The Resurrection Difference

The Resurrection Difference

1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpKFfVvstgM

Jesus is Risen – He is Risen Indeed, and He’s Lives!

Today, America is celebrating what is known as Easter, which really has nothing to do with a bunny and lays eggs, but rather it is all about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event of all time. It is the most powerful event in human history. It is more powerful than volcanic eruptions, devastating earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, or a nuclear explosion all put together. In fact, it is more powerful than Superman, and yes, I did just go there.

And the reason I say this is because it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that caused history to split into two parts: B.C. and A.D. Now, that is what I call powerful. In fact, it is so powerful that it can change the direction and the course of all our lives.

And, while I know that our calendars are based upon Jesus’s birth and not His resurrection, but if it hadn’t been for His resurrection, then there would be no reason to record or even celebrate Jesus’s birth, and thus change humanity’s calendar.

Now, in our society, most people ask, “So what?” What difference does the resurrection of Jesus makes and how does it apply to me? So, what if Jesus is alive? What’s the big deal? How can something that happened 2000 years ago have any bearing on my life today?

This was the same basic question they were asking in the city Corinth back in the Apostle Paul’s day, and it’s something that needs to be answered in our day as well. How important is the resurrection?

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NKJV)

Paul begins by saying that Jesus’s resurrection is what holds the whole foundation of our faith together; that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then all that we believe and hold onto, is empty, useless, and void of any meaning.

Further, if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead then Paul and all the other believers were nothing but a pack of liars, and that humanity remains condemned because of sin, and that all those who have died have done so in their sin and are therefore eternally lost. But he doesn’t stop, saying that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then all those who believe should be pitied, because their whole life and belief structure is a complete waste of time.

But the good news is that Paul doesn’t leave them or us hanging.

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 NKJV)

The resurrection is a proven historical fact, and it is a matter of public record. And as we looked at last week, the evidence for the resurrection is overwhelming and can stand up in any court of law today.

But still, over 80% of people who say they believe in the resurrection don’t go to church, and I believe it’s because they just don’t get it, that is, they don’t get why it is that important.

So, what difference does the resurrection of Jesus make? Today, I’d like to share three reasons. First, because Jesus rose from the dead …

1. Our Sins Are Forgiven

I don’t think there’s a person alive that doesn’t want a do-over, or in golfing lingo, a mulligan. It’s where we can have a brand-new start in order to right all the dumb mistakes we’ve made.

All our failures, problems, bad decisions, and mistakes; along with all the stuff that has tortured us with painful memories, and which we believe we have to pay for the rest of our lives; the resurrection of Jesus Christ is about having all these things forgiven and done away with.

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” (Colossians 2:13 NKJV)