Dr. William HardingBiblical Theological Seminary

Why is the Resurrection of Christ Important to Us?

1 Corinthians 15:12-20 page 1789

1 Corinthians 15:12-20 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,

how can some of you say that there is no

resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of

the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless

and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses

about God, for we have testified about God that he

raised Christ from the dead.

But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.

For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Then those also who have fallen

asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the

firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1. Because if Christ did not rise from the dead, the Gospel is not true V14

2. Because if Christ did not rise from the dead, we have no ground for our belief that the Gospel is True V14

3. Because if Christ did not rise from the dead, the Apostles are false witnesses of God and thus are not men of integrity and do not deserve honor and respect V15

4. Because if Christ did not rise from the dead, we have no Salvation V16-17

5. Because if Christ did not rise from the dead, those who have died with their faith in Jesus are Lost V18

6. Because if Christ did not rise from the dead, we who are Christians are more miserable in this life than those who are not Christians because we undergo suffering and persecution because we are Christians while those who are not Christians are at ease V19

Note: Because Christ is risen from the dead, the very opposite of these things are true V20

Note: Because Christ is risen from the dead, the Gospel is true

Note: Because Christ is risen from the dead, we have a ground for our belief that the Gospel is true

Note: Because Christ is risen from the dead, the Apostles are True Witnesses of God and thus are men of integrity and deserve honor and respect

Note: Because Christ is risen from the dead, we have salvation from our sin

Note: Because Christ is risen from the dead, those who have died with their faith in Jesus are not lost, but go to Heaven when they die and consciously exist in the presence of Christ

Note: Because Christ is risen from the dead, we who are Christians are more happy in this life than those who are not Christians because we expect good from Christ, not only in this life, but also in the life to come