Journey Into Light

Journey Into Light

1 Cor. 15:1-10

1. Darkness Around Us

Superstorm Sandy hit us on Mon. Oct. 29/12. The storm plunged us into darkness, darkness that lasted a week for CBC. This darkness claimed lives and caused ruin & financial lost. Maybe you & I escaped Sandy. But there may be another darkness we have not escaped —deep darkness. crippling darkness unending darkness causing ruin & lost.

2. Darkness of the Certainty of Jesus Death

- No doubts that Jesus was dead

- Beaten beyond recognition escalated death

- Publicly crucified on a cross until dead

- Spear pierced his side to bring finality to His death

- Burial of the body

3. In Darkness of Unbelief to His Resurrection

- They were not expecting Jesus to rise from the dead

- They must have taken His words to be a parable or metaphor with some mysterious meaning.

- Women went to the tomb to prepare His body for permanent burial.

- Mary Magdalene thought somebody had removed the body (Jn 20:13, 15).

- Women’s report seemed nonsense to the disciples (Lk 24:11).

- Emmaus Road encounter was unbelievable (Mk 16:13).

- Peter’s experience was doubted (Lk 24:34).

- Still they did not believe (Mk 16:14).

4. Darkness Would Be Vanquished

- Jesus had repeatedly told them that he would rise on the third day

(Matthew 16:21; 17:9, 23; 20:19; 26:32; 27:63; Mark 8:31; 9:31; Luke 18:33; 24:7).

- Angels announced it. (Mt. 28:5-6)

- 1 Cor. 15:4 Scripture proclaimed the resurrection

Psalm 16:10 (AV)

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

- The tomb was empty. His body was gone.

- Mary Magdalene had seen him.

- The other women had seen Him.

- Cleopas and his companion had seen Him.

- Peter had seen Him.

- Still unbelief.

- It was incredible impossible

- The 10 thought He was a ghost

- See my hands, side, and feet, touch me

- He asked for food and ate in front of them. (Lk. 24:38–43

- Thomas doubted - (Jn. 20:24–29).

- Those who proclaimed the resurrection were themselves totally unprepared to believe it

5. Journey From Darkness to Light

- The five most important chapters in the entire Bible Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24, & Jn 20–21

1 Corinthians 15:14 (AV)

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

- The testimony of the witness of 1 Cor. 15

- 1 Co. 3-4 – Christ died, was buried, & rose again

- 1 Co. 5-8 – List of the Witnesses

- Why is the Resurrection Important?

- It is mentioned over one hundred times in NT

1. The Resurrection is the Central Truth of Christianity

- If Christ did not rise then He is a liar, for He said He would come back from the dead.

- It is central theme to the apostles

Acts 2:36 (AV)

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Acts 4:2 (AV)

2 (Religious leaders) Being grieved that they (Peter & John) taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:1 (AV)

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

2. The Resurrection Declares the Power of God

- God created life and has power over death

- Thus He is worthy of our worship

3. The Resurrection Gives Promise of Life After Death

- Job asked this question

Job 14:14 (AV)

14 If a man die, shall he live again?...

- Physical death is not the termination of human existence

- 1 Co. 55, 57 Bible teaches this promise

- Jesus proved the promise

- No other person or prophet can give this promise

The Resurrection proved Christ's power to forgive sin.

1 Cor. 15:17