I. Through the Gospel we are redeemed.
a. Christ died for our sins.
-Is. 53:5-10, I Pet. 2:24, I John 2:2, 4:10
b. Christ was buried.
-Is. 53:9
c. Christ has been raised from the dead.
-Ps. 16:10; Matt. 12:39-40
II. Without the resurrection we have no hope.
If there is no resurrection...
a. Not even Christ was raised.
-Luke 24:38-43
b. Our preaching is in vain.
-vain = kenon = empty, without result, no purpose
-Acts 2:22-23, 2:31-32, 4:12
c. Our faith is worthless.
d. We who proclaim the message are false witnesses.
-Rom. 4:24, I Pet. 1:21
e. We are still in sin.
"The denial of their future, that they are destined fro the rusurrection on the basis of Christ's resurrection, has the net effect of a denial of their past, that they have recevied forgiveness of sins on the basis of Christ's death." Gordon Fee
-Acts 5:30-31
f. The dead in Christ have perished.
g. There is no hope.
III. Because of the resurrection redemption has been accomplished.
a. Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection.
b. The redeemed are the final harvest.
