Sermon for 3/9/2006
1 Corinthians 15:1-19
Introduction:
The Jesus seminary, a group of supposed Biblical scholars, says the following about the resurrection of Jesus: The resurrection of Jesus did not involve the resuscitation of his corpse. Belief in Jesus’ resurrection does not depend on what happened to his body. The body of Jesus decayed as do other corpses. The resurrection was not an event that happened on the first Easter Sunday. It is not necessary to believe in the historical narratives of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in order to be a Christian.
WBTU:
A. What a bunch of lies! The Bible reading this morning disproves all of these thoughts.
B. Greek thought and philosophy had the idea that the flesh was evil and corrupt. The spirit was eternal and the only thing real. A resurrection of the body (flesh) was not appealing to the Greeks. (Acts 17:31 NIV) For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."(Acts 17:32 NIV) When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered (mocked him, laughed at him).
C. The Corinthian Christians were so influenced by Greek philosophy that they tried to downplay the resurrection. They did not deny that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, but they denied that others would rise from the dead. “There is no resurrection of the dead.” The only exception to that rule is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
D. Paul’s message to them is, Don’t mess with the resurrection!
E. Christianity is based upon the fact of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Taking away from this even in a subtle way, puts cracks in the foundations of our faith.
F. In a churchyard in England, stands one of the largest trees in the country. It stands as a great four-trunked tree growing out of a grave. Legend says that the grave is that of Lady Anne Grimston. Lady Anne Grimston did not believe in life after death. It is reported that when she lay dying in her home, she remarked to a friend, “I shall live again as surely as a tree will grow from my body.” After her death, Lady Anne was buried in a marble tomb. The grave was then marked by a large marble slab and surrounded by an iron railing. Years later, the marble slab was found to be moved a little. After time, it was moved a lot and through the opening a small tree began to grow. The tree continued its growth, tilting the marble stone and breaking the marble until today it is surrounded the tomb with its roots and has torn the railing out of the ground with its massive trunks. To the unbeliever, this is only a coincidence. But to the believer, it is viewed as God’s work. God took her up on her challenge. A tree is literally growing from her body.
G. Prove it to me! Prove to me that Jesus Christ rose from the dead! I cannot do it 100% because this does not involve the scientific method and there will always be an element of faith in this. But Let’s give it a try!
Thesis: Paul gives us 4 proofs of the resurrection in this text
For instances:
1. The Facts of the Gospel Vs. 3-4
A. Christ died for our sins (vs. 3)-
1. (John 1:29 NIV) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
2. (2 Cor 5:21 NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
B. Christ was buried (vs. 4)-
2. They knew it was Jesus’ body.
3. They also knew where that body was.
C. Rose again the third day (vs. 4).
1. (Luke 24:1 NIV) On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.(Luke 24:2 NIV) They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,(Luke 24:3 NIV) but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
2. Josh McDowell tried to disprove Christianity. After 700 hours of studying the subject, he came to the conclusion that Christianity is true. A student at the University of Uruguay asked Josh McDowell: “Professor McDowell, why can’t you refute Christianity?” McDowell answered, “For a very simple reason: I am not able to explain away an event in history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
D. Our faith is based on facts! Study the facts! Consider the alternatives:
1. The Swoon theory- This view says that Christ never actually died on the cross, but only swooned. When he was placed in the tomb of Joseph, He was still alive. After several hours, he was revived by the cool air of the tomb, arose, and departed.
2. Everyone went to the wrong tomb- (Luke 23:55 NIV) The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Wouldn’t have Joseph cleared all of this up?
3. There is no person who ever lived called Jesus Christ. Made up the whole thing. Much like they make up stories about Socrates, Plato, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln. What have they been smoking!
4. More faith to believe that it did not happen, than to believe that it did happen.
2. The Scriptures
A. Died for our sins (Vs. 3) -
* (Isa 53:6 NIV) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
B. Buried (Vs. 4)
* (Isa 53:9 NIV) He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
C. Rose again the third day (Vs. 4)-
* (Isa 53:10) Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.(Isa 53:11) After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied ; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
D. For one man to fulfill just 8 prophecies from the OT is 10 to the 17th power. For one man to fulfill 48 prophecies from the OT is 10 to the 157th power.
E. Paul took around a OT scroll to prove to the Jews. (Acts 17:2 NIV) As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,(Acts 17:3 NIV) explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ, " he said.
3. The eyewitnesses
A. These are just a few that Paul records.
1. Peter (Vs. 5)
A. After the resurrection Peter was in hiding.
B. Jesus appeared to him and forgave him.
2. 500 (Vs. 6)
A. Just need 2 witnesses for a conviction. Probably in Galilee.
3. James (Vs. 7)
A. This was the half brother to Jesus. His brothers did not believe in him.
4. Paul (Vs. 8)
A. On the Damascus Road
B. (Gal 1:15 NIV) But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased(Gal 1:16 NIV) to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,(Gal 1:17 NIV) nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.
5. 12 and the apostles are mentioned (vs. 5, 7)
A. (Acts 1:3 NIV) After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
B. The amazing harmony of what they said.
2. They mainly talked about Jesus Christ, not ideas.
3. They received their instruction from one Master, Jesus Christ.
4. The experience of the Corinthians (Vs. 1 and 2)
A. (1 Cor 6:10 NIV) nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.(1 Cor 6:11 NIV) And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
B. The witness across the ages and even today who believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
D. The evidence- the empty tomb, the eyewitnesses accounts and most importantly, the changed lives of millions, provides proof that the resurrection of Christ is real.
F. Play video- Proof from Sermon Spice
E. (John 11:25 NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;(John 11:26 NIV) and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
