How the Resurrection Meets our Deepest Needs 1 Cor

Series of negative statements, “If Christ has not been raised...” Our preaching is useless v.14 Our preaching is useless v.14 Our faith is futilev.14; v.17 Our faith is futilev.14; v.17 You are still in your sinsv.17 You are still in your sinsv.17 We are lostv.18 We are lostv.18 We are to be pitied more than all men v.19 We are to be pitied more than all men v.19 v.20: BUT Christ has indeed been raised from the dead …

v.17 And if Christ has not been raised, … you are still in your sins. v.17 And if Christ has not been raised, … you are still in your sins. HOWEVER: Because Christ has been raised, we are no longer in our sins. HOWEVER: Because Christ has been raised, we are no longer in our sins. NEED # 1: The Need to be Freed from Sin 1

v.14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. v.14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. v.17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. v.17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. HOWEVER: Because Christ has been raised, our faith is useful and fruitful. HOWEVER: Because Christ has been raised, our faith is useful and fruitful. NEED # 2: The Need to Have Someone we can Trust 2

v.18 If Christ has not been raised…Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. v.18 If Christ has not been raised…Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. v.19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. v.19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. HOWEVER: Because Christ has been raised, we have hope for the next life, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ are safe. HOWEVER: Because Christ has been raised, we have hope for the next life, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ are safe. NEED # 3: The Need to know there is a Future Beyond Death 3

1 Cor I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

v.14...if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. v.14...if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. v.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. v.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. HOWEVER: We are true witnesses, and our preaching is effective, for in fact Christ was raised, and therefore we have a trustworthy message. HOWEVER: We are true witnesses, and our preaching is effective, for in fact Christ was raised, and therefore we have a trustworthy message. NEED # 4: The Need to Be Sure of the Truth 4