THE RESURRECTION IS NOT JUST FOR JESUS

Every Easter (except 2020), Christians around the world gather to celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus. We do so because we agree with Paul that the foundation for
our faith is built on the truth that Jesus’ resurrection happened in history—both in
time and space. But that is only part of the story. Paul also wants us to live in view of
the eschatological promise of our own future bodily resurrection. For us to live this
way, we need to first understand the Bible’s teaching on our own place in God’s
future for the world. Then we need to live accordingly. In today’s passage, Paul
explores the implications of the pagan belief that there is no resurrection. If the
pagans are correct, then we have no future hope. But if they are wrong . . .

Preliminary Considerations

1. The resurrection of Jesus is an historically transformative event (15:1-11).
2. “Resurrection” is God’s creation of an incorruptible bodily future.
3. But the Corinthians come from a world dominated by ancient pagan beliefs
where no one believed in a future resurrection—for anyone.
1. If there is no resurrection, then we have a hopeless
end. (15:12-20)

2. If there is a resurrection, then we have an endless
hope. (15:21-28)

3. But, if there is a resurrection, how should we then live?
(15:29-34).