Raised - Indispensable Series

Raised – Indispensable

This is a special time of year. Thursday is opening day for MLB! This year there are some changes in MLB – pitch clock, bases are larger, no infield shifts. Some people have issues with any changes – but for the most part baseball is still baseball. If someone was transported from 1923 they would notice changes but the core of the game is still there. 3 strikes and you’re out. 3 outs to an inning. 9 innings in a game. 90 feet between the bases. They would say this is baseball.

Church has changed a lot – even in your lifetime. It has changed a lot from the New Testament times. But there are some things that have not changed. We praise God. We pray. We read the word. And we celebrate the resurrection. Things have changed but they would say this is church.

We are in 1 Corinthians 15. In Paul’s letter to the church he does admit that some things are negotiable. You can eat meat or not eat meat. You can be married or you can be single. You can pay your preacher or not pay your preacher. You can change some things but there are some things that you cannot change and still have church and one of those things is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul spends considerable time talking about the resurrection.

Last week, 15:1-11, he said it is an undeniable historical fact. Jesus appeared to Peter, Twelve, James, the other apostles, to 500, and even to himself. Today we want to look at 15:12-34.

1 Corinthians 15:12–34 (NIV) — 12 But 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? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Now 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? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come 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.

I think these verses are the key verses that emphasize that the resurrection is indispensable.

1 Corinthians 15:17–19 (NIV) — 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.