Easter

Easter

Resurrection

This is the greatest chapter on the resurrection in the Bible.

Text: 1 Corinthians 15

Proof of the resurrection (vss 1-11)

  • The Gospel of the Resurrection was testified in the scriptures
  • Eyewitness accounts of the resurrection
  • Paul’s life turned around because of the resurrection

The proposition of no resurrection (vss 12-19)

  • Some were saying no resurrection (2 Timothy 2:16-18) – Canker and cancer are similar words. A Christianity without a resurrection is like a cancer-ridden body.
  • If no resurrection, everything we’re doing is a waste of time.
  • If no resurrection, we are all liars.
  • If no resurrection, we are in our sin.
  • If no resurrection, all men die in their sins. Everyone you love died in their sin.
  • If no resurrection, we are miserable for living lives based on a lie. Enduring sorrow for no reason. Having a pie-in-the-sky religion. And Karl Marx is right in saying, “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people” In other words, faith in a risen savior is a fairy tale that helps people in hard times.

Christ is the resurrection (vss 20-28)

  • But because the resurrection is no fairy tale.
  • Because he lives, we can live.
  • Resurrection in order
  • The point is that death as the final enemy is destroyed by the resurrection. Some rise to life, and some rise to eternal punishment.

Practicality of the resurrection (vss 29-34)

  • Symbol of baptism in light of the resurrection
  • Sacrifice in light of the resurrection
  • Sanctification in light of the resurrection
  • Soul winning in light of the resurrection

Picture of the resurrection (vss 35-49)

  • The seed that is planted (vss 35-44)
  • Spiritual body from glory (vss 45-49)

Power of the resurrection (vss 50-58)

  • It satisfies the need (vss 50-53)
  • It defeats death and the grave (vss 54-57)
  • It sets things in the right perspective and renders the flesh helpless against a spiritual look toward the resurrection (vs 58)

Easter