IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

If Christ Has Not Been Raised

Date: Oct. 26, 2015

Passage

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:19

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

First, if there is no resurrection of the dead (12-13). Paul preached the gospel of the resurrection of the dead. But there were some among the Corinthian Christians that said there is no resurrection of the dead. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then there is no gospel and no hope for men. If there is absolutely no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

Second, iIf Christ has not been raised (14-19). What are the consequences if Christ has not been raised? The preaching of the apostles is a complete lie. The faith of those who believe the gospel is futile. If Christ has not been raised, then we are still ruled by the power of sin and death. We are left with a belief system designed to benefit us only for this life. What a pity! When we remove the negatives from these verses we learn that there is resurrection of the dead. We know this because Christ has been raised. His resurrection gives us freedom from sin and death, and absolute meaning to our faith and our preaching, with the hope and assurance of eternal life. What a blessing!

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help me not live by sight. Bless me to grow in resurrection faith until your hope is my hope.

One Word: Have hope in Christ

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Daily Bread

God is Our Deliverer

Psalm 78:40-72

Key Verse: 78:65

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.

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