Dillon Community Church

Summary

In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 15, Pastor Ryan walks through the entire chapter to show that the resurrection of Jesus is not a side note to the Christian faith but the very foundation upon which everything else rests. After spending 14 chapters addressing the many problems within the Corinthian church, Paul brings everything full circle by pointing to the resurrection as the key to understanding who God is, who we are, and how we are called to live. The resurrection is not simply a past event that secures our eternal future. It is a present reality that should shape every decision, relationship, and sacrifice we make today.

The sermon also explores Paul's seed analogy to explain the nature of the resurrection body. Just as a seed must be buried and die before it can become something far greater, our perishable bodies must give way to imperishable ones. But the pastor draws a deeper connection: this same principle applies to how we live now. Dying to self, to pride, to selfishness, and to the need for recognition is what allows kingdom fruit to grow in and through us. Because of the resurrection, our labor is never in vain, and the sacrificial, cross-centered life that Paul calls us to is not weakness but the very power of God at work in the world.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and willing minds. As we gather to discuss Your Word, we ask that You give us ears to hear and eyes to see what You want to speak to each of us personally. Help us to move past familiar words and encounter the living truth of the resurrection in a fresh way. May this time together not simply be an exchange of ideas, but a moment where Your Spirit moves and draws us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker

What is one thing you have planted, literally or figuratively, that surprised you with how much it grew or changed over time?

Key Verses

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
• 1 Corinthians 15:17-19
• 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
• 1 Corinthians 15:58
• John 12:24

Questions

• Paul says in verse 3 that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is of 'first importance.' In your own words, why do you think the resurrection is so central to the Christian faith rather than just the death of Jesus alone?
• Pastor Ryan pointed out that some Corinthians believed Jesus was raised but denied that ordinary people would be raised. How do you think it is possible to hold a belief in your head without it truly shaping the way you live? Can you think of an example from your own life?
• Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, then we should just 'eat, drink, and be merry.' How does belief in the resurrection change the way you approach sacrifice, generosity, or serving others?
• The sermon described how the Corinthians were being influenced by the thinking of the culture around them, which did not believe in physical resurrection. What cultural beliefs or assumptions do you think most challenge your own confidence in the resurrection today?
• Pastor Ryan used the image of a seed dying in the ground to describe both the future resurrection and the call to die to self now. What does 'dying to self' look like practically in your daily life, and where do you find it most difficult?
• Paul says in verse 58 that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Think about a time when serving others or living faithfully felt pointless or costly. How does the promise of resurrection speak into that experience?
• The sermon mentioned that what we believe about God shapes how we treat other people. How has your understanding of the resurrection, or lack of it, influenced the way you relate to the people around you?
• Pastor Ryan closed by challenging the group to view Sunday not as the end of the week but as the beginning, a day to be reoriented and sent out. How might viewing the resurrection as a present reality rather than just a future hope change the way you enter your week?

Life Application

This week, identify one area of your life where you have been holding tightly to your own comfort, reputation, or preferences instead of dying to self. It could be a relationship where you need to extend grace, a situation where you need to serve without recognition, or a habit you need to surrender. Take one concrete step to loosen your grip in that area, and remind yourself each morning that because Jesus was raised, your sacrifice is never wasted and your labor is not in vain.

Key Takeaways

• Everything in the Christian faith hinges on the resurrection. Remove it and faith, hope, and the call to sacrificial living all begin to unravel.
• The resurrection is not only about eternal life after death. It is a present reality that should reshape how we live, serve, and relate to others right now.
• Just as a seed must die before it can become something far greater, we are called to die to self so that kingdom fruit can grow in and through us.
• What we believe about God and the resurrection directly shapes our character and the way we treat the people around us.
• Because of the resurrection, no act of faithfulness, sacrifice, or service done in the name of Jesus is ever wasted or in vain.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the truth we have wrestled with today. Thank You that the cross was not the end of the story and that the empty tomb changes everything, not just for eternity, but for the way we live right now. We confess that it is easy to believe the resurrection in our heads while living as though it does not matter in our daily choices. Forgive us for that, and help us to live as people who are truly convinced that You are alive. Give us the courage to die to ourselves this week, trusting that You bring life out of what is surrendered to You. May our labor never feel in vain, because we know that You are faithful to complete what You have begun. We love You and we trust You. In Jesus' name, amen.

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*Discussion guide comes from sermon given by Pastor Ryan Leeds and material created with Sermon Shots.