1. Resurrection motivates those who are baptized “for the dead”
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 1 Corinthians 15:29 (ESV)
“Dead” is the condition of the believer who receives baptism?
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Romans 6:6-8 (ESV)
10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Romans 8:10 (ESV)
2. Resurrection motivates Christ’s followers to endure persecution and suffering
30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? . . . 1 Corinthians 15:30-32 (ESV); 2 Corinthians 11:23-27
Fought wild beasts:
8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (ESV)
16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 . . . So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 2 Timothy 4:16-17 (ESV)
3. Resurrection motivates Christ’s followers to meaning and purpose
32 . . . If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 1 Corinthians 15:32 (ESV)
Quote from Isaiah Septuagint:
13 but they engaged in joy and gladness, slaying calves, and killing sheep, so as to eat flesh, and drink wine; saying, Let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die. Isaiah 22:13 (Brenton LXX En)
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12 (ESV); Hebrews 11:6
4. Resurrection motivates Christ’s followers to purity
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (ESV)
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3 (ESV)
12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12 (ESV)