April 20, 2019 ● 19-25
The apostle Paul wrote probably the best defense of the resurrection that can be found anywhere in the Bible. Paul’s writing on the resurrection can be found throughout 1 Cor. 15. Imbedded in 1 Cor. 15 are some verses that speak to the core of why the resurrection is fundamental to our faith as Christians. Failure to believe in the resurrection results in five effects on our faith:
1. Questionable faith
1 Cor. 15:12. Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Claiming to be a Christian and yet questioning the resurrection of Jesus is to call your very
faith into question. Our faith rests solely on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. Vain faith
1 Cor. 15:13. But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;
1 Cor. 15:14. and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is vain.
If Jesus was not raised, we are preaching a faith that goes nowhere and preaching is useless. True biblical preaching is giving the Word of God a voice, and without the resurrection of Jesus that voice is hollow.
3. False faith
1 Cor. 15:15. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
The resurrection of Jesus, and the resurrection of the dead, are part of the Word of God. To disbelieve the resurrection is to disbelieve the Word of God and we become false witnesses.
4. Worthless faith
1 Cor. 15:16. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;
1 Cor. 15:17. and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless, you are still in your sins.
What’s the point of believing in a faith that cannot deliver us from the power of death?
5. Empty faith
1 Cor. 15:18. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1 Cor. 15:19. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
Failure to believe in the resurrection is to simply understand life as: you are born, you live, you die – that’s it. But that is not the biblical witness to the power of the resurrection.
John 21:27-29 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are they who dd not see, and yet believed.’