FOM
Notes
The Reality of the Resurrection
Part 2 of 2 in the series “Easter
Investigation”
March 23,
2008 Pastor
“The angel said to the women, ‘Do
not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he
said. Come and see the place where he
lay.’ ”
Matthew 28:5-6
IS THE RESURRECTION IMPORTANT?
“Christianity without the Resurrection
isn’t just a story without the last chapter, it’s not Christianity
at all.”
Gerald O. Collins
“And if Christ has not been raised,
your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
I Corinthians 15:17
IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE A RESURRECTION
THERE HAS TO BE:
r
An actual (death)
“For what I
received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures . . .”
I
Corinthians 15:3
r
An empty (tomb)
“ . . .
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures . . .”
I
Corinthians 15:4
r
A later (appearance)
“ . . .
and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five
hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom
are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the
apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” I Corinthians 15:5-8
THE EVIDENCE
Ê
First hand knowledge: (The Disciples)
Why would they risk their lives for something
that wasn’t true?
Ê
A cultural shift: (The Early Church)
Why did such a large number of people
follow a dead man who didn’t live up to his own words?
Ê
A lasting legacy: (Personal Experience)
What does your personal experience attest
about the claims of Christ?
“For people to accept the evidence
for the Resurrection of Jesus and not take the final step of testing it
experientially would be to miss where the evidence is ultimately pointing.”
J.P. Moreland
THE CONCLUSION
If Jesus is still alive, I can find out
by relating to Him