The resurrection is absolutely fundamental to the Christian faith, as Paul makes clear in 1 Cor 15. Dave spoke this morning from Phil 3:7-11, looking at what it means to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. Christianity is not, after all, based on abstract philosophy or theories but is a relationship with a living person.
Paul is by no means the only person who wanted to be in relationship with God. Jer 9:23-24 reminds us that we boast not in our achievements or prowess but in the fact of our relationship with God. Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God (John 17:3), and both Peter and John also emphasised that knowing God is key for us (see 2 Pet 1:2 and 1 John 5:20). Knowing Jesus is more than knowing facts about Him, however. It involves putting our faith in Him, spending time in prayer and following Him in obedience.
Eph 1:18-20 talks about the incomparably great power for us who believe; the power which caused the resurrection to happen is available to us. This power enables us to know our sins are forgiven (Rom 4:35) and also to conquer sin, putting on the new self and understanding that we are no longer slaves to sin. (Eph 4:22-24)
God gives us the power to be His agents of change in this world (see 2 Cor 5:19-21) and to be conformed to His likeness, perfected in His love (2 Cor 3:18). Do we want the same things Paul did? What are our hearts set on? Knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection is all that really matters.