1 Corinthians 15:12-26 - The Resurrection of the Dead - April 1, 2018

Even in this age of “fake news”, there is one day above all others that is notorious for being filled with falsehood and deception. A day when even otherwise honest people turn into con artists, liars and deceivers. A day that causes some people to take offense and get angry and others to laugh and rejoice. And no, I’m not talking about April Fool’s Day, I’m talking about Easter – the day on which we celebrate the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This day, perhaps more than any other, divides the world in two. There are those who base their life and faith on the fact that 2000 years ago Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried…on the third day he rose again from the dead. There are others who argue that these facts are just an example of fake news. They claim that the resurrection is a myth perpetrated by stupid and gullible people. And they conclude that because Jesus didn’t rise no one else will either. When you die, that’s it. Game over. The question is: which side are you on? Eternity hangs on the answer. Today we will consider the Resurrection of the Dead as a matter of fact and a matter of faith.

Let’s start with one fact we would probably rather avoid: the fact of death. Have you noticed that even in our hyper politicized society where no one can agree on anything, we can all still agree on the fact of death? Amidst the recent spree of terror and shootings and bombings – and the resulting shouting matches about what should be done to prevent them – I have yet to hear anyone say “The victims are not dead.” We can argue about cause and effect, about everything before and after it, but death is undeniable. And Paul tells us why, very matter-of-factly: in Adam all die. We are all descendants of Adam. We all inherited his sinful nature. We all act out on this sinful nature: disobeying God, hurting, hating, lying, slandering, lusting and coveting – and so, we have all earned the wages of sin: death. (Romans 3:23) It’s said that death and taxes are the only certainties in life. But taxes can be evaded and tax laws changed. Death alone is unavoidable and absolute. It is the last enemy to be destroyed.

Death is the reason we are here today. In fact, the certainty of death is ultimately the only reason to be a Christian. Practically, this means that if someone comes to Christianity seeking a guaranteed solution for anything other than death, they’re in the wrong place. If someone comes to Christianity hoping to become happier and healthier, they would be better off going to see a doctor or therapist. If someone hopes that becoming Christian will help them become wealthy, their time would be better spent with a financial advisor. If people think the Church ought to be enacting laws and writing policies to make our nation a better, safer place, they would have better success lobbying a congressman. Not only because Jesus never promised to make anyone healthy or happy or rich or make this world a better, safer place – but because how healthy, happy, rich, and safe can you possibly be if you’re dead? Death is why we are here – or, more accurately, the death of death, the resurrection of the dead.

We are here because of the simple fact that Jesus of Nazareth died on a Roman cross by the command of Pontius Pilate as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world and then rose to life again three days later. This is the fact around which all other facts revolve. Jesus’ resurrection is the fulcrum around which all human history pivots and finds its ultimate meaning. It is a fact of history as much as World War II or 9/11. The tomb of Jesus is empty. The body of Jesus is risen and living. It’s simply a matter of fact.

Like all facts, this one has verified evidence and eyewitness testimony. 1) First, not only did God, through his prophets, lay out in stunning detail the final hours of Jesus’ life – down to the very words he spoke from the cross (Psalm 22:1) – but through King David God also promised that Christ would never see decay, because he would rise again. (Psalm 16:10) And God has an unbroken track record of keeping all of his promises. 2) Second, the tomb that had been sealed on Saturday (Matthew 27:66) was empty before the angels rolled the stone away early Sunday morning. (Matthew 28:2) The burial linens were neatly folded, (John 20:7) and the guards had to be bribed to spread the lie that Jesus’ disciples had stolen his body – because they knew that the disciples hadn’t been anywhere near the tomb. (Matthew 28:11-15) 3) Jesus was seen in the flesh by Mary Magdalene, Peter and the other Apostles, by a highly skeptical Thomas, by two disciples on the road to Emmaus, by seven disciples who ate a breakfast of fish with him, by over 500 disciples at one time, by James and by Paul himself on the road to Damascus. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

There are those who allege that these were delusional idiots who only imagined they saw the risen Lord. But the facts tell a different story. By all accounts, these were sane, sober, rational eyewitnesses. Perhaps the strongest proof is that many of them didn’t believe it until they saw it with their own eyes – even though Jesus had told them repeatedly that this would happen. (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34) Additionally, these people, humanly speaking, had nothing to gain from testifying that Jesus had risen from the dead and everything to lose. Not only did they lose their membership in the local synagogue and their status in society, but many of them lost their lives. And people don’t die for something they know to be a lie.

4) The civil and religious authorities of the time, Pontius Pilate and the chief priests, were very invested in making sure that Jesus stayed dead three days after they had killed him. They all wanted to protect their status and power by wiping out Christianity in its fledgling stage. They had the means, the time, and the authority to produce the corpse of Jesus and parade it through the streets of Jerusalem on Sunday night or Monday morning. But they didn’t. Why not? There was no corpse. Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he said. (Matthew 28:6)

But, playing devil’s advocate, what if this is all just a fake news story? Some sick April Fool’s joke? A delusion, a fantasy, a myth? Does it matter? Sadly, some supposedly “Christian” teachers – including those who were opposing Paul in Corinth – say that it doesn’t matter if Jesus actually rose from the dead or not. They say that he is still an inspirational figure, that his teachings are still relevant and help us lead meaningful lives. Some will even say that Jesus can give you your best life now even if he was a miserable failure at accomplishing the one thing he had come to do: defeat death. Most insidious of all is the idea that it doesn’t matter if Jesus actually rose or not, it only matters if you believe he did – kind of like the Easter bunny or Santa Claus. So does it matter?

The Apostle Paul seems to think so. Paul says that if Jesus hasn’t been raised, Jesus’ life is not an inspiring story and his teachings are not worth the paper they’re written on and it’s not only futile but blasphemous to place your trust in him. There’s an alternative set of facts if Christ isn’t risen: if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

If Christ has not been raised: 1) you shouldn’t waste your time reading or believing the Bible – because it’s not true. 2) If Christ isn’t raised, then God lied through his prophets, Jesus was raving lunatic, the apostles were liars, and every Christian preacher for the last two thousand years – including the one standing in front of you – are liars who have blasphemed God and deserve to be ignored, if not run out of town. 3) If Christ hasn’t been raised, your faith is futile and you are delusional. You are wasting your time being here this morning and every other Sunday morning, your prayers are not heard or answered by anyone, and you’re kidding yourself if you think you’re right with God because Jesus’ death paid for nothing and you’re still guilty for all the evil you’ve thought, said, and done. 4) If Christ hasn’t been raised, then we are all back to square one when it comes to God. We need to find some other way to reach him. And we need to start paying for our own sins because there is no mercy, no forgiveness, no grace if Christ is not raised from the dead. 5) If Christ hasn’t been raised, then the people you loved who have died believing in him are lost forever. Hold on to your memories of them because that’s all you’re ever going to have. (You might also reconsider spending large sums of money on funerals – because there’s no closure or peace to be found in them.) If Christ hasn’t been raised then we have no reason to believe that there is anything resembling physical life beyond death. Without Christ’s empty tomb – it’s just as valid to believe that all dogs go to heaven or we will be reincarnated as monarchs. If Christ hasn’t been raised, Paul himself suggests that we should leave here right now, eat, drink and be merry – because one day, we will all die. (1 Corinthians 15:32)

But (the most beautiful three letter word in the English language) the historical, verifiable, undeniable, glorious fact is that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. And this fact is the foundation of our faith. 1) Because Christ is risen we believe that every single word and promise in the Bible is true, from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus testified to the truthfulness of Scripture (John 17:17) and it would be foolish to do anything other than believe the words of one who has defeated death.

2) Because Christ is risen we believe that we have been justified – that is, declared not guilty, completely innocent and acceptable before God. [Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:25) and because [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2) we know beyond all doubt that every last one of our sins has been paid for in full by the precious blood of God.

3) Because Christ is raised from the dead, we believe that we too will rise from death. Jesus is the firstfruits – he’s the down payment, the proof that all who fall asleep in faith in him will rise just like him. One empty grave on Easter morning is the proof that God will empty every grave on the Last Day – including yours and mine.

4) Because Christ is risen, we believe that there is real, bodily, physical life after death. We don’t just go on as spirits or memories or energy. We rise with bodies to live with God and all the other saints forever. Because of sin, these bodies cannot inherit the kingdom of God, they are not suited for eternal life. They wear out, get sick, break down. But, Paul says that these bodies are like seeds; they are planted dead only to rise from the ground to new and vibrant life: the body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

5) Because Christ is risen, we believe that those who have died in faith are living with Christ now in paradise. We do not grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13) because we believe that in heaven there will be a grand reunion of all believers – from Adam to Abraham to Paul to our own loved ones God has called home. This truth alone can give us peace and joy and a smile even through the tears of grief at the loss of a loved one.

6) Because Christ is raised from the dead, we know exactly where we and this world are headed. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. We are born to die, this is true. But in Christ, we die to live. This is true too, because Christ is risen. As for this world: The end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. When Jesus returns, Satan and his work will be destroyed. One and all will bow before the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ. And death, our last and greatest enemy, will be swallowed up in victory once and for all!

We believe this, and we are sure of this, and we come here week after week to profess and confess this, and we are willing to stake our hearts and souls and lives and our eternities on this – because of one simple, glorious, undeniable fact: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.