Certain chapters in the Bible are known to proclaim a particular theme. The creation chapters are Genesis 1–2. The love chapter? 1 Corinthians 13. The Millennium chapter? Revelation 20. The repentance chapter? Luke 15.

While Jesus resurrection is reported in all four Gospels and Acts and in nearly every NT book, there is one chapter that stands out as the resurrection chapter. It is 1 Corinthians 15.

There were people in the church of Corinth who were saying, “there is no resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor 15:12). In response, Paul wrote the resurrection chapter. In the very first verse of the chapter, he indicated that Jesus’ resurrection is central to “the gospel [good news] which I preached to you.” He went on to give four reasons why Jesus’ resurrection is good news for us.

First, His resurrection is good news for us because His resurrection guarantees our resurrection. Paul said, “in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Cor 15:22). While even unbelievers will be resurrected (Rev 20:12-13), “Paul in this passage is referring only to the believers in the Church and not the unbelieving dead” (Dwight Hunt, “1 Corinthians” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, p. 760).

Many Christians think they will spend eternity in the third heaven as a disembodied spirit. Instead, believers will live forever in resurrected, glorified bodies on the new earth (Revelation 21-22).

Second, His resurrection means our lives have meaning and purpose. Thoreau said, “the mass of men lives of quiet desperation.” Paul wrote, “If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (1 Cor 15:32). His point is that since we do rise, the epicurean philosophy is bankrupt.

There is meaning and purpose in life. Life does make sense. History is going someplace. God has a plan and He is in charge. A glorious future is ahead for those who have believed in Christ for eternal life.

His resurrection gives our lives meaning and purpose.

Third, His resurrection is good news for us because it means that we are no longer slaves of sin. In Corinthians 15:17-18, Paul wrote, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (emphasis added).

To be “still in your sins” is a reference to still being enslaved to sin. Compare John 8:14, 30-33ff and Rom 6:17-18 and 8:1.

We not only were made savable by Jesus’ shed blood, but by His resurrection we were set free from slavery to sin. Unbelievers live in bondage to sin and then die in their sins (John 8:24). Believers are free in their position and can live as free people in their experience.

Fourth, His resurrection is good news for us because our labor for Christ is highly profitable. Paul ended this resurrection chapter with a verse about eternal rewards: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).

The word used for in vain is kenos. It also means empty or devoid of value. It is used in v 10 of God’s grace toward Paul not being empty, and hence his labors for the Lord not being empty.

The word I labored in v 10 (from kopiaō) is a cognate for the noun your labor (ho kopos humōn) in verse 58.

Just as Paul knew that his labors in the Lord were not in vain, he also knew that their labors in the Lord were not either.

Paul spoke about the Judgment Seat of Christ and eternal rewards in both his letters to the Corinthians (1 Cor 3:10-15; 9:24-27; 2 Cor 5:9-10). He repeated those themes in all of his epistles with the possible exception of Philemon (e.g., Rom 14:10; Gal 6:7-9; Eph 5:5-7; Phil 2:12, 16; 3:14; Col 1:21-23; 1 Thess 2:19; 2:13; 5;6-8; 2 Thess 1:5; 1 Tim 6:11-19; 2 Tim 2:12; 4:6-10; Titus 3:8).

Why is it that most people in Christianity do not believe in eternal rewards?

Why do most people in Christianity believe that the Judgment Seat of Christ is another name for the Great White Throne Judgment?

Why do most believe that at the end of time God will judge us according to our works to determine whether we get to go to Christ’s kingdom or the lake of fire?

The reason is simple.

Most people in Christianity do not believe the promise of everlasting life that cannot be lost (John 3:16).

Only someone who is sure of his eternal destiny will be concerned about eternal rewards. Only someone assured of his salvation is thrilled with the promise of bodily resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus should not lead us to lay off certain foods or drinks during Lent. His resurrection should not lead us to have crosses sketched on our foreheads with ashes.

His resurrection should thrill and motivate us every day. His resurrection is indeed good news for believers.

Keep grace in focus.