1 Corinthians 15 “…if there be no resurrection…” 1

1 Corinthians 15: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Introduction Paul 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

The Consequences: “If There Be No Resurrection” 4

Then Is Christ Not Risen Vs. 13 -“But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen” Vs “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: “if there be no resurrection”

Our Preaching is Vain Vs “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 15:9 6 “if there be no resurrection”

Your Faith Is Vain Also Vs “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” Vs “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 7 “if there be no resurrection”

Apostles Are False Witnesses Vs “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” 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 “if there be no resurrection”

You Are Yet In Your Sins Vs “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” Your baptism was of no value and meaningless Acts 2:38 9 “if there be no resurrection”

Those Who Died In Christ Perished Vs “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 Paul - 2 Timothy 4: “if there be no resurrection”

We Are of All Men Most Miserable Vs “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 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 “if there be no resurrection”

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

The Truth of the Matter Paul destroys this false doctrine and sets the record straight! Vs “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” 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 “but now is Christ risen form the dead”

Our Preaching is Not Vain It declares the resurrection of Christ It has eternal value 1 Corinthians 1:21- “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” 14 “but now is Christ risen form the dead”

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 “but now is Christ risen form the dead”

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 “but now is Christ risen form the dead”

You Are Not Yet In Your Sins Baptism saves by the resurrection of Christ 1 Peter 3: “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” 17 “but now is Christ risen form the dead”

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 “but now is Christ risen form the dead”

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: “but now is Christ risen form the dead”

Conclusion “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” 1 Corinthians 15:58 20