Reason for the Resurrection
Have you ever watched someone buy a used car? They walk around it, squint at the paint, and, without fail, they kick the tires. Why? It’s their way of testing if the car’s as good as the seller claims. (And you can always trust a used car salesman, right?) We all do that with big claims in life, don’t we? We want to test them. The resurrection is God’s invitation to kick the tires of Christianity.
The greatest claim in history is this: Jesus rose from the dead. Everything else, literally everything else, hinges on this one claim. So, did Jesus really rise from the dead? That’s a question we all must wrestle with. Christianity rests on Jesus and one staggering event, his resurrection. If it didn’t happen, we’re just decorating Easter eggs for no reason. But if it did, God is declaring that death and sin don’t have the last word. Paul puts it plainly in 1 Corinthians 15. No resurrection, no faith. But the opposite is true, too. If the resurrection happened, we MUST have faith. The resurrection isn’t just the most important doctrine for our faith, which it is, but it is the most important reality for all of humanity. It is the one thing that changes everything for everyone, both now and for all eternity. So we have to get this right. It is literally of utmost importance.
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the gospel. (1–4)
1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…
The Apostle Paul begins this section of 1 Corinthians by reminding the Corinthian church of the gospel he preached to them, the gospel they received, and the gospel in which they now stand. He’s not introducing something new. He’s calling them back to something they had already heard and already believed. And not just something they believed casually. He says this gospel is the only thing that saves. It’s the only ground we have to stand on. Then he says he’s delivering to them what was “of first importance.” That’s Paul’s way of saying, “Don’t miss this. Don’t move past this. Don’t trade this for something else.” There are a lot of important things in life. But only one thing sits at the center. The death of Jesus for our sins, his burial, and his resurrection on the third day. That is the core of the gospel. That is the heart of Christianity.
Then Paul does something remarkable. He quotes what scholars call the earliest Christian creed we have in our New Testament. You can tell it’s a creed because of the rhythm of the words. “That Christ died for our sins. That he was buried. That he was raised. That he appeared.” This was not something Paul made up on the fly. This was something the early church had already been reciting. Most scholars, even skeptical ones, believe this creed dates back to within a few years of the resurrection itself. Some even say within months. Think about it. 1 Corinthians was written in the early to mid 50s AD. They didn’t have telephones or email. They also were a mostly oral culture. They didn’t write stuff down like we do. So if Paul is passing on a word of mouth creed that had already been circulating, it had to come from well earlier than when he is writing to the Corinthians. The earlier books Paul wrote were Galatians and 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and they date to the late 40s to early 50s. And the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection likely happened around 33AD. So, that makes this word of mouth testimony that Paul is reciting to the Corinthians essentially the earliest piece of Christian testimony we have.
And what does it center on? What is the core of this creed? The resurrection. The earliest believers weren’t confused about what mattered the most. And Paul says this happened “in accordance with the Scriptures.” In other words, this didn’t just happen out of nowhere. This was God’s plan all along. From Genesis to Malachi, God had been preparing the world for this. The Messiah would suffer. He would die. He would rise. And Jesus fulfilled every bit of it.
Psalm 16:10 – For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
Hosea 6:2 – After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
The resurrection of Jesus was in accordance with the scriptures. And this wasn’t made up by some theologians later. This was understood and stated from the church in Jerusalem (because that’s likely where this word of mouth testimony originated from), which is where God’s Word was studied and where the death and resurrection of Jesus took place.
This one event changed everything. Paul is saying everything stands or falls on this. The gospel doesn’t work without the resurrection. Gospel literally means “good news.” There is no good news if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. If Jesus didn’t rise, then his death was just another tragedy. But because he did rise, his death was a triumph. He didn’t stay in the tomb. He walked out of it. And that changes everything.
The resurrection of Jesus is a historically credible event that transforms skeptical hearts. (5–8)
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
The resurrection of Jesus wasn’t only theology some people believed, though. It also happened in front of their eyes. Over 500 people were stated as seeing the resurrected Jesus with their own eyes. For one thing, if this creed was circulating just a few years after the events, that means there were still hundreds of people alive who could have refuted it. If it wasn’t true, all someone had to do was say, “Actually, I was there, and that didn’t happen.” But no one did. In fact, many of the people who were alive at the time came to believe it was true.
When Paul lays out the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15, he doesn’t ask for blind faith. He says, “Look at the evidence.” He points to witnesses. Real people. Living people. People who saw Jesus after he rose from the dead. He says Jesus appeared to Cephas, which is Peter, then to the Twelve, then to more than 500 brothers and sisters at one time.
And I want us to look at who some of those witnesses were. Peter, the one who denied Jesus three times and ran away in shame. The Twelve, these are the disciples who followed Jesus for three years until He died, and who then scattered and hid after His crucifixion. James, the brother of Jesus, who didn’t even believe in him during his earthly ministry. And Paul, the guy who was literally hunting Christians down, throwing them in prison, and signing off on their deaths. These are not the kind of people you expect to become bold proclaimers of the resurrection. Peter was a broken man. James was a skeptic. Paul was an enemy. But they all saw the risen Christ. And seeing Him changed everything.
This is one of the most compelling things about the resurrection. The resurrection doesn’t just convince. It transforms. You can argue all day about philosophy and history and theology, but you can’t argue with a changed life. These men and women didn’t just believe the resurrection was possible. They believed it literally happened. And that belief was so deep, so real, so undeniable, that they were willing to suffer for it. Willing to die for it. That doesn’t happen because someone gave a great sermon or wrote a nice letter. That happens when people meet Jesus face to face.
Listen to the boldness of Peter and John when they were told they can’t speak about Jesus, and this is after healing a man and saying these words before them in Acts 4:10:
let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
Here is what they then said when their were told not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus in Acts 10:19-20:
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Peter ate fish with the risen Jesus![1] John was literally there when Jesus died. He was at the foot of the cross.[2] And he also was the first of the disciples there at the empty tomb.[3] And they were both there with Him when He ascended into heaven.[4] Jesus showed up to them! Alive! And it changed everything for them.
And here’s what’s beautiful and amazing. The risen Jesus still shows up. To us. Maybe not in the same physical way, but in a way that is just as real. He still takes skeptics and makes them saints. He still meets the broken and gives them hope. He still interrupts our lives and gives us a new direction. If he can change a man like Paul, he can change any of us. The resurrection didn’t just change history. It changes hearts. It changes people. It has the power to change you here today.
If the resurrection is not true, then nothing else in the Christian life matters. (17–20)
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. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Paul doesn’t leave us any middle ground. He doesn’t give us the option of saying the resurrection is a beautiful metaphor or a moving symbol. He makes it painfully clear. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is pointless and our faith is foolish. That’s a strong statement. He doesn’t say our faith is weakened or incomplete. He says it’s worthless. Useless. Empty. If Jesus stayed in the grave, then Christianity is just a well-meaning fairy tale. Every aspect of Christianity rests on the reality of the resurrection.
The divinity of Jesus rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 1:4).
The sovereignty of Jesus rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 14:9).
Our justification rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 4:25).
Our regeneration rests on the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3).
Our ultimate resurrection rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 8:11).[5]
The whole gospel collapses without the resurrection. Jesus said he would rise. He staked his entire identity and mission on that promise. If he didn’t rise, then he was either a liar or a lunatic. And if that’s true, then we’re all wasting our time. We’re still in our sins. We’re still condemned. Death still has the final word. And the only thing waiting for us after this life is a silent grave.
But Paul doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t stay in the hypothetical. He pivots with one of the most hopeful sentences in the Bible. “But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead.” That’s not wishful thinking. That’s not, “Let’s pretend it’s true because it feels good.” That’s a declaration. Christ has been raised. And if that’s true, then everything changes.
It means your sins really are forgiven. It means the guilt that weighs on your soul has been taken to the cross and buried in the tomb, and it didn’t come out with Jesus. It means you’re not carrying shame into eternity. You’re carrying grace. It means death doesn’t win. It might sting for a moment, but it doesn’t get the last word. Jesus walked out of the grave and left the door wide open behind him. Because He rose, we will rise. It is guaranteed.
Paul says something deeply profound, especially for the time he was writing in. He calls Jesus the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep. That’s Bible talk for “there’s more where that came from.” In ancient Israel, the firstfruits were the first part of the harvest, given to God as an offering. But they also served as a promise. If the firstfruits were good, the rest of the harvest was on its way. So when Paul says Jesus is the firstfruits, he’s saying this is just the beginning. Jesus rose first. We rise next. His resurrection guarantees ours.
The resurrection is not just the heart of the gospel. It’s the hinge of history. Everything turns on this. If Jesus is still in the grave, then nothing matters. But if Jesus walked out of that tomb, then nothing else matters.
The resurrection is God’s final answer to sin, suffering, and death. (54–57)
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Death is the one thing that feels permanent. The one thing no one escapes. And yet Paul, at the end of this chapter, talks about death like it’s already been defeated. He taunts it. He looks it square in the face and says, “Where is your victory? Where is your sting?” That’s not the voice of someone hoping things work out in the end. That’s the voice of someone who knows how the story ends.
Paul says the sting of death is sin. Hear me: Death is terrifying when you’re still in your sins. If that’s you, I want you to hear what Charles Spurgeon has to say to you:
“For those who are not in Jesus Christ, death still has its sting. “The sting of death lay in this, that we had sinned and were summoned to appear before the God whom we had offended. This is the sting of death to you, unconverted ones, not that you are dying, but that after death is the judgment, and that you must stand before the Judge of the quick and dead to receive a sentence for the sins which you have committed in your body against him.”
And if that’s where the story ended, we’d have every reason to fear death. We’d have every reason to stay up at night wondering what’s coming. But Paul doesn’t leave us in that fear. He says thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the kind of victory that doesn’t come through human effort. It doesn’t come through self-improvement or wishful thinking. Jesus fulfilled the law we couldn’t keep. He took the penalty we deserved. He crushed the power of sin by taking it on himself. And he rose from the grave as proof that death had lost its grip.
Because of the resurrection, we don’t have to live afraid of death. We don’t have to wonder what’s on the other side. For those in Christ, death is not the end. It’s not even a threat. It’s a doorway. And on the other side is life that doesn’t expire. Joy that doesn’t get interrupted. Peace that never gets shaken. If death was the worst thing that could happen, then fear would make sense. But death already happened to Jesus, and he got back up. And when he did, he took the sting with him.
The resurrection gives us strength to live boldly and serve faithfully right now. (58)
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Paul doesn’t end this chapter by saying, “So just sit back and be amazed.” He doesn’t say, “Let that give you warm feelings on Easter.” He says something much better. He says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” In other words, the resurrection doesn’t just change how we die. It changes how we live. Right now.
Paul says your labor is not in vain. That means your obedience is not wasted. Your tears are not overlooked. Your prayers are not unheard. Your witness is not forgotten. Every moment you live for Christ echoes in eternity.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in you.
Romans 8:11 – If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
That means you don’t have to be strong enough. Jesus is risen. You don’t have to figure everything out. Jesus is risen. You don’t have to fear what’s ahead. Jesus is risen. The resurrection isn’t a past event for you to remember. It’s a present reality for you to walk in.
So what about you? If you’re here today and you’ve never truly believed in this risen Jesus, can I just ask you a question? What are you standing on? What are you hoping in? What are you building your life around that can hold you through death and bring you through to life? And I want to ask you one more question: What are you waiting for?
Because this isn’t just about being spiritual. It’s not about trying to be a better person. This is about whether or not Jesus really rose from the dead. And if he did, then everything he said is true. If he did, then he is Lord of all. If he did, then your life will never make sense apart from him.
And He is in fact risen. He is reigning. And he is calling your name.
So, come. Lay down your fears. Lay down your past. Lay down your pride. And find life in the one who conquered death, on your behalf.
The resurrection is not just something we celebrate. It is the reason we believe. The reason we endure. The reason we hope. And one day, it will be the reason we rise.
[5] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-15
