Our Resurrection Pt.1

1 Corinthians 15:12–34 NASB95

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? Why are we also in danger every hour? I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

INTRO: Do you believe the Gospel? (Hope a good response!!!)

That’s a good thing, but even so- it’s hard to grasp that one day you and I and our loved ones who have passed away, will be raised from the dead. Isn’t that crazy? I mean, it’s one thing to look, as we did last week at Christ’s resurrection- which< BTW, I think James did an excellent job proclaiming God’s Word> But have you ever considered yourself being resurrected?

Truly, there are a number of folks who do not believe that we will be resurrected. Perhaps it’s just not a concept they can grasp. Our society has all kinds of beliefs that people cling to when it comes to death:

Nihilism - that is that there is nothing beyond our final breath. We live, we die and as Porky Pig would say, “That’s All Folks”

Reincarnation - the belief that we will have another life as someone or something else… maybe another person, maybe a cow, maybe a stink bug...

Deification - the belief that we will become gods ourselves.

These ideas are all incongruent with Scripture and with Christian doctrine. Yet, there are even folks who attend church- maybe not every week, but nonetheless, folks who sit in church pews who do not believe we will be raised from the dead. And this was true in Corinth as well - (READ v. 12)

How? How can people sit under the faithful proclamation of the Gospel and still not believe that we will be resurrected?

Perhaps you are in that camp who struggles to believe. I mean, it is hard to imagine. Maybe you are thinking, “Pastor, how can you believe we will be raised from the dead? For goodness sakes, even the genie from Aladdin couldn’t raise the dead, and that was a cartoon!”

Well, if that’s you, or someone you know, then this message is for you.

Today, in our study, we are going to be answering the question, “Why should I believe in our resurrection from the dead?” in a sermon I’ve titled simply, “Our Resurrection, Pt. 1” For those of you who are paying attention, that title means what? Right- there’s a part 2 next week that you definitely do not want to miss!

So, If you picked up a bulletin, I’ll invite you to ready your sermon guides as we learn together, “Our Resurrection, Pt. 1”

The first reason that we believe in our own resurrection is:

Our Resurrection is Vital to Our Faith (13-17)

Let’s read v. 13-17 again (READ)

Here we see the Apostle Paul quite bluntly argue what would come of the Christian faith if we were to concede the resurrection to those who struggle to believe it.

Look what he says- If that were true- that we will not be raised, then it cannot be true that Jesus was raised from the dead. Resurrection from the dead is either plausible or it’s not.

And, if not possible, then Jesus is still dead, and our whole Gospel message is a hoax.

So then, IF there is no resurrection, everything preached and believed was for naught, like some kind of cult; useless.

Further more, it would mean that the messengers of the gospel - the apostles Jesus, Scripture - were all liars and that the churches and converts were all living a big scam.

Verses 17-18, say it clearly - (READ)

Now, let me just pause for a moment. Friends, IF there is no bodily resurrection, then that means that there is no payment for sins. No, Intercessor between us and God the Father. It means there is no Hope, for we are still dead in our trespasses- enemies of the Most High.

ILL: Imagine standing before God, having placed your faith in a worthless gospel.

But, as Paul already laid out in the first 11 verses of this chapter, there is direct, hard evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Paul wrote this to the Roman church on the same subject:

Romans 6:8–10 NASB95

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

Discuss: Why is it important that there will be a bodily resurrection?

The resurrection is vital to our faith, for without it we would be hopelessly lost. Now, look with me to verses 19 - 28, where Paul shows us that

Our Resurrection is Vital to Our Future (19-28)

Let’s look first to v. 19 (READ)

Basically, what Paul is saying is that if our belief in the Gospel is just for our emotional health on this side of glory, we should be pitied above all poor saps in the world.

Now, I’ve heard a number of folks claim that Christianity is just a crutch so we can feel better about our lives… that it’s a fairy tale. And folks, if that were the case, we would be a pitiful bunch.

BUT>>> READ v. 20

We’ve already looked at this evidence, but let me just zoom in on that last phrase “the first fruits of those who are asleep (dead)”

The first fruits were the first portions of the harvest that were given to God as offering. The giving of these first fruits indicated that the rest of the harvest would soon follow.

In other words, Christ rose from the dead, so will we.

Now, you might say, well, I’ve not seen a single person raised from the dead, well, it ain’t time yet!!

Let’s read on v. 21-28 (READ)

Jesus came to save sinners, to give us eternal life.

Just as sure as sin brings death, Christ brings life eternal!

But not yet. Verses 23-28 remind us that it will happen in order. Paul quotes Ps. 110:1 in v. 27, as he paints the picture of Christ’s return.

Folks, we see in the book of Revelation the time when Christ returns and puts an end to Satan and to death. Let me just read a few verses:

Revelation 19:11–16 NASB95

And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Revelation 20:10–15 NASB95

And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:1–4 NASB95

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Discuss: How does Christ’s resurrection assure our own?

Folks, our future depends on our resurrection. And our resurrection is secure because Christ was raised. Our resurrection is vital to our faith and our future. But finally, I want to show you that

Our Resurrection is Vital to Our Function (29-34)

There’s a few different statements Paul makes in these few verses. Let me read these verses again. (READ)

The main idea here is that our call to live holy is a call that only makes sense because we will be resurrected. If we are not to be resurrected, then there is no point in living a life of integrity or morality. There is no reason to love your neighbor or to respect the laws.

There are 3 examples Paul points to:

Some folks were attempting a proxy baptism for relatives who had died without knowing Christ. This is unbiblical and Paul does not condone this practice, but he does point to it saying that even this fringe group understands the importance of the resurrection.

Next, he points to the dangers of being a Christian in a hostile environment. Why on earth would so many people want to live under the threat of persecution if there was not resurrection, no eternal consequence?

Why die to ourselves daily and follow Christ if there is nothing beyond death?

Finally, he points to his own life and motives. Paul was not only persecuted, but he was forced into an arena in Ephesus with wild animals- lions perhaps. All he had to do was denounce Christ and he could’ve avoided that whole situation.

But there is something greater than this life. Therefore, Paul urges the Corinthians to hear the truth, think clearly, stop acting like the world and act like Christians. . (READ v. 34)

Here’s what I want us to see here:

Our faith, our eternity, and our daily actions are all contingent upon our understanding of our resurrection.

Because we know the truth, our lives must be a reflection of that truth. Our priorities are reflected in this truth. Our giving is reflected in this truth. Our service is reflected in this truth.

Do you believe the Gospel? Is Jesus your Lord? If so, then I urge you to live like it. For all eternity is waiting!

As we prepare to close our service today, if you are wrestling with doubts about our resurrection, doubts about the Gospel, use this time to cry out to Him. Scripture is clear that if we seek the Lord, we will find Him if we seek with all our hearts. Make a genuine plea to our King.

Let’s Pray.

Discuss: How can you live like you will be resurrected?