If There Is No Resurrection

1 Cor 15:12-19

1. Today is Easter! We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after he died on the cross for us. You brought so many lilies here to the church, the flower of Easter! Like the ugly bulb blossoms these beautiful lilies, Jesus on the cruel cross arose as our beautiful Savior and Lord! Like crocus and daffodils around us, the risen Christ makes us so happy and joyful in this Easter! His resurrection is the first fruit and the guarantee of our body when we die. In my garden there is an ugly tree, but we are so happy with it now when we see in this spring that it changed to a beautiful tree with wonderful pink flowers. Easter is our joy and hope of our eternal life that Jesus gave us as the greatest gift in our whole life!

2. Jesus is truly risen from the dead! An Oxford history professor said that the resurrection of Jesus is one of the best evidenced facts in human history after he examined so many events in the history. There is no possible question on this. In fact, "he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me [Paul] also."(15:4-8) If it is not true, Jesus is the great liar and all of His disciples too. But, it does not make sense, because Jesus is the best man in human history and His disciples witnessed His resurrection even to death! Therefore, we have no doubt. If some people have doubts or unbelief, they must be wrong.

3. However, we may ask to ourselves what happens if there is no resurrection in order to really appreciate His resurrection for us. First, if there is no resurrection, we will not be forgiven but eternally punished. Paul said that "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… 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 to be pitied more than all men."(15:13-19)

4. Second, if there is no resurrection, we will be the slave of death. Because we have confidence in the resurrection of the body and that this life is not all, we Christians are not afraid of death. Paul asked that "as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? … If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained?"(15:30-32) In front of death, Paul had no fear but joy: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body."(Phil 1:21-24) Professor Effie Wheeler of Wheaton College, when he knew that his cancer is inoperable, comforted his scared doctor that life and death are equally welcome to him. D. L. Moody of Chicago challenged his people that when news report his death, "don’t you believe it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now! I shall have gone up higher, that is all!" The coward disciples of Jesus, all of them, changed to warriors for the good news of resurrection because they are fully convinced that Jesus arose as He said.

5. Third, if there is no resurrection, we will live without any meaningful purpose. Paul said that "If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.’"(32) If there is no resurrection, Jesus Christ may not be our goal of life and there is no hope for the future life for which we have to prepare in this life. There is no absolute standard or morality, no eternally meaningful purpose of life, and no need to live a just and good life. But because there is resurrection, Paul gives warning: "Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God--I say this to your shame."(33-34) Stars in the universe will live long, but God and we will live and love even when the stars have passed away. We have the clear and absolute norm and purpose in our life because Jesus rose again and promised our resurrection after we die.

6. Two African boys heard both their Arab master and Christian missionary about the tombs of Mohammed and Jesus, and said that "I would rather believe in the Living One!" All the founders of major religions are dead in their tombs, but Jesus arose from the dead and his tomb is empty. That is the difference! If anyone don’t believe in the resurrected Jesus, his life will be miserable in the moment of facing death whatever he achieved and possessed! But, we are so blessed! We believe in the resurrection of Jesus, and we live eternal life happily ever after!