“High Stakes, Precious Hope”
1Cor.15:19-26 April 8, 2007 Play
AUDIO
(mp3) Play VIDEO (wmv)
Stuck on the Downward Slope
○ spinning tires in life’s sin-sickness (21f;
Rom 5:12)
○ Christianity not fideism: considering
alternative yields appreciation
○ if no resurrection: Christ not raised;
preaching / faith useless; apostles liars; still in sins (13-17)
○ if no resurrection: dead Christians lost; we
are to be pitied / hopeless; party on (18f,32)
○ life empty / purposeless without religious
boundaries, hope in Christ
Not a Scam
○ suspicious emails warrant close inspection,
comparison with trusted authorities
○ written authority: death/resurrection
“according to Scripture” (3f)
○ living firsthand witnesses: disciples, 500+,
martyrs (5-8)
○ non-Christian historians accept fact of His
existence
○ holy OR hoax: credibility of Christ depends
on resurrection; convincing evidence
Made Alive if We’re His
○ “but...indeed” offsets 7-fold “ifs”: Christ
firstfruits, guaranteeing resurrection (20)
○ final destruction of enemies ensures
justice, meaning, hope, purpose (24ff)
○ belonging to Him requires dedication,
letting go other passions (23; Gal 5:24; Lk 11:23)