Victory: Consequences of Denial
1 Corinthians 15:11-20
March 19, 2023
Jay Haugh

1) Jesus’s resurrection is confirmed by the Old Testament scriptures.

2) Jesus’s resurrection is confirmed by multiple eyewitnesses.

3) Jesus’s resurrection is confirmed by Paul’s eyewitness and dramatic life change.

Paul, the terrorist, got converted and then believed Jesus died and rose.

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. —1 Corinthians 15:9 ESV

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. —1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

The Gospel is scripturally valid. Historically valid. Personally valid.

Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. —1 Corinthians 15:11 ESV

Paul’s concern for denying the resurrection.

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? —1 Corinthians 15:12 ESV

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. —1 Corinthians 15:13 ESV

1) If there’s no resurrection from the dead, then Jesus is a phony.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. —1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV

2) If Jesus hasn’t been raised, then our message (Gospel) is pointless.

We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. —1 Corinthians 15:15 ESV

3) If Jesus hasn’t been raised, then Paul’s a false witness.

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. —1 Corinthians 15:16-17 ESV

4) If Jesus hasn’t been raised, then we still have a sin problem.

You have no forgiveness, no peace with God, no eternal life and ultimately no hope.

Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. —1 Corinthians 15:18 ESV

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. —1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV

5) If Jesus hasn’t been raised, then we all should be pitied.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. —1 Corinthians 15:20 ESV

Paul’s conclusion: If Christ rose, we will rise.

Big Idea:

The bodily resurrection is essential for forgiveness, peace, life, and hope.

STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS:

Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NIV
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:11-20
Do you know someone who has changed or adapted the doctrines of Christianity in order to better align with their own personal viewpoint? What did they change? What Scripture verses can you bring forward to lovingly bring them back to what God says is true?

If there is no resurrection from the dead, then Jesus is a phony (v.12-13). Have you ever experienced or witnessed someone attacking the concept of the resurrection? How did you/they respond? What evidence do we have that Jesus did rise from the dead?

If Jesus has not been raised, then our message, the Gospel, is pointless (v.14). Why is the message of the resurrection a lynchpin for the Good News of Christianity? Beyond your salvation, how has the Gospel message personally impacted you?

If Jesus has not been raised, then Paul and all Christians are false witnesses (v.15). Why did Saul persecute the Church? Knowing that Saul was transformed into Paul, is there a heart God cannot impact? Why do you think persecution of Christ’s followers still occurs? Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? If so, share your experience. How can we support the global church in areas where persecution is more prevalent and overt?

If Jesus has not been raised, then we still have a sin problem (v.16-18). See also Romans 4:23-25. What is the proclamation of our faith if Jesus is still dead? Why is hope in Jesus Christ, if limited to this life alone, really no hope at all? Does God want us to live for hope in something more? Do you have this hope?

If Jesus has not been raised, then we all should be pitied (v.19). What significant sacrifices did Paul and the other apostles make for the purpose of upholding the Gospel message? What have you sacrificed for the sake of the Gospel? If you were not a Christian, how do you think your life would be different?

What is the meaning of giving our first fruits to God? How does this concept of first fruits apply to the resurrection? What other signs of first fruit do we have from God? See Romans 8:23 & James 1:18

Easter is soon approaching and is a time when people are more open to attending church. Who is someone in your circle of friends/family that you will commit to inviting to the Easter worship service? Spend some time in prayer to help prepare the hearts of the people who will be invited and to provide a frictionless opportunity for the conversation to occur.