12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More 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. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Introduction : Spring is the season in nature when life is resurrected again. In the mountains and rivers where traces of life have disappeared in the snow and ice, green life and beautiful flowers show their bright smiling faces. Because of that, spring puts a song of hope and joy in our heart for the future. The resurrection of Jesus is the same. Death as a result of Adam´s fall from grace put human beings into despair because of sin, the secular world, disease, the curse, and the death of the flesh and soul. However, the Son of God, Jesus, came to us in human flesh as the new ancestor of humankind, and He took Adam´s sin and its suffering on himself and redeemed us by dying on the Cross. By rising again three days after His death, He has given us the joy of life. The resurrection of Jesus brings us overflowing faith, hope, love, righteousness, and joy.
1. The resurrection of faith.
1) As the Son of God with power and authority, Jesus brought words of redemption-all
the believers thought that Jesus would save them and followed Him
(Mk 1:15; Mt 4:23).
2) Lost faith.
(1) The disappointment at the arrest and punishment of Jesus.
(2) The absolute powerless death of Jesus on the Cross (Mk 15:33-34).
3) The resurrection of faith-from absolute despair to absolute faith (Mt 28:6-7).
- The disciples who had deserted Jesus for the safety of their lives, abandoned
their lives for Jesus (Mt 16:24-25; 1Co 15:12).
2. The resurrection of hope (1Co 15:19-20, 55).
1) Hope is a light for humans to see the future. The disciples gained the hope of
heaven through Jesus (Mt 12:28; 6:10; 10:7-8).
2) The disciples who scattered in all directions lost the light for their future.
The lamentation of the disciples who were going home to Emmaus (Lk 24:21).
3) The resurrection of Jesus.
(1) To Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:16-17).
(2) To other lady followers (Mt 28:9).
(3) To Peter (Lk 24:33-34).
(4) To 10 disciples (Jn 20:19-20).
(5) To 11 disciples (Jn 20:26-27).
(6) By the Sea of Tiberias (Jn 21:5-6).
(7) At the mountain of Galilee (Mt 28:16-20).
(8) At the Mount of Olives (Ac 1:3-5,12; 1Co 15:4).
4) The resurrection of Jesus is the resurrection of eternal life, heaven, and hope
(1Co 15:22-23).
3. The resurrection of love.
1) After Cain killed Abel, the history of humankind was one of hatred, anger, and killing
(Jn 8:44).
2) Jesus was the light of God´s love.
(1) Laws of Judaism and Rome killed Jesus´ love with hatred.
(2) The scene where love was defeated by hatred (Mt 27:39-44).
3) The resurrection of Jesus is the resurrection of the endless victory of love.
The love of Jesus on the Cross became a victorious event of endless love.
(1) Eternal forgiveness and righteousness (Ro 8:1-2).
(2) Eternal holiness and fullness of the Holy Spirit (Tit 3:6-7).
(3) Eternal grace of healing (1Pe 2:24).
(4) Eternal blessing of Abraham (Gal 3:13-14).
(5) Eternal life in heaven (1Th 4:16-18).
Conclusion : In spite of the dark and gloomy world, Jesus overcame the world, and desires that faith, hope, and love will bloom together in our heart like a new, blossoming flower.
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Daily Bible
