Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
In the previous lesson, we talked about the proof we have for the resurrection of Jesus. This was not just a myth or legend, it is a historical fact. This is important. If the resurrection of Jesus did not happen, there are some major implications. Paul warned about what it would mean if Jesus was not raised in his letter to the Corinthians. If we deny the resurrection, these will be true for us.
It Makes the Gospel Meaningless (1 Corinthians 15:14)
- The resurrection is part of the foundation of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) – without the foundation, we have nothing left (Psalm 11:3)
- This would make the Bible no different from any other book – we would be free to accept what we want, reject everything else, and combine it with the wisdom of the world
- The gospel is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16), but not without the resurrection (Romans 1:4; 8:11)
It Makes Faith Worthless (1 Corinthians 15:17, 14)
- Faith is not a wish – many have a concept of a “leap of faith” (believe against our better judgment); biblical faith is based upon evidence (Hebrews 11:1); without evidence, it is nothing more than a wish
- This causes people to abandon their faith (2 Timothy 2:18) – no resurrection means no reason to follow God
It Leaves Us with No Remedy for Sin (1 Corinthians 15:17)
- Jesus died on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 1:7) – but the resurrection proved that He was the Son of God (Romans 1:4); no resurrection means His death was meaningless; this is why forgiveness was preached after His resurrection (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38)
- The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and all have sinned (Romans 3:23) – nothing else can take away sin (Hebrews 10:4); there is no other sacrifice to be made (cf. Hebrews 10:26-27)
It Leaves Us with No Hope (1 Corinthians 15:18-19)
- There becomes no reason to follow the Lord – we suffer for His cause, but with no reward
- In fact, we will start to think that Jesus’ teaching is absurd (Matthew 22:23-32) – if the resurrection is not real, Jesus’ teaching makes no sense; it looked ahead beyond this life (John 6:40; 11:25)
- Without hope, death is something to fear (cf. Hebrews 2:14-15) – we would grieve without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14); death would be a permanent end
It Encourages Worldly Behavior (1 Corinthians 15:32)
- Without hope provided through the resurrection, what’s the point of anything in this life? – Solomon wrestled with this type of question (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)
- Without the resurrection, there is no reason to refrain from following after our lusts (1 Peter 2:11; 4:1-2) – Jesus calls us to deny self and take up our cross (Luke 9:23); if He was raised, we have hope if we are raised with Him (Romans 6:4-7); no hope if He was not raised
Conclusion
- We have hope of eternal life through the resurrection of Christ
- If He was not raised, we have no hope – it would be foolish to follow Him
- But He was raised from the dead – so we must follow Him in all things; press on toward the goal of heaven
