The Evidence for The Evidence for ResurrectionResurrection

Laindon

31st January 2010

Three key questions...

• What does the Bible have to say about resurrection?

• Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

• What does resurrection mean for me?

2Resurrection

The words of Paul...

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-14

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Why is it so crucial?

• Man’s natural state is mortal (Psalm 89:48)

• Death is a state of total oblivion (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6)

• Death is the result of sin (Romans 5:12)

• Our only hope is resurrection (John 11:23-26)

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The hope of resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:19-23

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

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Confidence in Jesus Christ

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“We all are witnesses” Peter

• Christ’s trial and crucifixion an historic fact

• The witnesses confirmed Jesus’ claim he would rise after three days

• Jesus definitely died upon the cross, Pilate confirmed it and Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried him

• Only Mary Magdalene, Mary wife of Cleopas and Salome remained

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“We all are witnesses” continued

• The first witnesses were the women and they thought the body taken

• The disciples could not have stolen the body

• One fact that has never been challenged: the tomb was empty

• The disciples were profoundly convinced and brought great energy to their witness

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“We all are witnesses” continued

• The phenomenal speed of growth of Christianity – SOMETHING HAPPENED

• The place of witness was Jerusalem

• The disciples won the argument and James and Saul were converted

• So who actually moved the stone?

• Authorities placed the guard after Joseph took the body

• There is no tomb of JesusResurrection 9

Jesus rose from the dead

Acts 2:22-24

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

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Resurrection crucial to us

• If we are in Christ we can share in his resurrection (Romans 6:3-11)

• Resurrection will be at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

• Resurrection will be to judgement (Daniel 12:2)

• We must work for our salvation (Mark 10:29-30)

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Our hope of resurrection

1 John 5:11-13

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

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