Sermon Central
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Christianity Is A Resurrection Lesson 4 Series
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 6, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Belief is impossible if no resurrection.
A. INTRODUCTION
1. All of the world’s leaders died and none claim to be raised again, Muhammad, Buddha, Confucius, Stalin, Lenin, etc.
2. Question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).
3. Focus of attacks. The opponents of Christianity almost always concentrate their attack on the resurrection, for it holds together everything before and after.
4. No ordinary man. His perfect life, God-like character, powerful miracles, and beautiful sermons would be anti-climactic, if there was not a sequel or continuation.
5. No dedication. Belief is impossible if no resurrection because of the triumph of wrong over right. Would people follow a dead leader?
6. Not isolated event. The resurrection is tied to the past, the solution of the present, and the powerful source of hope for the future.
a. Past – fulfilled predictions, Ps. 16:71; John 2:19; Matt. 16:21.
b. Present – a corpse, disillusioned followers, and gloating enemies.
c. Future – the content of the gospel and the hope of every believer.
B. THE ESSENCE OF RESURRECTION
1. EVIDENCE OF GOD’S PLAN. Jesus’ resurrection:
a. Certified what He accomplished in death, “Raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25).
b. Vindicated His prediction (John 2:19).
c. Evidenced His deity (John 10:17).
d. Reflected who He is, “I am the resurrection” (John 11:25).
2. EVANGELISTIC CONTENT. The resurrection is:
a. An essential of the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-3).
b. The focus of preaching (Acts 1:22).
c. The power of changed lives (Acts 4:33).
3. SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION
a. New position (Eph. 2:6)
b. New inner life (Gal. 2:20)
c. New transforming power (Phil. 3:10)
4. PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE
a. The assurance for believers (1 Cor. 15:12-14).
b. Made like Christ’s body (Phil. 3:21).
c. Our comfort (1 Thess. 4:18).
C. RESULTS OF THE RESURRECTION
1. Mastered by conviction. Believers were fully persuaded their Lord had risen from the dead. They lived, sacrificed and died for this conviction.
2. Told everyone. The resurrection motivated their belief, and prayer service so that they told it everywhere (Acts 24:21).
3. No church without it. The church was Christ’s body (Eph. 1:22-23) and was the spiritual bond of all believers.
4. No New Testament without it. The power that is evident throughout the New Testament pages is the existence of the risen Christ.
5. I know. The New Testament believers had more than “belief,” they knew Christ was alive because they saw Him, touched Him and ate with Him.
6. Accepted as fact. Just as the New Testament is based on historical fact and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit.
7. Brings us to God. The virgin birth is bringing God to man, the death is reconciling God and man, and the resurrection is bringing man to God in Christ (John 20:17).
8. Absolute and final victory. The resurrection demonstrates a positive answer for every man’s sin and a future remedy for the influence of sin on the world.
9. The civilizing agency for the world. The power of the resurrection motivates Christian missions that have civilized heathen tribes, spread education, health ministries, humanitarian causes, checked social evil, created trade, advanced the arts and humanities, motivated scientific research, given status to women, and generally advanced civilization.
D. PROOFS OF THE RESURRECTION
1. The empty tomb.
2. Sudden transformation of frightened disciples into bold proponents.
3. The rapid emergence of the church – His body.
4. Testimonies of various eyewitnesses.
5. Transformation of the Christ-hating persecution – Paul.
6. Testimony of believers that the resurrected Christ indwells them.
7. The body of literature (New Testament) that completely and historically explains the resurrection of Christ.
8. Inability of Jewish leaders to produce a corpse or disprove it in the very city where Christ died and was buried.
9. The sudden use of Sunday by thousands who had slavishly worshipped on Saturday.
10. The conversion and leadership of James, the half-brother of Jesus.
11. The hermeneutic conviction that correlated Jesus’ death and resurrection with the Old Testament.
12. The testimony of Ignatius, the disciple of John.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
