*no bulletin or notes for Good Friday Service (April 2, 2021). Communion will be celebrated on Good Friday.
Sunday, April 4, 2021
"If Christ Were Not Raised" sermon by Pastor Kevin Rutledge
A problem in the church at Corinth
1 Corinthians 15:12-13 - But 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? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
If Christ is not raised
1 Corinthians 15:14-19 - And 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. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 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 of all people most to be pitied.
Our preaching is useless (v 14a)
Our faith is useless (v 14b)
We are liars (v 15-16)
Our faith is futile (v 17a)
We are still in our sins (v 17b)
Those who have died are lost (v 18)
Christians are to be pitied because of pathetic delusions (v 19)
But Christ has been raised. Therefore . . .
1 Corinthians 15:20-28 - But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then 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. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
