The Centrality of the Resurrection

Rising to Hope: The Certainty of Resurrection

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1–19

Summary: In this passage, Paul emphasizes the foundational truth of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, highlighting the importance of the resurrection not only as a fact of history but as a central aspect of Christian belief that affirms hope for the future resurrection of believers.

Application: Understanding the resurrection equips Christians to face their struggles with hope and assurance. It encourages believers to persevere through trials, knowing that their faith is anchored in a living Savior. Discussing resurrection provides a platform to engage with those who doubt or question the Christian faith, inviting them to explore the evidence and implications of Christ's resurrection.

Teaching: This sermon could teach that the resurrection of Jesus is not merely a historical event but the pivotal reality of the gospel that transforms lives. It reassures believers of their identity in Christ and promises future resurrection despite current hardships, enhancing their faith and commitment to Christ.

How this passage could point to Christ: The resurrection of Christ is the culmination of God's redemptive plan and points to the ultimate victory over sin and death. Throughout Scripture, from the prophetic foreshadowing in the Old Testament to its fulfillment in the Gospels, Christ's resurrection is the defining moment that signifies hope and restoration for all creation.

Big Idea: The resurrection of Christ provides believers with an unshakeable hope and assurance of eternal life, transforming how we live in the present and face the future.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, explore the historical reliability of the resurrection accounts in the Gospels through your Logos library. Investigate early church testimonies on the significance of the resurrection found in early Christian writings. Additionally, consider examining relevant theological implications and how the resurrection has been understood throughout Church history, paying particular attention to apologetics regarding refuting doubts surrounding this foundational belief.

1. Proclaiming the Gospel Foundation

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Perhaps you could begin by emphasizing Paul's reminder of the gospel that he had initially preached to the Corinthians, focusing on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to the Scriptures. Highlight the historical foundation of these events and their significance for the Christian faith. This will set the stage for understanding why Christ's resurrection provides a firm hope for believers.

A. Perseverance in Believing the Gospel is evidence an effective faith.

i. Paul is reminding them of the Gospel he preached - in other words, Paul isn’t evangelizing here, but reminding those who have already believed the Gospel. They received it, and continue to “stand” in it.

To Stand (ἑστήκατε) in this context means that they are presently believing the gospel. That is, they are right now trusting in the death and resurrection of Christ.

The critical importance of this good news of the death and resurrection of Christ is that it is the basis that God is presently saving you.

We often think of “being saved” as an event that takes place in the past; and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, that’s not the only way to look at salvation. We were saved when God justified us at the moment of salvation. However, we are also “being saved.” for God to accomplish that act of justification, he must take us through life’s trials to present us faultless before Him someday. That’s something that will inevitably happen to all who are truly saved. But the process of sanctification is that we are progressively - more and more - being saved from sin’s presence during this life. God is also responsible to keep us in the faith throughout our life.

But if that’s true, why does it say “if” you hold fast to the word? and why does it say “unless” you have believed in vain. He is talking about the perseverance of the saints - those whose faith is real will continue to believe. Those who fail to “hold fast” the word - that is, those who abandon Christianity - are those whose faith was vain. Not because you can lose your salvation, but because true saving faith will endure.

Paul isn’t trying to get you to worry you might abandon the faith. he’s trying to make sure you don’t abandon it. He also told us in Romans 8:30-31 that all those who are justified are also glorified. That is, salvation is eternally secure. If you are truly saved, you will find the strength to endure, because God will give you that strength, no matter what happens. Nothing and no one will be able to upset your faith.

If someone does leave the faith, then that’s a pretty good clue that their faith was vain - that is, this sort of so-called “faith” isn’t good for anything, because it isn’t real.

B. Christ Died for our Sins According to the Scriptures

The Gospel that Paul preached, the one that one must persevere in to be saved from God’s eternal wrath in Hell, that gospel is presented in two parts - Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture.

That is, Christ did not die a tragic death. He died carrying God’s wrath on our behalf, and this death was foretold in the Scriptures. Isaiah 53 records the confession of those who truly believed the Servant. (Isa 53:1-3) We confess that Jesus was ignored and despised because he seemed so “normal,” as he came in a spiritually unlikely place. (Isa 53:4-6) We confess that he bore our sins, he was pierced, crushed, wounded for our transgressions. We wander because that’s who we are, just like sheep wander because they are sheep.

2. Confirming Christ’s Appearances

1 Corinthians 15:5-11

You could trace the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus as Paul recounts them, noting the variety and reliability of witnesses, including Peter, the Twelve, and over 500 others. These appearances underline the factual basis of the resurrection, a critical anchor for Christian hope and reassurance of the truth of their faith.

3. Considering the Consequences

1 Corinthians 15:12-15

You might consider addressing the implications if the resurrection were not true. Paul presents a powerful argument about the logical consequences of denying the resurrection, highlighting that such a denial would undermine the entire Christian message. Emphasize how this helps reinforce the certainty and importance of Christ's resurrection for believers.

4. Securing Eternal Hope

1 Corinthians 15:16-19

Maybe discuss Paul's concluding arguments that link the resurrection to the hope of eternal life, emphasizing that without it, faith is futile and we are still in our sins. However, with the resurrection, believers have an unshakeable assurance of life beyond death, transforming their present struggles into a future hope.