The Worst "What If"

Paul writes, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17, ESV).

In this passage, Paul unfolds a series of devastating “what ifs.” If Christ has not been raised, then everything collapses—truth, forgiveness, and eternal life. The gospel is empty, sin remains, and the future offers no hope.

But the argument does not end there.

If Christ has been raised, then everything changes. The gospel is true, sins are forgiven, and eternal life is secure. The resurrection is not an added doctrine—it is the foundation of all Christian assurance.

This sermon traces Paul’s logic in 1 Corinthians 15:12–19 and shows why the resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential for faith, forgiveness, and life beyond the grave.