April 19, 2009
Did you ever wonder what life would be like if you had been born in a different place? “What if I had been born in the slums? Or in a rich family?” In this week’s sermon, Paul asks a what-if question and takes it a bit further as he addresses some concerns surrounding Jesus’ resurrection.
Sermon
“What if Christ Had Not Been Raised?”
Scripture: I Corinthians 15:12-34
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die every day – I mean that, brothers – just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God – I say this to your shame.
Hymns
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
“Children of the Heavenly Father”
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will bless your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “But Christ Has Been Raised,” delivered on Christian Crusaders April 16, 2006.
We have a story to tell. Your loved ones who died trusting Christ are at home with the Lord. They have been moved from poverty-stricken lives to be possessors of a wealth that cannot be measured. We too can know that as the years fly by, we have an eternity before us that knows no end. . . . It took a cross and an empty tomb to give us a basis for our salvation. It takes a divinely inspired word that says, “Because He lives, I too shall live.” This is the message of Easter.
New Feature on ChristianCrusaders.org
Coming soon to Christian Crusaders' website – a new slideshow! Learn more about the current endeavors of our ministry through little-known facts and never-before-seen photos in this new feature.
On the Light Side
Never Fade Away
Old accountants never die, they just lose their balance.
Old musicians never die, they just get played out.
Old lawyers never die, they just lose their appeal.
Old daredevils never die, they just get discouraged.
Walt Disney didn’t die. He’s in suspended animation.
Did you ever wonder what life would be like if you had been born in a different place? “What if I had been born in the slums? Or in a rich family?” In this week’s sermon, Paul asks a what-if question and takes it a bit further as he addresses some concerns surrounding Jesus’ resurrection.
Sermon
“What if Christ Had Not Been Raised?”
Scripture: I Corinthians 15:12-34
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die every day – I mean that, brothers – just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God – I say this to your shame.
Hymns
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
“Children of the Heavenly Father”
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will bless your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “But Christ Has Been Raised,” delivered on Christian Crusaders April 16, 2006.
We have a story to tell. Your loved ones who died trusting Christ are at home with the Lord. They have been moved from poverty-stricken lives to be possessors of a wealth that cannot be measured. We too can know that as the years fly by, we have an eternity before us that knows no end. . . . It took a cross and an empty tomb to give us a basis for our salvation. It takes a divinely inspired word that says, “Because He lives, I too shall live.” This is the message of Easter.
New Feature on ChristianCrusaders.org
Coming soon to Christian Crusaders' website – a new slideshow! Learn more about the current endeavors of our ministry through little-known facts and never-before-seen photos in this new feature.
On the Light Side
Never Fade Away
Old accountants never die, they just lose their balance.
Old musicians never die, they just get played out.
Old lawyers never die, they just lose their appeal.
Old daredevils never die, they just get discouraged.
Walt Disney didn’t die. He’s in suspended animation.
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