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Why Resurrection?

Posted on 01 Apr 2018, Pastor: Tolu Makinde

Title: Why Resurrection?

Text: 1 Cor. 15:12-22

[1Co 15:12] Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

[1Co 15:13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

[1Co 15:14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

[1Co 15:15] 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 the dead rise not.

[1Co 15:16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

[1Co 15:17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

[1Co 15:18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

[1Co 15:19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

[1Co 15:20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

[1Co 15:21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

[1Co 15:22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Introduction

What happened?
- Jesus came back to life from the dead – Matt. 28:1-6
- [Mat 28:1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
- [Mat 28:2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
- [Mat 28:3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
- [Mat 28:4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
- [Mat 28:5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
- [Mat 28:6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
He that was dead is now alive again.
Resurrect means the restoration of a dead person to life

Main Topic

Why Resurrection?

If Christ did not rise from the dead: (1 Cor. 15:12-22)
- Our preaching is in vain
- Our faith is in vain
- We become false witnesses of God – Matt. 28:18-20
  - [Mat 28:18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
  - [Mat 28:19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
  - [Mat 28:20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
- Christ is not risen
- We are still in our sins
- Those asleep in Christ are perished
- There is no mansion He is preparing
- God is powerless – Eph. 1:19
  - [Eph 1:19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
- We will not make heaven

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pillar that holds Christianity together. It proves that our God is alive and not dead.
Christ did die on the cross and has resurrected, and he was seen by over 500 people – 1 Cor. 15:3-6
- [1Co 15:3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- [1Co 15:4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
- [1Co 15:5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
- [1Co 15:6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
Since Christ did die and resurrected, through resurrection:
- Our preaching is not in vain, so keep preaching
- Our faith is not in vain, so keep having faith in God
- We are true witnesses of God, so continue to witness
- Our sins have been washed away, praise God
- Those asleep in Christ will rise with Christ
- Jesus is preparing a place for us
- We shall make heaven
- Our God is a powerful God – Eph. 1:19
- We have power over death

Conclusion

We have every reason to rejoice because our Redeemer lives
The death on the cross looked like defeat
The resurrection revealed our victory
Congratulations and Happy Resurrection Sunday

Sermon

Why Resurrection?