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!!