Notes

BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN!
I Corinthians 15:12-22 April 12, 2009

INTRODUCTION
What if all Christians are now, and have been in the past, deluding themselves? What if the Scripture is nothing but myth and legend and fairy tales? The revisionists and liberals suggest that resurrection language expresses theological truth in mythological garb. In this passage, St. Paul addresses this as he proclaims the absolute reality of Christ’s literal, bodily, physical resurrection from the dead. And, in this passage, he argues convincingly that it is impossible to overestimate the importance of the Resurrection to Christianity.

I. AN EMPTY FALSE FAITH. Verses 12 - 16.
If there is no Resurrection:
a) Everything we do is in vain. It is meaningless.
b) Our faith is meaningless.
c) Apostolic witness is a lie.

II. LOST FOR ETERNITY. Verses 17-19.
If there is no Resurrection:
a) All humans who have ever lived are lost for eternity.
b) We have no hope of being reunited with those who have gone before us.
c) We are of all people to be most pitied. “Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow you die.”

III. I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES. Verses 20-21.
Job 19:25. I know for a fact that Christ is Risen from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father forevermore. He was crucified. He was dead. He was buried in the tomb. The tomb was sealed with a 1,000 pound stone. He is alive forevermore. He was seen alive by more than 500 people at one time. This is fact.
Christus vincit - Christ has conquered
Christus regnat - Christ is Sovereign
Christus imperat - Christ reigns forevermore
John 20:30-31. These things were written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing you might have life in His Name.”