If no ressurection then our faith is flawed

the truth

1. “WHAT…if there be no resurrection…” 1

2. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 2 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

3. Background Paul is concerned about the Corinthians - vs. 1-4 Much controversy at that time over the resurrection The Sadducees denied it - Luke 20:27 Some in Athens mocked Paul - Acts 17:32 Some Corinthians disbelieved - vs. 12 Hymenaeus & Philetus taught it was past 2 Timothy 2:18 Paul outlines the consequences if there be no resurrection 3

4. The Consequences: “If There Be No Resurrection” 4

5. Then Is Christ Not Risen Vs. 13 -“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen” Vs. 16 - “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised” Then Christ is still in the grave All promises He made are lies John 2:18-22 NIV 18  The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” 19  Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 20  They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”  21  But the temple he had spoken of was his body.  22  After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. 5

6. Our Preaching is Vain Vs. 14 - “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” Preaching of the Apostles vain Peaching of every gospel preacher vain No need for the New Testament All worship is of Christ is vain Matthew 15:7-9 7  You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 8  “‘These people honor me with their lips,    but their hearts are far from me. 9  They worship me in vain;their teachings are merely human rules.’ [ a ] ” 6

7. Your Faith Is Vain Also Vs. 14 - “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” Vs. 17 - “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” Your faith is based on a lie, then Your faith is not “precious” 2 Peter 1:1 To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 7

8. Apostles Are False Witnesses Vs. 15 - 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either Apostles taught & testified that God raised up Christ Acts 2:30-32; 3:14, 15; 5:30-32 Acts 10:39-41; 13:30, 31 8

9. You Are Yet In Your Sins Vs. 17 - “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” Your baptism was of no value and meaningless Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized…… 9

10. Those Who Died In Christ Perished Vs. 18 - “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished” All Christians who died have no hope Stephen - Acts 7:60 Antipas - Revelation 2:13 Those Paul put to death - Acts 26:9-10 9  “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  10  And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Paul - 2 Timothy 4:6-8 10

11. We Are of All Men Most Miserable Vs. 19 - “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. If there is no hope after this life… Why continue to serve God? - Rev. 2:10 Why endure to the end? - 2 Timothy 2:3 Why suffer persecution? - 2 Timothy 3:12 11

12. Paul Declares: “But now is Christ raised from the dead…” 12

13. The Truth of the Matter Paul destroys this false doctrine and sets the record straight! Vs. 20 - “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” Prophecy that foretold this is true - Psalms 16:10 Sepulcher was sealed - Matthew 27:62-66 Tomb was empty - Luke 24:3 Grave clothes lying there - John 20:5 He Appeared after His resurrection - 1 Cor. 15:5-8 Testimony of the apostles true - Acts 2:32; Matthew 28:7 13

14. Our Preaching is Not Vain It declares the resurrection of Christ It has eternal value 1 Corinthians 1:21 - “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. ” 14

15. Your Faith Is Not Vain Your Faith is of the greatest value! It Comes by hearing God’s word - Romans 10:17 You are saved by it - Ephesians 2:8 Christ dwells in you heart by it - Ephesians 3:17 Promises of God inherited by it - Hebrews 6:12 You please God by it - Hebrews 11:6 15

16. Apostles are True Witnesses of God They were guided into all truth - John 16:13 They confirmed the word by many signs & wonders - Acts 2:43; 5:12 16

17. You Are NOT In Your Sins Baptism saves by the resurrection of Christ 1 Peter 3:20-21 - “to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[a] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” 17

18. Those Who Died Have Not Perished Christ was the first to die a be raised to die no more! 1 Corinthians 15:21-23 Paul taught that “the dead in Christ shall rise” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 18

19. We Are Not Most Miserable We are miserable in this life 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 We have hope in Christ - Vs. 15 We look for a new heaven and new earth Revelation 21:1-4 To die is gain and to be with Christ is far better Philippians 1:21-23 19

20. 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 20

21. Philippians 3:10 “ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” 21