““The Other The Other Side Side of the of the Grave”Grave”1 Corinthians 15:12-221 Corinthians 15:12-22

• 12 - But if it is preached that Christ has been raised 12 - But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? no resurrection of the dead?

• 13 - If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not 13 - If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. even Christ has been raised.

• 14 - And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching 14 - And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. is useless and so is your faith.

• 15 - More than that, we are then found to be false 15 - More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.

• 16 - For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has 16 - For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. not been raised either.

• 17 - And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is 17 - And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. futile; you are still in your sins.

• 18 - Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ 18 - Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. are lost.

• 19 - If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are 19 - If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.to be pitied more than all men.

• 20 - But Christ has indeed been raised from the 20 - But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

• 21 - For since death came through a man, the 21 - For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

• 22 - For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be 22 - For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.made alive.

1. The Image of 1. The Image of FaithFaith

vv. 14, 17 vv. 14, 17

And if Christ has not been raised, And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless our preaching is useless

and so is your faith… and so is your faith… And if Christ has not been raised, And if Christ has not been raised,

your faith is futile; your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.you are still in your sins.

2. The Image of 2. The Image of LifeLife

verse 19verse 19

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, If only for this life we have hope in Christ,

we are to be pitied more than all men.we are to be pitied more than all men.

verse 32 verse 32

If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, for merely human reasons,

what have I gained? what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,If the dead are not raised,

Let us eat and drink,Let us eat and drink,for tomorrow we die.for tomorrow we die.

Philippians 4:13 Philippians 4:13

I can do all things I can do all things through Christ through Christ

Who strengthens me.Who strengthens me.

Romans 6:9-14 Romans 6:9-14 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead,

He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; The death He died, He died to sin once for all;

but the life He lives, He lives to God. but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin yourselves dead to sin

but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, as instruments of wickedness,

but rather offer yourselves to God, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; as those who have been brought from death to life;

and offer the parts of your body to Him and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, because you are not under law,

but under grace.but under grace.

3. The Image of 3. The Image of DeathDeath

verse 17, 18verse 17, 18

And if Christ has not been raised, And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; your faith is futile;

you are still in your sins. you are still in your sins. Then those also Then those also

who have fallen asleep who have fallen asleep in Christ in Christ are lost.are lost.

Hebrews 2:15Hebrews 2:15

and free those who all their lives and free those who all their lives ere held in slavery ere held in slavery

by their fear of death.by their fear of death.