Monday, April 5, 2010

The Resurrection

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.   Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that that dead rise not.  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  And if Christ be not raised,  your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins.  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.   For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.  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.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.   I Corinthians 15:12-26

Without the resurrection:
1.  Preaching is vain.
2.  Our Faith is vain.
3.  Christ was a fake.
4.  Death would be the end.

Because of the resurrection:
1.  Preaching is not in vain.
2.  Our Faith has substance; it is not vain.
3.  Christ is alive, our sins are forgiven.
4.  Heaven is our home.

To the lost, The resurrection means an invitation.

(Notes from Sunday morning's message)