We live at a time when problems are multiplying and morphing. We have the world problem of the Coronavirus pandemic. We have the church problem of trying to maintain worship and witness in a lockdown. We have personal problems such as loss of jobs, income, mental health. All these are serious problems with serious consequences.
However I want to speak to you today about the greatest problem the world, the church, and we personally is facing. It’s a more serious problem than coronavirus and it has more serious consequences. It’s this: What if Christ is not risen from the dead?
That may not seem to be a serious problem to you. But in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, the Apostle Paul explains how serious a problem it is for the world, for the church, and for ourselves. He focuses on the consequences of this “if.” As we look at it, we’ll see it is the worst “if” not only in the Bible but in the world.
But I want to assure you that we will also be looking at the best “but” in the Bible, a but that solves this problem, changes the consequences for good, and gives us all hope. So, let’s look at the worst “if” in the Bible and see what a problem this is if this “if” is true. Follow me for a few minutes into a dark hole.
For more, see my sermon notes. Scroll down a bit further and you’ll find a one-page sermon summary infographic.
