It's all about Jesus: the Cross, the Tomb, & the Grave Clothes (Pt. 2)

(Part 2)

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.”-1 Corinthians 15:12-13.

The Apostle Paul was passionate about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There was a group of people in Paul’s day declaring that there was no resurrection; a claim that Paul immediately confronted. Paul argued that if there is no resurrection then our faith is futile, we are still steeped in sin, those who died believing perished in vain, and we who are living for Him now should be pitied.

“And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”-1 Corinthians 15:17-19.

Last week we discussed the significance of the cross and the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:9 declaring:

“Since we have been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him.”

It is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from our sins. However, the resurrection serves as a sign proving that the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary was sufficient. Remember, the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. If the demands of sin had not been rightly met, life could not have been extended. If the sacrifice had been deficient in any way, we would still be in our sins; but Christ’s resurrection confirms that a new life has been afforded to us.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

“If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come.”

We can either be in Christ or we can be in sin! We can live trapped in the bondage of sin (living an old dead life that will ultimately lead to our destruction) or we can live a resurrected life; a new life empowered by God’s spirit to live victoriously. This new life is characterized by selflessness, faithfulness, truth, love, compassion, integrity, and peace with God.

The empty tomb declares hope, life, and the restoration of all things. It is the birth place of hope, as Jesus came forth to give us life everlasting!

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church