April 17, 2022

I Believe in the Resurrection

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Service Type:

Introduction

  • 1 Cor 15 - a long chapter
    • If you want to understand about the resurrection - read this chapter
  • Paul is explaining the doctrine of the resurrection
    • He explains what it means if there was no resurrection from the dead
      • We would be most pitiable - still in our sins
    • He explains what it means to rise from the dead
      • The triumph of Christianity
  • The doctrine of the resurrection is fundamental
    • It is tragic when people deny the resurrection
      • Example of David Jenkins
    • To deny the resurrection:
      • Is to deny a God who can do all things and the deity of Christ
      • The testimony of the Bible and the words of Jesus Christ
      • Is to call Jesus Christ a liar and say His death was a failure
      • Is to call the Apostles liar and preaching a lie (why then would be they be martyred for something they preached)
    • Greek thought was creeping into the Church
      • They were saying the body is worthless and there is no resurrection
      • But if there was no resurrection, our faith if futile, there is no forgiveness of sin, those who die perish and we are most pitiable
  • Tonight looking at v1-11 - defending the doctrine of the resurrection
    • The witness of the Scriptures
    • The testimony of eye witnesses
    • The witness of changed lives

The witness of the Scriptures (v3-4)

  • The Scriptures
    • Paul delivers this which he has received - passing on that which Christ has taught him
    • He mentions the word Scripture twice - he is emphatic about this
    • Paul was an Apostle who received divine revelation (Gal 1:11-12)
      • Yes he learnt the Scriptures under Gamaliel
      • He spent 3 years in Arabia being taught by Jesus Christ (Gal 1:17)
    • Paul's epistles were not written with a 'New Testament' in situ
      • For example the epistle to the Corinthians was written 25 years before the Gospel according to John
    • Paul's reference to the Scriptures means the Old Testament
  • Old Testament references to Jesus
    • Isa 53:4-7 - explanation and reading
    • Jesus refers to Himself in the Old Testament
    • References to Jesus:
      • Types of Christ - example of Abraham & Issac
      • The doctrine of substitution
      • The sacrificial system
    • Reading Ps 16:10-11 (and explanation)
    • Reading Acts 2:29-31
    • Reading Acts 13:29-35 
    • Prophecies about his death and burial
  • The devil seeks to twist Scripture but we can stand firm on the Scriptures
    • Although we can stumble in some parts of Scripture ...
    • ... we can trust Scripture

The testimony of eye witnesses (v5-7)

  • In a court of law testimony is given by eye witnesses
    • The testimony of women was discarded in the 1st Century
      • Yet the women were the first to see Jesus
  • Paul does not mention the women here but Cephas (Peter) and James
    • These two did not believe/had denied Christ
      • Peter was wonderfully restored
    • One who had denied Christ and one who was an unbeliever (John 7:5) saw Jesus
    • Then all the apostles saw Jesus (including His family)
  • 500 witnesses
    • Some were still alive - the letter was written 20-25 years after the death of Jesus
    • These were a clear eye witness
  • Sift through the evidence yourself

The witness of changed lives (v8-11)

  • Concentrating on Paul and his biographical information
  • He is born out of due time - a sudden and dramatic conversion
    • He was thrown from his horse
    • He was blinded for three days
    • He did not eat or drink for 3 days
    • He had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ
    • He was baptised
  • He goes out to preach the faith he sought to destroy
    • He persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ
    • He felt so unworthy because of this
    • John 15:16
  • By God's grace
    • Paul preached the gospel and people were saved (v1)
      • The proof that you are the children of God - if you continue to follow (v2)
      • God's grace to Paul was not in vain (v10)
    • Believing reaps fruits of righteousness
      • Reading Heb 3:14
      • Reading Col 1:21-23
    • The people believed (v11)
      • Faith working through love
      • Starting and ending with faith - Christianity is not about works
  • If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth - you will be saved
    • This is God's promise to you
    • Words of Jesus Christ
    • Do you believe this?
    • Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
  • Recap and Closing Remarks
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