Understanding the Resurrection of Christ: Key Questions from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon

What is the main argument of 1 Corinthians 15 according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 1 Corinthians 15 presents a clear logical argument for the literal physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Paul was not writing a masterpiece of literature but addressing a specific problem in the Corinthian church where "certain people in the church at Corinth who said that the resurrection was already passed. Others said that there was no such thing as resurrection." The entire chapter forms a cohesive argument that builds to show the necessity and implications of Christ's bodily resurrection.

Why does Lloyd-Jones insist on the "literal physical resurrection" rather than merely a spiritual resurrection?

Lloyd-Jones insists on the literal physical resurrection because Paul's argument depends on it. He explains: "The apostle was not concerned just to say that [Christ is spiritually alive]. What he was concerned to say was this, that the Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified and whose body was taken down from the cross and was buried in a grave, literally rose out of the grave in that body." Lloyd-Jones points to Paul's evidence of eyewitnesses who "saw" Jesus and the detailed discussion of the resurrection body in verses 35-58, which makes no sense unless discussing a physical body that is raised and transformed.

According to the sermon, is belief in the physical resurrection optional for Christians?

Lloyd-Jones emphatically states that belief in the physical resurrection is absolutely essential to the Christian position. He says: "As I understand the apostle's argument, you cannot be a true Christian unless you believe in the literal physical resurrection." He cites verses like 1 Corinthians 15:14 which states "if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain? And your faith is also vain, empty, useless." Lloyd-Jones directly challenges modern theologians who treat this as optional, saying "there is no true christian faith apart from this."

What does the sermon say about the relationship between Christ's resurrection and our sins?

Lloyd-Jones points to verse 17: "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, you are yet in your sins." He explains that Christ's resurrection proves His death successfully dealt with our sins: "His resurrection gives us the answer... That his sacrifice was sufficient, that the law of God has been satisfied, that God is satisfied." The resurrection is God's public declaration "that the work of his son upon the cross, the sacrifice, the bearing of sins, has done the work which it was meant to do." Without the resurrection, we would have no proof that Christ's atoning work was effective.

How does Christ's resurrection relate to our own future resurrection according to Lloyd-Jones?

Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's resurrection guarantees believers' future bodily resurrection. He states: "The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as Paul now goes on to show, is also proof positive that we also shall rise in the body, and that therefore our redemption is ultimately and finally going to be complete." He emphasizes that salvation must address the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—since the Fall affected humanity completely. Christ as "the first fruits" guarantees that believers will follow in bodily resurrection, with bodies that will be "changed" and "glorified."

What does Lloyd-Jones say about the connection between resurrection and the coming kingdom?

Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's resurrection guarantees the coming of God's eternal kingdom. Citing verses 24-25, he states that Christ "is waiting until his enemies shall all be put under his feet" and that "there is a day coming when every single enemy shall have been destroyed." The resurrection proves Christ has already conquered death, Satan, and the grave, which guarantees He will establish His kingdom where "all that is evil and wrong, not only in us but in the whole universe, shall be purged out" and believers will "share that glory with him."

How does Lloyd-Jones conclude his sermon on the resurrection?

Lloyd-Jones concludes by emphasizing Paul's "therefore" in the final verses of the chapter. Because of the certainty of resurrection, believers should "be steadfast, unmovable. Let nothing shake you. Let nothing shift you." Despite ridicule or persecution, Christians should stand firm in this truth and be "always abounding in the work of the Lord" because "your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Lloyd-Jones affirms that in "Christ Jesus crucified and risen again on the morning of the third day literally in the body I see a complete, a perfect, a whole, an entire redemption."