1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-20
3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15We 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. 16For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If in Christ we have hopeb in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
10 POINTS TO PONDER
Paul begins by laying out the facts: Jesus was a real person who was put to death and buried. These facts are confirmed by a myriad of non-biblical historical sources, including the highly regarded Roman Tacitus and the most well-read Jewish historian, Josephus.
Paul defends his belief that Jesus rose from the dead by citing many witnesses, including those who had nothing to gain from Jesus’ resurrection. Most impressively, he claims that 500 people (who were still alive) saw the resurrected Jesus at one time.
From a non-biblical perspective, the evidence is overwhelming that thousands of people who were contemporaries of Jesus believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. Their motive and message must be evaluated by anyone who seeks to truly examine the question of Jesus’ resurrection.
Disciples had the most to lose from Jesus’ resurrection. If he remained dead, they could have simply gone back to life as they knew it before. Because of the resurrection, their life purpose changed, and all but one of them were killed because they believed Jesus was alive. They had every reason to deny the resurrection, but not one of them did.
If Jesus did not rise again, there is no point to Christianity, but if Jesus did rise again, we can be certain that there is life after death, and must be certain we know our own destination on the other side of the grave.
Other than Jesus, no one in the history of the world has predicted their own death and resurrection and then fulfilled their prediction. Because of this, the words and teachings of Jesus must be given more and closer attention than the words of anyone else in the history of the world.
Jesus also claimed that He was the only one who can promise eternal life and who can make abundant life possible. If we want the abundant life now and the eternal life later, that can only happen by connecting our life to Jesus.
Eternal life is the result of believing Jesus can save us from our sins.
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24)
Abundant life is the result of abiding in Jesus (staying connected to Him).
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38)
The resurrection is the promise of eternal life. No matter how bad or how good this life is, it pales in comparison to eternity to God. Whether your life is easy, difficult, exciting, boring, filled with success or a struggle; you will one day stand before God. In that moment, your relationship with Jesus is the only hope you have of spending eternity with Him.
EASTER IS MORE THAN EGGS AND PEEPS
Easter has more significance than eggs, new clothes and sugar animals. Because of Jesus’ resurrection, our lives don’t have to remain the same. We can plug into His power and embrace the new life He offers. Consider these 10 reasons Easter should matter to you:
- Jesus’ resurrection means He is the champion of new life.
- Jesus’ resurrection means a power exists that is stronger than death.
- Death need not be feared, because it is not the end.
- If death is not the end, then there is more to life than just this life.
- Eternity matters.
- Jesus’ resurrection means we can leave our past in the grave and embrace a bright future.
- Jesus’ resurrection means that today’s defeat doesn’t have to destroy tomorrow’s victory.
- Jesus’ resurrection means this thing in your life is not the end of the story.
- Jesus’ resurrection means we never need to despair.
- Jesus’ resurrection means we always have hope.
Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF
The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about new life:
- Romans 6:4-5
- Galatians 2:20
- Colossians 3:1
- Ephesians 2:4-7
- John 11:25-26
- 1 Peter 1:3
- Philippians 1:21
Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:
What was the primary mission of Jesus’ life? Which was more important: his life, his death, or his resurrection? Why?
Which impacts you more? Why?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. How does the resurrection shape or impact some of the Christianity’s most crucial beliefs?
How would Christianity be different if there was no resurrection? How would you be different without the resurrection?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. What are some specific ways that the resurrection gives us hope?
If you had been a friend of Jesus when he was on earth, how would the resurrection have impacted your life?
How do you think his followers were affected by the resurrection?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:58. How do you think Paul expected people to respond to the resurrection?
What do you think it means to “give yourself fully to the work of the Lord?” How did Jesus give Himself fully to you?
How can you give yourself fully to the work of the Lord?
How would your life look different if you were completely sold out to living exactly like Jesus?
What is one thing you can do this week to give yourself more fully to the work of the Lord? Who can help you do this?
Lake Bible Notes 
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