms, and the church has held through the centuries as essential is that Jesus Christ lived and died and rose again to save sinners. That Christ is the only way for us fallen folk to be reconciled to the Holy God and He accomplished that through dying cross and confirmed that reality with the Resurrection. That is something we cannot budge on.

Paul explains in our text this morning why it is so central. Look at verses 3 and 4 again, he says Christs death and resurrection all took place in accordance with Scripture. He’s saying that throughout all of human history God had been revealing this plan of redemption and that it is accomplished in Jesus. From the very beginning in the garden, through the nation of Israel, and proclaimed in the prophets, God was always going to send the Savior to do exactly what Jesus did.

Then Paul gives more validity to this event. He says that Cephas, that is Peter, the twelve apostles, and then 500 more brothers witnessed the resurrected Jesus. Paul, too, can testify that Jesus did not stay dead, but has risen! The whole point there in verses 5-11 is to say, this cornerstone truth, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was witnessed and confirmed. It is something for people to believe in, not just an interesting story.

The life death and resurrection of Jesus is scriptural in that it was pointed to by the Old Testament, historical in that has many witnesses, and personal in that Paul knows of its truth as well.

I don’t want to make this whole sermon about Pap, Ron Hickey, but did you all know that he is a master stone worker? I’ve heard that he could walk around a project with a seemingly random sized rock in his hand and with just a glance, put it in the perfect spot to fill the gap in the project. In the back of Pap’s house there is a beautiful stone archway he put together. If I remember correctly,iIn the middle of the arch there is a larger stone that rests in the middle. The keystone. If you remove it, the whole structure collapses. If the structure is missing the keystone, the central point, it all falls apart. In that way, the resurrection is the keystone of the Keystone of the Christian Faith.

But what if it was all a hoax? All historians from all backgrounds will affirm the Jesus of Nazareth lived and died. But what if He didn’t rise again?

Follow me to the next portion of our text this morning. Vereses 12-19

II. If Christ Isn’t Risen, Faith Falls Apart

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 ESV

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

As we read through this section, it is important to note that Paul is discussing the resurrection of Christ to answer the specific question of what happens to believers bodies after they die, but as he’s doing that, we come across verses 14-19 which explain what it means if Christ’s resurrection was nothing more than a hoax.

If Christ hasn’t been raised, then Paul says:

Our preaching is empty, Our faith is useless, We are false witnesses, We are still in our sins, The dead are lost, And we are pitiful.

I’m going to put it to you bluntly this morning, if Christ is not raised, if it’s all a hoax, if the skeptics are right, then all of this, the building, the songs, the readings, the prayers, regular gatherings, is pointless. If Christ is not raised then you have wasted your time in getting up, dressing up, and driving down I75 to get here this morning.

Christianity hinges on the reality of the resurrection.

Paul doesn’t shy away from basically saying: “If this isn’t true, walk away.”

I think it’s important for us to face this and really think about what was just said. If Jesus Christ didn’t raise from the dead, then all of this is pointless and you have wasted your time being here this morning.

So my question to you right now in this moment is, “what do you believe? Do you think it was a hoax?”

Why would someone think that the Resurrection is a hoax?

Maybe you have a naturalistic worldview. That is to say everything has a natural causation. Therefore, it is impossible for someone to come back to life after being dead for three days. For some, believing in the resurrection of Jesus would mean going against their upbringing, family, or religious background. A committed Muslim, atheist, or secular humanist may struggle to even consider the resurrection as a possibility because it would upend their entire worldview. Some reject the resurrection because they assume it’s just a myth, legend, or blind faith claim—without investigating the historical evidence. Pop culture often portrays religion as opposed to reason, and many simply inherit those assumptions. Some raise specific counter-arguments, like: “The disciples stole the body”, “The appearances were hallucinations”, “It’s just a legend that developed over time”. When we put all this together, I can understand why you would believe the ressurection is a hoax.

And If we ended here, this would have been one of the oddest Easter sermon’s ever delivered. But I want to assure you that Easter is not about fun stories or wishful thinking—it’s about historical certainty.

When Balloon boy’s balloon came down, the evidence clearly showed that the Heene family had manufactured the whole scene. The facts didn’t line up with the story they tried to tell. However, when it comes to the Resurrection, the facts support the story! Allow me to provide 5 facts of the resurrection.

1. The Empty Tomb

Jesus was publicly crucified and buried in a known tomb. In Matthew 27 we see that the Religious leaders of the day specifically beefed up security at the tomb to prevent anyone from messing with it.

On the third day, that tomb was found empty.

If the tomb wasn’t empty, Christianity would have been easily disproved by showing the body. The Religious leaders would have paraded the body of Jesus through the streets. If you’ve been following along in our recent study through Acts, you know the early church faced much persecution and if the opposition could’ve shut it down so easily, they would’ve!

2. Eyewitness Testimony

In our text this morning Paul lists multiple individuals and groups who saw the risen Jesus—some of whom were still alive when he wrote the letter.

These appearances were physical, not just visions or dreams. 500 people don’t have the same concurrent hallucination!

Eyewitnesses were willing to suffer and die for their testimony—suggesting sincerity, not fabrication.

3. Transformation of the Disciples

After Jesus’ death, His followers were fearful and in hiding.

After the resurrection, they became bold proclaimers of the gospel, even in the face of persecution and death.

Something radical changed them—historically, the best explanation is that they really saw Jesus alive.

4. Conversion of Skeptics

Paul was a persecutor of Christians, he admits to that in verse 9 of our text this morning, and that persecutor became a devoted apostle after encountering the risen Christ.

5. The Rise of the Early Church

The rapid growth of the Christian movement, centered on a crucified and resurrected Messiah, makes little sense unless something extraordinary happened.

People may deny the resurrection for philosophical, personal, cultural, or intellectual reasons. But whatever reasoning you may use to call the Resurrection is a hoax, it’s not because the evidence is weak. In fact, many who have set out to disprove it, guys like Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell, or Frank Morrison, ended up becoming believers because the evidence was too strong to ignore.

Church I say all this to say, “He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!”

And if you can wrap your mind around that, if you can come in line with the massive evidence that supports it, it changes everything.

Read with me verses 20-23.

III. But Christ Has Been Raised—The Firstfruits of New Life

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

“But in FACT, Christ has been raised from the dead.” Not just according to Paul, but according to the testimony of the rest of the witnesses and the evidence of history, it is a FACT that Christ has been raised from the dead.

So it’s not a hoax, but what’s the big deal? Well Paul says that Christ’s Resurrection is the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

When I bought my first house, I was shocked when we went to put in an offer and my realtor told me I had to pay something called “earnest money.” If you’re as unfamiliar as I was, earnest money is kinda like a pre-down payment. It’s money that you give to say that you’re serious about your intent to buy and secure the rest of the financing for the house you want to purchase. In a similar way, Christ’s Resurrection is the earnest money for believers. Christ's resurrection assures that all who are united to Christ by grace through faith will one day also experience their resurrection from the dead. We’ll talk in a moment about what that resurrection ultimately leads to, but for now we need to understand that this truth, tied directly to the undeniable truth of Christ’s resurrection, is a blessed promise and future for believer in Christ.

It’s important to note that this blessed promise is reserved for those who believe in Christ. As you read through verses 21 and 22, you see the big problem that all of us face. Ever since the beginning, when Adam sinned against God in the Garden, our world and our lives have been marked by death. But then in verse 23, its clear that those who belong to Christ, their lives are no longer marked by death, but by life, eternal life with Christ! Jesus Himself said, “Whosoever believes in Me will not perish but will have eternal life!” And we can trust that that is not an empty promise because as we have seen, Christ arose!

Resurrection Sunday, Easter, isn’t just about what Christ did in the past; it’s a preview of what’s coming.

Let’s briefly look at what’s to come in thee final portion of our text this morning, read with me verses 24-28.

IV. The End Game—God Reigns Over All

1 Corinthians 15:24–28 ESV

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Here, Paul lifts our eyes to the cosmic scale of the resurrection. Christ will destroy every enemy, including death, and deliver the kingdom to the Father. I have already previously stated in this sermon that many true Christians have differing opinions on the sequence of events that will occur with the second coming of Christ. For our purposes this morning I don’t want to try to lay out a timeline for the end of the world as we know it. What I do want to focus on is the overall goal and what is accomplished. What we see here is that Christ is coming again and when He does, He is going to vanquish sin and death. And when He does, all who believed in Him will be resurrected to live in the glorious new creation. God will be “all in all” this is the trajectory of all of history.

The resurrection we celebrate today has set in motion a final victory that we share when we believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

What we all need to recognize is that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord, King of kings, worthy to be served and followed. His resurrection is the certificate of authenticity that He truly is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to God the Father but through faith in God the Son, Jesus Christ. The only logical response to the reality of Christ’s resurrection is to live under the reign of King Jesus now.Easter reminds us not just that Jesus won—but that He is winning and will ultimately reign.

I recognize that there are a lot of things that we covered today that may seem weird or out there if you haven’t been exposed to them regularly. You might ask “Does this guy really expect me to believe that Christians are going to be resurrected?” I understand that you may not be able to grasp everything you’ve heard from the Bible. You might ask, “What do you mean I’m supposed to deny myself and follow some suggestions in a book from 2000 years ago?” I understand that the idea of following Jesus in general seems counter intuitive in our culture. You might ask, “Why is sin such a big deal, especially if what I like to do doesn’t apparently hurt anyone else?”

I understand that you might have questions. I’ll be vulnerable this morning, I still have questions and there are things that I can’t fully understand. But in those moments, I know this. Jesus Christ lived and died and rose again. He. Did. That. It is the central point and exclamation point on everything else in the Word of God.

And if you can find the ability to cast aside your hesitations and accept that Jesus really did that, that His resurrection is not a hoax, and that He lived and died and rose again so that those who believe in Him, those who see that He is worthy to be served and the only One to follow, then the rest of the questions begin to clear themselves up. You see that Jesus did all of that because YOU needed to be saved from your own sin. You see that you don’t have to be defined by your mistakes but can be defined by the Savior of the World. You see that serving Him in the here in now is for your good and for His glory. And you look forward to the glorious future that awaits with Him for all of eternity.

Here’s the Big Idea once again:

The resurrection of Jesus is not hoax, nor just an event to believe in. It is a reality to trust in and live by that reshapes our past, empowers our present, and guarantees our future.

Award-winning investigative journalist Lee Strobel spent the first 30 years of his life as an atheist. In fact, he believed religion was a cult, so when his wife came home one day and told him she had become a Christian, Strobel thought his marriage was over.

He said in an interview, “I’m trained in journalism and law … and was legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, an atheist, a skeptic,” “And everything was going along pretty well until my wife, who was an agnostic, met a Christian who shared her faith with her and took her to church. And then my wife gave me the worst news an atheist husband could get. She said, ‘I’ve just become a follower of Jesus.’

In order to save the marriage and “rescue” his wife, Strobel set out to disprove Christianity—specifically the resurrection of Jesus, calling it “the foundation of everything."

He said, “I spent two years of my life [investigating], until November the 8th of 1981, when I sat down to reach a verdict, and I, as I reviewed all the evidence, I said to myself, ‘You know, in light of the avalanche of evidence that points so powerfully toward the truth of Christianity, I realize would take more faith to maintain my atheism than to become a Christian,’

The resurrection of Jesus is not hoax, nor just an event to believe in. It is a reality to trust in and live by that reshapes our past, empowers our present, and guarantees our future. That is what we celebrate today.

If you’re suffering, find strength in the victory that Christ has already won and will soon complete.

If you’ve drifted, come back to the truth that holds you together.

If you’ve never believed, today is the day to respond to the risen Christ.

In a moment, we’re going to have a hymn of response. This church exists to help others see their need of Christ and then live out their faith while we look forward to glory. We want to support you. Come forward and ask for prayer,