Sermon: Gospel Facts That Shook The World

Sermon: Gospel Facts that Shook the World

Scripture Lesson:1Corinthians 15:1-10

“Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.”

Introduction: This passage of Scripture in first Corinthians 15 consist of the facts Apostle Paul considered most critical to the Christian faith. The sinless Lamb of God died for our sins according to the Scriptures, he was buried and raised from the dead for our justification, and he lives forever. That’s the gospel in a nutshell. Those who heartily believe these facts and rely upon the Risen Christ for salvation are saved. Paul goes on to say that Jesus rose and showed himself alive to Peter and the other disciples. There were hundreds of eyewitnesses to this historical fact. Nothing in history was ever better attested. The witnesses had nothing to gain, and many of them lost their lives for maintaining their belief. After the world had experienced the miraculous birth of Jesus, being touched by His life and ministry, nothing could have prepared them for the events of the resurrection story.

We are accustomed to the ordinary, the common, the known, when things happen beyond our scope of knowledge, we are shaken. The world had experienced prophets, teachers, and preachers before, yet Jesus was something more. Hundredths of prophecies predicted his coming, wise men and seers looked for him, yet His surprising birth shook the world.

1.The birth of Jesus shook the world. Luke 1:35 “The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

His birth caused quite a disturbance because of how He was conceived, and who was chosen to bear him. Who can wrap their mind around an immaculate conception? Who would believe royalty would be born to a peasant girl? Or a king would be born in a stable? Who would believe a star would point to his residence, an angelic chorus would sing his praise and shepherds would be the first to bow to him. The world shook at his birth and Herod feared his throne was in jeopardy. Herod was so shaken that he put out a contract on Jesus, he filled the streets of Bethlehem with the blood of male children under two years old. What a terrible and horrible season that must have been. Mary and her family were shaken, Joseph was shaken, and Herod was shaken. The birth of Jesus shook the world.

2.The Life and Ministry of Jesus Shook the World. John 3:2, Nicodemus came to Jesus, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

John 7:46-48, “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

John 12:19 “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

Nicodemus said, no man can do these kinds of miracles accept God be with him. The soldiers said, never a man spake like this man. And the religious leaders, the whole world is gone after him. Even Pontius Pilate could find no fault in him. His life was spotless and pure, his conduct was loving and kind. He called all men to himself, welcomed all, and forgave all. He was a friend to sinners. His life and ministry shook the world.