Hope in the Risen One
VBC Albuquerque · Mar 31, 2024
This sermon focuses on the resurrection of Christ as the foundation of Christian faith and hope. If Christ had not risen, our faith would be futile and we would remain in our sins. This resurrection, witnessed by many and historically verified, is the cornerstone of salvation and eternal hope for believers.
The sermon begins by affirming that the resurrection of Christ is central to the Gospel. If Christ had not risen, then the apostles' proclamation would be futile, believers' faith would be futile, and humanity would remain in sin (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17). The sermon emphasizes that Christian hope is meaningful only because Christ has truly risen, for if our hope were limited to this life alone, we would be more pitiful than all people (1 Corinthians 15:19).
The sermon develops its theological argument by presenting historical evidence for the resurrection. The author uses a contrast with Buddhism to illustrate the importance of accurate transmission of teaching. While Buddha's teachings were only transmitted orally for 400 years before being recorded, and risked distortion by the pride of those transmitting them, the Gospel of Christ's resurrection was confirmed by multiple living witnesses from the very beginning. Women believers, the apostles, Peter, James, more than five hundred believers, and Paul were all witnesses to this resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4-8). This testimony was presented publicly, not hidden, not done in darkness (Acts 26:25-26).
The sermon also acknowledges the skepticism of the earliest witnesses, even Christ's closest disciples. When the women reported the resurrection, the apostles disbelieved (Luke 24:9-11, Mark 16:8-11). Even when Christ appeared to the disciples on a mountain in Galilee, some doubted (Matthew 28:16-17). Yet this very skepticism authenticates the historicity of the resurrection, because no one would invent a story that even those closest to Jesus struggled to believe.
The sermon concludes by applying the message to believers' actual lives. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, was given because of Christ's resurrection to dwell with believers forever (John 14:16-18). Through the resurrection, believers receive power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). Finally, the sermon reminds believers not to boast in what the world considers great, but to boast in the Lord, for God chose what is weak and despised in the world so that no one might boast before God (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Hope in the Risen One is true, lasting, and eternal hope.