Resurrection: The Cornerstone of Christian Faith

 

Summary

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses the critical doctrine of the resurrection, emphasizing its centrality to the Christian faith. The resurrection is not merely a metaphorical or spiritual concept but a literal, physical event. Paul argues that if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is futile, and we remain in our sins. This chapter is often read at funerals, yet its familiarity can sometimes obscure its profound message. The eloquence of Paul's writing can captivate us, but we must not lose sight of the argument's essence: the resurrection is a cornerstone of Christian belief.

Paul wrote this chapter to address confusion and false teachings in the Corinthian church regarding the resurrection. Some claimed it had already occurred, while others denied its possibility. Paul counters these claims by affirming the physical resurrection of Jesus and, consequently, the future resurrection of believers. He insists that the resurrection is not just a continuation of Christ's influence or a spiritual survival but a tangible, bodily event. The empty tomb and the appearances of the risen Christ to many witnesses serve as evidence of this truth.

The resurrection is essential because it validates Jesus as the Son of God and confirms the efficacy of His atoning death. Without the resurrection, the crucifixion would be meaningless, and we would remain in our sins. The resurrection assures us that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient, satisfying God's justice and enabling our justification. Furthermore, it guarantees our future resurrection and complete redemption, encompassing both spirit and body. As Christ was raised, so shall we be, in glorified bodies, free from sin and death.

The resurrection also points to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. Christ's triumph over death assures us of the eventual defeat of all evil and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. This hope empowers us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. The resurrection is not a matter of indifference but a vital truth that shapes our entire Christian life and hope.

Key Takeaways:

- The resurrection of Jesus is a literal, physical event, not merely a spiritual metaphor or continuation of influence. This truth is foundational to the Christian faith, as it affirms the reality of Christ's victory over death and the promise of our future resurrection. [06:11]

- Belief in the physical resurrection is essential to being a true Christian. Without it, our faith is empty, and the message of the apostles is false. The resurrection is central to the gospel, and denying it undermines the entire Christian message. [13:05]

- The resurrection validates Jesus as the Son of God and confirms the purpose of His death. It assures us that His sacrifice was sufficient to atone for our sins, satisfying God's justice and enabling our justification. [19:26]

- Our future resurrection and complete redemption are guaranteed by Christ's resurrection. As He was raised, so shall we be, in glorified bodies, free from sin and death, experiencing the fullness of salvation. [29:32]

- The resurrection points to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom, where all evil will be defeated, and a new heaven and earth will be established. This hope empowers us to remain steadfast in our faith and labor, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. [36:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 15
- [01:10] - The Danger of Familiarity
- [02:37] - The Literary Beauty of the Chapter
- [04:00] - The Argument of the Chapter
- [05:50] - The Literal Physical Resurrection
- [09:12] - Evidence of the Resurrection
- [13:05] - Essential Belief in the Resurrection
- [18:33] - The Resurrection as Proof of Jesus' Divinity
- [22:06] - Purpose of Christ's Death and Resurrection
- [25:34] - Resurrection as Proof of Atonement
- [29:32] - Our Future Resurrection and Redemption
- [36:52] - The Coming of the Eternal Kingdom
- [41:05] - Encouragement to Be Steadfast
- [43:25] - Conclusion and Call to Faith

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 15:17
- Romans 4:25
- Philippians 3:20-21

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#### Observation Questions
1. What specific problem in the Corinthian church prompted Paul to write 1 Corinthians 15? ([04:30])
2. How does Paul emphasize the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15? ([06:11])
3. According to the sermon, what evidence does Paul provide to support the resurrection of Jesus? ([09:12])
4. What does Paul say about the consequences of Christ not being raised from the dead? ([13:36])

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul consider belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus essential to the Christian faith? ([13:05])
2. How does the resurrection validate Jesus as the Son of God, according to the sermon? ([19:26])
3. What is the significance of the resurrection in terms of our future redemption and glorification? ([29:32])
4. How does the resurrection assure us of the ultimate victory of God's kingdom? ([36:52])

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal belief in the resurrection. How does it shape your understanding of the Christian faith? ([13:05])
2. The sermon emphasizes the resurrection as proof of Jesus' divinity. How does this influence your daily walk with Christ? ([19:26])
3. Consider the hope of future resurrection and redemption. How does this hope impact your response to current struggles or suffering? ([29:32])
4. The resurrection points to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. How can this assurance empower you to remain steadfast in your faith and service? ([36:52])
5. In what ways can you actively remind yourself of the significance of the resurrection in your daily life?
6. How can you share the message of the resurrection with someone who may be skeptical or unfamiliar with its importance?
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to experience the power of the resurrection. What steps can you take to invite that transformation?

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection as a Tangible Reality
The resurrection of Jesus is not a mere metaphor or spiritual concept but a literal, physical event that stands at the heart of Christian faith. This truth is foundational, affirming the reality of Christ's victory over death and the promise of our future resurrection. Paul emphasizes that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile, and we remain in our sins. The empty tomb and the appearances of the risen Christ to many witnesses serve as evidence of this truth. The resurrection is a cornerstone of Christian belief, validating Jesus as the Son of God and confirming the efficacy of His atoning death. [06:11]

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: How does the physical reality of the resurrection impact your understanding of Jesus' victory over death in your daily life?


Day 2: The Essential Belief in the Resurrection
Belief in the physical resurrection is essential to being a true Christian. Without it, our faith is empty, and the message of the apostles is false. The resurrection is central to the gospel, and denying it undermines the entire Christian message. Paul wrote to the Corinthians to address confusion and false teachings regarding the resurrection, affirming the physical resurrection of Jesus and, consequently, the future resurrection of believers. This belief is not a matter of indifference but a vital truth that shapes our entire Christian life and hope. [13:05]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: In what ways can you strengthen your belief in the resurrection, and how does this belief influence your daily actions and decisions?


Day 3: The Resurrection Validates Jesus' Divinity
The resurrection validates Jesus as the Son of God and confirms the purpose of His death. It assures us that His sacrifice was sufficient to atone for our sins, satisfying God's justice and enabling our justification. Without the resurrection, the crucifixion would be meaningless, and we would remain in our sins. The resurrection assures us that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient, satisfying God's justice and enabling our justification. This truth is central to the gospel and the Christian message. [19:26]

Romans 4:24-25 (ESV): "It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

Reflection: How does the resurrection of Jesus affirm your understanding of His divinity and the sufficiency of His sacrifice for your sins?


Day 4: Our Future Resurrection and Redemption
Our future resurrection and complete redemption are guaranteed by Christ's resurrection. As He was raised, so shall we be, in glorified bodies, free from sin and death, experiencing the fullness of salvation. The resurrection assures us of our future resurrection and complete redemption, encompassing both spirit and body. This hope empowers us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. [29:32]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: What does the promise of a future resurrection and glorified body mean to you personally, and how does it shape your perspective on life and death?


Day 5: The Ultimate Victory of God's Kingdom
The resurrection points to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom, where all evil will be defeated, and a new heaven and earth will be established. This hope empowers us to remain steadfast in our faith and labor, knowing that our efforts are not in vain. Christ's triumph over death assures us of the eventual defeat of all evil and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. This hope is not a matter of indifference but a vital truth that shapes our entire Christian life and hope. [36:52]

Revelation 21:4-5 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of God's ultimate victory and the establishment of a new heaven and earth inspire you to remain steadfast in your faith and service to others?

Quotes


Now this is one of those great and outstanding chapters in the Bible, a chapter with which most people are familiar, a chapter which is customarily read on the occasion of a burial. And therefore, I say, a chapter that is more or less familiar. And yet I sometimes have a feeling that our very familiarity with this great chapter is a danger in and of itself. [00:50:16]

The Apostle undoubtedly rares here to one of the Great Heights of eloquence to which he rises in many places in many of his Epistles. And there is something about this chapter which is so Noble and so moving, so profound, so eloquent that I say the danger is that we are so moved and Charmed and captivated by the very movement of the words. [00:126:64]

He is concerned to emphasize the literal physical Resurrection both of the Lord Jesus Christ and of all of us. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ as a fact which has already taken place. Now you notice that I'm putting my emphasis upon the literal physical Resurrection. In other words, the apostle was not here setting out to tell these Corinthians that there's a wonderful principle of renewal in life. [00:354:19]

The apostles argument is that the Lord Jesus Christ arose out of the grave in his body. It was a changed body, it was a glorified body, but he arose in the same body though it was changed. And the same is going to happen to us. And there is this great argument as to how that happens. We don't understand it, but we do believe that the same is going to happen to us. [00:721:72]

To believe in this literal physical Resurrection is absolutely essential to the Christian position. Now this is to me the whole point, the most important point of all as I understand the apostles argument. You cannot be a true Christian unless you believe in the literal physical Resurrection. [00:780:39]

If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching Vain and your faith is also vain, empty, useless. If Christ isn't risen from the dead, says Paul, well all I have preached and all the other Apostles have preached is nonsense. It's empty, it's vanity, it's foolish, there's nothing in it, and your faith is equally Vain and empty and foolish. [00:816:27]

The first reason why we must believe it is this: it is of course finally the ultimate proof of the fact that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. We can't stay with that this morning, but it's something that is emphasized everywhere in the Scriptures. It was the resurrection that finally convinced even the disciples themselves. [00:1144:24]

The resurrection is the proof absolute that his death really has dealt with our sins. Now that works like this, doesn't it? If he had not risen from the dead, would it not be quite clear that even he himself was not big enough and great enough and strong enough to Bear our sins? Our sins were laid upon him, he took them upon himself. [00:1534:36]

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as Paul now goes on to show, is also proof positive that we also shall rise in the body and that therefore our Redemption is ultimately and finally going to be complete. Now this is how he puts it, as you remember, he says that Christ is the first fruits. [00:1757:20]

The resurrection of Christ is a guarantee of my resurrection. As he rose, I shall rise. I belong to him. The power that raised him will raise me, and my Redemption shall be absolutely complete. I shall not be a disembodied spirit in eternity. No, no, in my flesh I shall see him. My body shall be redeemed. [00:2125:52]

The literal physical resurrection of Christ is a guarantee of the coming of the Eternal kingdom. Here is how he puts it in verses 24 and 25: then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the father, when he shall have put down all Rule and all authority and power. [00:2199:35]

Therefore, my beloved Brethren, be ye steadfast. Let the philosophers say what they will, let they laugh at this message, let they R let them ridicule it, let the world with its pump and it show despise us and think that all this is foolish, let them persecute you, let them try you, let hell be let loose against you, be steadfast, unmovable. [00:2476:96]

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