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