Hope and Life Through the Resurrection of Christ

Today, we gathered to reflect on the most profound question humanity faces: “If a man dies, will he live again?” This question is not just philosophical, but deeply personal, touching the very core of our existence and our hope. Our lives are our most precious possession, and yet, no matter our achievements or efforts to prolong life, death is an unavoidable reality. But the good news—the gospel—is that Jesus Christ has answered this question for us through His resurrection. The resurrection is not just a doctrine to be believed, but a reality that transforms how we live and how we face death.

The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our hope. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, reminds us that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile. But Christ has indeed been raised, and He is the “firstfruits” of those who have died, showing us what is to come. The resurrection is not a myth or wishful thinking; it is grounded in eyewitness testimony, the enduring witness of Scripture, the transformation of lives, and the living presence of the church through the ages. Because Jesus lives, we have the assurance that there is life after death.

What will that life be like? Scripture teaches that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Our spirits go immediately into God’s presence, and one day, our bodies will be resurrected and transformed—imperishable, glorious, and active. Heaven is not a place of idle existence, but of meaningful activity, worship, learning, and reunion with those who have gone before us. The resurrection body is a mystery, but it is a promise grounded in the power of God, who created life and who will restore it.

How do we attain this eternal life? It is not something we can buy, earn, or deserve. It is a gift, purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, offered freely to all who will receive it by faith. Yet, to accept this gift means turning from sin and pride, and humbling ourselves before God. The offer is for everyone, but it demands a response. Will we let the love of this world or our own pride keep us from the greatest gift ever offered?

In the end, the resurrection is not just about what happens after we die, but about how we live now—with hope, contentment, and purpose, knowing that we are not in the land of the living going to the land of the dying, but in the land of the dying going to the land of the living.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Resurrection Grounds Our Hope in Reality, Not Wishful Thinking The resurrection of Jesus is not a comforting story, but a historical event verified by eyewitnesses, Scripture, and the enduring witness of the church. Our faith is not built on fantasy, but on the living Christ who conquered death. This gives us a hope that is unshakable, even in the face of our deepest fears and doubts. [54:38]
• 2. Life After Death Is Both Immediate and Transformative When we die, our spirits are immediately present with the Lord, and one day, our bodies will be resurrected and transformed. This is not reincarnation or a vague spiritual existence, but a real, embodied life in the presence of God. The promise of resurrection means that death is not the end, but a doorway to a fuller, richer existence. [63:44]
• 3. Heaven Is a Place of Purposeful Activity and Joyful Reunion The biblical vision of heaven is not passive or monotonous. It is a place of worship, learning, discovery, and reunion with those who have gone before us. Our resurrected bodies will be active and whole, and our relationships will be restored in the presence of Christ. This hope shapes how we live now, valuing relationships and purposeful living. [70:13]
• 4. Eternal Life Is a Gift, But Accepting It Requires Surrender Eternal life cannot be bought or earned; it is a gift purchased by Christ’s sacrifice. Yet, to receive it, we must turn from sin and pride, and place our trust in Jesus. The greatest barrier is often our attachment to this world or our unwillingness to admit our need. True faith is humble, repentant, and open to God’s transforming grace. [77:16]
• 5. Living in Light of the Resurrection Brings Contentment and Courage Knowing that our future is secure in Christ frees us from the fear of death and the anxieties of this world. We can live with contentment, even in suffering, because our hope is anchored in eternity. This perspective empowers us to serve others, share the good news, and face life’s challenges with peace and confidence.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:21] - Announcements and Wednesday Night Activities
• [03:14] - Empower Ministry Update
• [42:15] - The Story of Paul Azinger
• [43:38] - The Question: If a Man Dies, Will He Live Again?
• [47:33] - The Gospel and the Resurrection
• [50:16] - Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection
• [53:47] - The Necessity of Resurrection
• [54:38] - Evidence for the Resurrection
• [57:03] - Life After Death: Jesus’ Promise
• [63:44] - The Resurrection of the Body
• [67:45] - The Nature of Our Resurrected Bodies
• [70:13] - Heaven: A Place of Activity and Reunion
• [73:47] - How to Attain Eternal Life
• [77:16] - Barriers to Receiving Eternal Life
• [81:01] - Contentment in Christ
• [87:18] - Invitation and Response
• [92:52] - Closing Announcements and Benediction

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-22, 51-57 (ESV) — (Selected passages as the main text of the sermon)

> 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
> 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
> 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
> 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
> 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
> 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
> 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
> 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
> ...
> 12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
> 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
> 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
> 15 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.
> 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.
> 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
> 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
> 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
> 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
> 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
> 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
> ...
> 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
> 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
> 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
> 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
> “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
> 55 “O death, where is your victory?
> O death, where is your sting?”
> 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
> 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, what is the foundation of the gospel message he preached to the church? ([47:33])
2. What evidence does Paul give for the resurrection of Jesus? Who are some of the people he mentions as eyewitnesses? ([48:54])
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say happens to our spirit when we die? ([57:53])
4. How does Paul describe the change that will happen to our bodies at the resurrection? ([01:08:35])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile? What does this mean for how we view our faith and hope? ([53:47])
2. The pastor said, “The resurrection is not just a doctrine to be believed, but a reality that transforms how we live and how we face death.” What does it look like for the resurrection to shape our daily lives? ([01:21:01])
3. The sermon describes heaven as a place of “purposeful activity and joyful reunion.” How does this vision of heaven differ from common cultural ideas about the afterlife? ([01:10:13])
4. According to the sermon, what are the main barriers that keep people from accepting the gift of eternal life? ([01:17:16])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared the story of Paul Azinger, who realized that all his achievements became meaningless when faced with death. What are some things in your life that you tend to value most? How might the reality of the resurrection change your perspective on what truly matters? ([43:38])
2. The sermon says that eternal life is a gift, but accepting it requires surrender—turning from sin and pride. Is there an area of your life where pride or attachment to this world is making it hard for you to fully trust Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? ([01:17:16])
3. The pastor said, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” How does this truth affect the way you think about death—either your own or that of loved ones? ([57:53])
4. The resurrection means our future is secure in Christ, freeing us from fear and anxiety. Are there specific fears or anxieties you are carrying right now? How might remembering the resurrection help you face them differently this week? ([01:21:01])
5. The sermon described heaven as a place of meaningful activity, worship, learning, and reunion. How does this vision of heaven motivate you to live with purpose and invest in relationships now? ([01:10:13])
6. The pastor challenged us to respond to Jesus’ offer of eternal life. If you have already said “yes” to Jesus, what is one way you can share this hope with someone else this month? If you haven’t, what is holding you back from responding? ([01:27:18])
7. The pastor said, “We are not in the land of the living going to the land of the dying, but in the land of the dying going to the land of the living.” How does this perspective change the way you approach your daily life and decisions? ([43:38])