Why does the resurrection really matter? That is indeed a question that many of us might ask were we true with ourselves – especially since we make such a big deal about this at this point every year. And it’s not because we want to make light of the resurrection, for we know it is indeed pivotal to our faith. However, we probably are not sure why that is. Why does the resurrection really matter? Why is the resurrection really such a big deal?

Were we to ask this question about the cross, we would overflow with answers. We know it is crucial, for on the cross Christ died to pay the penalty for our sins, propitiating God’s wrath so that those who repent and believe might attain his righteousness as it is credited to their account. But even as we go through that precious truth, there is no mention of the resurrection, is there? In fact, if we were to give an answer for the hope within us, that answer might include nothing about the resurrection. So, why is the resurrection such a big deal? What does it really matter? What bearing does it have on us as we have placed our faith in Christ?

These questions and more are answered in 1 Corinthians 15. In fact, this chapter is often called “the resurrection chapter,” for it is in these 58 verses that Paul gives us the logic for why the resurrection is essential for our hope in Christ. But Paul does not write this chapter just because he thought it would be a good idea as he was running out of things to talk about. No, rather, he writes this chapter because some of the Corinthians were claiming that the resurrection of the dead was a crazy idea that wasn’t and isn’t going to be a reality.

Thus, Paul steps in and corrects their thinking, showing them why the resurrection from the dead is a crucial reality. Therefore, in this hour this morning, I want to walk us through this chapter, Paul’s magnificent logic, and his explanation for the reality of the resurrection of the dead. So, let’s look at Paul’s argument (what he tells us in the text regarding the resurrection), and then we will see at the end what we must do in light of this truth. Therefore, let’s walk through their conversation, as it were, hearing the questions and the answers that we might in turn learn the importance of the resurrection and the effect it should have in our lives.

First, Paul shows them the seriousness at stake in denying the resurrection, for …

To deny the resurrection is to deny the gospel (15:1-19)

Paul begins showing them that the resurrection is central to the gospel. He writes, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me” (15:1-8).

Do you see? He starts by reminding them of the gospel, that which is of first importance. And as he unfolds it to them, he speaks of the resurrection. Thus, without the reality of the resurrection, there is no gospel. For the gospel, as given in verses 3-4, is Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Without it, there is no salvation.

“Oh,” so someone might say, “the salvation that I’ve heard so many people talk about is simply giving mental assent that Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead? Well then, sign me up; I believe.”

However, Paul makes clear that there is something more than mental assent here. Salvation is belief in the gospel that results in a change in someone’s life so that one follows Christ as his Lord throughout life. That’s why he tells them in verse 2 that they are being saved by receiving the gospel, “If you hold fast to the word which I preached to you” (emphasis added). Otherwise, Paul notes, they might have believed in vain. That is, they might have prayed a prayer, or spoken a word, or had an experience, but if it is resulting in something less that transformation that shows itself over a life of obedience to God’s word, then it is something less than salvation.

For to be saved as one believes in the gospel is to be transformed. Paul gives his own life as an example in verses 9-11. He was persecuting the church and despising Christ, but then God’s grace came to him as he believed in the gospel. And it wasn’t some experience that resulted in nothing (i.e. “his grace toward me was not in vain”). Rather, he began to love the church and labored harder than any of the other apostles in spreading the gospel and building up the church. And yet even then realized it was God who was working, and thus Paul desired no boasting for his labor. That is the powerful and saving effect of the gospel.

Thus, we learn from these first 11 verses that if one truly believes in the gospel, which alone has the power to save men, then his or her life should be changed. Therefore, if you claim to have believed and yet have no evidence of the life-changing power of the gospel in your life, then possibly your believing was something less than saving faith. In Paul’s words, maybe you “believed in vain.” And this morning the cry to you is to place your faith in Christ, believing that he died for your sins, was buried, and was raised from the dead, overcoming death. It is to turn from following after your sin to following after Christ. And if you truly believe in this gospel, your life will be transformed and you will have no need to fear God’s wrath.

But do you hear that? The resurrection is part of the gospel. It appears from 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 that to dismiss the resurrection is to dismiss the only reality that is power enough to save – the gospel itself.

Therefore, let’s just pretend like the resurrection of the dead isn’t a reality, what would be the case? What would be reality? Well, Paul gives us a list in verses 12-19.

First, Christ would not have been raised from the dead (vv. 12-13). For if there is no resurrection from the dead, then even his resurrection must be excluded.

Second, our preaching would be in vain (v. 14). For, what I would be proclaiming is that Jesus, who claimed to be the Son of David who would reign on the throne forever and be our High Priest by virtue of living forever, died and is still in the grave. That means his claims were false, and I have no message to share with you but am blowing out hot air.

Third, and consequently, your faith would be in vain (v. 14). So, all you who believe this message of the gospel would simply be believing a lie and would have no hope.

Fourth, we would all be lying about what God has done and would be false witnesses (v. 15). Not only would everything we are doing have no positive effect, it would actually have a negative one, for we would be lying about what God has done, and surely God is not pleased to have us bear false witness of his work.

Then, Paul repeats the reality of the situation if there is no resurrection of the dead, reminding us of why he can say all this. He writes in verse 16, “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.”

And then he tells us even more the devastating results of that thought in verses 17-19, showing us that our faith would be for nothing, we would still be in our sins, those who have died before us having placed their hope in Christ would not have inherited eternal life, and we should all be quite pitied, having based our lives on a lie.

Now, why does Paul say all that? He says it because our entire hope is built upon the truth of the gospel, and the resurrection is essential to the gospel. Therefore, if the resurrection is not a reality, then nor is the gospel, and there is nothing that is able to save us from our sins.

So, now, do we see why the resurrection is of importance? It is essential to the gospel itself.

So, we might say, “Okay, but what does Christ’s resurrection result in for the church?” For that’s what we’re really asking isn’t it? We want to know the exact effect the resurrection has on the church. Well, Paul shows us in the following verses, telling us that …

Christ’s resurrection results in the bodily resurrection of his church (15:20-28)

Paul writes in 15:20-24, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.”

So, Paul points out in these verses that Christ’s resurrection has an effect on the church, namely, because he has been raised from the dead, so will his church be raised from the dead. But, how does this work? Paul, explains it simply by looking at the comparison of Adam and Christ. For both are federal heads, if you will. That is to say, Adam served as our representative before God for all of humanity. Therefore, all born of Adam inherit a sinful nature and will die. He first sinned and brought death into the world, assuring all those born from him would be sinful and would die (being dead spiritually and dying physically). His actions passed to all those who came from him. In the same way, then, those who are in Christ (that is, his church) will inherit what Christ has done. And since he was perfectly righteous and was resurrected, so will his church be perfectly righteous and will be raised. He is the firstfruits of the harvest of resurrections, if you will.

Thus, he was raised from the dead, and at his coming so will his church. He will destroy everything that sets itself up against his kingdom, including death. And this will happen because God has deemed it so and has accomplished this in raising Christ from the dead. Thus, Paul writes in verses 25-28, “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For " God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”

Then, Paul adds one more piece to the reality of the resurrection for further proof.

Everything the church and Paul were doing would be absurd if Christ had not been raised and if his church would not be raised (15:29-34)

Paul first points out that the practice of the Corinthian church itself showed they were living as if there was a resurrection to come. He writes, “Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead?” (15:29). It seemed that the Corinthians were being baptized for individuals who had already died. Therefore, Paul, though not condoning such an action, points out the absurdity of this if there is no such a thing as the resurrection. It’s like bragging in a conversation with yourself – bragging is not right, but it makes absolutely no sense if no one can hear you.

Then in verses 30-32, Paul shows the absurdity of his own practice. He, in essence, says in these verses, “Why am I putting my life in danger and risking death for the sake of a gospel that results in nothing after this life? What do I gain by doing this if it is not true? I should be living it up, not risking my life and going without every lust I can imagine. In short, if the dead are not raised, I should spend my time much differently.”

Then, it seems that Paul had enough. It’s like playing with your child when he doesn’t like what’s served for dinner. At first you might joke with him about having to eat broccoli, but when he actually begins to pout and disobey you, it’s time to stop joking and to remind him of punishment. Thus, Paul writes in verses 33-34, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”

Then, Paul answers the question for those who might be saying, “Okay, so it’s a reality, but it doesn’t make sense. How can it all work?” He answers in verses 35-49.

But how can we really be raised? How can it really work? (15:35-49)

Paul’s answer to this question is simple and brilliant. For this is the kind of question that we might think the greatest theological mind could struggle with. Yet listen to Paul’s answer. He writes, “But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.”

This is his answer in stages:

1) What you sow dies before it gives life (36).

2) And what you sow is not what you harvest, but a bare kernel (37)

3) God himself chooses what the harvest the life from the kernel will look like and be like (38)

4) And the bodies of fruits, vegetables, etc. are all different (39)

5) There are even differences in the bodies of things on earth and things in the heavens (40)

6) And within that, even the things in the heavens are different – sun, moon, and stars (41)

7) It’s the same way with the resurrection from the dead (42)

8) What is sown is that which dies and what is raised will not die (42)

9) It is sown one way, and it is raised to be quite different (42-44)

10) That’s why the Word tells us that “The first man, Adam, became a living being” [thus from him we have life] and the last Adam [Christ] became a life-giving spirit [thus from him we have spiritual life (45)

11) Therefore, our bodies are first natural, like the natural Adam and then they will be spiritual, like the second, spiritual Adam, Christ [most likely like he was after he was raised from the dead] (46-49)

But if that is going to happen, we rightly conclude, something must happen to change us. So, what exactly are we looking for to happen?

Paul answers this question in verses 50-57.

The coming reality of the resurrection and our glorified bodies (15:50-57)

Well, first, he reminds us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom (50). We will not enter heaven like we are. Therefore, everybody will be changed into a different body, whether we die before Christ returns or are alive when he returns (51). So, according to verses 53-57, we are simply awaiting a day in which the trumpet sound, Christ will return, our bodies will be transformed into imperishable bodies, death will be defeated, salvation will be complete, and sin and death will be ultimately conquered.

That is the blessed effect of Christ’s resurrection and the reality of our resurrection for which we wait.

So, in conclusion, how should we live in light of this? Paul gives us our application in one verse.

Because the resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of his church are realities, we should persevere in the work of the Lord (obeying his Word), knowing we await something else that is a sure reality (15:58)

In short, if there were nothing after this life, then I would tell all of us to seek out the most pleasure you can find and forget about anything that might cause strain or difficulty in your life because our joy here in all we get. However, because the coming resurrection of Christ’s church is a reality, I encourage you this morning to press on.

Maybe your obedience to God is really difficult or you’re in great suffering. Just remember that the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Maybe you’re beginning to want to give up in your labors. Draw strength this morning from the reality of the resurrection. There is coming a day of great joy and rest, so press on in obedience. Do not grow weary in doing what is good.

In essence, wherever you are in life, it may be like you’re running a race, and you’re just getting ready to give up. Well, the resurrection reminds us of the prize that awaits us, and it should be like one screaming out to us when we want to collapse, “You can’t believe how great the prize is. Keep on running! Keep on running!” Let the reality of the resurrection this morning strengthen you both today and everyday until Christ returns to persevere in obedience to our Lord. In his name, Amen.

WHY DOES THE RESURRECTION REALLY MATTER?