Gtcotr/ss040410
1 Corinthians 15 KJV
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Who among us said there is no resurrection?
Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit …
Sadducees = "the righteous"
* There is such pomp in the power to self-name, self-proclaim.
The Sadducees were a religious party among the Jews at the time of Christ. The Sadducees denied several doctrines including:
* Resurrection of the body
* Immortality of the soul
* Existence of spirits and angels
* Divine predestination
There is a reason why the Sadducees were sad … they had no hope for the future and that’s why they were – Sad- you-see?
But who among us, here today, says there is no resurrection? – Each believer who lives as though there is no future, no hope, no judgment day for the souls of man, no help from heaven, and no power over sin, sickness, death and the grave, denies the resurrection. Our life is a testimony as to what we believe – and our life speaks loudly!
Don’t live your life as though there were no help; no future – don’t live a life that others see as sad – don’t be a person who is sad, you-see/to-see.
There is hope, there is help from heaven. There is a future in this life and beyond. Here is the logic of the resurrection:
1 Corinthians 15
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
What is the implication?
If God did not raise Jesus from the dead then Jesus of Nazareth, although a teacher of good moral principles, is no different than Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, Gandhi or Mother Theresa – just another good, well meaning person in a long list of wise moral teachers whom people still follow and often quote … just one in a long line of “special people”.
Special might be special, but being special, or being moral, or being a good teacher, can do nothing to take away the sins of the world. There is one and only one Messiah, Savior of the World, Son of God and the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb … His name is Jesus!
How do we know Jesus is that One? Because God set His seal on Jesus when He raised Him from the dead! The resurrection is God’s stamp of approval, God’s recognition upon the life, death, burial and finished work of Jesus, His Son, our Savior, and the forgiveness of sins. Only the Lamb of God can take away the sins of the world. And, if Jesus was not it … your sins have not been paid for and you are bound for hell today!
This is the importance and the reality of the resurrection! If Jesus was not raised from the dead … you have a reason to be afraid, very afraid – miserable in fact! If Jesus was not raised from the dead …
1 Corinthians 15
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
If all you have is all you have, and all you can get is in this life, if this life is it … life is miserable. But the resurrection confirms, “This life is not it … !”
The Truth!
1 Corinthians 15
20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
John 5
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his, (God’s), voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
The cross gave sinners a Savior while the resurrection gives saints a future.
Do you believe in the resurrection?
1. The resurrection of Christ?
a. As victorious Savior and eternal Lord, the One Messiah
2. The resurrection of the dead at Christ’s coming?
a. A new body, incorruptible, undefiled, immortal, eternal
3. The resurrection of hope for your future?
a. A better tomorrow which begins today
b. A future that only Jesus can offer, & only you can accept
Embrace the resurrection and its power. Don’t live life as a sad-you-see!
