I Corinthians 15:12-19

THE GLORY OF RESURRECTION

What is Christianity without resurrection?

What is Christianity without the hope of a new life? What is winter without spring?

“But tell me this – since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ was not raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your trust in God is useless.

And we apostles would all be lying about God, for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave, but that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still under condemnation for your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ have perished! And if we have hope in Christ only for this life, we are the most miserable people in the world. (I Cor. 15:12-19, New Living Translation)

“For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself to redeem the whole human race. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved.” (I Tim 2:5-7, GNT)

But God raised him from the death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner.” (Acts 2:24, GNT)

“Because of our sins, he was given over to die, and he was raised to new life in order to put us right with God.” (Rom 4:25, GNT)

Christ’s resurrection has given us the belief and hope that there is life beyond the grave.

Christ’s resurrection strengthens our faith, our belief, our confidence that we will be with our Redeemer and Lord when it is our time to cross the Great Divide.

No grave can imprison Christ. No vault can contain Him. No sepulcher can hold Him from resurrecting. No one can stop His conquering death.

Christ did not remain in the grave forever. Christ had His glorious resurrection.

Easter is a story of a dead man who lives, a dead man whose victory over death became a story of triumph.

“WHY SHOULD I WORSHIP A DEAD JEW?”

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;I know that He is living, whatever men may say;I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,And just the time I need Him He’s always near.

“WHY SHOULD I WORSHIP A DEAD JEW?”

Chorus: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks

with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me know I know He

lives? He lives within my heart.

“WHY SHOULD I WORSHIP A DEAD JEW?”

In all the world around me I see His loving care,And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair;I know that He is leading thru all the stormy blast,The day of His appearing will come at last.

“WHY SHOULD I WORSHIP A DEAD JEW?”

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and singEternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,None other is so loving, so good and kind.

As Christ said: “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (Matt 22:32)