Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Corinthians, An Easter Warning

“The resurrection is the pivot on which all Christianity turns and without which none of the other truths would much matter. Without the Resurrection, Christianity would be so much wishful thinking, taking its place alongside all other human philosophy and religious speculation….Because it is the cornerstone of the gospel, the resurrection has been the target of Satan’s greatest attacks against the church. If Christ did not live past the grave, those who trust in Him surely cannot hope to do so.” (John MacArthur)

The Bible teaches a bodily resurrection from the grave; meaning that the resurrection body is a physical body; an indestructible body not subject to sin, sickness, decay or death; a powerful transformed body, not limited by time and space; and a glorious body. Jesus resurrection body is the model for our resurrection body.

In 15:1-11 Paul proclaims the centrality of the gospel and defines the gospel. The message consists of three parts: Christ died for our sins, He was buried (as proof of His death); and He was raised from the dead (as proof that God the Father accepted His sacrifice), and that His resurrection is authenticated by the Old Testament scriptures, by eyewitnesses (10 appearances over 40 days to over 500 people including the Apostles Peter, James, and Paul), and by changed lives.

In 15:12-19, Paul outlines the consequences of rejecting the resurrection. If there is no resurrection, then not even Christ is raised, and if Christ is not raised, then:

-there is no message to proclaim

-those who proclaim the message of the gospel are liars

-faith is futile, we are still in our sins

-believers who have already died are lost

-those who are living by faith are fools and to be pitied