The Resurrection: Does it Really Matter?
I Corinthians 15:12-19
This morning there will be hundreds of people going to church. Some will hear about the resurrection of Jesus Christ - and some will not. Many of those people will leave church, go back to their homes, their families, their work their life - without giving a second thought to what they have heard on Easter Sunday. So what - does it really matter? It’s a nice thought. It may or may not brighten their day. Kind of fanciful - like the Easter bunny - or Easter eggs and Santa Claus. Some will even go to church with a vehement denial that resurrection - any resurrection is possible and ridiculous. Let’s look at the Resurrection of Jesus Christ with a Biblical logic - the logic that Paul the Apostle used in arguing for the resurrection against some in the Corinthian Church who obviously did not believe in it.
If there is no resurrection - at all - if the bodily resurrection
concept is a farce - then Christ did not rise from the dead [v.13] and if Christ did not rise from the dead:
· Then the Church has no message of hope to proclaim – [v. 14a] and I Cor. 1:18 would be true.
· Faith has no basis - just empty delusion [v.14b]
·
The Apostles are
liars & deceivers - as well as all who have preached the Gospel through
the centuries - giving a false representation of God – [v.15a]
· Your faith, not only is without basis - it has no value - faith is non-functional - it can accomplish nothing –[v.17] or like writing a check without a funds in the bank.
· You are still in your sins –[ cf Eph 2:1-3, 11,12]
·
Those who have
died believing that Jesus was raised from the dead are ruined - they have
perished forever – [v.18]
· If Christ did not rise from the dead then our only hope is in this life - we are to be pitied - felt sorry for
· All of us are marching headlong into a hopeless night of nothing - if there is no resurrection
If Jesus Christ did
rise from the dead:
·
The Church
has the most powerful message that has ever been proclaimed - Romans 1:16,17.
· Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ - the Christian’s faith is of highest value. [Heb. 11:6] All true Biblical faith is built upon the hope of the resurrection.
·
Because
Jesus Christ rose from the dead those who believe share His resurrection life
and are no longer in sin.
· Because Jesus rose from the dead - believers who have died in hope have realized that hope - hope does not disappoint – [I Thes 4:14].
· Because Jesus rose from the dead, the Christian’s hope extends beyond this life. In fact it is to be realized in fullness when we leave this life.
This Easter Sunday let’s rejoice in the certainty of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and may that certainty permeate every area of our lives that we might live as He would have us live.
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!!!
Love to all,