Dr. G. Henry Wells Chinese Grace Bible Church  September 29, 2010 A Liar, A Lunatic, or Lord?

2 Introduction If Christ be not risen, then Jesus is the vilest creature who ever wriggled his carcass across the stage of human history. If Christ be not risen, then there lies in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea the dust of the greatest dream that ever touched the heart of human beings.

3 I Corinthians 15:12-20 (NIV) 12 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? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

4 I Corinthians 15:12-20 (NIV) 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 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.

5 I Corinthians 15:12-20 (NIV) 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

6 I Corinthians 15:12-20 (NIV) 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep..

7 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Paul says in verse 14, if there is no resurrection, our preaching is USELESS and so is your FAITH.

8 I Corinthians 15:14 (NIV) 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

9 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Verse 17, Paul says your faith is FUTILE. Without the resurrection, our Christian faith is WORTHLESS.

10 I Corinthians 15:17 (NIV) 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

11 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost:

12 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost: Christ is still on the cross

13 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost: Christ is still on the cross The very Godhead is sundered. Not what is was

14 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost: Christ is still on the cross The very Godhead is sundered. Not what is was Christ has not assumed the throne of his father, David

15 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost: Christ is still on the cross The very Godhead is sundered. Not what is was Christ has not assumed the throne of his father, David He is not "the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace

16 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost: God's Son made his assault on sin, Satan, and death, but he did not succeed

17 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost: God's Son made his assault on sin, Satan, and death, but he did not succeed Put away your music for the Hallelujah

18 I.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith is empty. Some things that would be lost: God's Son made his assault on sin, Satan, and death, but he did not succeed Put away your music for the Hallelujah The Kingdom of this world has not become "the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ)

19 II.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been wrong about God. We have MISREPRESENTED Him.

20 II.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been wrong about God. We have MISREPRESENTED Him.

21 II.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been wrong about God. It was all SPECULATION at best, and LIES, at worse.

22 II.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been wrong about God. God either CAN NOT or WILL NOT save dying sinners.

23 II.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been wrong about God. Jesus was not the WORD made flesh.

24 III.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hope of salvation is futile. Our Christian faith is worthless because it is either DECEPTIVE or POWERLESS.

25 III.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hope of salvation is futile. Our sins cannot be FORGIVEN. There is no MERCY to be found.. The guilty must be PUNISHED. Verse 18 says, “Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are LOST.

26 I Corinthians 15:18 (NIV) 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

27 III.If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ, our hope of salvation is futile. Now in this life, we are FOOLING OURSELVES ourselves. We are not the BODY of Christ, for Christ is DEAD.

28 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Our faith is not EMPTY, but FULL and RUNNING over.

29 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! The Son of God LIVES, and REIGNS in power forever.

30 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Many, many things Christ is:

31 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Many, many things Christ is: Lord of Lords, and King of Kings

32 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Many, many things Christ is: Lord of Lords, and King of Kings Satan is defeated

33 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Many, many things Christ is: Lord of Lords, and King of Kings Satan is defeated Gospel is true

34 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Many, many things Christ is: Lord of Lords, and King of Kings Satan is defeated Gospel is true Jesus has the power to save sinners

35 IV.But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Many, many things Christ is: Lord of Lords, and King of Kings Satan is defeated Gospel is true Jesus has the power to save sinners Jesus has the power to heal the broken-hearted

36 WE will be with Christ forever! All of this is true because Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!