Christ the Firstfruits

Introduction—the unbreakable bond (12): “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

I: If there is no resurrection of the dead, then…

• Christ is not raised (13, 16) and therefore …

 o	Gospel Preaching is useless (14a)
 o	Our faith is useless (14b)
 o	We are liars (15)
 o	We are still in our sins (17)
 o	Believers who have died have perished (18)
 o	We are to be pitied (19)

II: But Christ has been raised! And therefore …

 •	Christ is the firstfruits (20-23)

 •	Christ wins!  (24-28)

III: If the dead are not raised, then …

 •	Why are people baptized on their behalf? (29)

 •	Why do we live as we do? (30-32a)

 •	Live however you want (32b)

Conclusion (33-34)—Beliefs and Behavior … Benefits and the Benefactor …

“You must first have Christ Himself, before you can partake of those benefits by Him.” Thomas Boston