Posted on 04/12/2009 9:33:36 PM PDT by ReformationFan
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/great-sermons/if-jesus-christ-is-not-risen-our-faith-is-worthless/
http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+corinthians+15%3A12-28
"12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all."
He is Risen!
The resurrection is the *basis* for the validity of Salvation and the “preaching” of the Gospel message and what it says. It also serves as the “proof” for this Gospel Message...
What is the Gospel Message? Well, we can hear what the Apostle Paul says...
—
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
I would note that Paul says “according to the Scriptures” above (which includes other parts of the Bible, too...)
—
We also see what Paul said here, too... in terms of Salvation...
Romans 10:9-11
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
—
But, note that even the *demons* believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and they are not saved. There are some “proofs” that one is — indeed — saved.
James 2:14-24
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
—
And I would note carefully what Jesus says about those who *think* that they are a Christian...
Matthew 7:13-27
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Therefore, the resurrection of Christ is the *basis* for our salvation — but — just because there *is* a resurrection and just because one thinks it happened, it does *not* (on simply that knowledge), make one saved...
Amen!
You are a “preacher”? What makes you qualified? Just wondering.
I just finished listening to this
Resurrection: The Key to Everything
John Macarthur
You might start with his tagline: "(Lutheran pastor, LCMS)"
And follow the link to his sermon, given above.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2227278/posts
I'm not familiar with him myself, but I'd guess those are a good start towards answering your own challenge.
I just asked what makes on qualified to be a preacher. Are you against me asking?
My reply:
A better question would be do you believe in Jesus Christ's resurrection.
they asked why that was more important.
I said “don't be silly. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there is no salvation.
If God did give his only begotten son so that we might not perish what would be the basis for a “Christian” belief system? How could we expect salvation without the fulfillment of scripture.
Who would give us everlasting life and on what basis.
So the question is: Do you believe Jesus hung on a cross, died for our sins and arose on the third day?
Do you want peace and a faithful Father who will guide you as you go through life?
Do you accept that you are not worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, except through Jesus Christ and his grace?
Will you now pray for forgiveness and eternal life, pledging always to be faith full to “The One and Only True God”?
Do you want to become a child an servant of Christ hoping only for eternal life in God's Kingdom?
Then we welcome you as a fellow Christian.
Happy Easter
In other words
Not at all, just trying to be helpful, since it seemed like his credentials, for what they're worth, were right out there to be read.
Nothing beyond that...
That was our sermon text also. :)
He is Risen indeed!
I have an M.Div. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (as well as an S.T.M. in Exegetical Theology and "ABD" Ph.D. in Biblical Studies). I am ordained (1992) and have been called to the particular parish where I now serve. I have been judged by the church to be apt to preach and to teach, and Christ has ordered me to do so.
Judaism is far from worthless to me.
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia
I’ll need to read your sermon. Thanks. Although I am a Calvinist, I attended a Lutheran Church-LCMS with some friends for Maundy Thursday services.
I do like question 17 from Luther’s Small Catechism:
1. The Law teaches what we are to do and not to do; the Gospel teaches what God has done, and still does, for our salvation.
2. The Law shows us our sin and the wrath of God; the Gospel shows us our Savior and the grace of God.
3. The Law must be preached to all men, but especially to impenitent sinners; the Gospel must be preached to sinners who are troubled in their minds because of their sins.
The Hebrew writings (OT) were filled with grace, mercy and forgiveness long before Jesus.
Take the matter up with the Apostle Paul:
“14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”
I Corinthians 15:14-19
Why would I take it up with him? Nothing he wrote was inspired.
I beg to differ as Paul the Apostle wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost:
“16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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