... if Christ be not Risen
A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:12
Originally preached March 29, 1964
Scripture
12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Sermon Description
Why does the resurrection matter? According to Paul, the resurrection matters because it is the only hope for humanity. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then all who believe in Him will not either. Christians only have hope if there is a resurrection and an afterlife. But if there is no resurrection, then there is no soul and morality. In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:12 titled “…if Christ be not Risen,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that all of Christianity depends on the fact of Jesus’s empty tomb and of the future hope of the resurrection to life of all believers. Jesus did not simply live a perfect life and die upon the cross to atone for sins; He also rose from the dead to overcome death. Likewise, all those that believe in Jesus not only receive His righteousness, but they will rise from the dead on the last day just as Jesus has. In a world that sees people as nothing more than mere animals who are destined to die and decompose, the message that believers will live forever with Jesus Christ if they believe in Him is a message of great hope. All who flee sin and come to Jesus are promised to live with Him forever in the new heaven and new earth.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. Some in the church are denying the resurrection of the dead.
- Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised.
- If Christ has not been raised, then the apostles are false witnesses.
- If Christ has not been raised, then faith is in vain and people are still in their sins.
- Paul delivered the gospel message that Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again. The Corinthians received and believed this message.
- Paul argues that without the resurrection, there is no point in moral living or striving. People might as well indulge in pleasure and "eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
- The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the "second man" and "last Adam" who came to remedy the consequences of the first Adam's sin.
- Through Adam, sin and death entered the world. Through Christ comes resurrection from the dead.
- Christ died for sins, satisfied the law, conquered the devil, and overcame death. Believers will be raised in glory.
- This life is preparation for eternal life. Believers purify themselves in hope of seeing Christ in glory.
- Paul warns the Corinthians not to be deceived. Wrong doctrine leads to wrong living. Some do not know God.
- Paul declares the gospel: Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again. The Corinthians received this message and are saved if they continue to believe it.
- If Christ is not raised, faith is in vain and people remain in their sins. But through belief in Christ, sins are forgiven and eternal life is gained.
Sermon Q&A
What is the Significance of the Resurrection According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What does Martyn Lloyd-Jones say is the main doctrine being addressed in 1 Corinthians 15?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 1 Corinthians 15 addresses the doctrine of the resurrection - specifically, the bodily resurrection of Christ and its implications for believers. He emphasizes that the resurrection is not merely that Christ continued to exist spiritually after death, but that "Christ rose literally in the body, that the body that was dying on the cross and that did die and that was buried, that that very body rose." Lloyd-Jones stresses that the whole chapter focuses on the physical, bodily resurrection as essential to Christian faith.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe the resurrection matters for Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones argues that the resurrection matters fundamentally because without it "there is indeed no christian message at all." He directly challenges the modern tendency to separate Christian ethics from Christian doctrine, stating: "Drop the resurrection, they say. You still got your christian message. You haven't, says Paul." Lloyd-Jones explains that if Christ is not risen, then according to Paul "our preaching is in vain. Your faith is in vain. You are yet in your sins. There is no gospel at all."
How does Lloyd-Jones connect the resurrection to morality?
Lloyd-Jones connects resurrection belief to morality through Paul's statement "Evil communications corrupt good manner." He argues that without the resurrection, there is "no purpose in moral striving," asking "Why not enjoy ourselves while we are here and indulge ourselves?" Lloyd-Jones explains that belief in resurrection provides purpose for ethical living because this life becomes "preparation for that life of glory." Without eternal consequences, he argues there is no compelling reason for self-sacrifice or moral discipline, summarizing Paul's logic with "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
What does Lloyd-Jones teach about Jesus as the "second man" and "last Adam"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that Jesus is called the "second man" and "last Adam" because He came to undo what the first Adam did. He teaches that the first Adam brought sin, death, and alienation from God through his disobedience, affecting all humanity. Jesus, as the second Adam, came "to rescue and to redeem men from the consequences of the action of the first Adam." Lloyd-Jones states, "As in Adam, all die. Even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Jesus becomes the head of a new humanity, offering victory over sin, death, and the devil.
How does Lloyd-Jones describe the hope that comes from the resurrection?
Lloyd-Jones describes the resurrection hope as transformative, saying believers will receive glorified bodies - "It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption, it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory." He contrasts this with the hopelessness of life without resurrection, where there's "no comfort, there's no consolation... nothing to look forward to." For believers, death means "to be with Christ, which is far better," followed by bodily resurrection. This hope provides purpose now and assurance that this world's sorrows, illnesses, and death will give way to "life, which is life indeed" in glory with Christ.
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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.