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Dr. Kevin D. Zuber Grace Bible Church NorthWest

Resurrection Sunday 2010 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

Introduction: This is the most daunting Sunday of the year! “Many years ago, there were two
brilliant young men in England {“two Oxford students”}, one named Lyttleton [Lord Lyttleton] and the
other named [Gilbert] West. They got together and one of them said, ‘If we could disprove two things we
could destroy Christianity – the conversion of the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus and the
resurrection of Jesus.’ Lyttleton said, ‘I’ll spend a year investigating the conversion of the Apostle Paul.’
West said, ‘I’ll spend a year investigating the resurrection of Jesus. Then we will meet again to report our
findings.’ A year later they met and Lyttleton said to West, ‘After a year of investigation, I am convinced
that the Bible story of the conversion of the Apostle Paul is true.’ And not only that, he said, ‘West, I,
too, have been converted.’ Then West said to Lyttleton, ‘I have been investigating the resurrection of
Jesus for a year; and Lyttleton, I, too, have discovered that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact.
Undeniable. And it may surprise you to know that I have received Him as my Saviour; I’m saved.’
{“West went on to write a book entitled, "Observations on the History and Evidences of the Resurrection
of Jesus Christ".”} [In another instance] attorney Francis J. Lamb subjected the New Testament evidence
to the jural [judicial, legal] tests, questioning each statement exactly as would be done in a court of
justice where human life was at stake, and judge and jury were alike determined to discover the absolute
truth in the procedure. After doing so, Lamb affirm[ed]: ‘Tested by the standards and ordeals of jural
science, by which questions of fact are ascertained and demonstrated in contested questions of right
between man and man, in courts of justice, the resurrection of Jesus stands a demonstrated fact.’”
(http://www.thelivingwordtbc.com/1cor45.htm accessed 04/03/10; this is quite a well known story—cited many times.
See also Dr. Ian Richard Kyle Paisley, “Seven Reasons Why I Believe inTHE BODILY RESURRECTION OF CHRIST,”
http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/The.Holy.Bible/Reasons7_Resurre_of_Christ.html accessed 04/03/10;
{Terry Watkins, “The resurrection: Fact or Fiction?,” http://www.av1611.org/resur.html accessed 04/03/10})
For me the Resurrection stands as a fact because the Bible clearly, simply and powerfully affirms it!
As John Frame simply puts it, “The resurrection, then, is certain because it is taught in God’s Word itself.
Indeed, as part of God’s Word, it is the very standard of certainty; nothing is more certain.” (John Frame,
PRESUPPOSITIONAL APOLOGETICS: AN INTRODUCTION, IIIM Magazine Online, Volume 1, Number 9, April 26 to
May 2, 199 http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/joh_frame/PT.Frame.Presupp.Apol.2.html accessed 04/03/10)
This morning we are not going to spend our time “proving the Resurrection” . . . we are going to
spend it thinking about the importance of the Resurrection.

Theme: The Fundamental Importance of the Resurrection

IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE MESSAGE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
It is the pinnacle of the narrative of the gospels: Matthew 28:6 “He is not here, for He has Risen!” (cf.
Luke 24:6); Mark 16:6 “He has Risen”; Luke 24:34 “The Lord really has Risen” 24:46; “Thus it is
written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day”;
John 2:19 “Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up.”

It is the major theme of the evangelistic sermons in the narrative of Acts: Acts 2:24 “But God raised Him
up again, putting an end to the agony of death.” 2:32 “This Jesus God raised up again. 10:40 “God raised
Him up on the third day.” 13:30 (34) “But God raised Him from the dead.” 17:31 “having furnished
proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (cf. 26:23)
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It is the foundation of the apostles theology / gospel: Romans 1:4 “Who was declared the Son of God
with power by the resurrection from the dead.” 4:25 “Who was delivered up because of our offences, and
was raised because of our justification.” 6:4 “Christ was raised from the dean by the glory of the Father.”
6:5 “in the likeness of His resurrection.” 6:9 “Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is
never to die again.” 8:34 “It is Christ Jesus Who died, and furthermore is also Risen.”
1 Corinthians 15:20 “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are
asleep.”
It is the most powerful motive for Christian living: Philippians 3:10 “That I may know Him and the
power of His resurrection.” Colossians 2:12 “you were also raised up with Him through the working of
God Who raised Him from the dead.” 2 Timothy 2:8 “Remember Jesus Christ, Risen from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3 “to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Three aspects are highlighted by these references: 1) the historical reality of Christ’s
Resurrection, 2) the theological significance of Christ’s Resurrection, 3) the practical application of this
truth for our salvation—past, present and future. Those are the themes of the New Testament revelation
about the Resurrection.

IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO UNDERSTANDING THE PERSON OF CHRIST

Christianity is the only religion that bases its claim to acceptance upon the resurrection of its founder.
The question that begs to be asked is: “Why would such an incredible claim be made in support of and as
the foundation of the faith if it were not true?” From a purely human—rational standpoint it would make
no sense to try and found the claims of Jesus’ Messiah-ship, Lordship, Deity, Savior-hood on such a
claim as a bodily resurrection. One might expect that to prove His Messiah-ship one would appeal to His
fulfillment of messianic prophecy—and the gospel writers did make such an appeal! To prove His
Lordship we might expect Him to demonstrate, by His superior teaching and ethic, by the sheer force of
His life of integrity and moral strength that He possessed the intellectual and moral authority to command
loyalty and obedience—this too the gospel writers affirm (cf. Matt 7:29). For the proof of His Deity we
would want to see acts of divine power and the recognition of divine authority—and the signs Jesus did
and the power He had over nature, disease, demons—and death and life—all confirm unquestionably this
man was the Son of God (cf. John 19:31). The Savior-hood of Jesus could be claimed and made credible
by the exhibition of His compassion and self-sacrifice—both of which are evident in His life and His
death. In short, each of these claims-- Messiah-ship, Lordship, Deity, Savior-hood—could be made and
defended without claiming a “resurrection.” If it didn’t happen there’s no credible explanation for
inventing it!
But . . . since it did happen . . . it is the capstone proof of each of those claims!
His resurrection is proof of His Messiah-ship—as Peter explained on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2
(Acts 2:22-36; cf. Psalm 16)
His resurrection is proof of His Lordship—see Romans 6:9b “death no longer is master over Him”; this is
the thrust of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.
His resurrection is proof of His Deity—as Paul asserts in Romans 1:4
His resurrection is proof of His Savior-hood—this is the thrust of Paul’s teaching in Romans 6
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IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO CHRISTIANITY
In 1 Corinthians 15, that amazing chapter on the resurrection, Paul makes it painfully clear that the
claims of Christianity depend utterly and completely on the literal truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus
Christ. That the body of the founder of the Christian faith did not lie in the grave after the third day is
fundamental to the existence of that faith: Some in Corinth did not believe in the resurrection of the dead,
and in this chapter Paul gives seven disastrous consequences if there were no resurrection: 1) Christ
Himself is dead and gone forever (v. 13) 2) preaching Christ would be senseless (v. 14); 3) faith in Christ
would be useless (v. 14); 4) all the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars (v. 15); 5)
no one would be redeemed from sin (v. 17); 6) all former believers would have perished (v.18); and 7)
Christians would be the most pitiable people on the earth (v. 19). Remove the resurrection from Paul’s
Gospel, and his message is gone.
But . . . Christ has been raised! (v. 20!) So . . . (just work back through that list) . . . 1) HE LIVES!
2) our preaching is powerful (cf. Rom 10:17) 3) our faith in Christ is “well placed” 4) the witnesses are to
be believed and the preachers may proclaim the name of Jesus with confidence 5) there is redemption and
forgiveness in Jesus Christ 6) we will see our loved ones in Christ again 7) we are the most blessed
people on earth—and heaven awaits! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not an appendage to Paul’s
Gospel, it is the very foundation of it.

The importance of this doctrine is very evident from the prominent part it played in the preaching of
the Apostles: Peter—Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 1 Peter 1:21, 23. Paul—Acts 13:30, 34;
17:31; 1 Cor. 15; Phil. 3:21. It was belief in such preaching that led to the establishment of the Christian
church. Belief in the resurrection of Christ was at the heart of the faith of the early church (Acts 4:33).
The testimony to this great fact of Christian faith was borne in the midst of the fiercest opposition;
although the grave was well known and could have been pointed out, no one denied the tomb was empty.
It was in this fact that Christianity acquired a firm basis for its historical development. There was not
only an “Easter Message,” there was also an “Easter Faith.”

Summary: Both the friends and the enemies of Christianity admit that the resurrection of Jesus Christ
is vital to the religion that bears His name. The Christian confidently appeals to it as an incontrovertible
fact; the skeptic denies it altogether as a historical reality. “If the resurrection really took place,” says an
assailant of it, “then Christianity must be admitted to be what it claims to be—a direct revelation from
God.” “If Christ be not risen,” says the Apostle Paul, “then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also
vain.” The one tries all he can to do away with the proofs submitted for the accepted fact; the other
plainly says that if the resurrection cannot be believed, then Christianity is nothing but a sham. If the
resurrection of Christ can be successfully denied, if it can be proven to be absolutely untrue, then the
whole fabric of the Gospel falls to pieces, the whole structure of the Christian religion is shaken at its
foundation, and the very arch of Christianity crumbles into dust. Then it has wrought only imaginary
changes, deluded its most faithful adherents, deceived and disappointed the hopes of its most devoted
disciples, and the finest moral achievements that adorn the pages of the history of the Christian church
have been based upon a falsehood.
“The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest event in the history of the world. It is so
foundational to Christianity that no one who denies it can be a true Christian. Without the resurrection
there is no Christian faith, no salvation, and no hope.” (John MacArthur, Matthew 24-28, p. 304, 305)

IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO CHRISTIAN ASSURANCE

The Assurances of the Resurrection
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It gives us the assurance that the Word of God is True: The Old Testament prophesied the
resurrection (cf. Psalm 16; and the instances of resurrection as “typical” of Christ’s resurrection). The
Gospels recorded it has history. The Epistles referred to it as the ground of our faith and hope. If it didn’t
happen these Scriptures are not just suspect—they are false. But since He was indeed raised, “It verifies
the truth of Scripture. Both in the Old Testament and in the teaching of Jesus, His resurrection is clearly
taught (see Pss. 16:10; 110:1). If Jesus had not come out of the tomb, then these Scriptures would not be
true.” (W. Wiersbe, Matthew, The Bible Exposition Commentary, electronic ed, Logos Library System; Libronix DLS)

It gives us the assurance that Jesus is Who He claimed to be and that He is who the Bible claims
He is. Jesus Himself pointed to His resurrection as the proof of His claims (cf. John 2:19-22). In Matthew
12:39-40, Christ Himself pointed to His resurrection as the final proof of His person—the sign of Jonah.
Jesus repeatedly told His disciples that He would be killed and rise again (cf. Matt 20:19; Luke 18:33). If
He was wrong about that He could hardly be trusted in anything else He said or taught. In Romans 1:4
Paul writes, “And [He was] declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness,
by the resurrection from the dead.” To “declare” means to mark off, to define, to set apart (Acts 10:42;
Heb. 4:7). NOTE: Christ was not made the Son of God by the resurrection, but declared such. Had Christ
remained in the grave as other men had done, there would then have been no reasonable ground to
impose faith in Him. The empty tomb testifies to the deity of Christ and that Jesus is Who He said He is.
Peter noted that it was by His resurrection that God made it certain that He was “both Lord and Christ.”
(Acts 2:36). Paul noted in Acts 17:31 “He [God] has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in
righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed.” How do we know that Jesus will be the Judge of
all the earth? Paul says God proved this “having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the
dead.” In short, “It proves that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus stated that He had authority to lay down His life
and to take it up again (John 10:17–18)”—something only God could do—and He did it! (W. Wiersbe,
Matthew, The Bible Exposition Commentary, electronic ed, Logos Library System; Libronix DLS)

It gives us the assurance of our “justification” The key text here is Rom 4:25b “He was . . .
raised for our justification.” This is the same point Paul is making when we take 1 Cor 15:17 with 15:20
—here Paul asks, in effect, “What if Christ is not raised?” And the answer is, among other things, in that
case “Your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” But in fact “Christ has been raised from the
dead!” (cf. 15:20) Hence, we may be confident that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was acceptable to God
and sufficient to pay the penalty of our sins and our sins are forgiven and we are justified (cf. Rom 3:21-
28)

It gives us the assurance of our “new (present) life” Rom 6:4b “so that as Christ was raised from
the dead . . . so too we might walk in newness of life.” The “newness of life” here is not “someday” but
“today.” The Christian life—here and now—with all the joys, challenges, successes, victories, comfort,
peace—all of it is possible because Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead!

It gives us the assurance of the “power” for the Christian life Eph 1:18-20 Here Paul prays that
the Ephesians my know the surpassing greatness of His power (v. 19) and this power is the same power
used “when He raised [Christ] from the dead.” Phil 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His
resurrection.” In 2 Timothy 2:8 Paul says simply, “Remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead . . .
according to my gospel.” The context is important: Paul has just admonished Timothy to “be strong in
the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2:1), to “suffer hardship . . . as a good soldier” (2:3) . . . to compete as a
dedicated athlete, to be as a “hard-working farmer” (2:5, 6). After this he reminds Timothy of his own
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sufferings and hardship as a prisoner (2:9). What can motivate a man to endure such sufferings? What
can motivate a man to suffer and to be dedicated and to be diligent? “Remember Jesus Christ risen from
the dead!” This truth is where we draw strength and confidence and power and perseverance! We can
serve and endure and work and suffer because we know it’s not in vain (cf. 1 Cor 15:58) because Jesus
Christ is Risen from the dead! In short, “It gives power for Christian living. We cannot live for God by
our own strength. It is only as His resurrection power works in and through us that we can do His will
and glorify His name (see Rom. 6:4).” (W. Wiersbe, Matthew, The Bible Exposition Commentary, electronic ed,
Logos Library System; Libronix DLS)

It gives us the assurance that He is working in the church today. The resurrection is also the basis
for Christ’s work in the church—He builds it (Matt 16:18), He is its Head (Eph 1:20-23; Col: 1:17-18),
He “gifts” it (Eph 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12), He cares for and sanctifies it (Eph 5:25-27), and He is
preparing a place for it and will return to receive it (John 14:1-2; 1 Thess 4:13-18). Without the
Resurrection none of this could be true!

It gives us the assurance of the intercession of our High Priest Rom. 8:34 “Christ Jesus is He who
died, yes rather, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Heb. 7:25
“He always lives to make intercession.” In short, “It is the basis for Christ’s heavenly priesthood.
Because He lives by the power of an endless life, He is able to save us “to the uttermost” (Heb. 7:23–28).
He lives to intercede for us.” (W. Wiersbe, Matthew, The Bible Exposition Commentary, electronic ed, Logos Library
System; Libronix DLS)

It gives us the assurance of our “eternal life!” John 14:19 “because I live you shall live also.” “It
means not only resurrection for the Lord Jesus Christ but it means resurrection for me. And it means
eternal life. The Lord Jesus Christ said to Martha, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’” (John 11:25 “I am
the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live, even if he dies.”) (S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.,
“Personal Consolations of the Resurrection,” http://www.sljinstitute.net/, Miscellaneous Sermons #49) 2 Cor. 4:14
“Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with
you.” In short, “It assures our own future resurrection. Because Jesus died and rose again, we shall one
day be raised to be like Him (1 Thess. 4:13–18).” And “It assures our future inheritance. Because we
have a living hope, we can experience hopeful living. A dead hope grows weaker and weaker before it
eventually dies. But because Jesus Christ is alive, we have a glorious future (see 1 Peter 1:3–5).” (W.
Wiersbe, Matthew, The Bible Exposition Commentary, electronic ed, Logos Library System; Libronix DLS)

It gives us the assurance of our own “bodily resurrection” Rom 6:5b “we shall also be in the
likeness of His resurrection.” 1 Thess. 4:14 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” In short, It assures us that death is not the end.
“Jesus said . . . ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and
everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

It gives the world the assurance of a day of judgment Acts 17:31 “Because he hath appointed a
day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof
he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” The resurrection of
Christ is God’s unfailing testimony to the fact of a coming day of judgment for the world. In short, “It is
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the proof of a future judgment. “Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world
in righteousness by that man who He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in
that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).” (W. Wiersbe, Matthew, The Bible Exposition Commentary,
electronic ed, Logos Library System; Libronix DLS) The resurrection marks him out as the judge who will judge
all men. This is an awesome thought. a) For believers, it involves their examination before the judgment
seat of Christ, the Bema (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12f; 2 Cor. 5:9; with Rev. 2:1-2). b) For unbelievers, it involves the
judgments of tribulation (Rev. 6-19), the judgment of the Jews and Gentiles at the end of the tribulation
(Matt. 24-25), and the judgment of the GWT (Rev. 20). So, compare Acts 17:31 and 10:40-42.” (J.
Hampton Keathley III, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, www.bible.org)

It gives us the assurance that Jesus will do what He pledged to do when He promised to Return!.
He is Coming again! The resurrection marks Him out as the eternal ruler of the earth. He will one day
rule as God’s perfect king and because of His resurrection and glorification, His rule will go on without
end (Luke 1:32-33; Psa. 2:7-9; Rev. 5:1-10; Psa. 22:28).

What should be Our Response to the Resurrection?

1). Faith in Christ: Obviously, it means we should put our faith in the Christ as our personal Savior. It means we
should put our trust in Christ as the only one who can give us eternal life and bring us into a personal relationship
with God. This is why Peter proclaimed the truth of Acts 4:12. ‘And there is salvation in no one else; for there is
no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.’

But once that is done, it means something else for the Christian.

2). Commitment to Christ: The empty tomb means we have a living Savior who, though seated and exalted at
God’s right hand, is also with us and desires to have fellowship with us. As He tells us in Revelation 3:20, He
stands at the door and knocks seeking the fellowship of those believers who have not been walking with Him. Our
response should be one of opening the door and inviting Him in for fellowship by confessing our sins and by
asking Him to come in and take charge of our lives because, as the exalted Lord, the God-Man Savior, He also has
the right to lead, direct, and control our lives through that fellowship. Our response should be one of total commit-
ment to Him. The resurrection proves He is the Creator-God who is to have preeminence in each of our lives (Col.
1:15-18). Anything less is a contradiction, totally illogical, and pure rebellion on our part. This means there is no
place for complacency, or half-hearted devotion and submission to Christ because He is the Lord and God. Some
people measure out their involvement with the Lord, with the study of the Word, and assembling together with
believers with a teaspoon as though they were adding sugar to their coffee. In other words, a lot of Christians are
what we might call “Nod-to-Goders.” They go to church occasionally in order to do their little nod to God. [If
Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead that is not enough!]

With this emphasis in mind, let’s be reminded of [these] passages:

Romans 12:1 “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy
sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” “Therefore, by the mercies of God,” is a
call to total commitment and is made on the basis of God’s work for us in the person of His Son whom He raised
from the dead to authenticate His person and work. As the risen Christ He sits in heaven as our advocate, but also
as our Lord. As our Lord, He walks amongst the churches examining our lives (Rev. 2:1).

2 Timothy 2:8 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel.”

In this context, Paul was challenging Timothy to give himself totally to the ministry God had called him to (vss. 1-
7). As a motivation, he calls on Timothy to remember Jesus Christ as the risen one. Why? Because He is the Lord
who is there for us no matter what our need, but also as our Lord to whom we will each give an account.”
(J. Hampton Keathley III, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, www.bible.org; edited KDZ)
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Conclusion: “The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ
died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scripture. And, He is coming again! The dead in
Christ will be raised up, and those who remain and are alive at His coming will be changed and receive
new, glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important to
salvation? It demonstrated that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It proves that God has the
power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that those who believe in Christ will not remain dead, but
will be resurrected unto eternal life. That is our blessed hope!” (http://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-christ-
important.html accessed 04/02/2010)