BECAUSE HE LIVES
1 Corinthians 15:1-34
Wizard of Id, Good Friday: Dialogue between the king and a monk:
“Happy Good Friday, sire!”
“What’s so good about it?”
“It took an act of God,
But they finally found somebody willing to die for you!”
Sunday edition, the dialogue continues:
[The King sees a church sign: “He is risen!”]
“What’s this? . . . I thought this guy died for my sins!” “He did.”
“I went to visit His tomb and He ain’t there!” “I know.”
“Well? What is it? Is He dead or not?” “Not!”
“Aaugh! My sins are back on me!” “No they’re not, sire.”
“Yes they are . . . . I’ve been tricked!”
“Try to understand, sire, it’s really quite simp . . . .”
“I Don’t wanna try, I’m the King!” [ . . . he runs away cursing]
[Monk thinking to himself ...]
“There goes your poster boy for a separation of church and state!”
HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE TOMB LATELY?
• Christ's tomb? Have you taken a fresh look at the significance of Jesus’ tomb?
• A friend's, a relative's, a brother in Christ's tomb?
I remember numerous times, standing at the side of a dying friend.
THE VIEW FROM THE TOMB REVEALS THE REALITY OF OUR GOSPEL!
1 Thess. 4:13: Paul assures us “we don't grieve as those who have no hope!”
For those who die in Christ, it's the farewell of the airport.
Not the mourning of the pagan masses!
If you want to discover the reality of the Christian faith go to the graveside.
If it doesn't wash there, it doesn't wash at all!
Paul reminds us: Our faith is worthless, unless Christians rise from the dead.
Two equally impossible realities:
• That God should die
• That man should live forever
NECESSITY OF THE RESURRECTION 15:1-34
Paul presents arguments which prove OUR resurrection—that WE will rise from the dead.
He ends with assurance: “We won’t ALL die but we shall be changed.”
RELATIONSHIP OF THE RESURRECTION TO THE GOSPEL 1-11
The doctrine of the resurrection is an integral part of the gospel.
If there’s no resurrection from the dead, there’s no “good news!”
—the rest is meaningless!
Integral relationship to the gospel 15:1-11 1-3
Two major parts of his gospel-(Cp. Rom. 4:25-5:1; Rom. 6:3-11)
1)Jesus’ Death -> proved by burial 3b-4a
2) Jesus’ Resurrection -> proved by eyewitnesses 4b-11
Peter James-still an unbeliever
"The Twelve"-then 11 The apostles-”The 12" again
More than 500 brethren at once. Paul-also an unbeliever at the time
LOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION 12-34
Logical consequences, if there’s no resurrection of the dead 15:12-19
If there is no resurrection, then: [ 7 logical results: ]
1) Christ Himself has not been raised. 12-13
2) Our preaching is worthless. 14a
It's worthless because it all ends in death anyway.
If it all ends in death, it’s meaningless!
3) Our faith is worthless. 14b
It's worthless because it accomplishes nothing.
4) We are false witnesses. 15-16
He’s been claiming to have seen the resurrected Jesus
If there’s no resurrection, our claim must be false. ∴, We're liars!
5) We are still in our sins 17
The resurrection confirms the value of Christ's death.
If there’s no resurrection, the gospel is part of a false message.
There’s no salvation-it's meaningless.
6) Those who died trusting in Christ perished 18
If there’s no resurrection, when you die, “you die like a dog!”
The whole thing is meaningless!
7) We are most miserable 19
If we’re deluded about this, people should feel sorry for us!
It's a sad belief-an empty hope.
Dateline Jerusalem-On the eve of the annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the 1 million inhabitants of this city were shocked by the announcement that a body, identified as that of Jesus, was found in a long-neglected tomb just outside the boundary of the city.
Rumors have been circulating the last week that a very important discovery was about to be announced. The news, however, outstrips our wildest guesses. The initial reaction of Christians here and around the world has been one of astonishment, bewilderment, and defensive disbelief. We will have to wait and see just what effect this discovery will have on the 2,000-year-old religion. To the mind of this unbelieving writer, it appears that Christianity will have to take its place alongside of the other religions of the world. No longer can its followers claim that, unlike other religions, the tomb of its founder is empty. Evidently a 2,000 year old lie has come to an end.
Paul agrees that IF the above were true, our faith in Christ is worthless and we’re still under the curse of our sins.
The resurrection of Christ is as essential as His death.
Logical consequences of Christ's resurrection 15:20-28
If Christ’s resurrection is true, there are also some logical implications:
* Christ’s resurrection is source of resurrection for everyone 20-22
Both death and resurrection come "by" man.
All those in Adam die-By Adam comes death for all
All those in Christ live-By Christ comes resurrection for all
* Christ’s resurrection provides evidence that others will follow Him 23-28
Order of the resurrection:
1st, Christ 23a (He is the “firstfruits” of all who rise (20b)
2nd, God's people 23b —entire 1st resurrection (cp. Rev. 20)
Includes both rapture and 2nd advent
-the firstfruits 1 Thess. 4:16-17
-those who are His at His coming
3rd, Unbelievers-"the end" 24
After millennium
2nd resurrection
Resurrection for condemnation
When Christ delivers the kingdom to the Father
Includes all men (cp. 20-22)
Logical contradictions in denying the resurrection 15:29-32
Logical implications if there’s no resurrection:
* If there’s no resurrection, baptism for the dead is useless 29
At least 44 different views
Those who deny resurrection, at least, do it! It doesn’t make sense!
[In following verse, Paul appears to disassociate himself
from that practice! “. . . And as for us, . . . “ ]
What does this mean? Not clear
We don't base doctrines on unclear passages.
We don't contradict the clear passages with doubtful ones.
More than 200 passages affirm that salvation comes from trusting Christ alone!
Nothing in verse contradicts clear teaching of Scripture.
* If there’s no resurrection, why risk death for Christ's sake? 30-32a
It doesn’t make sense to risk life for Christ's sake if there’s no resurrection!
* If there’s no resurrection, why not eat, drink and be merry? 32b We might as well dedicate ourselves to enjoy this life, if there’s no future!
Why should we live a holy life now, denying ourselves all the fun,
if there’s nothing out there?
Logical implications of the resurrection 15:33-34
What difference will it make?
Belief in the resurrection should motivate us to be careful who we run around with. 33
If we’re linked with the ungodly, their philosophy will become our philosophy.
The risk is that running around with people who don’t share our hope
will lead us to start thinking like they think!
Belief in the resurrection should motivate us to think carefully (be sober-minded) 34a .
Belief in the resurrection should motivate us to avoid sin 34b
Belief in the resurrection should motivate us to tell others about Jesus (supported by a distinctive lifestyle) 34c
The resurrection is crucial to everything we believe!
If it falls, everything crumbles with it; the gospel has nothing to offer.
Since Christ has been raised, our faith in general, and our belief in resurrection in particular rest on a strong foundation.
WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THE RESURRECTION MAKE IN OUR LIVES?
How does Christ's resurrection affect our struggle with sin?
Do we see any evidence of resurrection power in our life?Rom. 8; Phil. 3
Most thrilling thing about the resurrection: God has promised that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, to change our lives!
Does it motivate us to live a holy life? 1 John 3:2-3
Does His resurrection change our view of death? 1 Thess. 4:13-18
How does the resurrection affect what we value? what we're living for?
Does the resurrection give us hope in the dark times of life?
Does it enable us to endure tribulation?
HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE TOMB LATELY?
Is our hope real, or is it just an empty dream?
Paul says if it's just an empty dream, it's worthless!
We of all people are most to be pitied.
If it's real, it ought to transform our lives and our lifestyle!
Crown Him with many crowns:
Crown Him the Lord of LIFE: Who triumphed o'er the grave,
Who rose victorious to the strife for those he came to save;
His glories now we sing, Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.
Because He Lives . . .
OUR life is different! We have new power to live a NEW life!
We can face the future!
We can trust God in the dark.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE TOMB LATELY?
–to remind yourself of what the hope of resurrection really means?!!
Because HE lives, I too shall live! What a blessed hope!