1 Cor. 15:1-23 THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF JESUS
Intro: In a Christian question and answer column, the following letter
appeared:
Dear Eutychus: "Our preacher said, on Easter, that
Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back
to health. What do you think?"
The editor’s reply was this:
Dear Reader: "Beat your preacher with a cat-o’-nine
tails with 39 heavy strokes; nail him to a cross; hang him in the blistering
sun for six hours; run a spear through his heart; embalm him; put him
in a airless tomb for 72 hours and see what happens."
Though infidels and in-for-hells deny it, though the
intellectual elite and liberal thinkers call it foolishness, the doctrine
of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is of vital importance. In fact, if
there is one doctrine, one belief that sets Christianity apart from all
other religions and belief systems in the world, it is the doctrine of
the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead. The resurrection
is the cardinal doctrine of Christianity. Everything we believe and hold
sacred stands or falls on the fact of the resurrection. If Jesus did not
rise from the dead, then we are no better off than the worst sinner this
morning! If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then the Bible is a lie
and we have no hope! If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we have
no Gospel to preach and no savior to preach about, we are of all men most
miserable! If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then He Himself was guilty
of deception, John 2:19; John 10:17-18. Five times He said that He would
get up out of the tomb. Destroy the resurrection and Jesus is reduced
to the status of being an ordinary man, He is no longer God, Rom. 1:4.
Destroy the resurrection and you have destroyed the reason our justification,
Rom. 4:25. No wonder the Devil hates the doctrine of the resurrection
as no other. If he can convince men that Jesus is dead, then they will
never believe unto salvation. Perhaps this is why he had already put it
into the minds of men to doubt the resurrection before it had ever happened,
Ill. The Sadducees – Mark 12:18. Even some in the church doubt whether
or not there was a resurrection – 1 Cor. 15:12. I thank God this
morning that I know the resurrection to be a fact! I want to spend a few
minutes preaching about this glorious truth this morning. Let’s look
together at His resurrection and worship Him.
I. v.4 THE PROPHECY OF HIS RESURRECTION
A. The resurrection was not an event about which men knew nothing.
It had been Predicted before it took place.
1. The Psalmist told about it – Psa. 16:10
2. The Savior told about it – Matt. 12:38-40; John 2:19; Mark
8:31
B. The resurrection was Pictured before it took place.
1. By Isaac – Gen 22. (In Genesis, Isaac is seen on the mount
of sacrifice. The next time he is seen, he is alive and well, claiming
his bride.)
2. By Jonah – Matt. 12:38-40 (Ill. The only sign He would give!)
C. The prediction of the resurrection and the fulfillment of it prove
that Jesus is worthy to be followed and worshipped.
(Ill. One day a little girl proclaimed her faith as a Christian. A
smart alec nearby responded by saying, "Which Christ? Aren’t
there many?" Her answer was a classic. She said, "Sir, there
are many pretenders, but I worship the One which rose from the dead!")
II. v.5-8 THE PROOF OF HIS RESURRECTION
A. The Proof Of Human Reasoning – (Ill. The Roman guard
and seal!) (Ill. The fear and weakness of the disciples. They couldn’t
steal the body, the Romans wouldn’t steal the body.) Therefore,
that only leaves God – Heb. 13:20
B. The Proof Of Human Testimony – (Ill. Not an hallucination!)
There were more witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus than to the signing
of the Declaration of Independence! Yet, no one doubts that that document
was signed! How is it that some try to doubt the resurrection?
C. The Proof Of Human Nature – People are not willing to
die for something they do not believe in. Yet, the disciples were willing
to give up everything, including their lives because they believed Jesus
was alive!
D. The Proof Of Common Experience – The disciples were
saddened by the death of Jesus and hiding in fear, yet 3 days later
they were happy and filled with power. The only explanation is that
He rose from the dead.
E. The Proof Of Changed Lives – Ill. The disciples! They
were forever transformed after the resurrection! (Ill. Especially Simon
Peter!) (Ill. The changed lives in this room! Skeptics may say that
it is just emotion and self-will! I say that it is the transforming
power of a living Savior, 2 Cor. 5:17!)
F. The Proof Of Time – Ill. Time is a great leveler!
(Ill. Dr. Harry Rimmer was lecturing in a certain place and during
the question and answer period, a young Jewish man stood up and said
to Dr Rimmer, "What did Jesus Christ do that no one else ever did?"
Dr Rimmer answered him this way, "Sir, you are a Jew. Would you
agree with me that the Roamns crucified nearly 30,000 young Jewish men?"
The questioner answered in the affirmative. Dr. Rimmer continued by
saying, "Alright, I will name one of those who were crucified and
you name another. I name Jesus Christ." The student said, "I
can’t name another." Do you know why this young man could
not name another Jew out of those 30,000? Because time is the great
leveler of names and events. Only one crucified Jew is known to men
and His name is Jesus! He is remembered because He lives!)) Ill. Nobody
hates a dead man! When people die, hate is forgotten! Yet, Satan hates
Jesus, the world hates Jesus, the demons hate Jesus. (Ill Woman in church
service in Atlanta!) Why attack a dead man? If Jesus is dead, than we
are all crazy and ought to be locked up!
G. The Proof Of The Five Senses – Ill. Luke 24:39-43
I know what I have seen, heard, felt and tasted! How about you?
H. The Proof Of Scientific and Archeological Evidence –
(Ill. Gordon’s Tomb – The soil was examined and it was determined
that no body ever decomposed in that tomb!) (Ill. Lyttleton and West
– They set out to disprove the conversion of Paul and the resurrection
of Jesus and both wound up saved!)
Jesus Lives!
III. v.13-23 THE PURPOSE OF THE RESURRECTION
A. It Activates the Gospel – v. 14 – A dead Savior
saves no one! (Ill. The Gospel hasn’t been preached until we have
told of the death, burial and the resurrection – Ill. Little boy
and painting!)
B. It Authenticates our Faith – v. 14, 17 – The resurrection
says that what we believe has power and gives hope and peace!
C. It Arranges Our Justification – Rom. 4:25 Because Jesus
lives, God had accepted His death as payment for the sins of all who
will put their faith in Him. Therefore, He sees us not as sinners, but
as saints through the blood of Jesus!
D. It Anticipates Our Future – v.22-23 – (Ill. The
Firstfruits!) Jesus is our guarantee! Because He lives, we shall live
also! 1 Thes. 4:16-17. Because He lives, there shall also be a reunion
some day – 1 Thes. 4:13!
Conc: Thank God, He lives! I praise the Lord for Matt.
28:6, "He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Come see the place
where the Lord lay!" Because He lives, we live! Because He lives,
we can have everlasting life. Because He lives, life itself is worth living!
Because He lives, I want to live! Thank God for the resurrection!
