Introduction: Have you ever thought about it….if Jesus Christ had not risen from the dead? Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, discusses that issue. Writing to the Corinthian believers in what is called the great resurrection chapter – 15 – he dialogues with that thought – if Christ had not overcome the grave. Read the overwhelming evidence that Jesus did in fact conquer sin and death, but what if He had not?

“… And if Christ be not risen” (1Cor 15:14)

1. If Christ be not risen – our preaching is vain!
(1Cor 15:14)

We might as well close our Bibles and go home if Christ had not risen.

2. If Christ be not risen – our faith is no good!
(1Cor 15:14)

“your faith is also vain.”

There would be no reason to believe in a fairy tale, if Jesus had not risen. Instead, we could believe in ourselves like some practice. Yet, ultimately we will fail. Jesus never fails!

3. If Christ be not risen – we would be liars and false teachers!
(1Cor 15:15)

“…we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.”

If there is no proof of His resurrection, then why believe? We are all living a lie.

4. If Christ had not risen – we are still in our sins!
(1Cor 15:16)

“….ye are yet in your sins.”

There would be no remedy for sin. No forgiveness. No pardon. No justification. No reconciliation. No substitution.

5. If Christ had not risen!
(1Cor 15:18,19)

“18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

There would be no hope for tomorrow; death would be the end. No future. No peace.