EASTER 2023
(The Advantages of the Resurrection - April 9, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "The message of Easter is that Jesus is alive! He lives!"
Sermon Big Idea: “The Christian faith is grounded upon the message of the risen Christ"
Key Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:12-23)
One of the most important doctrines in the Bible is that of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are many places in Scripture that discuss Christ rising from the dead but none so complete as (1 Corinthians 15). There the Apostle Paul addresses this subject in detail. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we have no faith and Christianity is no better than any other world religion.
The resurrection of Jesus is a documented historical fact. Paul makes this argument in (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Paul, Peter, and over 500 people saw the risen Jesus on one occasion. It is documented in (Luke 24/John 20-21/Matthew 28/Mark 16/Acts 1:3) and more. It is also documented by the Jewish historian Josephus, who lived shortly after the time of Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus really happened! Let’s look at (1 Corinthians 15:12-23).
(1 Corinthians 15:12-23)
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised.16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone. 20 But now Christ has 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 also comes through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ.
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is real but what advantage is that to us? I believe that the Apostle Paul gives us the advantage of the resurrection in these verses.
The Advantage of an Authentic Faith (1 Corinthians 15:12-23). If Paul's way of thinking is taken to its consistent end, you and I are going to have to deal with some terrible things. If there is no resurrection from the dead, then our lives have no meaning.
Look at what Paul said would be true if there was no resurrection of Jesus. If there was no resurrection, then Christ is not risen (v. 13). He died in vain (Romans 4:24; 5:10). He lied (Matthew 16:21; 12:40). Not only that but He had no power to save, and most definitely can’t save today.
If there was no resurrection our preaching is a waste of time (v. 14). We are just preaching a big lie and it isn’t going to help anyone. Not only that but our faith is foolish (v. 14). Everything we do, our praying, studying, witnessing, working, hoping, holiness, and praising is a waste of time. He goes on to say we would be liars and false witnesses (v. 15).
The worst of all this is what Paul said in (v. 17). Without the resurrection of Jesus, we would all be lost in our sins (Romans 10:9; 5:10). A dead Savior can save no one (Hebrews 7:25). Our dead loved ones are gone for good (v. 18), and we should feel sorry for ourselves (v. 19) because we are fools who build their lives and hopes on the body of a dead man. But wait, Paul didn’t stop there!
Conclusion:
Paul's statement is that the angels' message at the tomb was accurate (Matthew 28:1-6). Jesus really did come back to life, just like He said He would. Jesus defeated death and rose from the grave because of God's power. Paul says that the first Adam resulted in death (Romans 5:21). But the Lord Jesus, who is the second Adam, brings life and salvation (John 11:25-26). When Jesus came back from the dead, it showed that there was more to come. He is the first one to come. Because He lives, when He comes back in His glory, the graves of this world will give up the people who have been saved.
Because Jesus lives, the things Paul mentioned earlier in these verses are not true. Jesus is risen! Our preaching is not a waste of time! Our faith is not foolish! We are not liars! We are not lost! Our friends and loved ones that are saved are living on in the presence of God! There is no need for us to be pitied! We who confess Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead are to be envied by everyone who sees our new life in Christ and hear the message of salvation through the precious shed blood of Jesus and His empty tomb! Jesus’ resurrection is real! These things are real!
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
Blomberg, Craig. 1 Corinthians. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.
Vaughan, Curtis, and Thomas D. Lea. 1 Corinthians. Founders Study Guide Commentary. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002.
Taylor, Mark. 1 Corinthians. Edited by E. Ray Clendenen. Vol. 28. The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2014.
Vang, Preben. 1 Corinthians. Edited by Mark L. Strauss. Teach the Text Commentary Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014.
Baker, William, Ralph P. Martin, and Carl N. Toney. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians. Vol. 15. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.
Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917.
WORDsearch. Adult Questions for LESSONmaker. WORDsearch, n.d.
Carr, Alan. “The Benefits of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12–23).” In The Sermon Notebook: New Testament, 2434. Lenoir, NC: Alan Carr, 2015.
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Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.
Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.
WORDsearch. Adult Questions for LESSONmaker. WORDsearch, n.d.
Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.
Ciampa, Roy E., and Brian S. Rosner. The First Letter to the Corinthians. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010.
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Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
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Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977.
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