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JESUS’ RESURRECTION: THE KEYSTONE TRUTH
(1
Corinthians 15:12-20)
…Because of
Pennsylvania’s role in the early days of our country and her strategic location,
which forms a land __bridge__ between the northern and southern colonies, she is
known as the ”Keystone State.” Without Pennsylvania, the states would collapse,
like in a stone arch.
…This is
exactly the same situation with the resurrection of Jesus. If Jesus did not
rise in His actual body, on the 3rd day after His death, then all of
Christianity __died__ when He died. Jesus’ resurrection is the keystone truth of
the Bible. If it goes, then all goes with it.
…Our day
__rejects__ anything supernatural. Man, in his pride, rejects what is beyond him…
…Paul
writes to believers at Corinth who were familiar with false teaching and tells
them that the resurrection is not only possible but __essential__ to the faith.
SEVEN TERRIBLE RESULTS IF THERE WAS NO RESURRECTION
…for the
resurrection is the foundation for all of Christianity.
I. If
No Resurrection: Jesus Would __Not__ Be Raised. (vv12-13)
A.
Paul assumes
that Christ is being __proclaimed__ to have risen. In many churches today, this
assumption is false, for many redefine resurrection.
B. With
shock, Paul asks a question. (v 12) “How can some of you…”
C.
Paul drives
this truth home, no resurrection then Jesus is still __dead__. (v13)
II.
If No
Resurrection: __Preaching__ Would Be Futile. (v14)
A. For
any preaching about the resurrection would be __empty__…useless.
…This is
because the heart of the Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of the
Lord Jesus Christ. (15:3-4)
B.
Without the
resurrection, the Good News would become __Bad__ News.
III.
If No
Resurrection: Your __Faith__ Would Be Worthless. (v.14)
A.
A dead savior
could not give life. He would not be the __victor__ over sin/death.
B.
Such a faith
would be empty. The believers of all ages would have believed for __nothing__, if
Christ did not rise.
IV.
If No
Resurrection: All Who Told Of It Would Be __Liars__. (v 15)
A. This
would include the Apostles and the other leaders of the early church.
…for all
of these CLAIMED to be eye witnesses of the resurrected Jesus.
B. Your
__Bible__ is worthless, for it tells of the resurrection and of the prophets who
foretold of this great event. It is the __hinge__ of all history.
V.
If No
Resurrection: All People Are Still In Their Sin. (v17)
…There
would be no __difference___ between believers and unbelievers…ALL LOST!
VI.
If No
Resurrection: All Believers Who died In Christ Have __Perished___.
A. “Fallen
asleep” is a beautiful term that is used __only__ of believers…died.
B. “Lost,”
what a __hopeless__ word. But all would be forever lost, perish without…
VII.
If No
Resurrection: __Christians__ Ought To Be Pitied. (v.19)
A. To
have hoped in a nonresurrected dead Savior, would be a sick __tragic__ joke.
B. Verse
20…Here it is: “But now, Christ is raised,” and so will we. PTL!!!
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. The
resurrection provides for us a real Savior. Come and be reconciled before
a Holy God.
2. The
resurrection provides us strong moral restraints.
3. The
resurrection provides motivation for Christian service.
4. The
resurrection provides comfort in times of bereavement.
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