Christ Is Risen - So What? Series

“Christ is Risen: So What?”

Church @ Bevo, Resurrection Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sermon Intro.: In quite a few strands of the early church, there is a greeting believers use on Resurrection or Easter Sunday. Someone would say, “Christ is Risen.” The other person would respond with, “He is Risen Indeed!” So let’s say that; it’s call and response style, so I’m going to need your help. I say: “Christ is Risen.” You say, “He is Risen Indeed.”

That’s great. Christ is Risen Indeed. But maybe you’re here this morning, and you’re asking: “So what?” What does that mean to my life right now? Why should I care? That’s kind of where the church at the ancient city Corinth was when Paul was writing this letter. (FCF): They either didn’t know, or had forgotten, just how important the truth that Jesus has been raised from the dead really is and how it really impacts our lives. I could give you evidence this morning that Jesus has been raised from the dead, but unless you see why that matters, it’s not going to mean much. So my goal this morning is that you see the joy and glory that comes from Jesus rising from the dead, and that our Risen Lord transforms your heart to be the missionary He’s calling you to be.

Paul wrote letter that we call 1 Corinthians to a growing church that was full of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but they were also full of a lot of errors and problems. One such problem was that there were people teaching that God doesn’t raise the dead. Paul writes to them saying, “Look, if God doesn’t raise the dead, then Jesus hasn’t been raised. And if Jesus hasn’t been raised, we have some serious problems.” He says, If Jesus hasn’t been raised from the dead, our teaching and your faith is empty, because we’re lying about God. If Jesus hasn’t been raised from the dead, then we have no hope, either now or in the future. And If Jesus hasn’t been raised from the dead, then we deserve everyone’s pity. This morning, we’re going to look at these statements from the other side – (PROP.) SINCE JESUS HAS BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD our faith is full of truth and power, our faith has sure hope both for now and for after we die, and our lives abound in Jesus’ work joyfully and patiently.

MP1: Since Jesus has been raised, our faith is full of truth and power.

1 Cor. 15:14-15

EXP:

• If Jesus has not been raised, the apostle’s teaching and our faith is vain (empty), and Paul and the apostles are lying about what God has done.

• Since Jesus has been raised, the good news is true, and our faith is full of what God has done, a powerful story. See Romans 1:16

ILL:

• Used Car Salesman & a good deal. My wife and I once had an excellent experience with a used car salesmen – people who usually get a bad reputation in the United States. He knew he had good cars, and he told us, “Kids, if these aren’t good deals for you, that’s fine. If you want to go shop around, go ahead.” Do we live like the gospel is true – like it’s a “good deal”? Or do we live like we’re tying to “sell” it to those around us?

APP:

• Ask Jesus to cause you to live like His Resurrection is true, because it is.

MP2: Since Jesus has been raised, we have hope for now and for after we die.

1 Cor. 15:16-18

EXP:

• If Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile (pointless), since we are still in our sins and the dead are just dead.

• Since Christ has been raised, we are FORGIVEN of our sins, FREE from sins’ control, and looking forward to life with Jesus now and FOREVER, even after death. See Romans 4:23-25, 6:5-14, 1 Cor. 15:51-57.

ILL:

• Kids who believe they can’t, won’t try. Kids who believe they can, do. Kids need hope that they can.

APP:

• Ask Jesus to bring His forgiveness and freedom to you, now and forever! Since He has been raised, we have hope both for now and forever!

MP3: Since Jesus has been raised, our lives abound in Jesus’ work joyfully and patiently.

1 Cor. 15:19

EXP:

• If Jesus has not been raised, we are the most worthy of men’s pity.

See 1 Corinthians 15:30-32

• Since Jesus has been raised, our lives abound in Jesus’ work joyfully and patiently.

See 1 Corinthians 15:58 [work of the Lord must be showing and speaking the Gospel and its implications– who Jesus is and what He has done; and it’s not empty], Philippians 3:20-21 & 4:4, Romans 8:18, 31—39. Revelation 21:1-4. We don’t need people’s pity; we have work He’s called us to do.