The resurrection satisfies six of our deepest needs and longings.

If Christ has not been raised:-

• Preaching is useless
• Faith is in vain
• False Witnesses
• We are still in our sins
• Dead in Christ are lost
• We of all men are most to be pitied
• There is no basis for ethics, eat drink…

Stating the negatives in positive terms:-

WE ARE FORGIVEN OF OUR SINS.

Vs. 17... and you are still in your sins.

Forgiveness. Most basic need – all have sinned. The foundation for every other blessing is that God will not hold our sins against us.

Ps130-”If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord who could stand?”  

NLT-”Lord, if you kept a record of our sins who could ever survive””

Message-”If you, Lord, kept records on wrongdoings who would stand a chance?”

East from west. Depth of the sea.

Even if we don’t realize it, deep inside, we long to be accepted. We fear guilt.

We are no longer in our sins, because Jesus has been raised.

OUR FAITH IS WELL FOUNDED

Vs 14…faith is futile; vs. 17…useless.

Someone to trust. Have to believe somebody. As object of faith Jesus is absolutely trustworthy. We all long for someone who is reliable. Someone who we can count on through thick and thin; who won’t let us down. Someone who will always be there.

His resurrection proves we can trust his word.

WE PREACH WHAT IS TRUE

Vs. 14…our preaching is useless. More than that false witnesses..   

The need for truth deep in all our hearts. Not just another idea in the market place of ideas. Actually, historically. Convinced He is telling the truth.

Young people taught no absolute truth; relativism

I am the way, truth, life…rose from the dead to vindicate this claim.

Not a hoax but history. Vicious hoax or fantastic fact.

WE ARE TO BE ENVIED

Vs. 19…to be pitied more than all men.

Significance, meaning. Deep need. Living in a fool”s paradise. If not raised we are deluded. Vain, empty, pointless, useless, insignificant – pitiable. But if true then…our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Our obedience, self denial, love positively enviable.

2Cor 4:17…Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.

Not in vain; this is the longing of our lives. Significant, valuable, eternal.

Greatest tragedy is to through life and miss the point. I’ve wasted it. Saul (OT)...I have played the fool

THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP ARE SAVED

Vs. 18…then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

Destiny of loved ones who have died. Deep human need. They are saved

WE HAVE A BASIS FOR OUR ETHICS

Vs. 32…Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

No point to anything. Why do good. No future, hope or destiny. Why be moral. No meaning to “ought”.

Christ is risen - all has changed. God has come. We have a message of hope and a future.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• How important do you think the Apostle Paul considers the doctrine of the resurrection to be to the Christian Faith as a whole and why?

•  What effect do you think false doctrine and wrong beliefs have on revival?

• How do you think some of the Corinthian congregation got the idea that there was no resurrection? Vs. 12…How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  (Check Vs. 33).

• Discuss the resurrection as it relates to Christian hope in general.