1 Corinthians 15:17-19 NI V

Implications if Christ is NOT raised

• Faith has no power

• You are still in your sins

• The dead in Christ are lost

• Christian life is pitiful and purposeless

"I didn't become a Christian because God promised I would have an even happier life than I had as an atheist.  He never promised any such thing. Indeed, following him would inevitably bring divine demotions in the eyes of the world. Rather, I became a Christian because the evidence was so compelling that Jesus really is the one-and-only Son of God who proved his divinity by rising from the dead. That meant following him was the most rational and logical step I could possibly take.”    - Lee Strobel, Case for Christ
 

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 NIV

Implications because Christ IS raised

• Faith has power for today

• Forgiveness is guaranteed

• Dead in Christ are more alive

The resurrection means the worst thing is never the last thing!    - Frederick Buechner

• Christian life is full of purpose