If Christ Has Not Been Raised
Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Core Idea: Because Christ has been raised from the dead, our labor is purposeful, our faith is fruitful, and our hope is secure. Then, knowing that the victory over death is ours through Christ Jesus, let’s give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, for His glory and our good.
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we looked at the first eleven verses of 1 Corinthians 15 as a way to remind ourselves of the gospel. If you remember, Paul shared that the gospel is all about Christ and His accomplishments – that Christ died, that Christ was buried, and that Christ was raised. But this is still good news for us, considering that at the core of it lies the idea of substitution. Because Jesus paid the debt of our sins, we’re set free from the penalty of sin. Because Jesus bore the wrath of God for us, we’re forgiven and adopted as the children of God. Because Jesus defeated death on our behalf, we can now live with hope, being empowered to live a life worthy of the gospel – yet not I, but through Christ in me. Brothers and sisters, this is the gospel we believe and proclaim. Then, let me ask you, “Is this truly of first importance in your life today? Is the gospel really shaping your thoughts, inspiring your hearts, and governing every aspect of your lives?” If it is, great – I pray that you’ll continue to live in light of the grace you received from the Father. If not, if the gospel is not of first importance in your life today, more than anything, I’m so thankful that you came today. My prayer for you is that the Spirit will heal you, comfort you, and revive you so that the joy of your salvation will be restored in your heart and so that you’ll want to re-immerse yourself in the gospel once again.
That being said, one of the reasons why Paul wanted to clarify and remind the Corinthians of the gospel (focusing especially on the resurrection of Jesus) was because there were some people who said that the idea of resurrection was ridiculous and that the belief in resurrection wasn’t necessary to become a Christian – he wanted them to know that resurrection is an indispensable part of the gospel. Then, with that in mind, please turn to 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 – let me read this for us.
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead. But He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Amen. This is the Word of God for you today.
This is what Paul was basically saying here: “If we believe and preach that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you teach that there can’t be resurrection for those whose faith is in Jesus? Think about it. If you say that there’s no resurrection for us, you’re essentially denying the resurrection of Christ as well because He’s also a man just like us – you’re saying that He still lies cold in His grave. But if Christ has not been raised, as you claim, don’t you see that nothing else matters? Without Christ’s resurrection, everything about our faith falls apart.” Now, to prove his point, Paul uses a hypothetical statement to teach them the importance of Jesus’ resurrection – if Christ has not been raised. Three things:
· OUR LABOR IS USELESS
· OUR FAITH IS FUTILE
· OUR HOPE IS LOST
1) OUR LABOR IS USELESS
Verse 14, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless.” The word “useless” in Greek literally means “empty, worthless, and in vain.” In other words, if Christ has not been raised from the dead, what we’re doing right now is actually a waste of time. In fact, all that we have done for the Lord (all the ways we’ve given to Him, all the ways we’ve served the church, all the ways we’ve risked ourselves for the gospel, all the ways we’ve persevered for His name) is absolutely for nothing. And if that wasn’t bad enough, verse 15, “More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead.” In other words, if Christ has not been raised, we’re offending God because we’re misrepresenting Him – but we’re also offending the world because we’re misleading them. We’re a fraud because we’re preaching a message that’s based on a lie – we’re promoting lies. All that to say, if Christ has not been raised, our labor for the Lord is not only useless but also deceiving.
But Paul was absolutely confident in his conviction – which is why he said in verse 20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” He was certain of this truth because the resurrected Christ appeared not only to him personally and all the apostles but also to more than five hundred people at once. Now, one thing we have to keep in mind is that this letter was written around 25 years after the death of Jesus – it’s like writing something about what happened in the year 2000 today. This is important to point out because it means that many of these eyewitnesses would’ve still been alive when this letter was sent out. So, Paul was basically saying, “If you think I’m making this up, go and check it for yourself. Talk to them so you’ll know that what I’m saying is true.” All that to say, Paul was absolutely sure that the resurrection of Christ was history, in that it really happened. What’s the implication of this? It tells us that our labor is not useless. What we’re doing here (gathering to sing together, pray together, listen to the Word together, serve together, and advance the gospel together) is not a waste of time – rather, it’s useful and purposeful. But it also means that we’re not false witnesses. We’re not deceiving people – rather, we’re directing them to the only truth that can give them life and life to the full. Brothers and sisters, do you truly believe that? Do you truly believe that the gospel ultimately is the only thing that matters? If so, how can we not go and preach this to those around us? Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.
Now, the reality is that we’re constantly tempted to compromise, be silent, give up laboring for the Lord because of the pressures from outside (like persecution, mockery, or unfair treatment) and inside (like fear, doubt, or apathy). All these things tell us that our service, our sacrifice for Christ, is not worth the cost – they tell us, “You’re wasting your time. No one’s going to notice. No one’s going to care. No one’s going to respond. You’re not going to make a difference. In fact, there’s always someone who can do it better than you. So, stop trying. Stop what you’re doing. Stop making people feel awkward with all this gospel talk. Just be a nominal Christian. Do the bare minimum. Seek your own comfort and convenience. Don’t give so much of yourself to the things that don’t really matter.” Friends, do you find yourself thinking this way? Are you neglecting your responsibilities because you think that our labor is pointless? If so, listen to the way Paul ends this chapter in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Jim Elliot, as many of you know, was a missionary to Ecuador. Now, did you know that he was determined to enter the mission field from a young age? And because of his conviction, he was intentional in all that he did. He joined a wrestling team in order to have the strength and endurance to do the work of God overseas. He studied at a seminary in order to share the gospel and teach the Bible more effectively. He studied Greek to be able to translate the Bible into any foreign language. He was a man of prayer. He, in fact, left home to live with a retired missionary family to learn more about living in a different culture. And because he believed that romantic relationships were a distraction, he rejected a number of girls who were interested in him by quoting from 2 Timothy 2:4, which says, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” All that to say, he was determined. Now, when the training was over, there was an opportunity to meet the Auca people – and Jim didn’t hesitate, for he knew that this was a God-given opportunity. So, along with four other men, Jim Elliot went into the jungle in Ecuador. He was only 28. By the way, at this point, he was married to Elisabeth and had a daughter named Valerie – which means that this couldn’t have been an easy decision. Now, when Jim and four other men entered the village, the Auca people saw them as a threat and immediately killed them on the spot. He didn’t get to share the gospel. He didn’t get to do anything. And we can’t help but ask, “Why would God allow something like this to happen? It feels like they died for nothing. Jim spent all his life preparing for missions – which means that he would’ve been so effective in bringing many people to God. What a waste!” But thankfully, the story doesn’t end here – it’s written that Elisabeth, Jim’s wife, went back to the Auca people and began to minister to them in love. And when they found out that she was Jim’s wife and that she had forgiven them, their walls began to come down, and many came to Christ. Friends, we may, at times, feel like our labor is useless – a waste of time. We may feel like that with our children – “What’s the point of trying so hard to lead them to Christ when it feels like they’re not even listening, when it feels like all my work will be lost as soon as they enter the real world?” We may feel like that at work or school – “Why am I trying to be holy when it’s costing me so much, when I’m considered a fool for doing this, when no one else seriously cares?” And we may feel like that toward those we have been sharing the gospel with – “Why should I continue when it feels like they’re not really responding, when it feels like it’s not doing anything for them?” Brothers and sisters, do you feel like this at times? If so, remember that because Christ has been raised, our work is not meaningless. Our work is not in vain because Christ’s work on the cross is not vain. We can faithfully and wholeheartedly labor for His Kingdom, for God will use it for His glory and our good. Then, with our eyes fixed on the risen Lord, let’s stand firm – let’s be unshakable and unwavering, not being blown away by the wind and the waves of this world, not compromising because of the circumstances of life, so that we can give ourselves fully to the work of the One who gave His life for us. May we have a heart like Jim Elliot, who joyfully said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
2) OUR FAITH IS FUTILE
Verse 17, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” The word “futile” in Greek literally means “without ground, false, foolish, or empty.” In other words, if Christ has not been raised, our faith means absolutely nothing. What’s the implication of this? Paul tells us in the latter half of verse 17, “You are still in your sins.” One of the things we talked about in detail last week was the fact that Christ died for our sins. He wasn’t a victim of unfortunate events – He didn’t die in vain. No, Christ died for a purpose – to take our place and receive what we deserved. He received and paid the penalty of our sin so that we can be forgiven and redeemed. This is why the gospel is good news to us. But if Christ has not been raised, it means that there’s still an outstanding payment – which we would need to pay with our own death. Do you remember the quote I shared by Pastor Paul Tripp – imagining the world without sin? If Christ has not been raised, the opposite will be true until we die. In fact, I rephrased his quote to help us see what I mean. If Christ did not rise from the grave, this is what we should expect in life: “Imagine our world as it is – with sin woven into every corner. Imagine the weight it brings into marriages – the misunderstandings, the hidden motives, the wounds caused by unfaithfulness and pride. Imagine the ache of conflict where love was meant to flourish. Imagine the pain of children suffering – abused, neglected, or simply growing up in homes marked by impatience and harshness. Imagine the heartbreak of wanting to love your children well, but being too tired, too distracted, or too broken to do it perfectly. Imagine watching them struggle with rebellion, temptation, or fear, and feeling helpless to protect them from it all. Imagine friendships fractured by petty arguments, jealousy, and grudges that never quite heal. Imagine how often we misunderstand one another, take offense too quickly, or demand more than we give. Imagine a workplace shaped not by purpose and dignity, but by rivalry, greed, and power. Bosses who exploit. Co-workers who betray. Environments where people are seen as tools, not souls. Imagine governments marred by corruption, injustice, and indifference to the vulnerable. Imagine the groan of a world filled with poverty, disease, and hunger – where the strong often overlook the weak. Imagine a world where love for God is rare, and love for neighbors is conditional at best – where peace is fleeting, and fear and disappointment feel like familiar companions. Imagine broken hearts, broken promises, broken systems. This is the world we live in – a world tainted by sin.” And there’s nothing we can do to change this if Christ has not been raised from the dead. In fact, we would be fools if we thought a change could happen since all of us are still in our sins. Verse 20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” Because Christ came out of that grave, we can be confident that this sin-stained world will be made new. Because Christ is alive, we can labor to make a difference in the world. Because Christ defeated the grave, we’re freed from the penalty of sin (justification), we’re being freed from the power of sin (sanctification), and we will finally be freed from the presence of sin when Christ comes back again (glorification).
Now, as much as this is true, it’s still possible to live as if sin is still our master. As a result, the things that should disturb us don’t disturb us at all – the things that should cause us to grieve, we actually learn to live side by side. We’re constantly crushed by the weight of our guilt and shame – but we don’t fight against the sins that rob us of our joy. Friends, does this describe you today? If so, listen to 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, “‘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.” Do you know what this means? It means that when Satan tempts us to despair and tells us of the guilt within, upward we should look and see Him there who made an end to all our sin. Because the sinless Savior died, our sinful souls are counted free, for God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon us. Brothers and sisters, believe and put your faith in what Paul says in Romans 8:1-2, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Since Christ died for our sins, since Christ has been raised from the dead, since Christ has won the war for us, we can now live in freedom as we stand confidently on the work of Christ. Then, let’s do just that. The sting of death is gone – victory is ours in Christ Jesus.
3) OUR HOPE IS LOST
Verse 18, “[If Christ has not been raised] then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.” These Christians thought death would just be the beginning of a new journey – an eternal life with God. God would run toward them with His arms wide open, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matt. 25:21). He would wipe every tear from their eyes – and welcome them to His table where they can dine together and do life together forever and ever. But if Christ has not been raised, Paul says that all their longing for an afterlife is nothing but wishful thinking, for their dreams would just be swallowed up by death. In other words, they were putting their hopes in something that was for sure going to fail them. No wonder Paul says in verse 19, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” The world will feel sorry for us because all our suffering for Christ would’ve been for nothing, because we would have given up everything for a lie, because our hope would’ve been nothing but a mirage – appearing to be real, but it ended up being just a fantasy. How tragic to know that we chose self-denial over self-indulgence, poverty over prosperity, humility over power, and a cross over a crown if this world really is all there is? This is exactly why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:32, “If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’” In other words, if Christ did not rise, we should just live to please our senses. In fact, it would be foolish for us to invest in the life to come, for death is the end of the road for all of us. Why would you waste your time, energy, and money on something that will fail you?
Verse 20, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” Paul was absolutely sure that Christ rose from the grave – and because He did, Paul was sure that his future was secure in Christ. He was certain that he would also be resurrected when Christ comes back – and this radically changed him. Remember, he was a persecutor of the church. He hated Christ – and he hated Christians. But after meeting the risen Lord, his life was turned upside down. In fact, let me read you a few passages that show the transformation that took place in his life. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Philippians 3:8-10, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ. I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” Lastly, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” What do these passages show? That Paul stopped living for himself, but he began to live for Christ. In other words, his belief in the resurrection enabled him to take risks with courage and give himself up for the glory of God.
Brothers and sisters, do you want to be courageous for the Lord? Do you want to learn how to take risks for the Lord? Do you want to know how you can truly live for the life to come? Believe in the resurrection of Christ. Think through the implications of this truth. And begin to live in light of this reality every single day. If you do, you’ll be able to endure and persevere through suffering and pain for the Lord – you’ll be able to sacrifice and be radically generous for the cause of God’s Kingdom because you know that the best is yet to come. Think with me. Let’s say that what you have in your pocket is all you own – and you have just enough to survive in this world. Of course, you’ll be anxious and stingy with your money. Of course, you’ll be frustrated and devastated when God tells you to give away what you have in your pocket. But what if you know that most of what you own is actually in the bank? You won’t tightly hold on to some pocket change you have with you. You’ll be more willing to give it away. You’ll easily let go. Do you see that? Friends, do you truly believe that you’ll rise again and live with Christ for eternity? If so, don’t cling to something that will ultimately pass away. Cling to Christ in whom our future is secure. You’ll be able to give away what you have now, for you know that everything you need and desire is already yours in the life to come through Christ our Lord. I love what Pastor John Piper said: “If Christ has been raised, we are not a people to be pitied but envied.”
CONCLUSION
Lighthouse family, because Christ has been raised from the dead, our labor is purposeful, our faith is fruitful, and our hope is secure. Then, knowing that the victory over death is ours through Christ Jesus, let’s give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, for His glory and our good.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) Why would our labor for God be useless if Christ had not been raised from the dead? When have you felt like your efforts for God were wasted? How does 1 Corinthians 15:58 challenge that feeling?
2) Are there sins you’ve learned to live with rather than fight? How does the resurrection empower you to fight them? How can we encourage one another to live in the freedom Christ purchased for us?
3) In what ways are you tempted to cling to this life instead of living for eternity? How does believing in the resurrection change the way we view suffering and sacrifice in this life? How can believing in your secure future with Christ help you be more courageous and generous today?