I. The Fact of Christ's Resurrection Gives Forgiveness of Sins by Faith, and the Hope of Future Glory
1Cor 15:1 the gospel preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word...unless you believed in vain. 3 Christ died for our sins acc to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried..rose 5 was seen...

Acts 3:26 God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness/release of sins. (cf  Lk 4:18; 24:47)

Rm 1:4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

II. The Ignorant and Deceived Deny the Facts of History and Truth of Revelation  (Mt 28:13 disciples stole body)
Lk 20:27 Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection...35 those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection

1Cor 15:12 if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen 17 if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable [Heb 11:6 def of faith]

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 32 what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" 33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 34 Awake to righteousness, and stop sinning (pres impv); for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

35 How are the dead raised up? 41 one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead.  48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.  50 flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God 52 trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 58 Therefore,  be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

III. If Christ is Resurrected we shall be Resurrected, to Glory...if we continue in Faith, Hope, and Love
Dan 12:2 many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever
1Pt 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  Rm 8:17 co-heirs if co-suffer
1Jn 3:2 now we are children of God...we shall be like Him...3 everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
1Cor 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (cf Jn 13:34; 14:15; 15:12; Eph 1:4 blameless)
Mt 27:53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Jn 5:29 and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurr of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurr of condemnation

Phil 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. acc to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ (Lk 9:23): 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things. 20  our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, 2Cor 4-5 in DTB

Rm 6:4 we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,  11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 do not let sin reign 14 under grace. (see Resurrection Power on TruthBase.net)

Rev 2:4 I have this against you, because you have left your first love. 20:5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. Why is the Resurrection of Jesus important?  Why would someone deny His Resurrection  or that of Believers?
2. Do you know your sins are forgiven on the basis of Christ's atoning sacrifice or do you hope your sins are forgiven? What is your hope?
3. How does the thought of your future resurrection affect your thinking and actions? What “labor in the Lord” are you doing?
4. How confident are you that you are dead to sin and alive to God? To what degree of glory will you be resurrected? (see next week)