1. If there is no resurrection of the dead (12-13)

...then we are swimming in a sea of death. There is no hope. Furthermore, not even Christ has been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then being a Christian has no point and no meaning. There is no good news to preach. There is no forgiveness and no way out of guilt and hell.

2. If Christ has not been raised (14-19)

...then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. Death is the end. We have no hope, and can only be overwhelmed by despair and fatalism. If there is no hope in heaven, then Christians who have lived sacrificial lives for Jesus' sake and the gospel's are losers. But Christ has been raised from the dead. We have a living hope in heaven (1Pe 1:3,4). We know that if we die with him, we shall also live with him (Ro 6:8). We are not losers, but victors in Jesus.

Application: Praise God who raised Jesus from the dead and gave us assurance of forgiveness, and a living hope in heaven.
One Word: Christ is alive!