Without The Resurrection, Worship Would Be Vain

Christianity is unique from all other religions. It is the only religion that has the death, burial, and resurrection of its leader as its fundamental basis.

The most defining point of Christianity is the Resurrection of the Son of God. Without it, we would not have Christianity, and our worship would be in vain.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:14

Table Of Contents

Bible Verses about the Resurrection
Why Is the Resurrection Important?
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In the early church, a common greeting for one to proclaim was, “He is risen!” and another to answer, “He is risen, indeed!”

They were eyewitnesses of this miraculous event. Especially the apostles, who had spent three years following this man, seeing Him perform miracles, watching His character, being recipients of His kindness, forgiveness, and friendship.

But the night the soldiers arrested Jesus, the apostles ran and hid. They remained silent as the Jewish leaders took Jesus through a mock trial, falsely accusing Him of blasphemous acts against God.

They remained silent as they heard the angry crowds cry out, “Crucify Jesus!”

The evidence of the soldiers’ torturous acts on the body of our Savior as they dragged the Lord up the hill to Golgotha had to make these followers of Jesus wince to see the horribleness of His beatings.

When Jesus took His last breath on that cruel Roman cross, the disciples remained silent witnesses.

They saw the Roman soldier pierce the side of our Lord and watched as water and blood gushed from His side.

They lifted his lifeless body off the cross and laid Him in a tomb in silence.

And for three days, they hid from the angry leaders as they dealt with the death of their King, their Messiah, their friend.

But they did not remain silent. When they saw Jesus in His resurrected body, they could no longer stay hidden or silent. Even though they were threatened, beaten, and imprisoned, they would not be stopped from proclaiming the truth of Jesus, the Son of God.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Bible Verses about the Resurrection

The resurrection is proof of who Jesus is and what His purpose was on this earth. It was prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament.

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. Psalm 16:10

Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Isaiah 26:19

Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise. Luke 24:6-7

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5-6

Testimony of His Death

All four gospels record Jesus’ last breath: Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30.

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this He breathed His last. Luke 23:46.

Pilate confirmed Jesus’ death.

Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. Mark 15:44

Jesus’ body was wrapped in linen and laid in a sealed tomb.

And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mark 15:46

Testimony of the Church

Mary saw the empty tomb and then later saw the risen Savior.

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). John 20:16

Several women saw the empty tomb and were told by angels that Jesus was no longer there.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16:5-6

John and Peter saw the empty tomb with the wrap in place and the linen folded.

And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. John 20:5-7

Testimony of Eyewitnesses

All the apostles saw Jesus.

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” Luke 24:36

Over 500 witnesses saw Jesus.

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time. 1 Corinthians 15:6

Thomas touched Jesus.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27

Two disciples on the road to Emmaus talked with Jesus.

And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Luke 24:33-34

Paul later saw the risen Savior on the road to Damascus.

Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 1 Corinthians 15:8

Why Is the Resurrection Important?

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Apart from Him, there is no eternal life. He is life itself. And He conquered death.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:54-55

According to 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection is important because it is the step that sealed our salvation. “Christ died for our sins…was buried…and was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (Vv. 3-4)

Christ’s resurrection is also proof that all dead will one day be resurrected. He was the firstfruits of those who had fallen asleep.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

The resurrection validates Christ’s diety
The resurrection shows us that He is who He claimed to be; the Son of God; the Messiah
The resurrection gives undeniable proof that He is the Savior of the world
The resurrection gives us hope that we will also be resurrected after our death
The resurrection also gives us confidence in our faith-walk

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that God accepted Jesus’ payment on the cross for our sins, taking away our sin debt and clothing us in His righteousness!

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He Is Risen, Indeed!

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Without The Resurrection, Worship Would Be Vain