HILL TO DIE ON, PART 3: THE RESURRECTION: IT’S ESSENTIAL

Devotional

Day 1: The Core of Christianity: What Do You Do With Jesus?

Amidst the many things that can demand our attention, there is one central, defining question that stands above all others. This question cuts through the noise of secondary issues and gets to the very heart of the matter. It is not about personal preferences, traditions, or even moral living alone. The most important consideration for every person is what they will do with Jesus Christ. This is the hill to die on, the foundation upon which everything else is built. [22:24]

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.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (ESV)

Reflection: As you consider your own faith journey, what is one peripheral issue or secondary concern that often distracts you from the core question of what you believe about Jesus?

Day 2: The Historical Reality of the Resurrection

The Christian faith is not built on wishful thinking or abstract philosophy, but on a historical, verifiable event. The resurrection of Jesus is presented not as a private spiritual experience but as a public fact witnessed by many. These witnesses were not anonymous figures; they were known people whose lives were utterly transformed by what they saw. Their testimony invites investigation and provides a solid foundation for faith. The empty tomb changes everything. [29:56]

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.
- 1 Corinthians 15:4-6 (ESV)

Reflection: If someone asked you for evidence that Jesus rose from the dead, beyond simply quoting the Bible, how would you describe the historical witness of those who saw Him?

Day 3: The Stakes: If Christ Has Not Been Raised

The entire Christian faith hinges on the truth of the resurrection. Without it, the message of the cross is empty and our faith is meaningless. The apostles themselves declared that if this event did not happen, then they are liars and we are still trapped in our sin. There is no middle ground; the resurrection is the linchpin. It is the difference between a life of hopeful purpose and a life of ultimate despair. [42:09]

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.
- 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 (ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding that your faith rests entirely on the reality of the resurrection deepen your appreciation for its importance in your daily life?

Day 4: The Transformative Power of the Risen Christ

Encountering the resurrected Jesus has the power to completely change a person's life, identity, and destiny. This change is not merely cosmetic; it is a fundamental transformation from the inside out. We see this in the lives of those who met Him, from skeptics like James to enemies like Paul. Their stories testify that the risen Christ is alive and active, still meeting people today and offering them new life, new purpose, and a new name. [26:05]

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
- 1 Corinthians 15:7-8 (ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you most need to experience the transformative power and new identity that comes from knowing the risen Christ?

Day 5: Living in the Hope of the Resurrection

Because Christ has been raised, we have a living hope that permeates every aspect of our existence. This hope assures us that our sins are forgiven, that our lives have eternal purpose, and that death is not the end. This truth moves from a doctrine we affirm to a reality that shapes our choices, our relationships, and our perspective on suffering. We are called to live today in the light of that certain tomorrow. [50:27]

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20 (ESV)

Reflection: How might you live differently this week, making one practical choice, if you fully embraced the reality that Jesus is alive and your future with Him is secure?

Sermon Summary

Easter centers on the resurrection of Jesus as the decisive claim that shapes faith, hope, and moral life. Paul’s summary in 1 Corinthians 15 defines the gospel: Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, and that single truth separates Christianity from mere moral teaching or legend. Scripture functions not as the only proof but as a record of repeated eyewitness encounters; Peter, the twelve, more than 500 followers, James, and Paul himself all attest to meeting the risen Christ. Those encounters transformed opponents into apostles, skeptics into leaders, and ordinary fishermen into martyrs because they did not die for an idea but for what they had seen.

The argument presses listeners to examine evidence rather than accept or reject faith on hearsay or reputation. Historical investigation and real cases of former skeptics who examined the facts—illustrated by conversions of investigators—serve as an open challenge to test the claims. Paul insists that denying the resurrection collapses the whole Christian claim: without it, preaching loses meaning, faith loses its power, ethical teaching loses its grounding, and consolations offered at funerals become empty consolations.

The resurrection supplies forgiveness, purpose, and an enduring hope that makes present-day choices matter beyond immediate pleasure or pragmatic concerns. Life gains redirected priorities when forgiveness and future life hold as real possibilities rather than wishful thinking. The call culminates in a direct invitation to respond: trust in Jesus, begin a relationship, and let the reality of the risen Christ rearrange commitments, relationships, and the use of time and resources. Prayer closes the appeal, acknowledging doubts while urging personal choice to believe Jesus rather than remaining agnostic or merely cultural about Easter. The resurrection stands as the hill worth defending because it validates the gospel claim, sustains moral witness, and secures hope for both this life and the life to come.

Key Takeaways

1. The resurrection is Christianity’s core The claim that Christ died, was buried, and rose on the third day forms the nonnegotiable center of the faith. If that event did not occur, the apostolic preaching and the ethical claims built on it lose their foundation. Holding this as central forces a living response, not mere admiration for moral teaching. [28:47]
2. Eyewitness testimony anchors the claim Multiple named witnesses—Peter, the twelve, more than 500 at once, James, and Paul—give the resurrection a historical backbone. These accounts moved people from opposition to costly commitment, showing belief grew from encounter, not myth. Investigating those testimonies invites honest inquiry rather than default skepticism. [31:15]
3. No resurrection nullifies Christian hope Denying bodily resurrection removes the basis for forgiveness, future hope, and the meaning behind sacrifice or moral discipline. Without resurrection, funerary comfort and the claim that this life is not all there is collapse into mere sentiment. The resurrection secures a coherent vision where present choices matter toward a promised future. [41:43]
4. Trust Jesus; begin with faith The logical end of the claims about the risen Christ calls for a personal turn: entrust life to Jesus and allow that trust to shape priorities. Doubts may remain, but choosing to believe opens access to forgiveness, reshaped purpose, and transformed relationships. That choice carries practical implications for how time, money, and relationships get invested. [50:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[21:18] - What Easter Really Means
[24:22] - Beware the Hollow Easter Bunny
[25:19] - The Hill Worth Dying On
[27:31] - Gospel Defined: Death, Burial, Resurrection
[31:15] - Eyewitnesses to the Resurrection
[35:56] - Evidence and Investigations
[41:43] - If There Were No Resurrection
[50:16] - Resurrection Confirmed and Its Hope
[51:44] - Invitation to Trust Jesus
[53:35] - Closing Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 14-20 (ESV)
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...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. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Observation questions

According to verses 3-4, what three historical events does Paul list as "of first importance" to the gospel?
Who are the specific individuals and groups listed as eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ in verses 5-8?
What are the specific consequences Paul outlines in verses 14-19 if the resurrection of Christ did not actually happen?

Interpretation questions

Paul states that if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is "vain" or "useless" and we are "still in our sins." [45:20] Why would the absence of a physical resurrection make forgiveness of sins impossible?
The sermon mentioned that people like Peter and James were transformed from opponents or skeptics into committed leaders. [32:48] [39:10] What does the dramatic change in these eyewitnesses suggest about the nature of their encounter with Jesus?
Paul argues that if the resurrection is not true, then Christians who have suffered or sacrificed for their faith "are of all people most to be pitied." [49:00] What does this reveal about the kind of hope the resurrection is supposed to provide?

Application questions

The core claim of Christianity rests on the historical reality of the resurrection. [28:47] What are some honest questions or doubts you have had about this event, and what would it look like to actively investigate them rather than just dismiss them?
The resurrection is presented as the source of forgiveness, purpose, and a hope that reorients our present-day choices. [50:38] In what practical area of your life (use of time, money, relationships) would a belief in this hope make the most tangible difference this week?
The sermon challenged the idea of seeing faith as a "hollow Easter bunny"—something that looks good on the outside but lacks substance. [24:55] In what ways have you been content with a faith that is more about appearance than a life-changing reality based on a risen Christ?
The logical end of the resurrection claim is a personal call to trust Jesus and begin a relationship with him. [51:44] If someone were to ask you what it means to "do something with Jesus" based on this sermon, how would you explain it?

Sermon Clips

Look at this verse 19. And if our hope in Christ is the only one for this life, we are to be pitied more than anyone in this world. Without the resurrection, this is a big statement, that money you gave to that church, you wasted it, bro. You should have spent it on your on yourself. All those parties you went to when you were in college, maybe you want to pledge that frat or sorority, and you didn't hook up with her or him. Even though he looked good, she looked good because you're a Christian. Without the resurrection, you missed out on a good time. That's what he's saying. [00:48:36] (35 seconds) #ResurrectionOrNothing

Our big idea, if there is no resurrection, we should abandon all things Christian. But but but if Jesus did rise from the dead if Jesus did rise from the dead, we should trust our lives to him. We have forgiveness of sin. It all begins and ends with what do you do with Jesus. So that's my challenge for you this morning. Little bit different Easter message. And you may be here today and you may be, again, totally far from god, and you have a lot of questions. That's okay to have questions. I still have questions as well. But the questions we're not getting into today is all of this other stuff found in this book. It's what do you do with Jesus? [00:51:10] (62 seconds) #WhatWillYouDoWithJesus

Jesus has been raised from the dead. That means that we have forgiveness. That means that we have hope. That we have purpose in this life. That means that this life is not all this life has, but there is an afterlife. And if you're not a Jesus person, if you're not a church person, if you're not a bible person, I get that. That's not what I'm asking today. What do you do with Jesus? What do you do with Jesus with the resurrection? Our big idea, if there is no resurrection, we should abandon all things Christian. But but but if Jesus did rise from the dead if Jesus did rise from the dead, we should trust our lives to him. We have forgiveness of sin. It all begins and ends with what do you do with Jesus. [00:50:30] (68 seconds) #ForgivenessThroughResurrection

Because without the resurrection, there's no hope. Here's our big idea today. If there is no resurrection, we should abandon all things Christian. I know that's kind of a strong statement. It's negative, and I apologize. But that's where Paul is going in verse 14. This is what he says. And if Christ has not been raised, then all of our preaching is what does it say, church? Useless, and your faith is what? Useless. Now some of you who are here today and you're not a normal church person, it's like, finally, something I could agree on. Right? Preaching is useless. In fact, can you wrap it up, pastor? [00:41:39] (44 seconds) #ResurrectionIsEverything

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HILL TO DIE ON, PART 3: THE RESURRECTION: IT’S ESSENTIAL

Devotional

Day 1: The Core of Christianity: What Do You Do With Jesus?

Day 2: The Historical Reality of the Resurrection

Day 3: The Stakes: If Christ Has Not Been Raised

Day 4: The Transformative Power of the Risen Christ

Day 5: Living in the Hope of the Resurrection

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

HILL TO DIE ON, PART 3: THE RESURRECTION: IT’S ESSENTIAL

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