A Case for Christ – He Is Risen – 1 Corinthians 15

If a report came out from a reputable Christian archaeologist that Jesus’ bones had been discovered, what would that do to your faith?

Obviously, I wouldn’t accept the premise. We would argue rightly that there is no surefire way to know that those were Jesus’ bones. But if we had to accept the premise, could we hold on to our faith if Jesus’ bones were here?

We could not. Paul says that if Jesus did not arise from the dead, then our faith is worthless. Everything hinges on that. Christianity is not about some abstract principles or even good moral teachings. It is a relationship with a living Christ. He only has power in our life and world today, if He is alive.

1 Corinthians 15:1-19 – Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Key Points

1. If Christ is not raised, preaching is a waste of time (14)
2. If Christ is not raised, believing is useless (14)
3. If Christ is not raised, all those who share about Him are liars (15)
4. If Christ is not raised, neither will we be (16)
5. If Christ is not raised, their faith is worthless (17)
6. If Christ is not raised, we are still living in sin (18)
7. If Christ is not raised, we are the most pitiful humans on earth (19)

The Bible presents Jesus’ resurrection not as a legend or figurative event, but as a historical fact. Paul goes so far to say that the entire gospel and Christian faith hinges on this one thing. If Jesus did not arise from the dead, your faith is pointless. If Jesus did not arise from the dead, we are wasting our time here today.

Christianity is the only religion to make a claim like this. Buddhists do not claim that Buddha rose from the dead. Muslims do not claim that Muhammad rose from the dead. But Jesus’ disciples claim that He arose from the dead.

So today we want to ask the question, “Did Jesus really arise from the dead?”

Go ahead and ask your neighbor. They should give one reason why they believe Jesus rose from the dead.

God is not afraid of investigations. He is the God of all truth and He wants us to seek after the truth.

Acts 1:3 “He presented himself alive to them after suffering with many proofs.”

Today I will give an overview of some of the evidences that, in fact, Jesus did rise from the dead. Then we will discuss how that has transformed the world and finally how it should impact our lives today.

I. Christ is Raised

Empty Tomb

• Several women and Peter and John saw the empty tomb.
• If there was a body, it could have been produced and the resurrection movement squashed.

Eyewitnesses

• 1 Corinthians 15:5-6. More than 500. In a court of law, only 2-3 witnesses are necessary to confirm a case.
• Many of these witnesses were still alive and could confirm it. If they were asked and said, “Nah man, I don’t know what you are talking about,” Christianity would have ended before it began.
• Women were the earliest eye-witnesses. In that historical period, women’s testimony was not considered to be as trustworthy as a man’s. If the story was fabricated, no one would make this part up. John and

Matthew would not have invented a story in which women witnessed the raised Jesus before they did. When people lie, they magnify their own role. They don’t minimize it. Because the gospel authors all mention women as being the first to witness a raised Jesus, it is strong evidence that their account is accurate.

Martyred disciples

• Something changed them from fearful to being extremely bold.
• Many of the disciples were martyred for their faith.
• The disciples knew if Jesus arose or it was their own fabrication.
• They could have saved their lives by stopping to preach the gospel. They kept on.
• People may die for something they think is true, but they never die for something they know to be a lie. Did you ever see a kid lie to his parents to avoid getting in trouble? Did you ever see a kid lie to his parents so that he would be disciplined? I have never seen that.
• Why would they risk their life for something they knew was a lie? They didn’t. They believed Jesus did rise from the dead and because they were eye-witnesses their belief is powerful evidence that it is true.

Changed lives

• James, Jesus’ half-brother, did not originally believe. Later he did (John 7:5 and 1 Corinthians 15:7). Something happened to change his mind. It wasn’t the money! 1 Corinthians 15:7
• Saul persecuted the church, but was converted. (1 Corinthians 15:9)

Formation of the Church

Christianity is built upon the resurrection. Without it, we have no New Testament, no missionaries, no church, and no Sunday worship service. The church itself, all of us meeting here today, are evidence that Jesus did rise from the dead.

If He is not risen, our faith is useless, our preaching is in vain, and we live under the power of sin.

1 Corinthians 15:20 – But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.

Christ is risen!

The church, the Bible, and Christians have been persecuted and attacked. But the gates of hell cannot overcome us.

Christ is risen!

• Because He is risen, our faith is not useless.
• Because He is risen, preaching is not a waste of time.
• Because He is risen, His followers are set free from the power of sin.

II. Christ’s Resurrection Has Transformed the World

Philippians 3:10-11 – That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

The power of His resurrection.

The resurrection changes lives. It is not just a fact of the past. The living Christ transforms people’s hearts and lives. As individuals are transformed so are entire cultures and the globe.

Christianity has had an enormous and positive impact around the globe as people live out the values of Christ. This is not to say that Christians or the church are perfect. We are not. Yet God has used the power of the gospel in people’s lives to restrain evil, promote good, and change the world.

“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be… but by the grace of God I am what I am.”
— John Newton

Cannibalism to Christ

John Paton’s mission to New Hebrides shows that God changes people.

The islanders practiced witchcraft and cannibalism. Through Christ, many were saved and gave up their vile way of life.

A moving testimony from his biography –

A local convert from the island is asked if he has ever eaten human flesh. Sheepishly he looked at the ground before lifting his countenance and responding, “It is true sir, I have eaten. I am full of shame. But, sir, it was in the days of darkness before the light… came to Fiji. God is good-hearted and I am forgiven.”

Value of women

In the ancient world, women were not valued. They were treated as property. They were not viewed as having equal value, worth, and dignity. One Jewish rabbi said it was better to burn the law than to teach it to a woman.

Jesus showed us another way. He ministered to women. He first announced He was the Messiah to a woman. He discipled women. He appeared after His resurrection to women.

In many parts of India, baby girls were considered to be a burden. Many were abandoned. Some villages practiced female infanticide. Girls were often not valued or loved.

That started to change when Christian missionaries like Amy Carmichael came. She saved abandoned girls and rescued them from dangerous situations.

She started a community where these girls were loved and cared for.

One rescued girl said, ““We were not wanted. But Amma showed us we were loved.”

Followers of Jesus taught that husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies and that both male and female are equal in value (Galatians 3:28).

Jesus’ followers spoke out against domestic violence and polygamy and entire societies built on these practices were transformed.

Followers of Jesus, recognize that every person is created in God’s image and has dignity and worth.

Orphanages

Jesus said, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” He raised the value of children and the marginalized.

Followers of Jesus have likely started more orphanages around the world than all other religions put together. This is the power of the gospel transforming lives.

Hospitals and charities

Matthew 25:35-36 – For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Jesus taught that His followers should care for the sick and needy. They have obeyed.

• 3rd and 4th century Rome – xenodochia – hostels for strangers serving the poor, sick, and traveler.
• Byzantine – Hospitals were attached to churches and provided free medical care for everyone.
• 11th-16th centuries – Hospitals built by Christians in almost every city in Europe.
• Hôtel-Dieu – Hostel of God – Founded by St. Landry (a Christian bishop) of Paris in 650 AD. Created to serve the sick and poor. Run by Augustininan nuns for over a thousand years. Longest operating hospital in the world and still functioning today.
• Red Cross – Started by Henry Dunant in 1863. He saw an imperative from Christ to help the sick. The organization helped without discrimination. It was mostly volunteers.

We do not worship a dead Savior. We do not worship a historical figure that is only in the history books. We worship a risen Lord. He is alive.

The resurrection is the most powerful event in the history of the world. It proved that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

John 11:25-26 – “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Do you believe this?

Jesus’ resurrection brings us life. His resurrection has changed the world.

You also have a testimony. I believe Christ as not just impacted the world, but has impacted you.

Each of you has a testimony to share. How would your life be different if Jesus did not raise from the dead? I would not be here this morning. I would not be in China. I would not even be alive. Jesus has given me a purpose for life. He has forgiven my sins.

Reflect – What has Christ done for you? How would your life be different if Jesus did not raise from the dead?

So what does all of this mean for us?

A. Do not be ashamed of the gospel

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God…

We should not be ashamed. Our God is the real God. Our Lord is the real Lord. Our Savior is the only Savior. Our faith is the true faith. No one else rose from the dead. No other religious leader did what Jesus did.

The world is dark place. There is a lot of sin. But without the life changing power of Christ, it would be far worse.

Do not be ashamed. While we as Christians are not perfect and have made many mistakes, Christ has had a massively positive impact on the world. We have a message of good news and we should share it.

B. Pursue Knowing Christ (not just knowing the fact)

Philippians 3:10-11 – That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Today we have looked at many evidences for Jesus’ resurrection. We have seen that the power of the living Christ changes lives and the world.

But there is a big difference between knowing the facts about Jesus and knowing Jesus.

Knowing about someone (Christy) versus knowing them (by relationship).

It is important to know the facts and to believe that Jesus did rise from the dead. But that is not enough to save you.

You need to know Jesus Himself. You need to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

John 17:3 – And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

I. Christ is Risen
II. Christ’s Resurrection Transforms Lives
III. You Will Rise

Do you know Christ? Today God is inviting you to have a personal relationship with Him. He is inviting you to know Him, to understand His heart, to receive forgiveness and eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15 teaches us that there is a resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection proves that we too will rise. That means there is life after death.

Acts 24:15 – There will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Turn to the person next to you and say, “Death is not the end.”

You have a soul. It will not be obliterated at death. Your soul will go on. Either you will be resurrected to eternal life or your will be resurrected to eternal condemnation, hell.

Revelation 20:12-15 – And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

That means that your life now and the decisions you make are eternally important. My hope is that every person here this morning will take part in the resurrection to life. I don’t want anyone to walk away without understanding how they can have eternal life and be saved.

What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for you today? It is not just a festival so that we can come to church once a year. It is part of the Greatest Story Ever Told.

Here is the good news of salvation from the beginning as told in the Bible.

God + Creation

One God, all-powerful, holy, just, and loving. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

People

• Originally good.
• Originally good relationship to God.
• Created in God’s image
• God created Adam and Eve. One command. They broke it.
• Rebelled.

Sin (Romans 3:23)

• Falling short of God’s perfect standard. Separation from a holy God.
• Things we should do, shouldn’t do, and thoughts
• Bad news – We need help

Judgment

• God’s justice means judgment
• Record of all the things we have done and thought. I wouldn’t want my book to be opened in front of everyone because there are many things I am ashamed of.
• As a just judge, if come still with our sin and separated from God, he must say GUILTY.

Fake Solution

• You cannot save yourself through good deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Going to church, reading the Bible, praying, being born in a Christian family, etc.

Jesus, the Cross

• Jesus is the way – Romans 5:8 – Substitution
• God’s love for us.
• Cross. Love and justice. The way back to God.
• Illustration – Paying a debt.
• Appeal – Jesus died for you. Not just for the world. For you. But God shows His love for [Jason] in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. Put your name there. Let’s read it together and put your name in it and substitute we for I and us for me. Whatever sins you have committed can be forgiven. Don’t let them keep you from coming to God.
• But can Christ’s death save? It is easy to die, is it not? I could say I will die for you and then die. Would it save? No.

Resurrection

• He died and he was buried. Everything normal to this point. Then something amazing.
• He arose!
• Illustration – Listen to a dead man or an alive man?
• Jesus’ resurrection proves He has the power to save you and can bring you back to God. It proves He is who He says.
• We serve a Risen Lord.

Believe and you will be saved

John 5:24 – Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Place faith and trust in. Say, “I want that.” Accept the free gift. More than an intellectual assent it is entrusting yourself to Him.

Repent and your will be forgiven

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Review

• Christ Is Risen
• His Resurrection Transforms Lives and the World
• You Will Rise

God pursued us.
He took the initiative to reach out to us. How will you respond?
An invitation to unbelievers (Do not wait until the last moment. You don’t know how long your life will be. Also, the world is NOT better than Jesus. TODAY is the day of salvation.

A call to believers to pursue God. We serve a risen Lord. His power has changed the world and can change your life to. Today is a day to celebrate Christ’s victory over sin, over the grave, over death.

Believe it
Live it
Share it