Because of the Resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
There are approximately 800,000 words in the English Bible, but Pastor Matt argues that one of the most important is a simple, three-letter word: was. Taken from the angel's message in Matthew 28—"Come see the place where he was lying"—this word represents the empty tomb, the literal foundation upon which the entire Christian faith is built.
In this Easter message, we conclude our study of 1 Corinthians by looking at the final verses of chapter 15. Pastor Matt addresses the "ossuary controversy" from a 2007 documentary and explains why a faith based on a dead savior is no faith at all. Discover how the resurrection changes our future from perishable to imperishable and how it gives our daily labor today ultimate meaning and purpose. Because the tomb is empty, death has lost its sting, and our work for the Kingdom is never in vain.
Key Topics:
800,000 Words: Why a common, short word like "was" carries more theological weight than almost any other in the Easter story.
The Empty Tomb vs. The Ossuary: A response to claims that finding the "bones of Jesus" wouldn't change the Christian faith.
The Great Transformation: Understanding why our current "flesh and blood" must be changed into something imperishable to inherit the Kingdom.
The Sting of Death: How the resurrection of Christ disarms our greatest enemy and removes the "victory" of the grave.
Not in Vain: The practical implication of Easter—why the resurrection means your service, your parenting, and your labor today truly matter.