1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  There are many differences between Christianity and the other religions of the world.  The main difference is this… Our founder died, but He rose from the dead!  Many times when I was in prison ministry I told the men, you can trust someone who couldn’t get themselves up if you want to, I’m gonna trust the one who got Himself up to get me up!  His name is Jesus!  Our text tells us if the resurrection did not take place, there are some very real concerns. First, our preaching is vain.  It is useless to preach if Christ be not risen.  The gospel message is how that Christ died for our sin according to the scripture,  and that He was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scripture.  What is there to preach if we cannot preach the gospel? The gospel is the very power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.  Then there’s another problem we need to address, not only is our preaching vain, but our faith is also vain.  Faith cometh by hearing,  and hearing by the word of God.  So, if Christ be not risen,  the Bible is a lie.  Think of it… the enemies of the Gospel have been trying to disprove the Bible for centuries.   They keep digging in hopes of digging up something to discredit the word of God.   I say keep digging!  Everything they dig up only validates further the truth, the Bible is true, and Jesus rose again… AS HE SAID!  A young preacher once said… “I’ve got a lot riding on this book.” as he held up his Bible an older preacher said… “That’s a good place to let it ride!”  Amen. Pastor