Media
But in Fact Christ Has Been Raised
APRIL 05, 2026
Speaker: Garrett Bookout
Summary
In this Easter sermon, Garrett Bookout explores how the early church first believed in the risen Jesus—then accepted the New Testament because of Him. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15, he shows why the resurrection is the foundation of our faith, giving us hope that because Christ rose, He reigns, and we will rise.
Description
In “But in Fact Christ Has Been Raised,” Minister Garrett Bookout of Oak Hollow church of Christ delivers a clear, hope-filled Easter message that contrasts how we often approach Jesus today with how the first Christians did. Modern believers tend to read the New Testament to decide if Jesus is trustworthy; the early church did the opposite—they met the risen Lord, committed their lives to Him (even unto death), and then accepted the apostolic writings because of their confidence in the man they had seen alive after crucifixion.
Using 1 Corinthians 15 as the centerpiece, Brother Bookout walks through Paul’s logical argument to a church that was denying the future resurrection of believers. He reminds us of the eyewitnesses who watched Jesus beaten, crowned with thorns, scourged, nailed to the cross, speared, and then—three days later—walking, talking, and eating again, fully healed except for the nail and spear marks left as proof. Because Christ has been raised, our preaching is not empty, our faith is not futile, and those who have died in Christ have not perished.
The sermon traces the past reality (Christ’s resurrection as firstfruits), the present reality (Jesus alive and reigning at the right hand of God, putting every enemy under His feet), and the future reality (our own bodily resurrection when He returns). Through the Adam/Christ parallel, we see that just as death came to all through one man, resurrection life comes to all who are in Christ. Death itself will be the last enemy destroyed.
Whether you are facing sickness, grief, or the ordinary struggles of life, this message calls us to live with confident hope: Because He rose, He reigns—and one day we will rise with Him. Perfect for Easter or any time you need to be reminded that the resurrection is not just history; it is our present assurance and future victory.
Using 1 Corinthians 15 as the centerpiece, Brother Bookout walks through Paul’s logical argument to a church that was denying the future resurrection of believers. He reminds us of the eyewitnesses who watched Jesus beaten, crowned with thorns, scourged, nailed to the cross, speared, and then—three days later—walking, talking, and eating again, fully healed except for the nail and spear marks left as proof. Because Christ has been raised, our preaching is not empty, our faith is not futile, and those who have died in Christ have not perished.
The sermon traces the past reality (Christ’s resurrection as firstfruits), the present reality (Jesus alive and reigning at the right hand of God, putting every enemy under His feet), and the future reality (our own bodily resurrection when He returns). Through the Adam/Christ parallel, we see that just as death came to all through one man, resurrection life comes to all who are in Christ. Death itself will be the last enemy destroyed.
Whether you are facing sickness, grief, or the ordinary struggles of life, this message calls us to live with confident hope: Because He rose, He reigns—and one day we will rise with Him. Perfect for Easter or any time you need to be reminded that the resurrection is not just history; it is our present assurance and future victory.
Outline
I. Introduction: How the Early Church Thought Differently About Jesus (0:00–1:12)**
- We validate Jesus by the New Testament; they validated the New Testament because of Jesus.
- Their commitment came first; Scripture followed.
II. The Foundation of Their Faith: The Resurrection (1:12–4:39)**
- Eyewitnesses saw the brutal crucifixion (crown of thorns, scourging, nails, spear).
- Three days later they saw the same man alive, walking, talking, fully healed.
- This single fact turned the world upside down.
III. The Living Reality of the Risen Christ (4:39–6:58)**
- Jesus did not die again—He is alive today, seated at the right hand of God.
- The resurrection is not only past; it is present (He reigns) and future (we will rise).
- This hope changes how we live now.
IV. The Problem Paul Addresses in 1 Corinthians 15 (6:58–16:16)**
- Some in Corinth denied the resurrection of the dead (not Jesus’, but believers’).
- Historical background: Pharisees vs. Sadducees; Jewish development of resurrection hope (Ezekiel 37 dry bones, Daniel 12).
- Greek-influenced thinking: spirit lives on, but body does not.
- Paul’s logic: If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised → preaching is vain, faith is futile, we are still in our sins, and the dead in Christ have perished.
V. The Triumphant Declaration: “But in Fact Christ Has Been Raised” (16:16–18:04)**
- Eyewitness list: Cephas, the Twelve, over 500 brothers at once.
- Jesus is the “firstfruits” (Leviticus 23)—the guarantee that the full harvest is coming.
VI. Theological Depth: Adam and Christ, Past–Present–Future (18:04–21:48)**
- As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
- Each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits → at His coming, those who belong to Christ.
- Christ must reign until every rule, authority, and power (including death) is destroyed.
- Past: Christ rose. Present: He reigns. Future: We rise.
VII. Conclusion and Application (21:48–end)**
- Short summary to remember: Because He rose, He reigns, and we will rise.
- Practical hope for sickness, grief, and daily life.
- Call to submit to the living Lord who reigns right now and to live with resurrection confidence.
- We validate Jesus by the New Testament; they validated the New Testament because of Jesus.
- Their commitment came first; Scripture followed.
II. The Foundation of Their Faith: The Resurrection (1:12–4:39)**
- Eyewitnesses saw the brutal crucifixion (crown of thorns, scourging, nails, spear).
- Three days later they saw the same man alive, walking, talking, fully healed.
- This single fact turned the world upside down.
III. The Living Reality of the Risen Christ (4:39–6:58)**
- Jesus did not die again—He is alive today, seated at the right hand of God.
- The resurrection is not only past; it is present (He reigns) and future (we will rise).
- This hope changes how we live now.
IV. The Problem Paul Addresses in 1 Corinthians 15 (6:58–16:16)**
- Some in Corinth denied the resurrection of the dead (not Jesus’, but believers’).
- Historical background: Pharisees vs. Sadducees; Jewish development of resurrection hope (Ezekiel 37 dry bones, Daniel 12).
- Greek-influenced thinking: spirit lives on, but body does not.
- Paul’s logic: If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised → preaching is vain, faith is futile, we are still in our sins, and the dead in Christ have perished.
V. The Triumphant Declaration: “But in Fact Christ Has Been Raised” (16:16–18:04)**
- Eyewitness list: Cephas, the Twelve, over 500 brothers at once.
- Jesus is the “firstfruits” (Leviticus 23)—the guarantee that the full harvest is coming.
VI. Theological Depth: Adam and Christ, Past–Present–Future (18:04–21:48)**
- As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
- Each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits → at His coming, those who belong to Christ.
- Christ must reign until every rule, authority, and power (including death) is destroyed.
- Past: Christ rose. Present: He reigns. Future: We rise.
VII. Conclusion and Application (21:48–end)**
- Short summary to remember: Because He rose, He reigns, and we will rise.
- Practical hope for sickness, grief, and daily life.
- Call to submit to the living Lord who reigns right now and to live with resurrection confidence.
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