LaGrave Live, April 12, 2026

The Reality of the Resurrection: A Service of Eastertide The "What If" of Easter A logical defense of the Resurrection based on 1 Corinthians 15 2026-04-12 Service The 6 Logical Consequences 01 Useless Preaching Empty shells without a nut; just hot air. 02 Futile Faith Faith is only as good as its object. 03 False Witness Apostles misrepresenting God's actions. 04 Unsolved Guilt No atonement; we are still in our sins. 05 No Hope for Dead Those who "fell asleep" have perished. 06 Most to be Pitied Living a grand delusion; a crime to share. Key Quote "Christianity is not a philosophy... it is first and foremost a claim that something happened." Speaker DB David Bass Guest Preacher Keywords #Eastertide #1Corinthians15 #Resurrection #ApostolicCreed Summary: The sermon pivots on the word "BUT"—Christ has indeed been raised. Reading Time: 4 mins This worship service, held on April 12, 2026, at LaGrave, centers on the theological and practical necessity of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through liturgical music, intercessory prayer, and a rigorous examination of 1 Corinthians 15, guest preacher David Bass explores the "counter-factual" history of what the Christian faith would become if the resurrection were merely a myth. Liturgical Celebration and the Season of Eastertide The service opens with a vibrant celebration of "Eastertide," a period the church observes for six Sundays following Easter Sunday. During the children's message, it was explained that the continued use of white banners and festive decorations serves as a reminder that the "Good News" of the resurrection is too significant to celebrate for only a single day. This liturgical season emphasizes the ongoing presence of the risen Christ and the mandate given to his followers to share this message with the world. The Eastertide Calendar Why the celebration continues for 50 days 6 Sundays of Celebration 50 Days to Pentecost 52 Lord's Days per Year "We celebrate Easter for 52 Sundays a year because Christ rose on the Lord's Day." Community Intercession and Global Mission The congregation engaged in deep intercessory prayer, focusing on three distinct areas: the global church, the local community, and the internal needs of the parish. Specific prayers were offered for persecuted Christians worldwide and for peace in conflict zones including the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. Locally, the church reaffirmed its commitment to ministries such as Dégagé, Guiding Lights, Mel Trotter, and the Downtown Food Pantry. The service also marked the safe return of the Mexico City mission team, who spent the previous week engaged in ministry and vacation bible school. The Sermon: "What If?" Guest preacher David Bass delivered a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, addressing the "logical hammer blows" Paul uses to defend the resurrection. Bass argued that Christianity is not a mere philosophy or moral code, but a claim that a specific historical event occurred. He utilized a "counter-factual" approach—asking "What if Christ has not been raised?"—to illustrate that without the physical resurrection, preaching is empty, faith is futile, the New Testament is a record of false witnesses, and there is no atonement for sin. The sermon concluded with the "flip of the script," asserting that because Christ has indeed been raised, he is the "firstfruits" of a future harvest of all believers. The Six "Hammer Blows" of 1 Corinthians 15 1. Useless Preaching: The apostolic message becomes "hot air." 2. Futile Faith: Faith is only as good as its object; a dead Christ cannot save. 3. False Witness: The New Testament authors become liars misrepresenting God. 4. Unforgiven Sin: Without the resurrection, the "atonement" has no divine seal. 5. Perished Saints: Those who died in Christ are simply gone forever. 6. Pitiful Delusion: Christians become the most pitiable people on earth. Key Data Mission Update: The Mexico City mission team returned home at 1:00 AM on the day of the service. Pastoral Care: The congregation recorded 44 funerals in the previous year. Upcoming Event: A detailed report from the Mexico City team is scheduled for May 2. To-Do / Next Steps Members are encouraged to check the bulletin for various opportunities and events happening during the 10:00 hour. Attend the special presentation regarding the Mexico City mission trip on May 2 during the 10:00 hour. Pray for Ellen Decker and Bill Stroh as they both face surgeries scheduled for Monday. Keep Jack VanSledwight in prayer for healing from blood clots. Continue to support and pray for local ministry partners including Dégagé, Guiding Lights, and Mel Trotter. Conclusion The service concludes by affirming that the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian hope. As summarized by the closing story of a child’s perspective, the resurrection is not just a past miracle to be studied, but a present reality that promises future restoration for all who believe.