1 Corinthians 15:17-22
Easter Vigil
April 8, 2023
Our Hope Lutheran Church
Text: If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
Intro: Christ is Risen! Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who by his death has destroyed death and by his rising again opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Tonight the church rejoices today because her Lord is risen. The gospel is never sweeter than in Easter week. But the Christian Church in heaven and earth also rejoices that her prayers are answered. Christ has risen and broken the seal of the grave forever. That gospel is all the sweeter because it is true comfort in a world without hope. When a Christian loved one dies, we grieve, but with the hope of the resurrection.
I. The gospel is more comforting than the common things told us when a loved one dies:
a. “She was a good person”
b. “He’s not suffering anymore”
c. “We’ll always remember her”
d. “Death is just a natural part of life”
e. “His accomplishments will live forever”
f. “You’ll have another life to get it right”
II. Real comfort comes in the Resurrection of Christ.
a. His cross is our cross, making us good in God’s sight.
b. His death destroys our enemies: sin, suffering, grief and death.
c. His empty tomb promises an empty grave for us.
d. We still grieve, but a grief that is comforted by hope.
e. So we gladly preach, Christ is Risen!
May God’s peace, which is greater than we can understand, set watch over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until life everlasting. Christ is risen!
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Indiana
©2023 Robert E. Smith. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy, share and display freely for non-commercial purposes. Direct all other rights and permissions inquiries to cosmithb@gmail.com
