Because He Lives: “What If He Hadn’t?”

 Because He Lives…

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Welcome once more to worship and if you are watching online, we are grateful that you have tuned in to join us. If you are visiting with us today, come see me in the back of the foyer at the end of the service. I’d love to meet you. I’d love to have the chance to pray for you too. Don’t forget, if you are visiting with us today, I would like to make a pretty cool trade with you. You give me your visitor’s card, and I give you a gift card to Soul Caffeine. That’s a pretty sweet deal! 

This morning we are starting a new series entitled, “Because He Lives”. You are probably familiar with the old hymn by the same name. 

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;He came to love, heal and forgive;He lived and died to buy my pardon,An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, 

I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, 

all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

I want you to focus this morning on the last line of the first stanza of that famous old song! 

“An empty grave is there to PROVEN my Savior lives!”

But what if it wasn’t empty? What if Jesus died on that cross and remained dead? What if Jesus’ name faded into history as just another rabble rouser, the leader of another would be rebellion against the stronger more powerful Rome? 

C.S. Lewis has a famous quote when it came to Jesus.

I’m paraphrasing here but Lewis claimed that Jesus was either “a liar, a lunatic, or He is Lord of all”. We know the truth. Jesus is the Son of the Almighty God. We know that He was not a crazy person. We believe and have evidence upon evidence, proof upon proof, that Jesus is who He maintained Himself to be. Still, what if Jesus was proven to be just another criminal put to death?

This morning we are going to play a little game. 

We are going to play “What if He hadn’t”. What if Jesus was a liar? What if He was crazy? What if all the miracles were false illusions? Magic tricks deployed to deceive even the most critical skeptic? 

How different would all of our lives be this morning if Jesus really hadn’t resurrected? In fact, that is the title of my message this morning, “What If He Hadn’t?”. 

Today’s Message:“What If He Hadn’t?”

We are just a few weeks away from what I like to call “Resurrection Sunday”. The world celebrates this day, April 20th, as Easter. Christians from all over the world, from a host of varied denominations, worship in a unified manner the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. 

Why? Why do believers from all over the world gather together in unanimous praise? For one, the proof. The evidence is overwhelming that Jesus Christ raised from the dead. Another reason is the Bible itself. One might say that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central narrative of the Bible. If the resurrection is false, then you can toss the Bible into the dust bin. However, if the resurrection is true, well…that changes everything. 

God’s Word speaks routinely of Jesus’ resurrection. It is discussed at length in all four Gospels:

Mathew 28

Mark 16 

Luke 24 

John 20-21

If you look beyond the Gospel accounts, the resurrection is the foundational element of the Apostle Paul’s writings:

Romans 1:3-4 ERV 

The Good News is about God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. As a human, he was born from the family of David, but through the Holy Spirit he was shown to be God's powerful Son when he was raised from death.

What about I Corinthians 15:3-4?

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 CEB 

I passed on to you as most important what I also received: Christ died for our sins in line with the scriptures, [4] he was buried, and he rose on the third day in line with the scriptures.

Don’t forget that the Old Testament prophets foretold of Jesus’ resurrection. They didn’t know how it would occur. They didn’t know His name. They still believed that God would send a Savior as it says in Psalm 16:10, that He would suffer as it says in Isaiah 53:10-11, that He would be in the tomb for three days as it says in Jonah 1:17, and that He would rise again on the third day as it says in Hosea 6:2. 

If you take in consideration the overwhelming evidence and couple that with what God’s Word credibly reveals, it is obvious that Jesus rose from the dead. More than that, it is glaringly true that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the one who is first over all creation”.

Do me a favor this morning and fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought” Our faith is not false, nor is it futile, because He lives! 

Today’s Thought:

Our Faith Is Not False, Nor Futile, Because He Lives!

Friends, do you believe that this morning? 

Do you believe that your faith is true? 

Do you believe it is real? 

Your faith is not in vain. 

We know this because He lives. 

Because He lives, 

I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, 

all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

One of my favorite theologians is a fella name Timothy Keller. He went to be with the Lord a few years ago sadly. He wrote a book entitled “Hope in the Times of Fear”. In his book, Dr. Keller talks about how the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us hope. It also reminds us that we are not alone, never abandoned. 

“Because Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, there is hope. And not just hope for the future—but hope for the present. We are not alone. He is with us. And we have a future that is secure.”

Today’s Quote:

“Because Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, there is hope. And not just hope for the future—but hope for the present. We are not alone. He is with us. And we have a future that is secure.”Timothy Keller’s “Hope in Times of Fear”

Background and Context:

This morning we are reading from Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Corinth. If you remember, Corinth was a cosmopolitan city. A melting pot if you will of many different cultures, nationalities, and regions. 

Interestingly in the Church at Corinth, there were some that asserted that there was no resurrection from the dead. If you were a Greek, you most likely believed that the resurrection was that of the soul and not the body. The Greeks devalued the physical body in favor of the spirit. If you came from a Jewish background, you might deny the resurrection from the dead all together. Paul, in chapter 15, argued against these hollow philosophies. Paul affirmed to them that Jesus did both raise from the dead in the body and the spirit. There is an empty tomb in Jerusalem that testifies to the truth that Jesus is alive. Paul then talks about the consequences if we deny that Jesus raised from the dead. Friends, that is the focus of my message today. 

What if Jesus didn’t raise from the dead? Now what? Paul then tells the Corinthians that Jesus is the evidence, the “firstfruits”. Since Jesus raised from the dead, this guarantees our resurrection as well. Lastly, he compares Adam to Jesus. Adam brought death into the world but Jesus would bring life. Everlasting life! 

So, let’s dive in this morning. 

Statement of Belief:

Brothers and sisters, I want to remind you this morning that…

We believe the Bible to be inspired, God breathed, infallible, and authoritative. We believe the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training believer’s in righteousness. God’s Word gives life. It provides peace in trouble and protection in tribulation. 

It is alive, active, and cuts to the core of the human soul. Since there is no other book like it, let us stand to show our reverence and respect.  

Today’s Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:12-22 ESVNow if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. [15] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. [20] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

“What If?” Christ Never Rose From The Dead?

I. Our Faith Would Be Fruitless vs. 14

So…what if Christ never rose from the dead? My family loves the old Marvel movies from the mid 2000’s. 

Chances are if your kids were born around 2005, you went to and saw all the same Marvel films. There was an interesting show that came out over a few years ago called “What if?”. The idea behind the show was to take familiar, traditional Marvel characters and change their story. What if Captain American was born in Russia? What if Uncle Ben never died? Would Peter Parker still become Spider-Man? What if Bruce Banner was never hit with all that gamma radiation? I think that you are getting the picture. 

Today we are playing, “What If”. We are not talking about Marvel movies this morning. No. We are talking about Jesus. What if Jesus was never raised from the dead? How would that affect us? What changes would it bring to the world? 

So, what if Christ never rose from the dead. Fill in the first blank this morning. 

Our faith would be fruitless. 

“If Christ had not risen, our belief would be baseless, our trust would be empty, and our message would be meaningless.”

Go back to verse 14 this morning. 

1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV 

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

Paul comes to two conclusions: our preaching is in vain and our faith is in vain. 

If Christ never rose from the dead, our preaching is worthless. There is simply no point in evangelism. No point in telling people the Gospel because the Gospel is hopeless. It if devoid of any value. It’s trash. 

All the sermons delivered, the teachings shared, and the gospel proclaimed would be empty words without substance. It’s like spending hours preparing a grand feast, only to realize there’s no food on the table. The core message of Christianity hinges on the resurrection; without it, we’re merely storytellers without a story.

Paul asserts that if Christ has not been raised, then the apostles’ preaching is meaningless. The core message of the gospel hinges on the resurrection; without it, the proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ collapses. The resurrection validates Jesus’ divinity and proves, without a doubt, that His miracles were a direct result of His supernatural power. Without it, the resurrection that is, the foundation of Christian preaching crumbles, the message of the Gospel is void and the messengers as bearers of false testimony. We all become liars. 

What about our faith being in vain? If Christ is not raised from the dead, our faith is in vain!

Our belief would be baseless, our trust empty, and our hope futile. The foundation of our faith is the risen Christ; without His resurrection, our faith collapses like a house built on sand. Faith placed in a deceased savior offers no hope or power over sin and death. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope, assuring believers of their own future resurrection and eternal life. Without it, faith is emptied of its promise, leaving believers still ensnared in sin and devoid of hope.

But here’s the good news: Christ has been raised! This means our preaching is packed with purpose, and our faith rests on a rock-solid foundation. As Paul beautifully expresses in Galatians 2:20 (NLT), “So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God…” Because Jesus lives, our trust in Him is not in vain; it’s the very source of our life and hope.

“What If?” Christ Never Rose From The Dead?

I. Our Faith Would Be Fruitless vs. 14

II. Our Father Would Be Falsified vs. 15

So, our first point this morning is that our faith would be fruitless. Our second point is that our Father would be falsified. Fill in that blank this morning. 

What if Christ never rose from the dead? Our Father would be falsified. Go back to verse 15 this morning. 

1 Corinthians 15:15 ESV 

We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

“Without the resurrection, God would be made out to be a liar, and His Word untrustworthy.”

If you were to turn in your Bibles to John 2, you’ll encounter Jesus and His disciples in Jerusalem. It’s Passover season. It’s the first year of His ministry. 

Jesus enters the temple and He sees common business happening in the temple courts. People are selling their wares. They are exchanging money and goods. Jesus pulls together some cords and fashions a whip. For the first time, not the last, he flips the tables and drives the commerce from the temple. The Pharisees and the religious leaders are incensed. They demand an answer from Jesus. 

“What gives you the right to do this? Show us a sign of your authority!

Listen to how John records Jesus’ response…

John 2:19-22 ESV 

Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." [20] The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" [21] But he was speaking about the temple of his body. [22] When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

You have to remember that John was there with Jesus. He heard every word. In the moment, John thought Jesus was actually talking about tearing down the physical temple. John was probably asking the same question.  “Jesus, what are you talking about? How can you tear down this temple and rebuild it in three days?”

However, like us, John has the gift of hindsight. 

Remember, John’s Gospel was not written during Jesus’ ministry but after. I imagine that when John saw Jesus resurrected three days after the cross, Jesus’ words clicked for John. 

“Oh, Jesus wasn’t talking about the temple, He was talking about Himself. It all makes perfect sense now!”

BUT!

But what if Christ never rose from the dead? If Christ never rose from the dead, then Jesus is a liar! He is false. If what Jesus promises in John Gospel is untrue, it casts a showdown of doubt on everything else He said or claimed. Friends, remember that Jesus told the truth about His death and resurrection throughout the Gospels.  In Mark 8:31, He taught His disciples that He must suffer, be rejected, killed, and after three days rise again. This wasn’t vague symbolism; Jesus was preparing them for the reality of what was to come. 

And true to His word, He rose on the third day, just as He said.

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, it casts doubt on the claims that He made about the Holy Spirit. 

Thankfully, Jesus did die and He did rise from the grave. Thus making the claims about the Holy Spirit true. In John 16:7, Jesus tells His disciples, “But I tell you the truth: It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.” Jesus was preparing them for His departure and assuring them of the coming of the Holy Spirit. After His ascension, the Holy Spirit did come, empowering the disciples and marking the birth of the early church. Jesus’ promise was fulfilled, reinforcing His reliability.

What about eternal life. If Jesus didn’t raise from the grave, all of His claims about the afterlife are called into question. Again, thankfully, Jesus is alive thus making the claims about heaven reliable and true.  In John 3:16, He declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” This promise of salvation and eternal life is foundational to Christian faith, and believers have experienced the transformative power of this truth throughout history.

Thankfully, we know Jesus is the ultimate truth-teller. He even declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

Jesus’ life and teachings are a testament to His unwavering truthfulness. He didn’t just speak the truth; He embodied it. As we reflect on His promises and their fulfillment, we’re reminded of the solid foundation our faith rests upon. As Paul writes in Titus 1:2, “My message is based on the confidence of eternal life. 

God, who never lies, promised this life before the world began.” We serve a Savior who is the embodiment of truth, and in Him, we find our confidence and hope.

“What If?” Christ Never Rose From The Dead?

I. Our Faith Would Be Fruitless vs. 14

II. Our Father Would Be Falsified vs. 15

III. Our Future Would Be Forsaken vs. 18-19

So, our first point this morning is that our faith would be fruitless. Our second point is that our Father would be falsified. Our last point is that our future would be forsaken. Let’s go back to verses 18 and 19. 

1 Corinthians 15:18-19 ESV 

Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Remember friends…

“Without the resurrection, there is no hope of eternal life—only perishing and hopelessness.”

Friends, imagine how hopeless we would all be without the promise of heaven. One of my favorite verses in all the Bible comes from John’s Revelation. 

Revelation 21:5 ESVAnd he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Every time I am discouraged. Every time when I am struggling in my faith. Every time I am overwhelmed by the tidal waves of this world, I go to that passage of Scripture. I see Jesus on His throne. This reminds me that no matter how crazy our world gets, Jesus is still reigning supreme. I see Him there on that throne and I hear those words echo from His mouth. 

“Behold, I am making all things new”. What a great word. 

Behold, all that is dead will be brought to life. 

Behold! He is breathing life into dry bones, resurrecting dreams that were once dead.

Behold! He is turning our mourning into dancing, replacing our sorrow with joy unspeakable.

Behold! He is making a way in the wilderness, carving rivers in the desert of our despair.

Behold! He is restoring the years that the locusts have eaten, redeeming time we thought was lost.

Behold! He is giving beauty for ashes, clothing us in garments of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness.

Behold! He is breaking every chain, setting the captives free from bondage and fear.

Behold! He is opening blinded eyes, illuminating our path with His marvelous light.

Behold! He is speaking peace to the storm, calming the raging seas in our lives.

Behold! He is turning our tests into testimonies, showcasing His power through our weakness.

Behold! He is building His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Do you know why Revelation 21:5 gives me hope? It gives me hope because I believe it to be true. 

Now, imagine that Christ never rose from the dead. 

Every “behold” statement that I just made is untrue. We have no hope. There is no heaven. It was all one gigantic con job. 

I have been pastoring at this church for 15 years. In that time I average anywhere from 10-15 funerals a year. On the low end, I have done some 150 funerals and on the high end 225 funerals. Truth be told, I’d have to go back and count. Believe it or not, I have every funeral that I have ever preached saved on my computer. I would imagine that I have done somewhere around 180 funerals in my time here on the Eastern Shore. 

When I say it out loud it’s sort of hard to believe. 

I have done funerals that are celebratory. Funerals that are filled with worship and rejoicing. I have done funerals that were…well…scary. The other day I performed the funeral for my dear friend Ron Padgett. I loved and still love Ron. His life was marked by a deep and sincere faith in Jesus Christ. He loved God’s Word. He loved the church and he loved church people. Ron’s life dripped with faith. Although his passing was hard, we were all able to rejoice because we knew where he was. He was with the Lord, whole, made new. He was restored. 

I can remember one funeral that I did years ago that did not have the same energy. I remember asking the family about this person’s faith. Did he love the Lord? The only thing that pointed this family to having hope was a tattoo that this person had on their shoulder. 

That’s it. How scary. I remember that family not being so celebratory. There was no happiness there. They were supremely uncertain about the location of their beloved. 

You see friends, Jesus tells us in John 11:25-26, 

John 11:25-26 NASB“I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies…”

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then everything that He states about the afterlife, everything that He ever said about heaven is a lie. There is no reason to live for Christ if He remained dead. There is no reason to be baptized. No reason to be obedient to Him. He would be just another dead man in a grave.

However, if He did rise from the grave, which I believe that He did, then we must acknowledge Him. We must worship Him. We must obey Him. 

If He is alive, which He is, then what He says about life after death is true. 

Friend, I want to close with this question. Do you know where you are going after you die? Jesus is alive. His tomb is empty. That empty tomb demands an explanation. Will you try to explain it away or will you believe?

I want to remind you this morning… 

Because He Lives…I Can Face Tomorrow!

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude, acknowledging the profound truth that because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow with hope and confidence. We thank You for the gift of salvation, made possible through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, we recognize our need for Your grace. We confess that we have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. But we rejoice in the promise that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

For those among us who have not yet placed their trust in Jesus, we offer this prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of Your mercy. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day, conquering death and offering eternal life. I turn from my sins and invite You into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for Your boundless love and for the gift of salvation. Help me to live a life that honors You. Amen.”

Father, as we reflect on the resurrection, may it renew our faith and embolden us to share this Good News with others. Let the reality of the empty tomb inspire us to live lives marked by love, service, and unwavering hope.

In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, we pray.