I Corinthians 15  Paul addresses one more problem that was causing confusion and division in the church at Corinth.. the issue of whether or not there there is a  resurrection. 

Paul always goes back to the firm foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ... "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance.. that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

Paul goes on to logically discuss the fact that Jesus appeared to the apostles after He was risen.. and that He appeared to him also. So.. ".. If there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised.. and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is in vain, your faith is also in vain." 

No resurrection.. no savior.. no forgiveness of sins.. no hope. 

"But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep."  Good news! Because He lives.. we can live.. because of Him we can take off the mortal and put on immortality.. we can take off the natural and put on the spiritual.. We are not without hope, for Christ has come to reign.. and we are His forever. The resurrection is true!

There will come a day.. "in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.. and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."  Death will be defeated. ".. thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.. " 

Father, may we be "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" .. knowing that our lives, our faith, and our work.. "is not in vain in the Lord".  Reveal Christ to us and in us.. transforming us daily.. from glory to glory.. that we might bear His image and You may be glorified! Help us to receive the truth of the Gospel, fully surrendered to Your will, and rejoicing in this great salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord. We are waiting eagerly for that day, Lord, when we will be "raised imperishable.. changed" forever. Thank You for this living hope we have in Jesus Christ. Amen.