If He Didn’t Rise, You Have Nothing | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study, and we are moving to the Old Testament. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea is the story of a faithful God pursuing an unfaithful people. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our shout-out today goes to Christopher Long from Turbotville, PA. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. — 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

What if the one doctrine you assume is safe is the one you’ve stopped defending?

Paul begins by reminding them of the gospel they received, believed, and stand in.

Then he defines it.

Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He was raised on the third day. All according to the Scriptures.

This is not vague spirituality.

It is a historical resurrection.

And Paul lists witnesses to this history. Names. Groups. Himself.

This isn’t poetic prose. It’s testimony.

Christianity is not built on mystical experience. It is anchored in a risen Savior who appeared in history.

Then Paul says something personal:

“By the grace of God I am what I am.” — 1 Corinthians 15:10

The resurrection didn’t just validate Jesus. It transformed Paul. It changed the very essence of who he was.

And here’s the implication we cannot miss:

The resurrection of Jesus makes your resurrection possible. If Christ is raised, death is not final. If Christ is raised, sin is not ultimate. If Christ is raised, your future is secure. But if you quietly, in your mind, redefine the resurrection as symbolic… everything shifts. And so does your identity.

Don't adjust the gospel in your mind. Today, consider how His resurrection guarantees your resurrection. And then write out, maybe in the comments below, how this affects you, your identity, and your future. It is this that we should be able to communicate to others, as Paul did to believers in Corinth.

DO THIS:

Consider how the resurrection of Jesus guarantees your resurrection. Write down, in one sentence, why the resurrection matters for you personally.

ASK THIS:

1. Can I clearly explain why the resurrection is essential to the gospel?
2. If someone asked me why Jesus had to rise bodily, would I know how to answer?
3. Am I standing on the gospel Paul preached—or one softened by culture?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, strengthen my confidence in the resurrection of Jesus. Help me stand firmly in the gospel and speak it clearly to others. Let the risen Christ shape how I live today. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Christ Is Risen"