THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Mat.28:1-11; 1Cor.15:1-20, 29-32

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is pillar upon which Christianity stands. Without the resurrection Christianity will fall. Jesus rose from the dead bodily after three days in the grave. His resurrection proves His deity. The book of Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles and letters of the New Testament will be lying fabrications without the resurrection. But Christ rose from the dead and by that perfected the salvation of multitudes. There are many sceptics today who doubt the resurrection. All they need to do is to study the New Testament account and many extra-biblical historical accounts. Such people should also consider the phenomenal growth of the Church, and the change of the lives of many from unexpected quarters. Our own conversions also testify to the truth of the resurrection.

CHRIST’S PREDICTION OF HIS OWN RESURRECTION

Mat.12:38-40; 16:21; 17:9, 22-23; 20:18-19; 26:32; Luke 9:22-27

During His earthly ministry, Jesus always spoke about His coming date and resurrection.

The Sign of Jonah (Mat.12:38-40)

Jesus Rebukes Peter (Mat.16:21-23)

The Post-Transfiguration Speech (Mat.17:9-12, 22-23)

When commissioning the Twelve (Luke 9:22-27)

The Passover Night (Mat.26:31-32)

THE FACTS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Mat.27:27-37; 57-66

(1)Jesus Died By Crucifixion (Josephus, Tacitus, Lucian, Mara Bar-Serapion, Talmud)

(2)He was Buried (Mat.27:57-61)

(3)His Death Caused Despair in His Followership. Peter denied Him. The rest were scattered, afraid and in despair (Luke 24:13-32).

(4)Christ’s Followers Believed that He rose from the dead – Paul the apostle claimed it. Oral traditions of the Church declared it (1Cor.15:3-7); Apostolic sermons in Acts 2 declared it. All four Gospels (Mathew Mark Luke and John) recorded it.

(5)Christ’s disciples had real life encounters with their risen Lord (Luke 24:13-32; John 21:1-7,14; 1Cor.15:5-8)

(6)Disciples Transformed from Fearful People to Bold proclaimers who were ready to die for their testimony of the resurrection. All the apostles except John, and many other disciples died proclaiming that Jesus rose from the dead

(7)The Stunning Conversion of Saul of Tarsus from the Church’s persecutor, to the most ardent follower and defender of the faith (Acts 9:1-6; Gal.1:18-24). The conversion of Saul is well documented in the Acts of the Apostles. Paul always told the story of his own conversion (Acts 22:1-21); in Acts 26:1-28)

(1) The Conversion of James the just, the brother of Jesus. During Christ’s ministry, His earthly brothers did not follow Him (Mark 6:3-4; John 7:5). The appearance of Jesus to James His brother after the resurrection became part of the Church tradition (1Cor.15:7). James became a leader of the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:12-21). He eventually also became a martyr defending the resurrection of Jesus.

(2) The Tomb of Jesus was found to be empty (Luke 24:1-12). 75% of critical scholars accept the empty tomb as a historical fact. If the body of Jesus had still been in the tomb, it would have been very improbable for the Jerusalem Church to start just 50 days after Christ’s crucifixion. By accusing the disciples of Jesus of stealing the body, they were attesting to the fact of the empty tomb (Mat.28:12-13).

The objections of many critics against the resurrection is not the subject of message today. Objections like, (1) the story is full of contradictions, (2) miracles are not possible, (3) the body was stolen, (4) Jesus only fainted, but later recovered from his wounds, (5) Jesus was substituted by someone else (Muslims), and many others, will be presented by our speakers for the apologetic conference on July 11

THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH

Acts 2:1-4, 14-36, 37-47

COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2:1-4).

(Acts 2:1-4): This marked the beginning of the Church. The few disciples that still remained faithful had hurdled themselves in an upper room in Jerusalem as the Lord had commanded them, apparently waiting to see what was going to happen next. Then all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit came upon them with a baptism of fire. All fear was gone. They received a new ability to speak many languages not previously learned

PETER’S SERMON (Acts 2:14-36)

(Acts 2:14-36): Peter preached a powerful sermon with his new found ability. Through the scriptures he proved that Jesus whom Jews crucified was indeed the Messiah. His sermon was so powerful that 3000 people were converted.

POWERFUL CONVERSIONS and CHURCH GROWTH (Acts 2:37-47)

(Acts 2:37-47): Three thousand people joined the Church in one day. May it so one day with this our Church! Peters Sermon was empowered by the Holy Spirit. The new members were so enthusiastic about their new fellowship they came together daily to worship and praise God. Signs and wonders that were seen in Christ’s ministry began to manifest in the ministry of the apostles. At a point it was now the shadow of Peter that God was using to heal people (Acts 5:14-16). From this time on the Church continued the phenomenal growth.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT THE RESURRECTION?

1Cor.15:1-20, 29-32

The Necessary Foundation of the Christian Faith (1Cor.15:1-11)

Without the Resurrection

(1)  All preaching is vain

(2)  Our faith is vain

(3)  The apostles were false witnesses

(4)  Your sins are not forgiven

(5)  All the martyrs of the Church have died in vain

(6)  It was senseless for the apostle to endanger themselves preaching

(7)  It was pointless Paul fighting with beasts in Ephesus defending the faith.

Without the resurrection all New Testament writings have no basis. But through Christ’s resurrection we have obtained pardon.

You must believe the message of salvation (1Cor.15:1-3).

Confess it with your mouth (Rom.10:8-9)

Believe it in your heart (Rom.10:9-10).

Jesus summed it up as it was recorded at the end of Marks Gospel, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Do you believe the gospel? Do you believe that Jesus Died on the Cross? That He was buried? That He rose again on the third day? Have you got this knowledge in your heart? Are you confessing the Jesus Christ is Lord?

IN CHRIST ALONE OUR HOPE IS FOUND!