What the Resurrection Means to You

( Also Romans 10:9-10)

Introduction

The most incontrovertible fact in human history is the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is, in fact, the only great religious leader in all of history to say, “I will rise again.” But, what does Jesus’ resurrection really mean? What practical relevance can it possibly have for us in this 21ST century?

I. PAUL DECLARED CHRIST’S RESURRECTION (15:1-4).

1. The Resurrection Is The Gospel

(15:1-2, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain”).

2. The Gospel Instructs Us Unto Salvation (15:3-4).

(1) Christ’s death affirms forgiveness for our sins

(15:3, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures...”).

(2) Christ’s burial affirms His death (15:4a, “...and that He was buried...”).

(3) Christ’s resurrection asserts the power of His life over death (15:4b, “...and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...”).

II. PAUL CERTIFIES CHRIST’S RESURRECTION (15:5-11).

1. The Certification Comes By Way Of Christ’s Post-Resurrection Appearances (15:5-8).

(1) Christ appeared first to Peter (15:5a, “...and

that He appeared to Cephas...”).

Peter denied Him...but...

Peter was the 1ST apostolic witness to the resurrection.

Luke 24:34, “‘The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon.’”

Peter becomes the Apostle to the Jews!

(2) Christ appeared next to The Twelve (15:5b, “...then to the twelve”).

The Twelve doubted Him...but...He authorized them to proclaim His resurrection!

(3) Christ appeared to a Multitude (15:6, “After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep...”).

These were they who delighted in Him!

(4) Christ appeared to James (15:7, “...then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles...”).

These were the devoted ones! James, Jesus’ half-brother...and His apostles!

(5) Christ appeared last of all to Paul (15:8, “...and last of all, as it were to one untimely born, He appeared to me also”).

Paul is the derelict turned designate. The Greek word here translated “untimely born” indicates that Jesus’ appearance to him occurred after He had ascended to Heaven.

Once a derelict and persecutor of Christians, Paul is now the Apostle-designate to the Gentiles.

2. The Certification Is Disclosed To Believers Through

The Grace Of God (15:9-11).

(1) Paul had received Christ –and he knew it!

(15:9-10, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me”).

2 Tim 1:12, “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

1 John 5:13, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.”

(2) The Corinthian Christians had also received Christ (15:11, “Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed”).

III. PAUL VINDICATES CHRIST’S RESURRECTION (15:12- 20).

1. The Argument Comes In View Of Some Disbelief

(15:12, “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say thatthere is no resurrection of the dead?”).

(1) The Sadducees denied all resurrections!

(2) Modern liberals vary in their denials:

A. Some believe Jesus’ body was stolen.

B. Some believe the disciples went to the wrong tomb.

There is Proof of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection!

2. The Argument Views Hope As In The Resurrection Alone (15:13-19).

(1) Christ’s Resurrection hinges on the reality of all resurrection (15:13, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised...”).

(2) Christ’s Resurrection determines the validity of all things subsequent:

A. The validity of preaching... (15:14a,

“...and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain...”).

a. ...on doctrine

b. ...on comfort

c. ...for souls

B. The validity of personal faith... (15:14b,

“...and if Christ has not been raised..., your faith also is vain”).

C. The validity of witnessing (15:15,

“Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised”).

a. ...giving false hope

b. ...undermining society with

emotionalism

D. The validity of forgiveness for sin...

(15:17, “...and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is less; you are still in your sins”).

a. salvation is forever denied!

b. only Hell lies ahead!

Hobbs: “I am taking a fearful leap into the dark.”

E. The validity of hope for Heaven... (15:

18-19, “Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied”).

a. Godly pastors...

b. Selfless missionaries...

c. Dedicated saints...

d. Innocent children...

“If I knew it were all untrue, I’d still be a Christian!”

3. The Argument Avows That Christ IS ALIVE! (15:20,

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep”).

(1) Our preaching is NOT in vain!!

(2) Our faith is NOT empty and valueless!!

(3) We are NOT false witnesses!!

(4) Our sins HAVE BEEN forgiven in Jesus Christ!

(5) Our beloved, Christian dead ARE NOT in Hell!!

Conclusion

YOU MUST PERSONALLY RATIFY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST (15:21-22, “For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive”).

1. Through Christ You Can Be Resurrected (15:21).

2. Through Christ You Must Be Made Alive (15:22; Acts 4:12).

3. The Ratification of Christ’s Resurrection in Your Life Makes Christ’s Resurrection Yours! (Rom 10:9-10).

(1) Confess Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior today (10:9).

(2) Believe in your heart in the literal, bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (10:9).

(3) Call upon His Name in prayer, asking Him to forgive your sins and save you (10:13).