Our Resurrection Hope

Introduction

Without the resurrection, Christianity is the biggest scam in history. Have you ever been scammed? Told by someone to invest in something only to have that money disappear forever? Scam artists are very creative, some have faked pregnancy in order to get gifts which they sell for profit. Some have faked scientific breakthrough in order to recieve grant money. Some have taken advantage of humanitarian effort to scam people into giving what they think is to the poor.

There are many great scams in history, and some in this country committed towards the First Nations people that we are ashamed to look back on. But no scam, historical or contemporary, would compare the Christianity without the resurrection.

The Resurrection of Christ and Our Future Hope

12: Christ is preached as raised from the dead! What part does this play in the Gospel?

On the cross, Christ drank the wrath of God for sin and evil, earning the reward of life for sinners.

In the grave, Christ put the curse to death. He decended into the earth, the realm of those who have the curse of sin in their bodies, and defeated the curse when he was raised to newness of life.

In resurrection, there is a victory that gives the Gospel its point and power.

Victory in the plan of God to justify sinners.

Victory over the consequences of sin, it’s guilt, shame, and the death it creates.

Victory over the flesh and its wayward nature.

Victory over Satan, his temptations and the spiritual kingdom of darkness.

Sleep is death pregnant with hope. The victory over death is directly attached to the hope we have of a new life.

Hopeless Christianity

Better translation, “If we are ones who have placed our hope only in Christ in this life, we should be pitied above anyone.”

“Perished” is ruin with finality, without hope. They are lost for good, never to awake to a new life.

Faith without resurrection is both insubstantial (14) and fruitless (17). The whole point of Christianity is the hope of new (resurrection) life in Christ, so it is both pointless and fruitless without resurrection.

It is insubstantial is because

The cross of Christ gains all its weight in the resurrection.

The claims of Christ gain their credence in the resurrection.

The hope of eternal life in Christ depends on the resurrection.

It is fruitless because

Jesus’ resurrection is the promise for our resurrection

What Jesus died for is accomplished in resurrection, his as a firstfruit and ours in completion

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 ESV

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

Our resurrection is the fruit of a life as disciples of Christ.

The implication of all our hope coming from the hope of resurrection is that there is nothing for Christians in this life and in this world beyond a singlar hope in resurrection life (Most to be pitied).

Conclusion

What resurrection says about our salvation.

What resurrection says about our discipleship.

What resurrection says about our hope.