He Defeated Death Series

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INTRODUCTION: Corinth was the center of the Epicurean philosophy, which said that, because there is no eternity, man should eat, drink, and be merry on earth.

Part of this Epicurean mentality had filtered into the church. Specifically, there were those in the church who taught there was no resurrection from the dead."Be a Christian," they said. "Believe in Jesus Christ. Believe that on the Cross But don’t believe He really rose again." Paul confronts them with hard evidence...

In 1 Cor. 15:1-11 - I want to use Paul’s text to answer the question...

WHAT IS THE RESURRECTION?

1. THE RESURRECTION IS GOOD NEWS! (GOSPEL)

1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 Who likes to hear good news?

• The word "Gospel" means good news

 What should we do with this good news?

• PREACH IT v.1 (Not just pastors, but every believer needs to tell the story)

• RECEIVE IT v.1 (Without skepticism)

• STAND IN IT v.1 (Firm foundation / build your life on it)

• KEEP IT IN MEMORY v.2 (What occupies your mind?)

 TRUTH - God LOVES it when we believe the Bible

2. THE RESURRECTION IS REAL!

5. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

 The resurrection is real because there were witnesses!

• Any lawyer today would love to have as many witnesses!

 Witness #1 - Cephas "rock" (Simon Peter) . Peter had denied Him. Peter had to get things straightened out with the Lord. Jesus meets with Peter personally. FIRST!

• TRUTH - Jesus goes after for BROKEN PEOPLE.

• TRUTH - Right after your biggest mess ups

• TRUTH - In those lowly moments when you wonder if God will ever take you back…

 Witness #2 - 12 disciples / Mark 16:14 / Eating, stuffing faces / Jesus appears / rips the disciples for not believing the witnesses

 Witness #3 - 500 people at one time!

 Witness #4 - The resurrection is real because James (Jesus’ half brother) first did not believe now believed

 TRUTH - There will always be people who say that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead.

 TRUTH - Believing in the resurrection is a choice in believing the Bible over worlds opinion

3. THE RESURRECTION IS LIFE CHANGING!

8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

 Resurrection changed the life of Paul (AGAINST ALL ODDS!)

• Paul was humbled - v.9 least of the apostles

• Paul was broken over his sin - v.9 persecuted church

• Paul’s perspective changed - v.10 by grace of God I am

• Paul’s purpose changed - v.10 I laboured more

 TRUTH - Jesus can change the life of any person!

 TRUTH - We need Jesus.

 TRUTH - Jesus has a whole nother life for us!

 TRUTH - True life can only be found in Jesus

CONCLUSION - DO YOU BELIEVE?

vs. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

EXPLAIN VERSE - (it doesn’t matter if I preached or if they preached - What’s important is that all of you believed!)

 Admit you are a sinner

 Believe Jesus died for your sins

 Believe Jesus came back to life 3 days later

 Confess your sins to Jesus

 Make a public statement - TODAY