An Apostolic Defense of the Resurrection.

Opening:

Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. He was crucified, laid to rest in the grave, and He rose from the dead all according to the sovereign decree of God. This was God’s plan for redemption. The resurrection of Christ is one of the most attested to events in human history. However, this has not stopped many from attacking, slandering, and outright denying the resurrection.

Things were no different in the first century. Many even then were denying the resurrection of the dead. Some claimed to accept the resurrection of Jesus from the dead but openly denied that there would be a resurrection from the dead on the last day. In some circumstances, they were denying any life after death. They claimed to accept Jesus as having raised, but said that there was no hope after death. Death was the end.

Introduction of the Text:

This is what Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 15. We will be in verses one through twenty-eight.

A little background, Paul planted the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey. At the point of this letter, he is on his third missionary journey and is writing from Ephesus. Paul is writing this letter because he has heard of the many problems in the Corinthian church. They have been filled with pride, division, sexual immorality, faulty theology, and more.

Specifically, in this passage, Paul is addressing a false theology that has infiltrated the church that denied the resurrection. The heresy seems to have similarities with the teachings of the Sadducees but there is no clear link. However, it was the start of what became known as the Gnostic heresy, a heresy that has prevailed in forms to this day within the church. Specifically, this start of Gnosticism taught that physical things were evil while spiritual things were good.

Reading of the Text:

With this in mind, I would ask the congregation to stand with me for the reading of God’s Word.

1 Corinthians 15:1-28  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.

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.

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. 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.

The Word of God.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this beautiful day that we are able to gather and worship you. May we not take for granted the ability to gather together with the purpose of worshipping you. May this service be an offering to you. May it be pleasing to you.

Lord I pray for those here who are not saved. Would you draw them to yourself as only you can. Let today be the day that they surrender to you and come to faith in you. May they find true hope in the resurrection of Christ.

Lord I also ask for those here who are saved. May they gain a new sense of confidence and assurance from the hope of the resurrection. May they be emboldened for the glorification of your name and the kingdom work we are to be about.

Lord, I ask that you would guard over my lips. Please do not let me speak anything untrue about you or your word. May I be faithful to you above all else.

We ask these things in Jesus name, amen.

Transition:

As we open this text we see Paul make a defense of Christ’s Resurrection.

1. A Defense of Christ’s Resurrection.

Explanation:

Look with me again at verses one through eleven.

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.

In these verses, Paul makes an excellent case for the resurrection. He uses several methods and does several things. Let’s look at how the Apostle Paul makes his defence.

Transition:

The first thing we see Paul do is give a reminder of the gospel.

A. Reminder of the Gospel.

Explanation:

Paul opens by reminding the audience of the gospel. The gospel message does not change. The gospel is the same message that he proclaimed to them and that they believed in. Paul also says that this gospel message is of first importance. So what is the gospel?

The gospel is “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,” This is the gospel. There are times it may be stated differently, or in different words, but this is the essential gospel message. This is the good news. This is the message that Paul preached to the church in Corinth. This is the message that I preach to you. The church in Corinth believed this message, do you?

Illustration:

Argumentation:

It is very significant that this is how Paul starts off his defense of the resurrection by stating the gospel. By doing so, Paul is stating through word and action that this is the central point of our faith. This message is the message soaked in the blood of the martyrs. They were willing to die for this massage. This is the message that turned the world upside down. This is the message that has changed lives and hearts for centuries. This is the hope that we have.

In our day there is a movement known as the emergent church movement. It is also known as the deconstructionist movement. The entire purpose of this movement is to deny traditional orthodox Christianity. They are attacking doctrines like the resurrection of Christ and the ultimate resurrection from the dead. In many ways they are the epitome of the gnostic heresy in our age. One of the things that they will do is refuse to put a definition on the gospel. They will not define the gospel. Make no mistake, these people would be at direct odds with Paul in many ways ,but not least among them is here.

Paul does not shy away from defining the gospel very clearly. The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and that He was raised from the dead on the third day, all in accordance with the Scriptures. That is the gospel. We do not add to the gospel. It is important for us to define the gospel. When we do not have a clear definition of the gospel, other things may sneak in there that are not part of the gospel.

Another frightening trend within the church is the consistency that you will hear someone use the phrase, “this is a gospel issue.” What that means is that the issue they are referring to is, to them, of utmost importance. They are emphasizing the issue they are referring to by saying that it is part of the gospel. Make no mistake, if someone says anything is gospel issue that is not clearly stated as being part of the gospel within scripture, they are lying.

What they are talking about may be important, but if it not claimed to be part of the gospel in Scripture, it is not a gospel issue. We even see this in scripture. Paul makes a clear case in Galatians that the gospel is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. He makes this case because there was a group known as the Judaizers. They were claiming circumcision to be a gospel issue. “You must be circumcised to be saved.” Paul condemns them as heretics and has some very harsh words for what he thinks they should do with their doctrine.

This is why it is important to have a clear understanding of what the gospel is. It protects us from lies. This is why Paul starts with a clear statement on what the good news is.

Transition:

Then Paul continues in making his case by speaking of the resurrection.

B. Witnesses of the Resurrection.

Explanation:

The resurrection of Christ was not a quiet event. Jesus appeared to many. Paul, in his defense gives us a list of who Jesus appeared to after He rose. “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. This is quite the list. Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve. These are Jesus’ closest followers. Jesus appears to them and gives them hope. We know more detail of this from the gospels and Acts, but Jesus leaves no room for doubt. However, Jesus does not stop here.

Paul then says that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time. This is an incredible account. This was at one time. Five hundred believers gathered together all saw Jesus. This eliminated the possibility of it being a grief stricken dream. Five hundred witnesses, most of whom are still alive at the time of this letter, are available to be questioned. Paul says this to encourage the Corinthian church to seek out these people and ask for themselves.

Then Paul gives the testimony of James, the brother of Jesus. James who is now a leader in the church.

Argumentation:

Paul is here giving one of the best and most dramatic court room defences in history. No daytime television show could even come close to this one. Paul starts by giving the testimony of those closest to Jesus. One can almost hear the objection from the opposing side. Paul, however, anticipates this response. He then pulls the ace and throws it on the table. Paul has five hundred witnesses who are ready and willing to testify to being with the resurrected Savior. But this is no ordinary testimony. They all saw Him while they were together.

This would be the most convincing call of witnesses in court history. They all could corroborate each others stories. They could each talk about what Jesus said and did. But Paul then pulls two more aces. He then speaks of James the brother of Christ. James, who is openly recorded as being an enemy of his brother, saw the Lord and is now a leader in church.

Transition:

This is a beautiful defence case. It is built with drama and intrigue. It is the case that people long to see made. Paul executes it with charm and grace. But the witness stand is not empty. Paul has one more testimony to draw out of his bag of evidence, Paul’s place as an Apostle.

C. Paul’s Place as an Apostle.

Explanation:

Here Paul pulls out the final ace. He tells the miracle of his own miraculous salvation. Listen to the words of Paul about himself. He has just given testimony of the many others, but now he says of himself: “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.” Here is the pinnacle of his testimony. His own eye witness account.

He was a persecutor of the Church, but by the grace of God, he has been saved and is now an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Illustration:

Argumentation:

Truly, no lawyer in history would want to go up against Paul on this case. The stand is packed with witnesses. It is indisputable that the resurrection of Christ happened. But then Paul saunters up to the stand and gives a testimony so humble and so jaw dropping that it brings the hardest of hearts to tears. Paul has had such a dramatic life change that, the mere facts of the change, scream of the beauty of the gospel.

The evidence of his changed life is proof of his encounter with the resurrected Savior. It is over. The case is closed. There is no disputing it. The fact of the resurrection has been established. But Paul has not finished.

Transition:

Paul sets his sights on those who are denying the resurrection from the dead. They claim to believe Christ has risen but they deny the resurrection from the dead. With the victory of this court case under his belt, Paul sets out to destroy the enemies argument. He will not let these heretics stir up trouble within this church. Paul steps over to their view for just a moment and dismantles it. Paul asks the question, “What if there is no resurrection from the dead?”

2. What if There is No Resurrection From the Dead?

Explanation:

Paul shows how to apply Proverbs 26:5 “Answer a fool according to his folly,lest he be wise in his own eyes.” Paul gives his answer to these fools. Look with me again at verses twelve through twenty. 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.

The first thing we see is that one cannot deny the resurrection from the dead and claim that Christ has risen from the dead. If there is no resurrection from the dead, Christ did not raise.

A. If There is no Resurrection From the Dead, Christ Did Not Raise.

Explanation:

This may seem rather self explanatory but Paul addresses it all the same. Paul asks them how can they claim there is no resurrection if Christ has rased? He gives the clear logical statement of saying that if there is no resurrection from the dead, Christ has not raised.

Argumentation:

This was the shield these heretics were hiding behind. They claimed that they were not directly attacking the gospel. They were only denying the resurrection on the last day. They were not attacking the resurrection of Jesus. No of course not. They would never do that. They loved Jesus’ resurrection. They simply did not believe in the resurrection at the end. They did not believe that on the day of judgement, there would be a resurrection.

Paul heads these monkeys off at the pass. He sees the game they are playing and he will not let them play anymore. These people were in essence saying “This is just a theological distinctive. Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t change the gospel. We just think that the physical is evil, therefore there can be no real resurrection.” And Paul’s answer back is that bad theology hurts people.

Paul raises the Jolly Roger and begins to fire holes in their ship, and he’s not taking prisoners. He gives them the logical outcome of their flawed theology. If there is no resurrection, then Jesus did not raise.

Transition:

In his onslaught attack against these heretics, this is the central point of his argument. He then gives them the outcome of their denial of Christ’s resurrection. He tells them that if Christ did not raise, our preaching and faith are in vain.

B. If Christ Did Not Raise, Our Preaching and Faith are in Vain.

Explanation:

If Christ did not raise, then our preaching and our faith are in vain. The message of Christianity is directly linked to Christ’s death and resurrection. If those facts are not true, then the entire message of Christianity is destroyed. The death and resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central point of Christianity.

Beyond this central fact, Paul makes an excellent point. If Christ has not been raised, then by preaching that He is raised, we are misrepresenting God. What a terrifying thought. We are found to be misrepresenting God? This is the last thing we want. But if God did not raise Him from the grave, then we are liars. If the dead are not raised, then we make ourselves enemies of God by claiming Jesus rose from the dead.

Argumentation:

Paul is emphasizing the centrality of the resurrection. These heretics who had infiltrated the church were claiming to not be doing any harm. Paul rejects this and demonstrates the harm that they are causing. By saying the the dead do not raise, they are saying that Jesus is still dead and we are liars. Our preaching and our hope are in vain.

This lie is still prevalent within the church. It is a common lie told in the emergent church that I spoke of earlier. It is common to hear a denial of the resurrection within the more liberal churches. And by liberal, I mean those who embrace what is known as “liberal theology.” However, those who embrace liberal theology tend to be more liberal in all area of their lives.

These churches deny the resurrection and claim that it does not affect the message of Christ. Well, if Paul is right, then this claim destroys the gospel. The very heart of our preaching and our faith is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Transition:

This is a bold statement, but as we follow Paul’s argument, we will see why this is true. Paul says that if Christ did not raise, you are still in your sins.

C. If Christ Did Not Raise, You Are Still in Your Sins.

Explanation:

Paul continues his argument in verses sixteen and seventeen. “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.” If Christ did not raise, we are still in our sins. We are still lost and hell bound. We are not made right with God. We are in the same miserable stat that we were before. This is a hopeless, but accurate picture.

Illustration:

Argumentation:

Paul’s argument gets darker and darker. Not only are we liars with vain faith, but we are also still lost in our sins. We are still guilty. Perhaps the greatest hope of the gospel is found in our being cleansed from our sins. We are washed and freed from the bondage of sin. We are clean and obtain a right standing with God. But if these heretics are to be believed, then this hope is futile. We are not free. We are still slaves to sin. We are still spiritually dead. We are still enemies of God.

Transition:

But the darkness does not end here. Paul continues in his brutal attack of these heretics and their lies to the Corinthian church. He says that if Christ did not raise, the dead are dead and we are most to be pitied.

D. If Christ Did Not Raise, The Dead Are Dead, And We Are Most to be Pitied.

Explanation:

Here it is, the fulness of the theology these people were trying to pedal to the Corinthian church. If there is no resurrection from the dead, then those who have gone before us are simply dead and gone. It is over. They are gone. If there is no hope for a future life, we are most to be pitied. Woe to us if we only have hope in this life.

Argumentation:

Perhaps what these people were saying made some sense on the surface, but as Paul truly examines the consequences of their beliefs, it shows how truly hopeless their theology is. If these people are correct, then those who have died in Christ are simply dead. There is nothing after death. They are gone. This is dark and hopeless.

Then the final nail in the coffin is the fundamental lack of hope this theology has. If we have hope in this life only, we are the most to be pitied. We who have abandoned all to follow Christ, are following in vain if there is no resurrection.

Likely these people hid behind their supposed intellect. Likely they hid behind statements like “we aren’t attacking anything fundamental.” Likely they hid behind many things. However, no hiding place would do. Paul has fired his last cannonball and left their ship of heresy as nothing more than drift wood. They claimed to be teaching Christianity but the religion they were pedaling was a hopeless, dead, rotting corpse wearing a Christian mask. It sounded like the gospel, but it was the opposite of the gospel.

Transition:

After sinking the ship named heresy, Paul returns to his defense of the resurrection and paints for us a picture of the hope we have in it. Paul transitions by saying that Christ has risen from the dead!

Explanation:

Look with me again at verses twenty through twenty-eight. 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. 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.

Argumentation:

What hopeful verses! Here we see the true hope we have in the fact of the resurrection. There may be those who deny the resurrection, but they are wrong. Christ has risen, and in this fact we have life. In this fact, we have hope. In this fact, we have more than I could ever express. Paul is now laying out the beautiful hope of the resurrection.

Transition:

He does this by stating that in Adam comes death, but in Christ comes life.

A. In Adam Comes Death; In Christ Comes Life.

Explanation:

Paul gives the clear statement that in Adam all mankind was subjected to sin and death. This is known as original sin. This is the scriptural idea that because Adam is our forbear and father, we inherit his sinfulness. We are all by nature sinful. We are all dead in our trespasses. This is the hopeless state of humanity. We are not good, we are evil. We are not alive, but are dead.

The hope is that through Christ we are made alive. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are new creatures. We are born again. We are born anew into Christ. No longer is Adam our father, Christ is in essence our father. He is not God the Father, but Christ is our entrance into sonship of the Father. He is our new beginning. We are birthed into new life through Jesus’ death and resurrection. We inherit a new nature.

Argumentation:

Because of this we have hope for resurrection life. Just as Jesus raised to life, so shall we. Perhaps at reading this passage you are confused. It may sound like in this passage, all mankind will be saved. Paul says, “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.” Doesn’t this mean that all people will be saved? No, this is not what this means. It means that all who are saved are made alive in Christ. However, this is not a universal act. There are people who are not saved. There are people we will remain dead and be swallowed up in ultimate death in hell. This is why we must read scripture in light of what the whole Bible teaches. We do not pull a single verse out of context to justify a belief.

The next verses even indicate that not all will be saved. Only those in Christ will be raised up to life. Do not be downcast at this. The miracle of salvation is that anyone will be saved. God is under no obligation to save any, but in mercy saves some.

Transition:

Paul then speaks not of the personal hope we have in the resurrection, but of the hope for the whole earth. Paul speaks of the hopeful promise of the consummate kingdom.

B. The Hopeful Promise of the Consummate Kingdom.

Explanation:

Listen to these hopeful verses in Paul’s argument. “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.”

There is a lot in these verses. I love how it starts. “Then comes the end.” Normally this would be an ominous statement, but here it is laced with hope. It is laced with hope because of what is ending. The strife of this life and current system is ending. All of Christ’s enemies are ending. All of pain and misery is ending. Ahead is only bliss, behind are the things of death and pain. Yea even death is ending. True life has come. To quote C.S. Lewis, “farewell to the shadow-lands.”

Argumentation:

This is hopeful because the end of all evil has come. Life and joy and peace are here. At the resurrection, all will be made life and good. This is promise of the consummate Kingdom. You see, the kingdom of God is already here. Christ is already reigning. We have discussed this much in our study of the book of Matthew. Jesus is King. He is reigning now. The kingdom is here. But there is a promise of a coming day when the work will be done. Jesus will have put every enemy under His feet. He will have destroyed every power and authority that is against Him. Then the final day will come. On that day, Christ will had over the kingdom to the Father. Then comes eternity With God. The Son, though equal with the Father, will bow before Him and hand over His kingdom, and the King will reign forever.

This is a hopeful picture. This is why I am hopeful for the future. This is why, no matter how dark things get, I believe brighter days are coming. We are promised that. This is why I take such offense at the idea that all things will get darker and darker until the end. Christ is now reigning. He will reign until He puts every enemy under His feet. Things will get better. I believe we will see the gospel go out and we will see the world transformed by the power of the Word of God.

Transition:

Within the message of the resurrection is hope. It is a full and complete hope. The resurrection gives us true hope. And there is the final hope.

C. The Final Hope.

Application:

You see, the hope of the resurrection is final. It is ultimate. For all who are saved, it is the complete hope. It is why we gather, it is why live. The hope of the resurrection is not an Easter Sunday only hope. The hope of the resurrection is an every week, every day, every moment hope. It is the hope of eternity with Christ. Eternal life is found in the resurrection. It is entry into the kingdom of God.

If you are here and you are not saved, you have no hope. If you are here and you are not trusting in Christ's death and resurrection, you are lost. You have no hope. Should you die in the state that you are in, you will be truly dead. You will go to hell, and suffer there for all eternity.

But there is hope. If you turn from your sins, and trust in Christ, you will be saved. If you stop trusting in being a good person; if you stop trusting in religious acts; if you stop trusting in your parents faith; if you reject all of those and trust in Jesus Christ alone, you will be saved. One is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. I beg you to do this today. Right now, reject your sin and run to Christ. Confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved!

If you are here and you are teaching lies about the Bible like the gnostic heretics of old, I implore you to repent. You will not be found guiltless on the day of judgement for teaching God’s sheep lies. Repent and find forgiveness in the risen savior. If you are willingly leading Christians astray, God will judge you. You must repent and trust in Christ! Reject your lies and embrace the full truth of Scripture.

If you are here and you are trusting in Jesus Christ for your salvation, Rejoice! Your sins are forgiven and you are alive in Christ! Through Christ’s death and resurrection you are justified and forgiven. Nothing more must be done. Rejoice! Because of the resurrection of Christ you have hope for the future resurrection. We will spend eternity together with Christ.

Communion:

For those of us here who are saved, we also are commanded to remember Christ’s death and resurrection until He comes again to consummate the kingdom. We do this through communion. This is reserved for those who are saved. If you are here and are not trusting in Christ alone for your salvation, I would ask you not to participate. But if it is your confession that Jesus Christ is Lord, that He died for your sins, and rose again on the third day, and you are trusting in Him alone for you forgiveness, I invite you to come down and receive the communion elements.

Paul says to the church in Corinth, “23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Doxology:

Closing Benediction:

As you go from here, I proclaim the same words to you that Paul proclaimed to the church in Corinth. “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,”

Go in the grace and peace won for you through the vicarious death of Jesus Christ on your behalf. Amen.