Have you ever stopped to think what life would be like if an event in your life had been changed? One of my favorite movies at Christmas time is “It’s a wonderful life” a story about George Bailey who found out what it would be like if he had never been born.
This past year Nicolas Cage did a movie about what life would be like if he would have married a former girl friend of his.
Life certainly would be different if we hadn’t made some choices that we’ve made along the way.
This morning as we celebrate Easter, Paul was addressing the fact, what if Christ had not risen from the dead. Easter means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.
For some it means a day off, for others it means a time to get together with the family for a great meal, and for others it’s just another day.
But have you ever stopped to think what would it be like if Christ had not risen from the grave.
We get so use to everything the revolves around Jesus, like our calendar, Christmas and other events that we start taking His life and death for granted.
So I want us to look at this morning, what it would be like, if Christ had not been risen.
First of all, if Christ be not risen, we wouldn’t have a risen Savior.
There is a question that I’ve heard asked, How do we know which religion is right? The proof is in the grave!
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ would not be risen. If we don’t have a risen Christ we would be no better than any other religion.
Think about it, if Christ didn’t rise from the grave, He wouldn’t have been any different than any other religious leader. He wouldn’t be any different than the Buddha, no better than the Mohammed, no better than Joseph Smith the founder of the Jehovah’s Witness.
Our religion wouldn’t be any better than any other religious cult.
There is one major thing that separates us from them. We serve a risen Savior. Christianity begins where religion ends – with the resurrection of Christ.
Asoka, once emperor of India, distributed Buddha’s ashes, in minute portions, to eighty-four thousand shrines all over India!
Go to the grave of Muhammad, all you will find is the dust of his bones.
Go to the tomb where Christ was laid, and you will find it empty!
Luke 24:1-6 “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen:…”
I heard a report this week that historians have said that there’s enough evidence to prove that Jesus Christ really did exist and rose from the dead!
I didn’t need a historian to tell me that, I’m so glad this morning that I haven’t put my faith and trust into some fable or factious character. I’ve put my faith and trust in a living Savior, Jesus Christ.
You ask me how I know He lives, because He lives within my heart. There may be some here this morning, that hasn’t experienced the power of the resurrected Savior, I’ve come by this morning to let you know, that the enemy has blinded you from the truth, and I command Satan to take those blinders off in the Name of Jesus Christ!
Next, Paul said if Christ be not risen, our preaching is in vain.
To a man of God, to think that all the hours they’ve spent in prayer, all the hours in preparation, and every time we’ve stood behind the pulpit was all in vain would be heartbreaking.
Men like D.L. Moody, John Wesley, Charles Finney, and Billy Graham spent their lives for nothing if Christ be not risen.
If Christ be not risen, I’ve never preached under an anointing, the preached word has never imparted life, and all we’ve done is given you some kind of motivational speech, week after week.
But no need to worry for He is risen, and the Words I speak to you this morning, are life changing, and more powerful than any stronghold of the enemy.
There’s power in the preached word this morning.
1 Corinthians 1:21 “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”
This morning you may feel something going on in your heart, an uneasiness in your seat, it’s not me my friend, it’s the Holy Spirit taking the Words that I’ve preached, and touching your heart this morning.
Romans 10:13-15 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Latch on to the preached word this morning and it will change your life.
Next, if Christ be not risen God’s word is not sure.
If Christ is not risen then the Bible is no more than just a good book. All the promises are void and mean nothing.
But I don’t have to worry this morning, because the “Truth has come out, The Truth, came out of the Ground”
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
God’s word still changes men’s lives.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Word is like a mirror for it reflects our lives and reveals the deep things of our heart.
There is no firmer foundation that you can build your life on than God’s Word, and having Jesus as the Chief cornerstone.
For God’s Word is sure, it’s pure, you can bank on it and make a withdraw of promises that it contains.
I can stand here this morning and philosophy to you and the only thing it might do for you is mess you up.
What I say may not do a whole lot for you, but what counts is thus sayeth the Lord!
I can say a thousand words and nothing happen, but one verse from the Word of God can change your life forever.
If you’re struggling in your Christian walk, get into the Word.
You will find that the weakest Christians are ones that doesn’t spend much time in the Word. If you want the life giving power of the Word to flow in your life, then you need to be in the Word on a consistent basis.
When the enemy is attacking and you don’t know where to turn; If you’re seeking direction, turn to the Word.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Develop a hunger for the Word, and it will strengthen your spiritual bones, and bless your life.
Next, if Christ be not risen your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
What a hopeless state that puts us in. The Bible tells me, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”
If Christ is not risen, the best you can do is spend eternity in hell. There will be no resurrection morning, there will be no marriage supper of the lamb, there would be no mansion built for us in glory. We are hopeless.
The cruel beating that Jesus received, the stripes that were placed on His back for our healing was all for nothing.
The blood that flowed down from His brow where the crown of thorns were placed and the blood that poured from His nail pierced hands and feet had no effect.
We are still lost in our sins if Christ be not risen.
But you hear me this morning, up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph over His foes. There is still power in the blood of Jesus Christ.
What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus.
The only thing that can set you free from sin is the blood of Jesus.
You can’t do enough good works, you can’t earn your way to heaven, it’s only through confession of your sins to Christ, believing that He died for you and rose again, and your asking Him to come in and take complete control of your life.
If you’re here this morning, and you’ve never made a real commitment to live for Christ, this can be your day.
Easter can have a new meaning for you, because this can be the day you leave the deadness of sin, and come alive in Jesus Christ.
Paul ends with if in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable.
Let me share with you this morning, if you’re only living for the moment, you’re going to be greatly surprised when your moment ends.
Every day people die and know for sure there’s a real heaven and there’s a real hell.
I don’t live for Christ just to make my life better here on earth, I live for Christ for the hope He’s given me in eternity.
The worse thing you can do is live your life without eternity in mind. Every one of you this morning will either spend eternity in heaven, or in hell.
There’s no in between. We have hope this morning, we’re celebrating that hope, because Christ has risen. Because He has life, I have hope, a living hope.
This morning, I want to ask you “what are you going to do with Jesus?” Will His death be for nothing for you, or will you allow Him to impart life to you?
Listen to your heart, it’s telling you to give it to Him.
