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The Importance of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:12—20
Robert D. Pace
Have you heard this statement that society makes? It’s the assertion that all religions are equally valid. But let’s consider that assumption. (Pause) What is the ground for this claim? Does society possess a “Gold Standard” or scientific theorem to validate its assertion here? The answer is, No!
On the other hand, there’s Christianity to consider. This is the religion that the world calls inflexible, bigoted, dogmatic, and prejudiced. Christians are reviled with accusations like these even though Jesus fulfilled every promise from the OT concerning his birth, miracles, teachings; his life, death, burial, and resurrection.
You see, the Gold Standard for Christianity is the use of fulfilled prophecy. And no other religion dares to implement prophecy like the Bible does. But Christianity has one more way that discloses its supremacy. And it’s the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I want to point out four distinctions of the resurrection and why they are imperative for Christians and Christianity.
1. First, I want you to notice that the resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God. This is what Paul noted in Romans 1:3–4. He wrote that Jesus, “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.”
The OT Prophets had predicted Christ’s resurrection hundreds of years in advance. And when he arrived on Earth as a man, Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that he would rise from the dead after his crucifixion. But this was a concept the Apostles simply couldn’t grasp! Nevertheless, according to Scripture, Jesus arose from the grave three days after his death.
This is why Jesus made personal appearances to his disciples for forty days after his resurrection and until his Ascension into Heaven. He wanted his followers to bear witness to his battered brow, his lacerated back, his pierced side, and his scarred hands and feet. Luke says more than 500 people saw Jesus face-to-face during this lapse of days. That’s 500 people that could validate how Jesus conquered his death on the Cross. That is certainly something that declares “him to be the Son of God in power”!
2. Now let’s investigate the second purpose of Christ’s resurrection: Paul says Christ’s resurrection proves our sins were acquitted and it lets us stand before God entirely justified. Romans 4:25 puts it this way: “[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised [from the dead] for our justification.”
Let me offer a little commentary on this Scripture as it also relates to other passages: It’s showing us that Jesus took humanity’s sins upon himself on the Cross. But this person had to be a perfect sacrifice. This is what the resurrection discloses. When God raised Jesus from the grave it meant Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. Thus, when we trust him to forgive our sins, his resurrection gives us the assurance that we will stand before God justified.
But there’s a third great announcement that Christ’s resurrection makes and it’s closely related to what I just mentioned.
3. Thirdly, Christ’s resurrection means the whole of Scripture is true. 1 Corinthians 15:14 &17 say, “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”
What a striking passage of Scripture! Paul says without the resurrection all we believe about the Bible is vain! He says we are still sinners! Because these are ominous words let’s continue examining them:
The claims that Jesus made about himself and the claims that the Apostles made about Jesus cannot be ascribed to any other person of human history. John called Jesus the “Word of God.” He said Jesus was the Creator. And then Jesus claimed to be “one with his Father, making himself to be equal with God.” Jesus said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.” And he also claimed to be the only way to eternal life.
All of these statements are indispensable to the Christian Faith. And there is but one way they can be validated. A resurrection! And that’s exactly what happened! Jesus rose from the dead, and in so doing he put an exclamation point behind every claim the Apostles ascribed to him and behind every promise in God’s Word. That’s how important the resurrection is! The whole of Scripture depends upon it. Without it our entire Faith would be vain. But Jesus did rise from the dead and all that is in this book is true!
4. And then, fourthly, the resurrection of our Lord means we too will be raised from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:20—22 says, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For as by a man came death [Adam], by a man [Jesus] has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
Have you noticed that no other major world religion even claims to worship a risen savior? Notice the testimony:
Buddha’s tomb – occupied.
Confucius’ tomb – occupied.
Mohammed’s tomb – occupied.
Jesus’ tomb – empty!
Jesus and his resurrection make Christianity supreme to all religions, and to suggest anything less is to deny Christ and Christianity of their supremacy. So you see, the great boast of Christianity isn’t what lies in the tomb; it’s what doesn’t lie in the tomb! “He is risen indeed”!
What the Resurrection Means
1. We serve a Messiah like no other messiah.
Hinduism has its revered leader.
Buddhism has its revered leader.
Confucius honor their esteemed prophet.
The Muslims have their renowned prophet.
But Jesus is the only person in world history that has been resurrected from death. (While others have died and been resuscitated, only Jesus has been “resurrected.”
(Transition) Not only do Christians serve a Messiah like no other messiah, but secondly:
2. Followers of Jesus Christ have a future like no other followers of any other faith. What is our future? The future of every Born Again Believer is to share in the glorious resurrection that Jesus experienced (1 Corinthians 15:53–57).
(Transition) Not only do Christians have a future unparalleled to those of any other religion, but thirdly:
3. Because of Christ’s resurrection, Believers are promised that God will reward them for every good work. The Apostle Paul issued this promise in 1 Corinthians 15:58 when he made the following promise: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).