April 17, 2022
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
SERMON: IF CHRIST HAD NOT RISEN
1 Corinthians 15:12-28
Introduction: It was Tuesday, May 8, 1945 all over America the news was being announced on radio that World War II had ended
· People rushed out on the streets and began to leap for joy.
· Mothers and dads were thrilled that their sons would be coming home.
· Housewives were leaping for joy because their husbands would soon be coming home.
· Children were dancing in the streets because their dads would soon be coming home.
After six years of bombing, rationing and great loss of life, it was finally over!
Yet, of all the victories that have been won throughout the ages, none are celebrated with the intensity that we Christians celebrate RESURRECTION SUNDAY! NONE!!!
MILLIONS WORLDWIDE CELEBRATE the RESURRECTION!
BUT WHAT IF CHRIST HAD NOT RISEN?
I. ALL PREACHING WOULD BE VAIN (useless) v. 14
A. Every sermon delivered would be worthless
1. All sermon preparation futile
2. All preaching a waste of energy
3. All listening to sermons a waste of time
B. All the preaching of the past would have no value
1. The preaching of the apostles
2. The preaching of the early church martyrs
3. The preaching of giants of the faith
a. The preaching of Dr. Tony Evans
b. The preaching of Dr. Clifton Rhodes, Jr.
c. The preaching of Dr. Erwin Lutzer
C. If Christ has not risen, we shouldn’t be here
If Christ had not risen
II. ALL FAITH WOULD BE VAIN v. 14
A. Faith ….that saves the soul
1. That brings peace with God
2. That accepts the gift of grace
B. Faith….that makes prayer powerful
1. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23)
2. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things to you” ( Jer. 33:3, NIV)
C. Faith that brings peace of mind
1. “Be careful for nothing” (Phil. 4:6-8
2. “Whom shall I fear?” (Ps. 27:1)
If Christ had not risen
III. ALL HOPE OF HEAVEN WOULD BE GONE v. 18
A. The dead in Christ would have perished
B. Every grave would be a place of despair
1. No mansions prepared for us
2. No better place waiting
3. No hope of meeting departed loved ones (1 Thess. 4:13)
4. Promises of heaven would be false
If Christ had not risen
IV. ALL BELIEVERS WOULD BE MISERABLE v. 19
A. We would have believed a lie
B. We would have spent our lives following a fable
C. The joy we profess would have been a deception
D. We would have traded earthly gain for a dream
CONCLUSION
BUT CHRIST IS RISEN! v. 20 -26
1. Gospel preaching is powerful and true
2. Faith in Christ brings forgiveness and eternal life
3. Believers go to heaven when they die
4. Christians have reasons to rejoice
Responsive Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28
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