PRIMACY OF THE RESURRECTION

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death – Philippians 3:10

“The subject of the resurrection isn’t limited to Easter Sunday, it’s important every day because it’s futuristic. Nothing impacts our tomorrows more than the simple phrase, “He is risen!” (Luke 24:6).

…What happens at death and afterwards has tormented every thoughtful person since the first graveside. It was true at Corinth, from whence a delegation had arrived to speak to the Apostle Paul. Believers were troubled about the resurrection, with some of their colleagues arguing, “When you die, you’re dead, and that’s it!

…The resurrection, said Paul, is primary for two reasons: 1) if there be no resurrection, faith is futile; 2) if there be none, morality is madness.

“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…you are still in your sins…and those also who have (died) in Christ are lost” (1 Corinthians 15: 13-18).

Furthermore, Paul said we’re to be pitied above all men. Not only have we sacrificed fleshly satisfactions and known presecutions, but we’ve lost the future as well.

Secondly, morality is madness if the dead are not raised.

“Why do we endanger ourselves every hour? If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die’” (vv. 30, 32).

Thucydides, an ancient Greek historian, cited a plague which swept Athens into moral confusion. Death was so extensive and hope so undermined, that “men committed every shameful crime and snatched at lustful pleasure, because life was short and it was evident there was no penalty to pay.”

William Barclay observed, “Take away the thought of a life to come, and this life loses its value. Take away the idea that this life is a discipline and a preparation for a greater life to come, and the bonds of honor and morality are loosened.”