March 12, 2023

Implications of belief or denial of fundamental doctrine

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Looking at the implications of belief or denial of fundamental Christian doctrine
    • Throughout the centuries there has been denial of central doctrinal truth
      • Heresy - denying the eternity of Jesus
        • The Nicene Creed was formulated
      • Heresy - denying the humanity of Jesus
      • Heresy - open theism
      • Heresy - universalism
  • In Corinth - some had false thinking: that there was no bodily resurrection
    • They were agreeing with Greek common thought
    • They thought the body was evil and hence would not be resurrected
    • They were maybe also influenced by the saducees
  • Some important implications of believing
  • v1-11 last week, is positive
    • Presenting the gospel and establishing the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
  • Overview: the passage falls into three sections

Implications of denying the resurrection from the dead (v12-19)

  • A truth central to Apostolic preaching
    • The preaching of His death and resurrection
      • Acts 2:23-24, 3:26, 10:39-40, 13:32-33, 17:3,32
    • The Corinthians could not have said they had not heard of the resurrection

1. You are saying Christ is not risen! (v13)

  • Christ is and has been raised
  • Paul is using logic - v13

2. And Preaching is a waste of time, and faith is vain (v14)

  • Their faith is a waste of time, if Christ is dead in the grave
  • Their faith would be useless and empty

3. Furthermore the Apostles were liars (v15)

  • If no resurrection (of whom the Apostles were eye witness) - then they are liars
  • You cannot trust the Apostles

4. Even worse ALL will perish, no-one will be saved (v16-17)

  • If there is no resurrection there is no salvation
  • The work of Christ has not been accepted by the Father
  • Mankind cannot be saved and are still in their sins
  • There is no hope for the future
  • If we are living for an eternity that does not exist - we are most pitiable

To deny clear Biblical Teaching is serious

  • Paul is using argument after argument of the serious implications of deny the resurrection from the dead
  • If you reject/tamper with one truth - many other truths fall down
  • To deny the reality of hell is to empty Jesus' words of all meaning
  • To deny certain truths causes big problems

Implications of the truth of the resurrection (v20-28)

  • Paul makes a wonderful declaration
    • "He is risen!" - v20
    • People are not risen, though they have been raised (e.g. Lazarus)
    • However, Jesus is risen - the ongoing present tense
      • He is risen and reigning now

1. His resurrection guarantees ours!

  • The example of the festival of firstfruits
    • Christ is the firstfruits of resurrection
    • Because He rose, we also will rise
  • Through Adam death/sin came into the world
    • The Second Adam / the Perfect Man / Christ - brings life
  • Christ will be the firstfruits, believers second
    • Those already fallen asleep will be raised when Christ comes for His Church

2. His resurrection initiates the final stage of God’s purposes for this universe – the defeat of all evil!

  • This is wonderful
    • All things are subjected to Him
      • All power and evil
      • The last enemy of death - will be destroyed
    • The older you get - death becomes uglier
      • Christ overcame death at Calvary
      • There will be a new heaven and a new earth
      • There will be no more death
    • Christ has complete and total victory
  • Paul proclaims this wonderful doctrine

Some practical implications (v29-34)

  • v29 - This might be one of the most difficult verses in the New Testament
    • There are apparently 41 interpretations of this verse!

To deny the resurrection is to invalidate baptism

  • Example of the thief on the cross - who could not be baptised
  • Maybe some are being baptised on the witness of those who died
  • Unless the dead are raised, baptism is pointless
    • It speaks of our death and resurrection

If the dead do not rise, then all suffering for Jesus is a waste of time ... we might as well live purely for the pleasures of this life

  • There is no point to bodily suffering if there is no resurrection
  • We may as well have an easy life - "eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" - v32
  • Paul is challenging the Corinthians to look at his life
  • Be careful how you live
    • Bad company corrupts - v33
  • The religion of today is hedonism
    • Awake to righteousness and do not sin

Closing Remarks

  • Believe in biblical doctrines
  • Practice and not forget
  • Do not be surprised when those in the church deny the fundamental doctrines of Scripture - we see this happening
  • When the Church moves away from fundamental doctine - morality goes out the window
  • Wake up and live for Christ!!
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