WHY WE BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION
1 Corinthians 15:1-34
ILLUSTRATION Theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg said that …the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things: First, it is a very unusual event. And second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live.
Question: Why do we believe that it happened? Please open your bibles to 1 Corinthians 15:1-34.
The preaching that Christ has been raised from the dead was received and upheld by the early followers of Christ. Saint Paul declared that it was part of the gospel they preached and based on the Old Testament Scriptures. The gospel message includes that Christ died for our sins, that He was buried, that He was raised, and that He appeared to early disciples and apostles.
One reason for celebrating Easter Sunday was based on this historical event and the faith of the early Christians. Therefore we have a solid foundation for observing Easter Sunday.
Aside from these facts, why is it important that we observe and believe the resurrection of Christ? How does it relate to you and me especially today?
1. It is important that we observe and believe the resurrection Christ because it is one of the bases of our own resurrection. (15.12-13; 20-28)
1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-13 12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-24 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
The bible says that Christ’s resurrection from the dead is the “firstfruits” of those who have “fallen asleep.” The phrase “fallen asleep” is a euphemism for those who died. Firstfruits refer to the earliest gathered fruits offered to God in acknowledgment of the gift of fruitfulness.
It also implies that fruitfulness continues and more fruits to follow afterwards. The Lord Jesus Christ is the first person who died to rise again from the dead and lives forevermore. If in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. The term “all” in this passage refers to all those who belong to Him (15.23).
ROMANS 8:9-11 9And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
If we belong to Christ, then God will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit who lives in us. This is the promise we have in Christ; this is the basis of our confidence of being raised from dead when Christ returns.
That is why, for sincere followers of Christ, we don’t have problem facing death. When it comes, we know that death is simply temporary and we have the assurance of being raised from the dead because of Christ’s resurrection.
2. It is important that we believe and observe the resurrection of Christ because it is one of the bases of our ministry to others.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:14-19 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
The reason we have confidence to preach the gospel – the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is because He is alive. There are people who believe and preach in the ideology and philosophy of those great men and women who are now dead and remain dead.
Christians however preach the truth and facts about the living Christ and God. Our preaching and testifying about God that he raised Christ from the dead are not useless because Christ lives. One of the primary results of Christ’s resurrection is the forgiveness of sins and hope for eternity.
ROMANS 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ROMANS 6:6-10 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
If Christ did not rise from the dead, then we are still in sins and forever lost. But since Christ was raised from the dead, we believe that we will also live with Him. Our hope is not just for this life but for eternity.
3. It is important that we observe and believe the resurrection of Christ because it is one of the bases of our persevering spirit in the midst of trials.
I CORINTHIANS 15:29-34 29Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained?
If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
One of the arguments of Paul why Christ’s resurrection is relevant is the practice of being baptized for the dead. This practice is unique to the some members of the church in Corinth. The general teaching of baptism is personal and for those who are still living.
But the best reason we observe and believe the resurrection is it gives us the endurance we need in times of testing and trials. When we remember how Jesus fulfilled His promise of rising from the dead, it encourages us to persevere knowing that it will come to an end and be recognized too.
PERSONAL APPLICATIONS
1. Continue in the truth that we have learned about our Savior.
2. Realize that our ministry to the world is needed.
3. Never give your faith despite of the trials that we have.
