I. IF CHRIST WAS NOT RAISED
Here’s what the Bible says would happen if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. It’s a sobering reality check from 1 Corinthians 15:14-19.
A. Our Message Is Empty (1 Corinthians 15:14)
1. If Christ wasn’t raised, then the gospel preaching—the core message of Christianity—is just hot air. Empty words. The apostles’ bold claims would be no different from a fairy tale or a movie script, not truth.
2. In today’s world, think about how much we value authenticity. If the resurrection is a lie, then everything Christians stand for crumbles. No wonder Paul calls it "vain" (meaning useless).
B. Our Faith Is Pointless (1 Corinthians 15:14)
1. If Jesus didn’t rise, our faith in Him would be based on a lie. Imagine trusting your whole life to something that isn’t real—like believing in a superhero who doesn’t exist. That’s what Paul is saying here. Our hope would be shattered.
C. The Apostles Were Liars (1 Corinthians 15:15)
1. The apostles, like Peter and John, strongly confirmed they saw Jesus alive after His death. They said they spent 40 days with Him, eating and drinking with Him (Acts 2:32; Acts 10:39-41). They weren’t vague—they were eyewitnesses.
2. If Jesus wasn’t raised, these men were either deceived (which is hard to believe, given their clarity) or deliberate frauds. But does that match their lives? They faced persecution, poverty, and death for this message. Liars don’t usually die for a lie.
D. We’re Still Trapped in Sin (1 Corinthians 15:17)
1. If Jesus didn’t rise, His death on the Cross wouldn’t have the power to save us. He claimed His blood would cleanse us from sin (Matthew 26:28), but if He was just a man—or worse, a liar or lunatic—His sacrifice wouldn’t hold up. We’d still be guilty, with no hope of forgiveness.
2. In today’s terms, it’s like trying to pay off a massive debt with counterfeit money—it doesn’t work.
E. Believers Who Died Are Lost Forever (1 Corinthians 15:18)
1. If there’s no resurrection, then everyone who believed in Jesus and died—like the martyrs or your grandparents who trusted Him—would have no hope. Their faith would be in vain, and they’d face judgment without a Savior. That’s a dark thought, but Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it.
F. Christians Are the Most Foolish People (1 Corinthians 15:19)
1. If Christ isn’t raised, we Christians look pretty silly. We give up worldly pleasures, face ridicule on social media, and sometimes even lose jobs or relationships because of our faith. Why bother if it’s all fake? Paul says we’d be the most pitied people on earth.
? Application for Today: If Jesus didn’t rise, we might as well pack up and go home. Christianity would be a waste of time. Let’s flip the script!
II. IF CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED
If Jesus “did” rise from the dead (and the Bible says He did!), here’s what that means for us today.
A. It Proves We’re Forgiven (Romans 4:24-25; Romans 8:33-34)
1. When God raised Jesus, He was saying, "I accept His sacrifice!"
a. Jesus claimed His blood would forgive sins (Matthew 26:28), and the resurrection is God’s stamp of approval. It’s like a receipt that says your debt is paid in full.
2. For us today, this means we can have confidence.
a. No matter what guilt or shame we carry—whether it’s from past mistakes or current struggles—Jesus’ resurrection guarantees we can be justified, or made right, with God.
B. It Shows God’s Power Is Available to Us (Ephesians 1:18-20)
1. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us!
a. At conversion, that power transforms us (Colossians 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:21).
b. Every day, it helps us live for God (Romans 8:11-13; Philippians 4:13).
2. In 2025, we face stress, temptation, and uncertainty. But Paul says in Ephesians 3:20 that God can do "far more abundantly than all we ask or think."
a. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, addiction, or just the daily grind, the resurrection proves God’s power is real and accessible.
C. It Gives Us Hope for Our Future (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
1. Jesus’ resurrection is our guarantee that we’ll rise too. Peter calls it a "living hope"—not some vague wish, but a sure thing (1 Peter 1:21).
a. Paul adds that believers who die don’t "grieve as others do who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
2. Today, with so much fear about death, disease, or disaster, this hope is a lifeline. It’s not just about heaven someday—it’s about knowing God has the final word, even over death.
D. It Demands Our Full Commitment (Romans 14:9; Acts 2:32-36)
1. Jesus didn’t stay dead. He was raised and exalted as Lord over all (Ephesians 1:20-23). That means He’s not just a teacher or a good example—He’s our King.
a. Paul says in Romans 14:7-8 that we no longer live for ourselves but for Him.
2. In our selfie-obsessed culture, this is countercultural.
a. The resurrection calls us to loyalty, even when it’s hard.
b. Are we living like Jesus is really in charge of our schedules, finances, and relationships?
III. CONCLUSION
A. The resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a historical event—it’s a game-changer for 2025. For believers, it should shape how we live every day.
1. Do our lives show we serve a risen Savior?
2. Do we have the hope, peace, and strength His resurrection promises?
B. For those who don’t believe, the resurrection demands a decision.
1. It proves Jesus is who He said He was (Romans 1:4)—the Son of God with all authority (Matthew 28:18).
2. He taught that He’s the only way to God (John 14:6), that His blood saves (Matthew 26:28), and that He’ll return to judge the world (John 5:28-29).
3. If He rose, we can’t ignore Him!
Let’s not forget the significance of Christ’s resurrection. It’s not just for Easter Sunday—it’s for every day. HE’S ALIVE!!!
