But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20)

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If there is no resurrection of the dead, …

1. Christ has not been raised.
   A. Logic demands: If dead mendon’t rise, then Jesus is still dead.
   B. Don’t come to the person and work of Christ w/ preconceptions.
2. Our preaching is useless.
   A. Paul’s whole life was a complete waste of time if no resurrection.
   B. The sweep of salvation is based not on a principle but on a fact.
3. Your faith is in vain.
   A. Take out Jesus’ resurrection and there is nothing left for faith.
   B. Faith is produced by looking to Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.
4. We are false witness about God.
   A. Paul, in the apostolic tradition, claimed that God raised Christ.
   B. It is blasphemy to link God almighty to a still-dead imposter.
5. You are still in your sins.
   A. If Jesus is still dead, the problem of human sin remains unsolved.
   B. Either he wasn’t sinless, or his attempt to atone wasn’t approved.
6. Those asleep in Christ have perished.
   A. Without resurrection, death remains the one invincible terror.
   B. We are all doomed to perish without hope and without God.
7. We are to be pitied more than anyone.
   A. Jesus’ teaching falls to the ground, and he is shown to be a liar.
   B. Rather than Lord of life, death & eternity, he is not Lord at all.

SUMMARY: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead marks the dawning of a whole new age.
The grave is not the end – Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!

1 Corinthians 15:12-20
(click on Verse to see passage in NIV Translation)