If Christ Be Not Risen

1 Corinthians 15:12-19

INTRODUCTION: Many of you have heard about the resurrection of Christ from the time you were an infant or toddler. Others have learned of Christ’s resurrection later in life. Yet, in the depths of your heart the message seems “as idle tales” (Luke 24:11) as it did to the disciples when they first heard the news. The message of the resurrection should be a life-changing message, but the word does not profit you, not being mixed with faith (Hebrews 4:2).

I. FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION

A. The Delivery of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

1. The need for the resurrection—“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3)
2. The victim of the resurrection—“that he was buried” (1 Corinthians 15:4)
3. The appointment of the resurrection—“that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4)

B. The Witnesses of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5-11)

1. Cephas (1 Corinthians 15:5)
2. The twelve (1 Corinthians 15:5)
3. Above 500 brethren at once (1 Corinthians 15:6)
4. James (1 Corinthians 15:7)
5. All the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7)
6. Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8-11)

C. The Denial of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

D. The Victory of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-34)

1. Victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
2. Victory over self and sin (1 Corinthians 15:29-34)

E. The Details of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:35-50)

1. The variations in bodies (1 Corinthians 15:35-41)
2. The first versus the last (1 Corinthians 15:42-50)

F. The Prospects of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)

1. The coming adoption (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
2. The present practical life (1 Corinthians 15:58)

II. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

A. The Proper Preaching (1 Corinthians 15:12)

1. “If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead”
2. This message became the theme of the gospel (Acts 2:24, 32; Acts 3:15, 26; Acts 4:10; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:40; etc.)

B. The Divisive Proclamation (1 Corinthians 15:12)

1. Some among the Corinthians stated “there is no resurrection of the dead.”
2. This was a false doctrine historically promoted by the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27; *Acts 23:6-8).

C. The Resulting Conflicts (1 Corinthians 15:13-19)

1. If there be no resurrection of the dead—Christ is not risen (1 Corinthians 15:13, 16).
2. If Christ be not risen (1 Corinthians 15:14-15, 17-18)
a. Our preaching is vain (1 Corinthians 15:14).
b. Your faith is vain (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17).
c. We are found false witnesses of God (1 Corinthians 15:15).
d. Ye are yet in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).
e. They also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished (1 Corinthians 15:18).
3. If in this life only we have hope in Christ—we are of all men most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19)

III. THE PROBLEM RESOLVED (1 Corinthians 15:20)

A. The First Conflict

1. “If Christ be not risen” (1 Corinthians 15:14)
2. “But now is Christ risen from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20)

B. The Last Conflict

1. “They also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished” (1 Corinthians 15:18)
2. “And become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20)

C. From Misery to Victory (1 Corinthians 15:19, 57-58)

CONCLUSION: If Christ be not risen, we have no hope. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20).