Why A Resurrection?
I Corinthians 15:12-20
By Harold Dinsmore
© 2008 Harold Dinsmore

Every year, we Christians have a special day set aside that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.  Why do we place such a heavy emphasis on the resurrection of Christ?  The passage that I have selected for consideration this morning will effectively answer the question, why a resurrection?

Turn with me to I Corinthians chapter 15.  It is one of the lengthiest passages written by the Apostle Paul.  I would like to begin reading at verse 12 and continue at this point to verse 20.

“Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, "There is no resurrection of the dead"?  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without foundation, and so is your faith.  In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.  Therefore those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished.  If we have placed our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.  But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”