The Necessity of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-20, Psalm 16:1-11)
Rev. David Huffman, April 20, 2025Part of the Eastertide series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Some people reject the truth of the resurrection. Science says that dead men do not rise. However, without the resurrection there is no Christianity. The resurrection is the central event in history, and the next great event is Christ’s return. Paul writes that we must preach Christ crucified, but this truth is an embarrassment to gentiles and Jews. The resurrection is not the whole gospel message—the death AND resurrection are, for us to hold fast. Some may reject this, but we must believe and not doubt. Jesus fulfilled all that the prophets foretold. The death and resurrection had already been taught as truth, consider Abraham, Jacob and others being taught as being alive; that God is the God of the living. Jesus taught the disciples that He would die, be buried and rise. To deny the resurrection is to deny what the scriptures teach, and what the great creeds of the church proclaim. We deny to our own peril. Consider that Jesus appeared to Peter, the 12 and 500 witnesses at least, and to James, Jesus’ half brother, who originally did not believe. When Jesus appeared to James, he became a believer and leader in the church. Jesus also appeared to Paul (as to one untimely born). Paul the persecutor was brought to faith. The Biblical testimony is reason enough to believe. The resurrection of Christ vindicates his death on our behalf. Paul teaches us that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ was not raised, and we are without hope, and preaching and belief are in vain, and there is nothing beyond the grave. J.C. Ryle said that the resurrection is the seal and headstone of redemption. Christ won the victory over death and hell, and Satan tasted defeat. Jesus is the firstfruits of the harvest, and the entire harvest is soon to follow. The resurrection is the undoing of original sin that came with Adam. Yet, salvation is only for those who believe what God says about His Son.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « When The Father Said 'NO" | None | No Condemnation » |
1 Corinthians 15:1–20 (Listen)
15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 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. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
(ESV)
Psalm 16 (Listen)
A Miktam of David.
16:1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(ESV)