The Importance of the Resurrection

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-3-2026

1 Corinthians 15:12-23

 

Introduction: Last week, we found the perversion of the Gospel, called “another gospel,” spreading throughout Asia and now evidently creeping into the Corinthian church.  Tonight, we find the reason for Paul’s doctrinal definition (verses 3-4) and determined defense of the Gospel in chapter 15.  The importance of the resurrection!

A.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is often called the “Capstone of the Gospel.”  Without the resurrection, the Gospel is not completed as stated:

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

B.  An incomplete Gospel spells an unfinished work and, therefore, a failed means of salvation.

 

C.  The importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is also found in the satanic attacks made by wicked men.

 

1.  Hidden by the Saved. 

 

a)  The Gospel is found in our newness of life lived before the world. 2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 

 

b)  The Gospel is found in our sharing to those who are lost.  John 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

2.  Attacked by Satan.  2 Corinthians 4:3  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 

a)  Satan blinds through the perversion of the Gospel.  Either by teaching a spiritual resurrection only or a denial of the resurrection.

 

b)  Satan blinds through the denial of his followers.

 

2 Timothy 2:17-18  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;  (18)  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

 

D.  Evidently, the Corinthian believers had some measure of influence that denied the resurrection.

 

1 Corinthians 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?

 

E.  The importance of the Gospel: 

 

1.  If Christ be not risen, then He is not who He said that He was! – vs. 13.  “then is Christ not risen”

 

Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

2.  If Christ be not risen, then we preachers are wasting both our time and yours. – vs. 14  “then is our preaching vain” We preachers need to get a job!

 

3.  If Christ be not risen, then you are simply deceived and no better off than the rest of the world. – vs. 14.  “and your faith is also vain”  You are wasting your time coming to church to hear God’s Word. 

 

4.  If Christ be not risen, then we are liars of the worst kind. – vs. 15.  “Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God”  Testified - to make a solemn declaration under oath, for the purpose of establishing or making proof of some act to a court.

 

5.  If Christ be not risen, then our sins remain. – vs. 17.  “ye are yet in your sins”

 

6.  If Christ be not risen, then our loved ones are gone forever. – vs. 18.  “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished”

 

7.  If Christ be not risen, then we are the most miserable of all people. – vs. 19.  “we are of all men most miserable”  Let us eat, drink, and be merry like the rest of the world.

 

8.  But Christ arose, and all is well!  1 Corinthians 15:20-22  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  (21)  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  (22)  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

 

a.  In The Resurrection, We Find Victory – vs. 20  He is who He said He was!

 

1 Corinthians 15:55-57  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

b.  In The Resurrection, We Find Encouragement – vs. 22  The gospel does work and sinners are eternally changed!

 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

Romans 1:16   For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

c.  In The Resurrection, We Find Hope – vs. 23-26

 

1)  The Resurrection Is The Seal Of God’s Acceptance Of The Sacrifice Of Christ

 

2)  The Resurrection Is The Seal Of Our Salvation In Christ

 

3)  The Resurrection Is The Seal Of Our Security For Eternity

 

a)  Faith is not a farce, but a force.

 

2b)  Forgiveness is not a fallacy, but a fact.

 

c)  Faithful aren't finished, but forever.

 

d)  Future isn't a forfeit, but fantastic.