Christ the Victor – 1 Corinthians 15:12-26
Crosspoint – Dave Spooner – April 20th, 2025
 

Intro:

I am privileged to have served this church as its lead pastor for the last 4 ½ years. I have been in pastoral ministry for over 30 years, twenty-plus in Rockford, and about 10 years in Minnesota. My pastoral calling was solidified when I started to contemplate the big questions in life when I was around 18 years old and a senior in high school, wondering what I should do with my life and what is worth living for. I am guessing you have also asked that question at some point in your life, and some of us are still asking this question.
Now, this world offers us many options for consideration, which typically fall into a few categories: fortune, fame, fun, family, and friends. I concluded that all of these things were pretty fragile and that those who live for these things don’t end up ultimately satisfied, content, or even happy.
Thinking about life led me to an even bigger question: what happens to us when we die? This is a more important question because we are dead much longer than we are alive, and as far as I can tell, everyone dies even despite our best efforts to prolong life. The question of what happens after you die is a very important question, and humans have been asking since the moment death entered our reality.
At the time the New Testament was being written, some believed there was no resurrection, and this teaching was taking root in some of the minds of those in the early church. The Apostle Paul addressed this head-on near the end of his letter to the church in Corinth, and in so doing, teaches us important truths, so important that your life and eternity depend upon them.
He first started by thinking through the logical connections that, if indeed there was no resurrection, what would that mean.

What if there were no resurrection?

1 Corinthians 15:12-14 NIV

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? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 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.

 Then Christ has not been raised – without the resurrection, Jesus remains dead, unable to save or redeem us.

Then preaching is pointless – without the risen Christ, preaching is empty talk, offering no hope or truth.
Then faith is useless – if Jesus did not rise, our belief in Him accomplishes nothing and gives no eternal benefit.
Then the Apostles are false – if Christ wasn’t raised, the Apostles lied about God and the most important event in history.

1 Corinthians 15:16-19 NIV

For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Then you are still in your sins – without the resurrection, our sins remain unforgiven, leaving us separated from God.
Then the dead are lost – if Christ didn’t rise, those who died believing in Him have no hope of eternal life; they are simply gone forever.
Then the Apostles should be pitied – without resurrection hope, the Apostles wasted their lives and suffered needlessly for a lie.
What if there were no resurrection? No living hope. No eternal life. No forgiveness. No future.

 Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!

 1 Corinthians 15:20a NIV

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,

What is the evidence?

The truthfulness of Scripture – the resurrection fulfilled clear biblical prophecies, affirming the reliability of all God’s promises (Luke 24:44; 1 Cor 15:3-4).
The teaching of Jesus – Jesus Himself affirmed life beyond death, teaching that God is the God of the living, not the dead, and that He would die and be raised back to life (Mark 8:31; Luke 18:32-34; 20:37-38; John 11:25-26).
The testimony of the Apostles – the Apostles faithfully testified as eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ. There were individual encounters with the risen Christ as well as encounters with small groups and large groups. They all testified to the reality of the resurrection of Christ, even at great personal cost (Acts 2:32; 4:33; 2 Cor 15:3-8).
The transformation of the church – the early church’s radical transformation, explosive growth, and continuance to this day testifies powerfully to the truth of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 5:41-42; Acts 17:6; Matt 16:18).

 1 Corinthians 15:20b-26 NIV

the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

What is the outcome?

Christ is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep – Christ’s resurrection is the guarantee and example of our own future resurrection.
In Christ, all will be made alive – through Christ’s victory, everyone who belongs to Him will experience eternal life.
When He comes again, the end will come – Jesus’s return will bring history to its rightful conclusion, ushering in God’s eternal kingdom.
Christ will reign, and death will be destroyed – Jesus will triumphantly rule over all, completely defeating death, our final and greatest enemy.

Because Christ is risen, our faith has a foundation and our future is forever.

Conclusion

Because Christ is risen, we have a foundation for our faith and a secure hope for our eternal future. Today, you have heard that Jesus Christ has conquered death, offering forgiveness, hope, and eternal life to all who trust in Him. Perhaps you’ve been searching for something lasting, something real, something worth giving your life to. Jesus invites you now, not to a fleeting hope or temporary pleasure, but to Himself, the Risen Savior, the One who can redeem and transform your life.
If today you recognize your need for Christ and desire to receive Him, now is your opportunity. Trust in Him to forgive your sins, to give you eternal life, and to guide your life from this day forward. As a powerful symbol of your new life in Christ, we will invite you in the future to participate in baptism, publicly declaring your commitment to Him and celebrating your new beginning.
Our prayer team will be ready to meet with you following the service to guide you through this decision and answer any questions you might have. Come forward near the “Prayer” sign or head to our prayer room next to the offices. And in the future, you will be invited to publicly declare your allegiance to Christ through baptism as we are going to witness now.

 Rom 6:3-5 NIV

All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

 Our prayer team is available to pray with you after the service near the “Prayer” sign at the front of the sanctuary and also in the prayer room, next to the offices.

 Questions for Growth Groups

Why do you think questions about life after death resonate so deeply with us as human beings?
How does the reality of Christ’s resurrection impact your daily life and perspective?
Reflecting on today’s sermon, which evidence for the resurrection do you find most compelling and why?
Discuss ways in which the resurrection provides comfort and hope, especially during difficult seasons of life.
If Christ had not risen, Paul says our faith is futile. How does this truth deepen your appreciation and gratitude for the resurrection?
Share how knowing that “Christ will reign and death will be destroyed” changes your perspective on current personal struggles or fears.
Who in your life needs to hear the hopeful message of the resurrection, and how can you lovingly share this good news with them this week?