IF THE TOMB ISN'T EMPTY

IF THE TOMB ISN'T EMPTY

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 KJV 1900

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? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

In the opening verses of this chapter, Paul reminds us that the doctrine of Christ's resurrection from the dead is a vital and foundational doctrine.

In fact, he tells us that it is an essential component of the Gospel of grace, v. 3-4.

However, in our text Paul mentions something unthinkable.

The thing unthinkable is this: suppose there had been no resurrection.

Seven times in these verses Paul uses the word “if.”

Paul is painting a picture for us of what life would be like if JC is still in the grave.

Paul is dealing with the questions - What if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead? What if Easter isn’t really true?

This morning, I want to deal with this thought - If The Tomb Isn’t Empty.

I want to share with you 4 tragic consequences if the tomb isn’t empty.

If the tomb isn't empty, then we have:

1) NO FOUNDATION

1 Corinthians 15:12–13 KJV 1900

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? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

A. Paul reminds us that if the tomb isn't empty then everything we believe in comes crashing down around us.

If the tomb isn't empty isn't then Jesus is no better than all of the thousands of others who have claimed to be sent from God.

If the tomb isn't empty, the very system of belief that we cherish is nothing more than just another religion that offers life and hope to no one.

If Jesus is still in the tomb today, then our way of life is a lie and we are among the greatest of fools to have ever walked upon this planet.

If Jesus is dead, our system of belief is dead, our foundations have crumbled beneath us and we might as well go home!

The resurrection of Jesus is a foundational doctrine to our faith & practice…In fact, w/o the resurrection we have no faith to practice.

Everything hinges upon the resurrection.

And if Jesus is still dead, we have no foundation to stand on.

Why? B/C a dead Savior can’t save anyone.

A dead Savior can’t offer hope to anyone.

If the tomb isn't empty, then we have:

2) NO FAITH  

1 Corinthians 15:14–16 KJV 1900

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

A. In these three verses, Paul paints a portrait of how things would be if Jesus were dead today.

I. Our Preaching Is Vain (v 14) (Our preaching would be profitless)

Paul says if Jesus is dead, then every preacher has wasted their words and time proclaiming the message of the resurrection.

From the first witness, Mary Magdalene - John 20:2, to the several hundred mentioned in verses 5-8 of this chapter, to great men like Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, Billy Graham, Jonathan Edwards, D. L. Moody, and millions of others have been fools, if the tomb isn't empty!

If the tomb isn’t empty, I’m wasting my time this morning by preaching and you’re wasting your time by listening.

The words that I am proclaiming to you mean nothing & they have no power if the tomb isn’t empty.

If the tomb isn’t empty, the preaching of the Gospel is meaningless.

In fact, w/o the resurrection there is no Gospel to preach.

If Jesus didn’t conquer sin & death, we don’t have a message to proclaim.

We don’t have any hope to offer anyone.

We don’t have any good news to share.

If the tomb isn’t empty, then preaching has no power, it has no meaning, and it is useless.

II. Our Faith Is Vain (v 14) (Iow’s, our faith would be foolish.)

Paul says if the tomb isn't empty, then we're wasting our time serving Him and worshiping Him.

If the tomb isn't empty, then everything we do is false and foolish!

All of our praying, serving, witnessing, and church attendance have all been a waste of time.

We are trusting something that doesn’t deserve our trust.

If the tomb isn’t empty, the Christian faith is the greatest joke of all time.

If the tomb isn’t empty, the hall of the faithful in Hebrews 11 is nothing more than the hall of the foolish.

If the tomb isn’t empty, all believers of all time have believed for nothing, lived for nothing, and died for nothing.

III. We Are False Witnesses (v 15) 

Paul says that all those who spread the Christian message of salvation through the crucified and resurrected Jesus are liars if Jesus did not rise from the dead.

Every time we open our mouths to sing, to witness, to testify, to preach, or whatever we do in His name, we are liars if the tomb isn't empty.

If the tomb isn't empty, then we have:

3) NO FORGIVENESS

1 Corinthians 15:17 KJV 1900

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

A. Paul also tells us that if Jesus isn't alive, then we are still lost, hell bound, and still in our sins.

The heart of the Gospel message is the great truth that Jesus left Heaven above, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world.

But it doesn't stop there!

The Bible goes on to say that He rose again the third day for our justification, Rom. 4:25.

If Jesus is still dead, then we can't be justified and we're still lost in sin this morning!

As I said last week, Jesus cried out, “It is finished” meaning He paid for our sins on the cross.

However, if the tomb isn’t empty, Jesus didn’t finish anything…and we are still in our sins.

If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead then His death has no power to save us.

If Jesus is still dead, we are still dead in trespasses and sins and will forever remain spiritually dead & sinful.

Why? - B/C a dead Savior is nobody’s Savior.

A bloody cross w/o an empty tomb means we are still lost.

If the tomb isn’t empty, no one is forgiven of their sins.

If the tomb isn't empty, then we have:

4) NO FUTURE

A. Paul now moves beyond this life to consider things of an eternal nature.

He tells us that if Jesus is still dead, then we have no hope for the future.

B. Notice 2 things that are true if the tomb isn't empty.

I. Our Loved Ones Who Have Gone Before Us Are Gone Forever (v 18) 

1 Corinthians 15:18 KJV 1900

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

One of the blessings of the Christian life is knowing that one day, we will participate in a reunion in Heaven which will include all those we have known and loved who knew the Lord.

However, Paul tells us that if Jesus is still dead, then every one who dies is forever lost.

If the tomb isn’t empty, we have no reason to believe there will be a resurrection of the people we love. 

We have no reason to have any hope as we stand at a cemetery. 

Our goodbye at the cemetery is final.

If the tomb isn't empty, then there will be no Heaven & there will be no gatherings on the other side.

There will be no hope and there is no future to anticipate.

If Jesus is still dead, we might as well live it up down here and enjoy the time we have left.

If the tomb isn’t empty, death has won.

II. We Have Lived Our Lives In Vain (v 19) 

1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV 1900

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Paul is saying that if Jesus is still dead, then every child of God has wasted his or her life in living for Jesus.

If the tomb isn’t empty, we are trying to invest in an eternity that does not exist.

We are performing religious deeds and actions that are meaningless!

If the tomb isn’t empty, we have a believed a lie and we are headed to Hell!

(Illus. If the tomb isn't empty, we’re all in trouble. But, thank God, Paul didn't stop writing with verse 19?)

1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV 1900

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

(Illus. Paul states, for the record, the fact that Jesus did rise from the dead! He lives this morning just like the Bible says He does.

The stories penned by the Gospel writers aren't the writings of deluded men, but are in fact the truth of God and the means of salvation for the lost.

When the angel told the women that Jesus was risen, his witness was true!

The angel told the women - He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. (Matt. 28:6)

Now, because He lives, all of those negatives I spoke about are transformed into positives.)

I. Because He Lives Our Foundation Is Firm 

The bedrock doctrine of our faith is true.

Jesus lives and He is the only way that a lost sinner can reach the God of Heaven.

II. Because He Lives Our Faith Is Genuine 

Our preaching has power, our faith is real, and our witness is true!

It's not a waste of time to trust Jesus.

It’s not a waste of time to live for Jesus.

It’s not an exercise in vanity to believe in the One called Jesus.

He lives and because He lives our faith lives also!

Our faith isn’t foolish.

It’s not meaningless to serve Jesus & worship Jesus.

We aren’t wasting our time today b/c Jesus lives & the tomb is empty.

III. Because He Lives Our Forgiveness Is Accomplished 

Because He lives, we are no longer lost in sin, but we have been delivered by His blood and have been justified by His life.  

All of our sins have been washed away as far as the east is from the west.

We have been forgiven and we have been redeemed!

B/C the tomb is empty, our sins have been dealt with & forgiveness is available.

IV. Because He Lives Our Future Is Secure 

Our loved ones, who died in faith, live on and await our arrival in glory.

There is a heavenly home awaiting all of God's children on the other side.

In this life, we can enjoy victory, but in the life to come we can enjoy the presence of the One who died in our place.

Death has been defeated and b/c He lives we also shall live.

CONCLUSION:

Here’s the million dollar question: “Is the resurrection true?”

I believe it’s true…Why? 

The tomb is empty...When Jesus died the Jews and the Romans both wanted to make sure that Jesus didn’t deliver on His promise of rising from the dead. 

The grave site was guarded. 

And when it was announced that Jesus was missing, they tried to find the body.

But they found nothing.

The chief priests even paid the soldiers to lie and say that the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus.

The empty tomb is the greatest argument for His resurrection. 

EVERY other religious leader has been buried and is still where they were buried. 

But not Jesus!

He arose just like He said He would.

I am glad that I know in my heart that Jesus lives today!

I am glad that the tomb is empty.

I’ve read the Bible and that wasn't what convinced me, even though I believe what it said.

I heard the preachers tell me, but I didn't believe because of them.

I believe He lives this morning because I have met Him on a personal basis.

I know He lives because I have met Him…I know He lives b/c He lives within me.

Jesus lives today…and the tomb is empty.

If you don't know Him today, then I invite you to meet Him personally.

He will receive you, save you and prove to you that He really is alive!