Evidence Of Christ's Return

The resurrection of Jesus was unexpected, and beyond human explanation and understanding, and in violation of all-natural laws. But it was true. It was what God did to give proof and power to all of the life and ministry of Jesus.

On the first Easter, those who were the closet to Jesus were the most confused and the most concerned. They decided to just “walk away” from what they could not understand or explain and was hard to accept. Why would God permit the suffering and death by crucifixion of their friend and teacher. The one who claimed to be God’s Son. Just as there was a need for assurance to them, we need assurance for today of what we believe to be the very foundation of our faith to be true.

From the Bible, what can we draw strength and assurance from: “Consider the Evidence.”

I. The Word of Jesus Himself

1. Before He died, Jesus said that on the third day after His death, He would rise again.

a. Matthew 12:39-40, 16:21

b. John 2:18-22

2. After His resurrection, He declared that He had risen from the dead.

a. John 20:19-29, Revelation 1:18

b. If Christ did not rise, he was an imposter, a deceiver, and a liar.

3. To disbelieve the bodily resurrection of Christ is to reject His own testimony.

a. 1 John 5:9-13

b. I believe.

II. The Account in the Four Gospels

1. Every attempt has been made to discredit the accuracy of the Gospels. No one has ever succeeded.

2. The Gospels give us four independent accounts of the resurrection.

3. The resurrection of Jesus is the best proved fact of history.

a. He is the divider of history, the calendar, and dates. B.C. and A.D.

b. All the power of the earth that be, could not stop or alter this truth.

1) Matthew 27:66, the seal, represents civil powers.

2) Matthew 27:65, the temple watch, represents Anti-Christ, religious powers.

3) The Roman soldiers represent military powers.

Note: The only person who can stop the effects of the risen Christ is the one who shuts Him out and refuses to accept Him as Savior.

III. The Empty Tomb

1. In the bible, no one questioned the fact that the tomb really was empty. How did it become empty?

a. The disciples removed the body. Why should they? How did they get past the soldiers? Were they all deceivers?

b. Joseph removed the body. And where? Was he also a deceiver? Mark 15:43

c. The Jews removed the body? If they had, they would have been the first to say so.

d. The Roman soldiers remove the body? Why should they risk their lives by doing so?

e. He did not really die. He only lapsed into unconsciousness. No?

f. He Rose Again.

IV. The Evidence of Those Who Saw Him, Touched Him, Ate with Him and Spoke with Him

1. There were at least fourteen groups or persons who saw Him live after His death.

a. John 20:14-18

b. Matthew 28:8-10

c. Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5

d. Luke 24:13-31

e. Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-24

f. John 20:24-29

g. John 21:1-23

h. 1 Corinthians 15:6

i. 1 Corinthians 15:7

j. Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:14-20, Luke 24:33-53, Acts 1:3-12

k. Acts 9:3-6

l. Acts 22:17-21, 23:11

m. Acts 7:55

n. Revelation 1:18

2. Some have tried to make out that the disciples did not really see the Lord Jesus and speak with Him. They only imagine they saw Him. How Dumb.

V. There is the Bold and Certain Testimony of the Apostles

1. Before His death, these men had not grasped the fact that He would rise again.

2. After they crucified Jesus, they were timid, cowardly, and full of fear.

a. Matthew 26:56

b. John 20:19

3. After the resurrection, they became bold and courageous, Acts 4:13.

4. The only message that they had to proclaim was that this Jesus hath God raised up.

a. Acts 1:21-22, 2:32-36, 3:15, 4:2, 33, 17:18, 23:6.

b. Romans 10:9

c. Philippians 3:8-10

5. Rather than deny their risen Lord, they were willing to be persecuted, imprisoned, and even martyred.

a. Acts 5:41, 7:54-60,

b. Acts 12:2

VI. There is the Existence of the Church and the Lord’s Day

1. These two permanent institutions testify to the reality of the resurrection.

VII. The Whole Plan of Redemption Needs the Resurrection

1. The mighty work that Jesus accomplished when He died for us could only be accomplished in us if He rose again.

2. Romans 10:9, Hebrews 7:25